It’s been one month since viewers final noticed Lester Holt on NBC Nightly Information, and the previous host has been holding himself busy ever since.
Holt shocked followers by asserting his exit from the collection earlier this yr. “After 10 years, 17 when you embody my years on the weekends, the time has come for me to step away from my function as anchor of Nightly Information,” he mentioned in a February 24 assertion. “It has really been the dignity of a lifetime to work with every of you on daily basis, holding journalism as our true north and our viewers on the middle of every part we do.”
Nevertheless, Holt revealed on the time that he can be taking up a brand new function on one other of his NBC collection. “I’m excited to report I shall be persevering with as anchor of Dateline NBC, however for the primary time in a full time capability whereby I shall be increasing my footprint on the printed and crafting Dateline hours on topics I care deeply about,” he shared. “I’m thrilled to have the ability to work extra intently with my enormously proficient mates at Dateline as the printed continues to develop and appeal to new viewers in new locations.”
Tom Llamas was introduced as Holt’s Nightly Information substitute one month later, and the journalist made his debut because the present’s new lead anchor on June 2.
Miller Mobley/NBC
Earlier than Llamas took his seat on the Nightly Information desk, Holt bid an emotional farewell to his longtime TV gig on Could 30. “As anchor, it has been an honor to guide this program and an honor to be welcomed into your properties,” he advised viewers on the finish of the episode. “I’m so grateful on your belief. Round right here, details matter, phrases matter, journalism issues, and also you matter.”
The 66-year-old continued, “I’ll miss our evenings collectively and I’ll miss the crew that places all of it collectively; my expensive mates and my colleagues. However for now, I simply wish to say thanks to my extremely supportive and affected person household and all of you.”
Lester was joined on-air by his spouse, Carol Hagen, and sons, Stefan and Cameron Holt, for his Nightly Information farewell and shared hugs with every of them as he signed off for the final time.
Lester — who has served because the principal anchor of Dateline since 2011 — has shared his pleasure about taking up an even bigger function on the true crime collection. “Lengthy kind is one thing I actually wished to get into. It’s a special set of stories muscle groups,” he advised Savannah Guthrie and Craig Melvin on the Could 30 episode of Immediately.
He added, “You hit a sure age and also you begin form of pondering, ‘What’s the again a part of my profession gonna appear like?’ And I’ve been having that dialog with myself and people near me for a few years now. However the timing simply appeared proper.”
Along with Lester having extra time to get pleasure from his ardour for taking part in the bass guitar and upright bass, Melvin famous that the journalist may also get to spend extra high quality time together with his grandkids. Lester is a grandfather of three to grandchildren aged 7, 5, and three.
NBC Nightly Information With Tom Llamas, Weeknights, 6:30/5:30c, NBC