Megyn Kelly is all set to make her debut at NBC.
The controversial anchor even has her first interview all lined up.
But it could cause her major problems.
Kelly is set to interview Russian President Vladimir Putin.
She will travel to Russia and interview Putin during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
The New York Post reports:
Megyn Kelly is getting off to a great start at NBC. Page Six has exclusively confirmed that she will travel to Russia next month to moderate a session with President Vladimir Putin at a key international conference.
Sources say Kelly, who officially started at NBC on Monday, will moderate the session interviewing Putin as part of the Russian leader’s annual St. Petersburg International Economic Forum that takes place June 1-3.
Insiders say, “This is a great way for Megyn to get an inside track and land the big one-on-one interview with President Putin.”
Media pundits were shocked by the announcement.
Normally Lester Holt – the host of NBC Nightly News – or Matt Lauer – co-host of the Today Show – would conduct an interview with a major foreign head of state.
NBC’s decision to push Kelly into this role could create blowback on the network.
Especially since it was announced her Sunday news magazine program would debut in June with an interview with the Kardashian family.
TMZ reports:
“Megyn Kelly will debut her new show with a sit-down with the entire Kardashian family … minus 2.
Sources involved in the interview tell TMZ … the reason Megyn was on the set of ‘KUWTK’ Thursday was to tape a very long interview with Kim, Khloe, Kourtney, Kylie, Kendall, and Kris … everyone but Rob and Cailtyn. Ryan Seacrest, the producer and brainchild of the show, was also interviewed.
You don’t see Kim in the pics, but we’re told she was there.
Our sources say they were told the interview would consume Kelly’s premiere Sunday night show in June on NBC.”
Kelly interviewing the frivolous reality TV Kardashian family was viewed as a major step down for the former Fox anchor.
And giving her the Putin interview after conducting a low-rent interview with a reality TV family could create resentment.
Kelly’s daytime talk show will reportedly move away from news and have a more soft focus.
Sitting down with the Kardashians sends a signal that the Sunday night magazine program will veer away from hard news.
Will there be blowback for NBC giving her the Putin interview?
Can she be counted on to ask tough questions?
Kelly conducted a primetime interview special for Fox in 2016.
The effort was widely panned as Kelly did not come across as a strong interrogator.
NBC is taking a risk with whatever credibility it has left by pushing Kelly into the position of interviewing Putin.
Will it pay off?
