Mark Whitaker

Power Problems Persist at NBC News Washington - Posted 5 days, 6 hours ago
NBC's Washington bureau has been having power problems all day. Politico's Michael Calderone emailed bureau chief Mark Whitaker about it this morning. Whitaker writes, "somehow the bureau lost power and the electrical system froze in transition to the backup generator." Insiders tell us the phones haven't worked for most of the day,... [TVNewser]

Sunday Show Preview - Posted October 30, 2009
• NBC's Meet the Press: President Obama's 2008 presidential campaign manager David Plouffe, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, "Where Men Win Glory" author Jon Krakauer and NBC's Jim Miklaszewski and Andrea Mitchell • CBS' Face the Nation: White House senior advisor David Axelrod and Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) • ABC's This Week: Senior... [FishBowlDC]

Some Promotions at NBC's Washington Bureau - Posted September 22, 2009
NBC Washington bureau chief Mark Whitaker announced a few well-deserveds ups today. Alicia Jennings- who Whitaker calls "a master at juggling the many editorial, logistical and diplomatic balls on the White House beat"- has been promoted to senior White House producer. And gearing up for 2010 mid-term elections (editor's note: we're not... [FishBowlDC]

Some Promotions at NBC's Washington Bureau - Posted September 22, 2009
NBC Washington bureau chief Mark Whitaker announced a few well-deserveds ups today. Alicia Jennings- who Whitaker calls "a master at juggling the many editorial, logistical and diplomatic balls on the White House beat"- has been promoted to senior White House producer. And gearing up for 2010 mid-term elections (editor's note: we're not... [FishBowlDC]

Some Promotions at NBC's Washington Bureau - Posted September 22, 2009
NBC Washington bureau chief Mark Whitaker announced a few well-deserveds ups today. Alicia Jennings- who Whitaker calls "a master at juggling the many editorial, logistical and diplomatic balls on the White House beat"- has been promoted to senior White House producer. And gearing up for 2010 mid-term elections (editor's note: we're not... [FishBowlDC]

Cosby's "About Our Children" Airs on MSNBC Last Night from Howard University - Posted September 21, 2009
Bill Cosby was in town this weekend-- spotted by Politico having dinner with Chris Matthews at Tosca Saturday-- for a special event "About Our Children," which aired on MSNBC last evening from Howard University. NPR's and frequent MSNBC guest Michelle Bernard moderated the panel, which included Harvard professor Dr. Alvin Poussaint,... [FishBowlDC]

House of Haddad Celebrates WuDunn & Kristof - Posted September 14, 2009
Last Thursday evening, guests at the home of Tammy Haddad were given the chance to chat up of Pulitzer Prize winners and co-authors of "Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide," Nicholas Kristof & Sheryl WuDunn. The two were being honored by "Mothers Day Every Day," a... [FishBowlDC]

Obama Over-Exposed, Rahm Running Out of Favors - Posted August 3, 2009
Mark Whitaker, NBC's Washington bureau chief, told WaPo's Howard Kurtz that Obama "is at risk of overexposure" following the president's last prime-time press conference. Which might explain why Rahm Emanuel had to call Bob Iger, chief executive of Disney, ABC's parent company to urge the network to carry the presser... [FishBowlDC]

Obama & The Press: A Match Made In Ratings Heaven? - Posted July 6, 2009
"Obama should change his middle name from Hussein to Nielsen," said Gail Shister, a writing instructor at the University of Pennsylvania (and TVNewser columnist) to AP's David Bauder for a piece on President Obama's relationship with the networks. Strong public interest in the president and his policies explains why so many people... [FishBowlDC]

Four Hours of Pres. Obama or "More of 'The Biggest Loser'?" - Posted July 6, 2009
The AP's David Bauder takes a closer look at the TV news coverage of the Obama administration, specifically through two recent specials - "Inside the Obama White House" on NBC and the health care reform special on ABC. Says ABC "World News" EP Jon Banner: "We will take every opportunity that's given... [TVNewser]

