Brian Williams On Five Years At Nightly’s Helm: ‘My Life Has Far Surpassed My Wildest Dreams’

It was on this day five years ago — December 2, 2004 — that Brian Williams took over the NBC Nightly News desk, succeeding Tom Brokaw.

“Whatever success we have enjoyed over these five years is thanks to the people I work with and for,” Williams tells TVNewser. “It’s thanks as well to the fact that I took this baton from a pillar of class and decency, Tom Brokaw — who anchored this broadcast with distinction for 23 years.”

TVNewser has learned the anniversary will be noted toward the end of tonight’s broadcast. But today, Williams is reflecting on more than just the last five years.

“Here in my office in New York,” Williams tells TVNewser, “I keep a number of reminders of my upbringing and early life on the Jersey Shore — they are necessary leveling devices, because my life has far surpassed my wildest dreams.”

After the broadcast, Williams will appear during this evening’s NBC “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” tree lighting ceremony.

“I believe I’ve forged a rather personal relationship with our viewers, and I will continue to endeavor every day not to disappoint them,” says the newsman.

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