Betsy Fischer

Producer

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The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About

About this interview

In her forty-minute interview, Betsy Fischer describes her work as the executive producer of Meet the Press. She outlines the process of booking guests and handling production details for the weekly series. B-roll consists of a tour by Fischer of the network's Meet the Press exhibit, which consists of dozens of black-and-white photographs from the run of the series. Karen Herman conducted the interview on October 13, 2003 at NBC News in Washington, D.C.

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

"A good guest is somebody who's obviously in the news that week, that is not afraid to come on and really say what they think in a candid sort of way."

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Highlights

Betsy Fischer on working with host Tim Russert on Meet the Press

01:52

Betsy Fischer on what makes a good guest on Meet the Press

00:47

Betsy Fischer on major news events covered on Meet the Press - September 11, 2001

01:07

Betsy Fischer on her role as Executive Producer of Meet the Press

00:48

Betsy Fischer on dream guests for Meet the Press

00:26

Full Interview

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Chapter 1

On her childhood and early influences; on studying political science and being on a pre-law track in college; on her internships for Meet the Press and deferring law school

On becoming a researcher for Meet the Press; on becoming Producer and then Executive Producer of Meet the Press

On booking guests and journalists for the show; on briefing guests and requests by guests; on working with Meet the Press host Tim Russert

On the graphics, roundtable, and ideal guests on Meet the Press; on ratings and major news events covered on Meet the Press, including September 11, 2001

On the future of Meet the Press; on her future on the show

B-roll tour of NBC's Meet the Press exhibit

Chapter 2

B-roll tour of the NBC exhibit on Meet the Press, contd.

Shows

Meet the Press

Betsy Fischer on her internships for Meet the Press and deferring law school

01:28

Betsy Fischer on becoming a researcher for Meet the Press; on the role of the researcher

02:39

Betsy Fischer on her colleagues at Meet the Press

01:25

Betsy Fischer on becoming Producer and then Executive Producer of Meet the Press

02:14

Betsy Fischer on booking guests and journalists for Meet the Press

01:25

Betsy Fischer on briefing guests and requests by guests on Meet the Press

01:53

Betsy Fischer on working with host Tim Russert on Meet the Press

01:52

Betsy Fischer on the graphics on Meet the Press

00:58

Betsy Fischer on the roundtable on Meet the Press

01:10

Betsy Fischer on what makes a good guest on Meet the Press

00:47

Betsy Fischer on tracking the ratings and audience response for Meet the Press

01:30

Betsy Fischer on dream guests for Meet the Press

00:26

Betsy Fischer on major news events covered on Meet the Press

01:57

Betsy Fischer on the future of Meet the Press

00:31

Betsy Fischer on her future on Meet the Press

00:30

Betsy Fischer gives a tour of NBC's Meet the Press exhibit

06:53

Betsy Fischer gives a tour of the NBC exhibit on Meet the Press, contd.

08:21

Topics

9/11

Betsy Fischer on major news events covered on Meet the Press - September 11, 2001

01:07

Historic Events and Social Change

Betsy Fischer on major news events covered on Meet the Press - September 11, 2001

01:07

Professions

Producers

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Betsy Fischer on her role as Executive Producer of Meet the Press

01:25

Genres

News and Documentary

Betsy Fischer on her career at Meet the Press

27:20

People

Betty Cole Dukert

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Betsy Fischer on her colleagues at Meet the Press

00:11

Betsy Fischer on Betty Cole Dukert's working style on Meet the Press

00:25

Tim Russert

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Betsy Fischer on her role as Executive Producer of Meet the Press

00:48

Betsy Fischer on working with host Tim Russert on Meet the Press

01:52

Betsy Fischer on the graphics on Meet the Press

00:58