DC Heads To Aspen For Ideas Festival 2009 - Posted June 29, 2009
Andrea Mitchell, Bob Schieffer and Katharine Weymouth are among just some of the Washingtonians flocking to Colorado this week for the 2009 Aspen Ideas Festival. Hosted by the Aspen Institute and The Atlantic, the festival runs today through July 5th and this year's theme is "Ideas that Work," with programs like... [FishBowlDC]

DC Heads To Aspen For Ideas Festival 2009 - Posted June 29, 2009
Andrea Mitchell, Bob Schieffer and Katharine Weymouth are among just some of the Washingtonians flocking to Colorado this week for the 2009 Aspen Ideas Festival. Hosted by the Aspen Institute and The Atlantic, the festival runs today through July 5th and this year's theme is "Ideas that Work," with programs like... [FishBowlDC]

RTCA Dinner Wrap-Up - Posted June 21, 2009
We think the President said it best- "The jokes may not be as good, but neither is the guest list." There were no TomKat or Ashton and Demi sightings. The biggest star (and highest dress slit) in the room was former Miss California Carrie Prejean, followed in star power by actor Tate... [FishBowlDC]

RTCA Dinner Wrap-Up - Posted June 21, 2009
We think the President said it best- "The jokes may not be as good, but neither is the guest list." There were no TomKat or Ashton and Demi sightings. The biggest star (and highest dress slit) in the room was former Miss California Carrie Prejean, followed in star power by actor Tate... [FishBowlDC]

More RTCA Dets: CBS Pre-Parties, Maddow Guest Bartends At MSNBC After-Party, Gibbs To Play MC Rove - Posted June 18, 2009
Ok, we're kidding about Robert Gibbs playing this year's MC Rove, but we have learned of a few more legitimate details to share with you about tomorrow evening's RTCA dinner... • CBS News is hosting a pre-party on the second floor of the convention center. There will be a live band... [FishBowlDC]

More RTCA Dets: CBS Pre-Parties, Maddow Guest Bartends At MSNBC After-Party, Gibbs To Play MC Rove - Posted June 18, 2009
Ok, we're kidding about Robert Gibbs playing this year's MC Rove, but we have learned of a few more legitimate details to share with you about tomorrow evening's RTCA dinner... • CBS News is hosting a pre-party on the second floor of the convention center. There will be a live band... [FishBowlDC]

Taking Out The Trash - Posted June 5, 2009
What we almost missed today... • Stephen Colbert is in Iraq, taping and performing shows for troops. "Operation Iraqi Stephen: Going Commando" airs on Comedy Central next week. • Margaret Carlson hosted a party for Joe Scarborough last night for his new book "The Last Best Hope." NBC and MSNBC colleagues came... [FishBowlDC]

Sunday Show Preview for 05.31.09 - Posted May 29, 2009
So our headline has become a bit misleading...really should read "Weekend Show Preview." That said, I think it is just about complete. NBC's Meet the Press with David Gregory: Chairman of the Judiciary Committee Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) to discuss Sotomayor confirmation hearings. ABC's This Week... [FishBowlDC]

Sunday Show Preview for 05.31.09 - Posted May 28, 2009
We'll continue updating throughout the day... NBC's Meet the Press with David Gregory: Chairman of the Judiciary Committee Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) to discuss Sotomayor confirmation hearings. ABC's This Week with George Stephanopoulos: Sens. Charles Schumer (D-NY) and John Cornyn (R-TX) and roundtable with former Bush adviser... [FishBowlDC]

Enchanted, Surprised, Troubled and Humbled at Time & People - Posted May 9, 2009
Larry Hackett and Sandra Sobieraj Westfall of People Magazine and Time Magazine's Richard Stengel and Michael Duffy kicked off the WHCA Dinner weekend with a star-studded cocktail at the Hotel St. Regis. Taking a cue from our pal Jeff Zeleny, we've decided to summarize the fete in a four-part format. ... [FishBowlDC]

