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Stone Phillips to leave Dateline NBC

Posted: Tuesday, May 22, 2007 6:40 PM by Dateline Editor
Filed Under:

Statement from Steve Capus, President, NBC News
"On behalf of Dateline, and all of us at NBC News, I want to extend my thanks and appreciation to Stone for all he has contributed to NBC News during his tenure here. His work on Dateline over the past 15 years has been remarkable, as evidenced by the unprecedented awards Stone and the program have won, including 39 Emmys and four Peabodys. He is a first rate journalist and a dedicated professional whose legacy here will live on with the program he established and cares so much about."

Statement from Stone Phillips
"It's been a wonderful 15 years. I'm profoundly appreciative of the many friends and colleagues, past and present, who have been a part of the Dateline family. This is a great news division with a bright future. I wish the people of NBC News all the best."

Statement from David Corvo, Executive Producer, Dateline
"Viewers know Stone as a great reporter and anchor. But his co-workers also know him as a loyal leader and patient mentor. At Dateline, we'll miss the passion he brought to his work, and will do our best to live up to the standard he has set."

Click here to read Stone's bio, in his own words (including of some photos from him at work). Click here for Stone's official bio, including his latest assignments and achievements. Share your messages  for Stone, below.

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Comments

This is a mighty loss....I wish him well. Why is he leaving? My whole family is upset. He is a gracious, professional gentleman.

Deidre Lee Port Jervis, NY (Sent Tuesday, May 22, 2007 6:57 PM)

stone phillips is a great reporter and anchor,Dateline won't be the same.

marie (Sent Tuesday, May 22, 2007 7:04 PM)

NBC is making a HUGE MISTAKE!!!!!!! Stone Phillips is a rare talent, a gentleman who is not only highly competent as a journalist, but a gracious and charming TV personality that makes the audience feel at ease, and we feel respect in his reportings. He has this honest, dignified persona that we rarely see in TV peronalities nowadays, so WHY is NBC doing this???? We are so upset!!!!

Sophie C Bard (Sent Tuesday, May 22, 2007 7:26 PM)

I always thought Stone was the next Tom Brokow, good luck you are a great news person

Jim Cover III Windber PA (Sent Tuesday, May 22, 2007 7:29 PM)

I will surely miss Stone Phillips. He has a great personality and is a great journalist. I wish him my best. I would like to know where he will be going next, so that I might follow his career in a new era.

Janet Drake (Sent Tuesday, May 22, 2007 7:34 PM)

Mr. Phillips, if you by chance read this, I want to say good luck and God bless. We will miss you on Dateline and look forward to seeing you on some other program. I must add that I love your voice!

Shawna Plucinski (Sent Tuesday, May 22, 2007 7:36 PM)

Dateline IS Stone Phillips - how are you going to fire him? You know you lost a viewer doing that right?

Morgan (Sent Tuesday, May 22, 2007 7:37 PM)

Well that puts the viewers between a rock and a hard place without anchor Stone Phillips to stand on for stellar broadcast journalism presentations. WHY is he leaving? Who, What, When, Where, Why and How will they replace such a key player? Look at it this way, what would you do if you lost all your viewers and did not know why? Please follow through...thank you.

Laura Lynn Tucson AZ (Sent Tuesday, May 22, 2007 7:38 PM)

We will miss you Stone. I think this a great loss for NBC and I hope soon you will find another position with another company. You made Dateline NBC what is it today...this is truly a bad decision by NBC. Best Wishes in all you do.

Kris Schneider, La Crosse, WI (Sent Tuesday, May 22, 2007 7:46 PM)

NBC must be crazy, Stone Phillips build Dateline into what it is today. I wish him all the best.

O'Neil (Sent Tuesday, May 22, 2007 8:23 PM)

i hope he is not ill or anything, how is his father i remember when he did his story whever,whatever he do i wish him the best

lillie agnew,richmond ca (Sent Tuesday, May 22, 2007 8:29 PM)

Stone Phillips is a total class act and the best broadcaster on TV. His presentation of the stories on Dateline are presented in a clear and professional manner each and every time. There is no way that NBC should be not renewing his contract. My only hope is that he is right back on TV so we can continue to watch him, because we won't be watching Dateline or much else on NBC until they reverse this decision.

