Gregory Gets the Gig

"There's nothing written in stone that 'Meet the Press' has to be the preeminent Sunday morning talk show," says Wallace, who moderated the NBC program in 1987 and 1988. "Now, because of a tragedy that none of us would have dreamt or wanted, the audience is going to be looking around."

Nonstop Talk

Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, who have gained a growing following for their on-air banter on MSNBC's "Morning Joe," are branching out. They are launching a morning radio show today, beginning with stations in New York and Los Angeles.

Now this is sobering news, from the NYT:

"The Tribune Company, the newspaper chain that owns The Chicago Tribune and The Los Angeles Times, is trying to negotiate new terms with its creditors and has hired advisers for a possible bankruptcy filing, according to people briefed on the matter.

"Tribune is in danger of falling below the cash flow required under its agreement with its bondholders, but it is not clear how seriously Tribune is thinking about seeking bankruptcy protection. Analysts and bankruptcy experts say that the hiring of advisers, including Lazard and Sidley Austin, one of the company's longtime law firms, could be a just-in-case move, or a bargaining tactic. The company would not comment on Sunday."

Say: Is there any money left in that federal bailout fund?

The Trib confirms the Times scoop:

"Chicago Tribune parent Tribune Co. is working with bankruptcy advisers at investment bank Lazard and law firm Sidley Austin to weigh its financial options, sources said Sunday. 'It's an uncertain and difficult environment,' Tribune Co. spokesman Gary Weitman said Sunday night. 'We haven't made any decision. We're looking at all of our options.' "

That, folks, is not a denial.

Lots of chatter out there about Chris Matthews exploring a 2010 Senate run in Pennsylvania. MarketWatch's Jon Friedman is pumped:

"I feel safe in saying that journalists would love to cover your campaign, Chris, because you're unpredictable and glib and you're liable to say anything. Even though you would run as a Democrat, you're the same guy who has stumbled over 'Obama' and 'Osama' and is known to lapse into Yiddishisms . . .