New York Magazine reports, based on 3 anonymous sources, that NBC News tried to hire Comedy Central star Jon Stewart to host the longest-running television show in history, Meet the Press. Failing to attract Stewart, the network settled for second choice Chuck Todd. Gabriel Sherman reports: Before choosing Todd, NBC News president Deborah Turness held negotiations with Jon Stewart about hosting Meet the Press, according to three senior television sources with knowledge of the talks. One source explained that NBC was prepared to offer Stewart virtually “anything" to bring him over. "They were ready to back the Brink's truck up," the source said. A spokesperson for NBC declined to comment. James Dixon, Stewart's agent, did not respond to multiple requests for comment. The reason behind the seemingly-bizarre purported attempt to install a comedian in what used to be regarded as one of the most august institutions of broadcast television is...(Read Full Post)