From Wall Street to 30 Rock

Mixed reviews for Nightly News’ new voice, actor/producer Michael Douglas. He made his debut as the announcer for NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams last night. Click here to hear it…

On his blog, Newsday’s Verne Gay writes, “Somewhat reedy, thin, without command or noticeable stature. At first I thought they’d maybe hired the page – Kenneth, perhaps. But no. It’s Michael.” And from TVNewser readers:

• Michael Douglas: Good actor; bad announcer
• May I say that Michael Douglas sounds nasal, unauthoritative, and out-of-place. What is the compulsion with having a celebrity voice anyway?
• I work in the news division at NBC and I wonder while we can’t hire crews and are firing editorial staff does it make sense to pay an Academy Award Winner to do our voice over work?

And from The Daily Nightly…

• Love the new voice! It heralds the greatness of your broadcast very well. I look forward to hearing it each night.
• I think Michael Douglas was a good choice although not as compelling a voice a some others.
• Michael freakin Douglas? What the ??? I guess I should be grateful you didn’t choose Alec Baldwin or one of his out-of-work brothers)!

>Update: An NBC insider tells us that Douglas worked for scale, and that he donated his earnings to charity.

>More: Anderson Cooper‘s distraught over Nightly’s announcer announcement…we think.

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