Tom Brokaw Says Farewell to NBC Nightly News

After bringing viewers the news for nearly 23 years, NBC News anchor, Tom Brokaw, gave his parting words on December 1st, 2004, expressing gratitude for what he got in return.
Aired on 'NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw' on 12-01-04
Song: "Thanks for the Memory" performed by Bob Hope is owned by Geffen Records and NBC Universal.
Copyright notice: Fair Use Section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107.
Hateful comments about Tom Brokaw will be deleted - don't waste your time.
Transcript:
Well the time is here. We've been through a lot together through dark days and nights and seasons of hope and joy. Whatever the story, I had only one objective, to get it right. When I failed, it was personally painful and there was no greater urgency then course correction. On those occasions, I was grateful for your forbearance and always mindful that your patience and attention didn't come with a lifetime warranty.
I was not alone here, of course. I am simply the most conspicuous part of a large, thoroughly dedicated and professional staff that extends from just beyond these cameras, across the country, and around the world - in too many instances, in places of grave danger and personal hardship and they're family to me.
What have I learned here? More than we have time to recount this evening, but the enduring lessons through the decades are these: it's not the questions that get us in trouble, it's the answers. And just as important, no one person has all the answers.
Just ask a member of the generation that I came to know well, the men and woman who came of age in the Great Depression, who had great personal sacrifice, saved the world in World War II and returned home to dedicate their lives to improving the nation they had already served so nobly. They weren't perfect, no generation is, but this one left a large and vital legacy of common effort to find common ground here and abroad in which to solve our most vexing problems. They did not give up their personal beliefs and greatest passions, but they never stopped learning from each other and most of all, they did not give up on the idea that we're all in this together, we still are.
And it is in that spirit that I say, thanks, for all that I have learned from you. That's been my richest reward.
That's Nightly News for this Wednesday night. I'm Tom Brokaw. You'll see Brian Williams here tomorrow night and I'll see you along the way.

[@vrdragon12]

He was one of a kind. He was honest and always fair. His kind of news will never be duplicated. He's still and forever will be missed

[@madelinehayes-jk9xl]

Always like Tom Brokaw!!!!!

[@syedjavedahmad9719]

end of an excellent Era of true journalism and professionalism. Best of luck Mr Tom Borokaw, enjoy life after retirement.

[@DJDeltameister110]

Sixteen years ago today, this legend departed his chair. I remember as a young boy watching this and here I am now watching it again. This man, along with Peter Jennings, will always be my some of my heroes.

[@KatSut1978]

The newsman of my generation. His generation had Cronkite. We had Brokaw. Class act all the way. The last of the great newsmen.

[@cockshe]

As a young man of 13 in the mid 80's, I was, for some reason, heavily committed to America as a nation and a world leader. My dad was away during the week, so I had the run of the place. I'll shit you not, every weekday evening, I would, at 6:30PM, tune into Nightly news. I saw the crash of 87' on Wall Street, the Intefatah in the West Bank and before evn that, the American attack on Libya. Challenger will also rate very high here. It was Tom who brought it to me, a great journalist, I'll miss.

[@user-gp2en2en9l]

YEARS LATER I LOOK AT THIS WHEN GREAT PEOPLE “ SAY GOODBYE “ ❤❤❤

[@katanaburner]

Tom Brokaw is and will remain as one of the strongest reporters ever. Through the hard times and even the most dangerous times. To me news is never the same without his strong voice of reason and strength.

[@jakeinator722]

Back when network news was legit and no-BS. Dan, Tom and especially Peter were the three men you could trust. Nowadays, it's full tabloid and agenda driven trash. It's really sad to see what has happened to our media.

[@DVSyoutube]

+guy2008rules Yes. FOX News is full of biased and fake reports, MSNBC is also sometimes biased like FOX News. (NOTE: BS=Biased.)

[@anner.5347]

+guy2008rules key word being you "could" have trusted in the PAST. now he's just another con-artist who appointed himself as judge of who has a right to be heard and who not. he's a disgrace who has cast doubt on every word he every uttered.