Enchanted, Surprised, Troubled and Humbled at Time & People - Posted May 9, 2009
Larry Hackett and Sandra Sobieraj Westfall of People Magazine and Time Magazine's Richard Stengel and Michael Duffy kicked off the WHCA Dinner weekend with a star-studded cocktail at the Hotel St. Regis. Taking a cue from our pal Jeff Zeleny, we've decided to summarize the fete in a four-part format. ... [FishBowlDC]

Awards, Panel & DC Journo A-Listers At The Week's Opinion Awards - Posted April 28, 2009
There were more than plenty DC journos on hand last night at the St. Regis Hotel to see David Axelrod introduce David Brooks as The Week's Columnist of the Year Award. The dinner was emceed by The Week's Washington editor-at-large Margaret Carlson and Axelrod was the guest speaker. "You're what the... [FishBowlDC]

Awards, Panel & DC Journo A-Listers At The Week's Opinion Awards - Posted April 28, 2009
There were more than plenty DC journos on hand last night at the St. Regis Hotel to see David Axelrod introduce David Brooks as The Week's Columnist of the Year Award. The dinner was emceed by The Week's Washington editor-at-large Margaret Carlson and Axelrod was the guest speaker. "You're what the... [FishBowlDC]

Mark Whitaker On Life Inside the DC Fishbowl - Posted April 7, 2009
FishbowlDC's Matt Dornic talks with NBC News DC Bureau chief Mark Whitaker: What has been the proudest moment in your career? I was the Editor of Newsweek during 9/11 - we did a lot of groundbreaking coverage for a weekly magazine and won a National Magazine Award for General Excellence for it. On... [TVNewser]

Mark Whitaker On Life Inside the DC Fishbowl - Posted April 7, 2009
FishbowlDC's Matt Dornic talks with NBC News DC Bureau chief Mark Whitaker: What has been the proudest moment in your career? I was the Editor of Newsweek during 9/11 - we did a lot of groundbreaking coverage for a weekly magazine and won a National Magazine Award for General Excellence for it. On... [TVNewser]

Mark Whitaker: The FishbowlDC Interview - Posted April 7, 2009
Say hello "good afternoon, Sir" to Mark Whitaker. One of the most powerful players in news media, Whitaker is Senior Vice President and Washington Bureau Chief for NBC News... but I didn't need to tell you that. What does your morning reading list include? In print, I read The New... [FishBowlDC]

Mark Whitaker: The FishbowlDC Interview - Posted April 7, 2009
Say hello "good afternoon, Sir" to Mark Whitaker. One of the most powerful players in news media, Whitaker is Senior Vice President and Washington Bureau Chief for NBC News... but I didn't need to tell you that. What does your morning reading list include? In print, I read The New... [FishBowlDC]

Mediabistro Blog-Family Roundup - Posted April 7, 2009
From intern to Editor-in-Chief at Surfing Magazine- FishbowlNY Facebook used to catch a thief- AgencySpy Designer accused by Stock Art for theft of logos he designed- UnBeige Exclusive interview with Mark Whitaker, Washington Bureau Chief for NBC News- FishbowlDC Reuters hires former CNNer for online global editor role-... [FishBowlLA]

Mediabistro Blog-Family Roundup - Posted April 7, 2009
From intern to Editor-in-Chief at Surfing Magazine- FishbowlNY Facebook used to catch a thief- AgencySpy Designer accused by Stock Art for theft of logos he designed- UnBeige Exclusive interview with Mark Whitaker, Washington Bureau Chief for NBC News- FishbowlDC Reuters hires former CNNer for online global editor role-... [FishBowlLA]

Sunday Show Preview - Posted March 27, 2009
NBC's Meet the Press: Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) CBS' Face the Nation: President Barack Obama ABC's This Week: Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and a roundtable with ABC's Matthew Dowd and Cokie Roberts, NYT's Paul Krugman and columnist George Will Fox News Sunday: Secretary Robert Gates CNN's State of the... [FishBowlDC]

Sunday Show Preview - Posted March 27, 2009
NBC's Meet the Press: Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) CBS' Face the Nation: President Barack Obama ABC's This Week: Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and a roundtable with ABC's Matthew Dowd and Cokie Roberts, NYT's Paul Krugman and columnist George Will Fox News Sunday: Secretary Robert Gates CNN's State of the... [FishBowlDC]

