Brokaw bids a sedate farewell to nightly news

December 2, 2004

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW YORK - With "thanks for all I've learned from you" -- his audience, Tom Brokaw ended his long run as anchor of the "NBC Nightly News" on Wednesday night.

In a brief address at the end of his final newscast, Brokaw, 64, maintained broadcast decorum as he reminded the audience "we're all in this together" and ran through what he learned as a TV news anchor and reporter.

Brokaw said it's not the "questions but the answers" that were the dilemma most of the time and said no one person had all the answers. Brokaw also said he always strived "to get it right" and most of his anguish came when that didn't happen.

As the camera faded to black, he was serenaded by a vintage recording of "Thanks for the Memories" sung by the late NBC icon Bob Hope, with lyrics referring to the retiring NBC anchor.

Earlier in the day, Brokaw briefly struggled to maintain his composure on NBC's "Today" show as he was being toasted by the staff on his last day as "NBC Nightly News" anchor. "It's been a great, great ... privilege," Brokaw said before becoming visibly overcome with emotion. "I didn't think I was going to do that."

Hosts Katie Couric and Matt Lauer clinked champagne flutes with Brokaw, who was surrounded by several staff members.

Brokaw served as anchor of "NBC Nightly News" since 1983; before that, he was the "Today" anchor.

Couric and Lauer also serenaded him, paraphrasing the Carly Simon pop hit "Nobody Does It Better" by adding "and no one ever has."

"Even as we speak," Brokaw joked during the 16-minute "Today" segment, "people are changing the name plate on my door."

In conversation, Brokaw spoke of his first $90-a-week job and his love for presidential politics, as well as the free time he'll have to spend with his wife, Meredith.

He said he told her: "For the first time in our married life, I'm going to be completely free for several months the beginning of the year." And she said: 'Oh, that's great. I'm going to be on a horseback safari in Africa. Maybe you can meet me over there.' "

Brokaw will be replaced on "NBC Nightly News" by Brian Williams