[@gavinproductiongaming361]

Even sister-network Telemundo's Pedro Sevcec and Univision's Jorge Ranos and Maria Elena Salinas had this media great at this time They along with Sevcec were trying to make evening national news soucb better even in different languages its amazing their experience. Pefro Sevcec left in 2009 from Telemundo after they ousted them and its just Ramos,Salinas. But media turns around you never know. There is some inspiring journalist and people that worked with these journalists are just trying to keep/save the past. But that's not always good, keep that in mind.

[@truthseeker7564]

And Ted, you forgot Ted Koppel!

[@evanshiong3557]

For me, what I think many people miss about Jennings, Brokaw, Rather, Cronkite, Reynolds, Brinkley and others is that they understood that the news were about the viewers not them

[@seancondon5572]

The man who was the face of the news my entire life before graduating high school... I too miss the days when NBC was not BS.

[@pmccoy8924]

Sean, this country's press died when Cronkite left his chair in 81. Jennings, Brokaw, and Donaldson were the last of the for the most part unbiased news. Now the empty suits sow division and hate. All bias reporting. Operation Mockingbird destroyed the press in the USA.

[@Jantv81]

I miss you Tom!!! You were my favorite anchor on the best network.

[@tnawcwvictoria]

I use to watch Tom Brokaw with my Grandfather and with my Dad My Grandfather died July 11, 1998 and my Dad died 2 days before Thanksgiving back in 2011 and I watched Tom's Farewell with my Dad whenever I visit him God Bless'em Both and God Bless Tom Brokaw

[@kaitlynnetanner2811]

I grew up listening to Tom Brokaw on the news every night. I remember him reporting 9/11, when Saddam Hussein surrendered, this speech... They don't make many news anchors like him anymore. I hope the last 18 years have treated him well ❤️

[@Tonywization]

Loved watching Tom and Jane Pauley during my first ever trip to America in the 1980s.Afterwards, a trip down to Dennys for breakfast. Happy Days.

[@scottroinnel902]

A true legend who always did it right

[@denisenoles3159]

I am not into glorifying celebrities but for some reason, I have always adored this man. I don't watch the Today show but if I know he will be on, I DVR it. He personifies class & all of these years later, I still miss him on NBC nightly news.

[@phillipmorales8886]

Tom Brokaw he was the best anchor in the business. I worked at a NBC affiliate in Flagstaff,AZ he would plug our local newscast's on our station ID's!

[@cjm7764]

Still after all this time... With great immense love from Canada! Thanks for all your coverage here Humble for life

[@g187]

Tom Brokaw was fixture on my family's tv from when i was a baby to when i became teenager i loved him when he said GOOD EVENING!!! I'll miss you Tom and thank you for the memories

[@hollypietrzak5214]

greg blakely he seems to be shy a little at end of his broadcast?

[@allenjones3130]

Tom Brokaw was sensible enough to keep his farewell to NBC NIGHTLY NEWS relatively brief.

[@theenzoferrari458]

I was a kid when he was on the air. I really enjoyed hearing his voice. I really didnt care about the news but just listening to his news reports was soothing. I do remember him talking about the WTC towers on 9/11. Tom Brokaw was my childhood as Walter Cronkite was my father's childhood.

[@appleinfl]

I can still remember watching him on tv as a kid.

[@Isaacand716]

I have a memory of when I was about 5, every evening I would sit on the floor and I loved watching him on NBC and say good evening for some reason . His smile just warms my heart . I'm 24 now . 😭

[@Dewdropmon]

I like Brian Williams a lot but I really miss Tom Brokaw. I was really too young to pay much attention to the contents of the news (I was 12 when this aired) but I always loved listening to his voice.

[@hollypietrzak5214]

Dewdropmon I like the set tom used?

[@alexcalas6726]

A get example of a true journalist.

[@michellejensen5166]

God bless you Tom Brokaw.

[@XXRAVENS35XX]

Remember watching this as a young kid with my grandparents in the living room on the big box tv.

[@southernfratdude]

wow 5 years have gone so fast!!!! Tom, you are a mentor to me!

[@snoops71]

I watched this that evening. I was sick, but made sure I didn't miss this.

[@pamhospodarsky6129]

One of my bucket lists is to meet Tom. I know he loves family and saw him once on a show with a blood hound, called Sage, riding in his jeep on his property in Montana - Thanks for this great clip!