Morning Reading List 03.26.09 - Posted March 26, 2009
Good Morning FishbowlDC! Got a blind item, interesting link, funny note, comment, birthday, anniversary or anything of the sort for Morning Reading List? Drop us a line. Its day 66 covering the Obama administration and week eight for us. Happy Birthday to Bob Woodward (h/t Playbook). What we know and what we're reading... [FishBowlDC]

Whitaker on Matthews: Expect Layoffs at the NYT - Posted March 23, 2009
Are there more cuts coming at the NYT? NBC's Mark Whitaker seemed to think so on this weekend's Chris Matthews Show. Says Whitaker:Look, it's a -- it's a real problem. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer couldn't survive with a newsroom of 165 people. It's going down to a Web staff of... [FishBowlNY]

Whitaker on Matthews: Expect Layoffs at the NYT - Posted March 23, 2009
Are there more cuts coming at the NYT? NBC's Mark Whitaker seemed to think so on this weekend's Chris Matthews Show. Says Whitaker:Look, it's a -- it's a real problem. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer couldn't survive with a newsroom of 165 people. It's going down to a Web staff of... [FishBowlNY]

Weeks After Daily Show Takedown #1, CNBC Still Has People Talking - Posted March 23, 2009
On March 4, Jon Stewart's eight-minute CNBC rant began a discussion of the financial news leader that continues nearly three weeks later. Some recent write-ups: • Marketwatch's Jon Friedman writes that now is the time for FBN and Bloomberg to capitalize on the CNBC perception. "The priority for Fox Business and Bloomberg... [TVNewser]

Weeks After Daily Show Takedown #1, CNBC Still Has People Talking - Posted March 23, 2009
On March 4, Jon Stewart's eight-minute CNBC rant began a discussion of the financial news leader that continues nearly three weeks later. Some recent write-ups: • Marketwatch's Jon Friedman writes that now is the time for FBN and Bloomberg to capitalize on the CNBC perception. "The priority for Fox Business and Bloomberg... [TVNewser]

Sunday Show Preview - Posted March 20, 2009
NBC's Meet the Press: NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Gov. Ed Rendell (D-PA), Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-CA) and a roundtable with NBC's Tom Brokaw and CNBC's Erin Burnett CBS' Face the Nation: White House Council of Economic Advisors' Austan Goolsbee, Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA), Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA), Slate's John Dickerson and... [FishBowlDC]

Journos Gather at Ritz for RTNDF First Amendment Dinner - Posted March 13, 2009
Last night was the First Amendment Awards Dinner at the Ritz Carlton, the 19th annual hosted by RTNDF. The dinner was emceed by MSNBC's Chris Matthews, who started by thanking his wife Kathleen (away on a skiing trip), his "ambassador to the human race." He also thanked Rod Blagojevich, Sen. Roland Burris... [FishBowlDC]

Journos Gather at Ritz for RTNDF First Amendment Dinner - Posted March 13, 2009
Last night was the First Amendment Awards Dinner at the Ritz Carlton, the 19th annual hosted by RTNDF. The dinner was emceed by MSNBC's Chris Matthews, who started by thanking his wife Kathleen (away on a skiing trip), his "ambassador to the human race." He also thanked Rod Blagojevich, Sen. Roland Burris... [FishBowlDC]

Changes at NBC's D.C. Bureau - Posted February 27, 2009
FishbowlDC has the memo from NBC D.C. bureau chief Mark Whitaker announcing several promotions. Antoine Sanfuentes was promoted to Deputy Bureau Chief from his "decade as Senior White House producer." He replaces Wendy Wilkinson, who is leaving the network next month. Also, Albert Oetgen's role has been expanded to managing editor as well... [TVNewser]

Sanfuentes Named NBC Deputy Bureau Chief - Posted February 27, 2009
FBDC has learned Antoine Sanfuentes has been named Deputy Bureau Chief of the Washington Bureau of NBC News, as announced this morning by Bureau Chief Mark Whitaker. Sanfuentes replaces Wendy Wilkinson. Sanfuentes was previously the Senior White House Producer. Congratulations Antoine! ... [FishBowlDC]

