NBC off to Queens for crusade
Peacock on scene
June 24, 2005
NEW YORK -- "NBC Nightly News" will go across town to broadcast tonight's show from the site of what could be the Rev. Billy Graham's last crusade.
Anchor Brian Williams will host the broadcast from New York's Flushing Meadows Park in the Queens section of the city, where the Rev. Graham will hold a three-day crusade in front of hundreds of thousands of people today, Saturday and Sunday. Tonight's broadcast will feature an interview Williams did with Graham.
Williams said Thursday afternoon that the remote broadcast was planned months ago, when he and then-executive producer Steve Capus learned of the New York crusade. He said the decision was a "no-brainer" given Graham's influence and the affection millions of people have for him.
"He's an enormous figure in the latter half of the last century. I have not shaken any other hands that have shaken the hands of 10 presidents," Williams said, referring to Graham's role as a spiritual adviser to so many commanders in chief. "Every time I'm with Billy Graham, I'm mindful that he brings the very same calming presence that leaders of this nation, 10 of them, have found soothing and absolutely necessary."
Williams, who covered one of the crusades in Southern California, said it's a unique, multilingual and multicultural event.
"He is a figure famous across the country, and this is a chance for the program to acknowledge that," Williams said.
"NBC Nightly News" isn't the only show that will feature the Rev. Graham. The minister, 86, who has used TV and radio throughout his ministry, has been seen on all three broadcast networks' morning shows as well as CNN's "Larry King Live." And at least two cable shows -- Fox News Channel's "Hannity & Colmes" and MSNBC's "Scarborough Country" -- also will broadcast live from Flushing Meadows Park.
Anchor Brian Williams will host the broadcast from New York's Flushing Meadows Park in the Queens section of the city, where the Rev. Graham will hold a three-day crusade in front of hundreds of thousands of people today, Saturday and Sunday. Tonight's broadcast will feature an interview Williams did with Graham.
Williams said Thursday afternoon that the remote broadcast was planned months ago, when he and then-executive producer Steve Capus learned of the New York crusade. He said the decision was a "no-brainer" given Graham's influence and the affection millions of people have for him.
"He's an enormous figure in the latter half of the last century. I have not shaken any other hands that have shaken the hands of 10 presidents," Williams said, referring to Graham's role as a spiritual adviser to so many commanders in chief. "Every time I'm with Billy Graham, I'm mindful that he brings the very same calming presence that leaders of this nation, 10 of them, have found soothing and absolutely necessary."
Williams, who covered one of the crusades in Southern California, said it's a unique, multilingual and multicultural event.
"He is a figure famous across the country, and this is a chance for the program to acknowledge that," Williams said.
"NBC Nightly News" isn't the only show that will feature the Rev. Graham. The minister, 86, who has used TV and radio throughout his ministry, has been seen on all three broadcast networks' morning shows as well as CNN's "Larry King Live." And at least two cable shows -- Fox News Channel's "Hannity & Colmes" and MSNBC's "Scarborough Country" -- also will broadcast live from Flushing Meadows Park.
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