[@peachyclean93]

What a great man

[@rabianharris1170]

As a Salesman today, he's been one of my inspirations, along with Peter Jennings, Dan Rather and Bill Kurtis.

[@Mike34er]

A man of honor

[@xldjvista]

As a kid I used to run around 'interviewing' my friends: "This is Tom Brokaw from NBC nightly news!". He touched this little black kid from the Caribbean. One love Tom! #Legend

[@MJBYouTubeNetwork]

Between Brian Willams, , Dan Rather, John Chancellor, David Brinkley, Diane Sawyer, Sam Donaldson, Ted Koppel and this legendary man, Tom Brokaw, I truly don't know who the greatest is. They're all great, And I wanna tell all of them that I truly have nothing but respect, admiration and love for all of them.

[@rebeccaduncan5366]

good bay tom Brokaw for 23 years on NBC news as anchor , job is good too, sir ,

[@ronijohnson6137]

Happy trails to you!

[@philsraibow]

Tom Brokaw did a great job hosting NBC News! I miss him, but I like Brian Williams. I also like Lester Holt, who is on during the weekend.

[@hollypietrzak5214]

philsraibow was tom brokaw shy on here A little?

[@Dra741]

he was one of the greatest,he educated us as he gave the news it was the right news and thats one of the reasons we are great nations

[@zacheryalderton8787]

He is 1 of my favorite anchors

[@dchang11]

Tom Brokaw - The Anchor, The American Institution

[@KellyEntertainmentNetwork]

Brokaw is the MAN at NBC!!

[@Skisweetpea3]

Gotta love that man!

[@zabrinatheteacher]

Jimmy Fallon's impersonation of Jim Brokaw is hilarious.

[@hollypietrzak5214]

Zibby Zee why did Tom just vanish and disappear all of a sudden anyway?

[@johnpat3622]

Jim Brokaw?

[@ApartmentKing66]

Who's Jim Brokaw? Never heard of him.

[@hilarioph]

Nice work Tom

[@Fersomling]

I remember Tom on Today with Jane Pauley and Willard Scott way back in the 70s.

[@director7685]

Who sung the song at the end???? Was it bob hope?

[@worldblogger2226]

tom was credible but have to admit, that voice like he was on something. Didn't matter. Kind of charming

[@alexcimaglia4827]

Aw Man. I miss him already

[@danieltofteland1549]

I met this guy when I was a kid and I didn’t even know he was famous. I just figured he was just some random old guy.

[@ScottKorin]

Wait... was that Bob Hope singing? When was that from? Hope was already dead in 2004.

[@emilywood7397]

For the final time sir

[@marvincohen9290]

Happy retirement, Mr. Brokaw!

[@crusader037972]

With all that has happened at NBC, Brian Williams...be on your guard, someone might want their job back.... just kidding, Tom, you're classic and classy.

[@andrewscungio3200]

Seen on the December 1st 2004 brodcast of nbc nightly news with tom brokaw (after more than 2 decades) before Brian Williams took over as the news anchor on December 2nd of that same year. Back then (before he became the then permanent news anchor for nbc nightly news) Brian Williams would substitute for tom brokaw (as well as others before him) for a few times including September 10th 1994, March 8th 1997, December 20th 2002, October 30th and November 15th 2004. Then on July 5th 2009 Lester Holt would substitute for Brian Williams (as well as others before him) for a few times before he became a permanent news anchor on February 7th 2015. Brian Williams would have his final broadcast on February 6th 2015.

[@MaidenUtah1]

His coverage of the death of former President Zherald FAH-ord in 1997 was first rate journalism! We’ll miss you Tom.

[@greghiggins2283]

great job tom Brokaw

[@k_np04]

I remember when on election night Decision 2004 Brokaw said: “I am sure that Obama will give a lot to talk about him in the coming years.” 4 years later......President 😂😂

[@chriswillis1585]

Truth in the news stopped after this segment.

[@rebelyell22]

I miss Tom :(

[@DMurdock]

and it seems to me you lived your life like a candle in the wind

[@ScoopNemeth]

One of the last remaining bastions of old-school television news Dan Rather was forced out in March 2005, and Peter Jennings died of lung cancer six months later that same year

[@ruthlessluder]

He signed off before KZbin was even here.