Morning Reading List 02.04.09 - Posted February 4, 2009
Good Morning FishbowlDC! Got a blind item, interesting link, funny note, comment, birthday, anniversary or anything of the sort for Morning Reading List? Drop us a line or let us know in the tips box below. We're dropping the "Muesli"... just join us after the jump!... [FishBowlDC]

Wendy Wilkinson Leaving NBC News - Posted February 3, 2009
FishbowlDC reports NBC's Washington D.C. Deputy Bureau chief Wendy Wilkinson is leaving the network. Wilkinson, who has been with NBC News for 30 years, will depart at the end of March. In an email to staff, Bureau Chief Mark Whitaker calls Wilkinson "the heart and soul of NBC News in Washington." It's... [TVNewser]

Sunday Show Preview - Posted January 16, 2009
Meet The Press: Rahm Emanuel, Incoming White House Chief of Staff, Tom Brokaw, NBC News, David Brooks, New York Times, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Presidential Historian, Tavis Smiley, Host, PBS's Tavis Smiley, Chuck Todd, Political Director, NBC News. Face the Nation: Incoming National Economic Council director Lawrence Summers, Georgetown University Michael Eric Dyson... [FishBowlDC]

Kurtz: Obama "Will Face a Press Corps Lacking in Minorities" - Posted January 12, 2009
From today's mediabistro.com Morning Newsfeed and Morning Media Menu: The Washington Post's Howard Kurtz writes about the incoming White House press corps, which will be "mostly white" as usual. "The advent of the Obama administration seems to underscore that racial progress has been uneven in a business that chronicles that very subject," writes... [TVNewser]

Morning Reading List, 12.17.08 - Posted December 17, 2008
Good morning, Washington. What DC cafeteria is featured above? Think you know? Email us with your best guess. AND: Join us after the jump to find out if you guessed our last contest correctly. Got a blind item, interesting link, funny note, comment, birthday, anniversary or anything of the sort for Morning... [FishBowlDC]

Whitaker: "We Can't Let Up" - Posted December 16, 2008
Following a news conference today in which President-elect Barack Obama dodged questions related to Gov. Rod Blagojevich, NBC Washington bureau chief Mark Whitaker told Andrea Mitchell on MSNBC that journalists must continue to "press them hard." "It's a question that is not going away and he can't, as he did in the... [TVNewser]

Alex Wallace Returns To Front Office, Epstein To Take Over Nightly News - Posted December 4, 2008
THR's Paul J. Gough scoops that NBC Nightly News EP Alexandra Wallace is returning to the job she once held with NBC News — front office VP. Longtime Nightly News senior producer Bob Epstein will be named executive producer. Wallace stepped aside from the VP job, which was essentially #2 to news... [TVNewser]

Sunday Show Preview - Posted November 28, 2008
Meet The Press: First Lady Laura Bush, Afghanistan's Ambassador to the United States Said Jawad and Ted Turner, Author, "Call Me Ted" This Week: Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) of the Armed Services Committee and Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN) of the Foreign Relations Committee. A roundtable with ABC News' Matthew Dowd, Donna Brazile,... [FishBowlDC]

NBC DC Pushing Employee Buyouts - Posted November 6, 2008
According to FishbowlDC... At a meeting in NBC News' DC bureau today, bureau chief Mark Whitaker made a renewed plea to staffers to take the network's buyout package, sources tell FishbowlDC. More here...... [TVNewser]

NBC DC Bureau Makes Plea To Staff On Buyout Program - Posted November 6, 2008
At a meeting in NBC News' DC bureau today, bureau chief Mark Whitaker made a renewed plea to staffers to take the network's buyout package, sources tell FishbowlDC. The buyout offer has been an option for a while now, as part of NBC Universal's plan to trim $500 million from its budget,... [FishBowlDC]

