A blog about television by TIME’s TV critic James Poniewozik.

Tim Russert, 1950-2008

He died suddenly, at work, in the NBC Washington bureau this afternoon. Whether you praise or criticize him (and I've done both), his influence on political journalism has been immense, as he's demonstrated right up through his last election. My obituary of him should be is online at time.com. shortly.

Update: Appropriately, and heartbreakingly, Russert's senior, Tom Brokaw, reported Russert's death for NBC News.

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