[@Jantv81]

@GOllumboy101 A Man who was ALWAYS dedicated to his work and made a network look good. I am a fan of Mr. Brokaw and serves as one of my heros in broadcasting.

[@rebeccaduncan5970]

sill like the job tom Brokaw had the life time job doing NBC nightly news for a long time and his end was good too, thinking you tom Brokaw for doing the job you had like Dan doing it CBS ,

[@johnking5174]

From a British person, please can anyone in the US tell me where that accent of Brokaw is from? Weird pronunciation. Great newscaster thought.

[@CJW0056]

John King He sounds to me like general midwest that's typical of news anchors, but he just has a certain "style" in some of his pronunciations that makes him unique...and probably contributed to his success a bit.

[@johnking5174]

We have a news anchor here in Britain on the BBC called Huw Edwards who is welsh and has a very pronunced welsh accent. Huw Edwards would be our version of Brian Williams (without the lying of course).

[@stevenseminara4782]

+John King - I would surmise that he is from the mid-west or plains states of the U.S. What Sets Tom apart , is that hear in America , he does not really have an regional accent at all , most News Braodcasters are trained to loose any geographical or regional dialect. After hearing so many diverse dialects in America , he sounds different and almost appears to be a dialect onto itself.

[@johnking5174]

Ur neighbor is Palin?

[@ApartmentKing66]

One thing I've always noticed about Brokaw is his slight speech impediment. Barbara Walters has one, too. Brokaw has a problem pronouncing his "Ls". This became evident to me in 1977 or 78 when on "Today," he would pronounce it "Silver Ju-buh-wee" instead of "Jubilee" when referring to Queen Elizabeth's 25th Anniversary on the Throne. Gilda Radner practically made a career out of Barbara Walters' speech impediment with the whole "Baba Wawa" thing on SNL. Walters' couldn't pronounce her "Rs" very well, but that didn't seem to stop network execs from promoting her to an on-air role on, ironically enough, "Today" back in the 60s.

[@gregariousgoliath]

brewery

[@DVSyoutube]

From 1956 until 2000's, there were great legends on NBC News, Chet Huntley, David Brinkley, John Chancellor, Jessica Savitch, Bryant Gumbel, Jane Pauley, Katie Couric and Tom Brokaw.

[@anner.5347]

+유동균 (DVSofficial) And now there are those who proved that everything they pretended to believe in was a lie - Brokaw's GREATEST GENERATION wouldn't piss on Brokaw if he was on fire because he is a traitor who makes a mockery of that Great Generation.

[@DVSyoutube]

+Miss My Nation NBC News slipped down since Brian Williams came in 2004.

[@hollypietrzak5214]

Why Tom brokaw always smile at the end everything anyway?

[@ApartmentKing66]

Not sure I'd call Gumbel or Couric "legends."

[@madelinehayes-jk9xl]

so sad Jessica Savitch is no longer with us!!

[@hssenior]

We will miss you Tom :(

[@Lafayette320]

Brokow was a professional news anchor having served as NBC's White House correspondent and Today's co-anchor. Who can forget him saying, "This is Today on NBC?" Although Lester Holt is a professional, NBC has declined greatly into massive Leftist Spin.

[@notoriouseagle1074]

Only the right thinks this

[@eshelmen]

To all the haters, were watching him , not he is watching you. Regardless of his skills, he destroys your knowledge of what success is .

[@ZondaF]

"This is Tom Brokaw signing off. Back to you, fuckers!"

[@hssenior]

At least Tom is more up front then Brian Williams

[@hollypietrzak5214]

Why do you think he's more up front then Brian Williams anyway?

[@hssenior]

holly pietrzak because tom didn't fabricate stories like Brian did that's why

[@revinhatol]

@@hssenior At least, Brian was not as lame as Lester Holt.

[@samsonwong1897]

@@revinhatol - How is Lester Holt lame. To me he's better than Brian.

[@43nostromo]

I hear he supports "Locks of Love" and that his favorite tea is "Lemon Lift".