Sunday Show Preview - Posted October 17, 2008
Meet The Press: Former Secretary of State Gen. Colin Powell (Ret.), NBC's political director Chuck Todd, David Brooks of the New York Times, Jon Meacham of Newsweek magazine, Andrea Mitchell of NBC News, and Joe Scarborough of MSNBC's "Morning Joe." Face the Nation: Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine (D), Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz... [FishBowlDC]

Sunday Show Preview - Posted September 12, 2008
Meet the Press: Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Rudy Giuliani, Bob Woodward and NBC's Chuck Todd. Face the Nation: Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano (D), Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), former MA Gov. Jane Swift (R) and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX). This Week: Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO), McCain Victory chair Carly Fiorina, former Federal... [FishBowlDC]

Cablers on the McCain Veep Chase - Posted August 29, 2008
With less than two and a half hours until his official announcement, TV journalists are scrambling to confirm that Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is his pick for Vice President. Fox News and NBC News are confirming that Govs. Tim Pawlenty and Mitt Romney are out of the running, with Palin's name... [TVNewser]

A Night of Nightly - Posted August 27, 2008
TVNewser had a front row seat for tonight's broadcast of the NBC Nightly News at 6:30pmET. Helmed by senior producer Subrata De, with new Washington bureau chief Mark Whitaker looking on, about a dozen employees put together the show in a small skybox in the Pepsi Center. The first block ended just... [TVNewser]

A Night of Nightly - Posted August 27, 2008
TVNewser had a front row seat for tonight's broadcast of the NBC Nightly News at 6:30pmET. Helmed by senior producer Subrata De, with new Washington bureau chief Mark Whitaker looking on, about a dozen employees put together the show in a small skybox in the Pepsi Center. The first block ended just... [TVNewser]

Morning Reading List, 07.30.08 - Posted July 30, 2008
Got a blind item, interesting link, funny note, comment, birthday, anniversary or anything of the sort for Morning Reading List? Drop us a line or let us know in the tips box below. We've got your morning mix of media Muesli after the jump...... [FishBowlDC]

Whitaker's Long Distance Call-Up to the DC Bureau - Posted July 29, 2008
Gail Shister TVNewser Columnist L'amour, toujours l'amour. Mark Whitaker was attending a cousin's wedding outside Provence, France, when NBC News boss Steve Capus called to offer him the Washington bureau chief job. "I didn't want him interrupting me at the church, so I called him back between the wedding and the reception," Whitaker says. "It... [TVNewser]

Whitaker To Washington - Posted July 28, 2008
First on TVNewser: Insiders tell TVNewser that NBC News senior VP Mark Whitaker will be named chief of the network's Washington bureau perhaps as early as today. The bureau chief position has been vacant since the death of Tim Russert June 13. Whitaker joined NBC News in May of 2007 from... [TVNewser]

Whitaker To Washington - Posted July 28, 2008
First on TVNewser: Insiders tell TVNewser that NBC News senior VP Mark Whitaker will be named chief of the network's Washington bureau perhaps as early as today. The bureau chief position has been vacant since the death of Tim Russert June 13. Whitaker joined NBC News in May of 2007 from... [TVNewser]

Morning Reading List, 05.02.07 - Posted May 2, 2007
Good morning Washington. Dana Perino on life at the top. An ABC release announced that "World News with Charles Gibson" was "the #1 evening newscast among Total Viewers, Households and Adults 25-54 for the week of April 23." Averaging 8.20 million Total Viewers, "World News" outperformed NBC's "Nightly News" by 310,000 Total... [FishBowlDC]

Whitaker Leaves WPNI - Posted May 1, 2007
From WPNI's Caroline Little: It is with mixed emotions we announce that Mark Whitaker will be leaving WPNI to join NBC as Senior Vice President, the number two position under Steve Capus overseeing day-to-day national and international coverage and special projects for all their platforms (network, cable, web, etc). Mark has been... [FishBowlDC]

Taking Out The Trash, 02.21.07 - Posted February 21, 2007
With almost 60%, The Beatles are your fav, but one reader calls the Waaa-mbulance on what they consider to be our lack of music credibility: "Did you really do a poll on who's better Beatles, Stones and LZ? Love the latter two, but not even in the same league as a... [FishBowlDC]