[@davesmith6815]

(Joke coming, for those with no sense of humor.) Goes to show you can have a great career with a deformity. Yup, that thing between his lip and nose, normally two nearly parallel lines, the philtrum. His is triangular, kind of making him look like a dog or some other animal. (Semi-serious transition now.) Even though it always bugged me, I watched him. In fact, I think it affected how he formed his words, giving him a bit of a unique sound. (Serious part now.) Also, he was my favorite because he, like Tom Hanks, respected and loved the greatest generation, which includes my father who grew up and suffered in the depression then was infantry in WW II.

[@ReconRaptor]

The Best

[@MisterPolitical1]

His farewell news coverage was better than Peter Jennings or Dan Rather's

[@vincentroysamot7311]

Sara & Alex here on Friday.

[@g187]

@katanaburner i grew up watching that man do what he does best

[@steben069]

haha i only came here to see if family guy did a good impression of this guy and they NAILED it lmao

[@WillMGlynn]

Eric Shawn of FOX News reminds me of Tom Brokaw.

[@tupac280001]

Fox is not news it's the commie bs channel

[@Animehindu69]

yes hes not gone yet.

[@jeremiahwoody8681]

tom brokaw retired from nbc in 2003

[@PelczarTomasz]

My name is similar, pattern even same good as famous Tom Jefferson ... Salve Capoeira, salve y axe ...

[@alartandy]

Tom of course was referring to people like my mother and father who met in high school during the Great Depression; they were apart for 18 months while dad fought in Italy as an infantry officer and my mom had given birth to their first son. I was third in line. Dad came home to little fanfare--"Did they have ticker tape parade in New York when you arrived back on a troop ship?" "No; I went to Grand Central and took a train home (to New Jersey)." He then went to work and together with my mom raised our family. When they had both passed away there was a copy of Tom Brokaw's "The Greatest Generation" in their bookcase. But how typical of Tom Brokaw to remember people like my mom and dad than to talk about himself in his sign-off.

[@crazyzabo]

GI Generation. He got it wrong

[@crazyzabo]

The GI Generation, Tom.

[@Searchzone123]

Rather sat the bar for hard hitting interviews, Brokaw has a better voice and wrote a popular book.

[@robertb4432]

At least NBC has Savanah Guthrie

[@Shazaaam2]

Colbert brought me here : P

[@williegates627]

Back when MSM had class and America's respect. Wish it was still journalism. Alas, it has gone with Tom. Away.

[@revinhatol]

There's always a new generation to replace the old.

[@emilywood7397]

Please fix it sir not your fault not having all the facts of the case and if you want to fix it your the only one left sir then I push you across the finish line sir thank you

[@intheflesh316]

yee spit it brokaw

[@rbryant100]

Tom Brochaw

[@rebeccaduncan5970]

back when Walter Cronkite and dan rather and tom and others was doing a job when them doing it too,

[@thetpirchannel7858]

TOM retired late NOVEMBER 2004 NBC NIGHTLY NEWS IS NOT THE SAME WITHOUT HIM I HAVE STOPPED WATCHING NBC NIGHTLY NEWS NOW WATCH CBS EVENING NEWS.

[@Happy_HIbiscus]

dude, this is sad

[@paullarue2010]

Brian Williams still anchors NBC Nightly News.

[@KevinJohnson-rc8dw.]

Lester Holt is the anchor of NBC News now.

[@DVSyoutube]

+Paul LaRue Currently Lester Holt anchors on NBC Nightly News. Brian Williams was suspended for 6 months in 2015, and he is still an anchor, but he usually focuses on "BREAKING NEWS".

[@hollypietrzak5214]

Paul LaRue did Brokaw leave the network now?

[@johnhaerle3957]

Is his "me so horny" song still out there?

[@shawnmalki]

@CommentClown NO! He can do a perfect Ed Helms impression!

[@rumble-roses]

His voice reminds me of Mitch McConnell LOLz.

[@Megacooltommydee]

Not even close. This man is actually respectable.

[@stanleydavis7904]

And uncle Walter

[@BRIERFOX]

It would have been nice if Diane Sawyer had of shown up behind him with a bottle of vodka in this bitter sweet celebratory moment. Just a couple of drunks signing off!! I liked Tom doing the news...and his voice...albeit a drunkard's...was somehow very soothing to all of us. I know Tom wasn't a drunkard....I am being shallow...but nobody today would be hired with a voice like that!!