Bill Adams, Corona, CA (Sent Tuesday, May 22, 2007 8:32 PM)

Stone Phillips you are the best, classic person, I have watched from the beginning and I will mis you and wish you the best in what ever you do.

Bernice Ashley, Lexington,ky (Sent Tuesday, May 22, 2007 8:34 PM)

If Stone Phillips cannot host Dateline, we'll settle for second best: Rob Lowe as Stone Phillips!

Larry Sowell, Toronto, Ontario (Sent Tuesday, May 22, 2007 8:48 PM)

A great loss for NBC and a GREAT LOSS for the viewers! Stone is a wonderful reporter and someone who makes me want to watch "news" stories. Good Luck Stone and family and God Speed. YOU will be missed. Lou Pope

Lou Pope New Bern NC (Sent Tuesday, May 22, 2007 8:54 PM)

Where is Mr. Phillips relocating so we can follow him. He is one of the best. If this is his decision to leave NBC then God Bless if not then what is NBC thinking?

Joan Livingston, Phoenix, AZ. (Sent Tuesday, May 22, 2007 9:05 PM)

In my estimation, NBC "just ripped their britches" using my grandfather's vernacular. As a retired journalist, I've found Stone to be what I consider a very thorough journalist in the full concept of the fourth estate. And, above all, his journalistic ethics shie most brightly.

Fred Wortham Jr., Howardwick , Texas (Sent Tuesday, May 22, 2007 9:09 PM)

NBC is not going to be the same without Stone Phillips. He captures the true meaning of TV journalism. NBC is making the biggest mistake ever by firing Stone. I used to be an avid CBS news fan...No more. Stone Phillips is the reason why I started tuning in to NBC news. I will go back to CBS (60 Minutes and Katie Couric). There will be no Dateline without Stone Phillips. He is the very best anchor on today.

Dawn Scott (Sent Tuesday, May 22, 2007 9:10 PM)

I hope NBC seriously reconsiders this decision. Dateline has been my #1 favortie tv show over the past 15 years and Stone is one of the main reasons why. He's voice, professionalism, grace, personality and warmth that he brought to each and every broadcast are why I tuned in each and every time. Stone is the face of Dateline. If this descision is not reconsidered by NBC, I may no longer watch Dateline. I feel like I'm saying goodbye to a close and personal friend that I have welcomed into my home for the past 15 years. This is a major loss to Dateline, for NBC and more importanly for Stone's fans. I wish you all the best Stone, and if you're ever in Naperville, IL, stop over for dinner sometime!! We'd love to have you, even if NBC won't!! You Rock STONE!!

Dan, Naperville, IL (Sent Tuesday, May 22, 2007 9:12 PM)

Stone Phillips is the very best. I'm so disappointed in NBC. Dateline is my favorite show and Stone is Dateline. I TiVo every Dateline and it drives my husband nuts, but I won't miss one. I'm not so sure I'll do that anymore. Thank you Stone. You've done a phenomenal job over the years. Best Wishes.

Angie, Pottstown, PA (Sent Tuesday, May 22, 2007 9:12 PM)

Stone Phillips LEAVING? Oh my. He's today's "Walter Cronkite" for believability and well researched truth. Easily understood and highly respected.Where he goes next I will be sure to find and follow his reports etc.Now to find that out is the only thing left to do!

G.L.Wiggins (Sent Tuesday, May 22, 2007 9:12 PM)

Stone, you are a real gentleman and a GREAT journalist. I don't know why you are leaving but it is certainly "on top" God bless you and yours.

Mary Cincinnati,Ohio (Sent Tuesday, May 22, 2007 9:17 PM)

I'm sure I must have missed something, or joind in late! But why on earth is Stone Phillips LEAVING?? I do PRAY that this isn't IRREVOCABLE!

AL Spencer (Sent Tuesday, May 22, 2007 9:18 PM)

I am deeply saddened to lose a reporter I trust What a huge mistake and a terrible loss to all of us.You guys really need to rethink this decision?And I hope you find yourself asking "who's bright idea was this?"!!!!!

Theresa Tapley (Sent Wednesday, May 23, 2007 12:10 AM)

Every time I see Stone Phillips hosting Dateline, I see integrity and work ethic in action. I am so saddened that Mr. Phillips will no longer be hosting "Dateline". I do not know why NBC would let a correspondent of Stone Phillips character be let go. I think NBC is leaving a gap that will be all but impossible to fill with another correspondent at the calibre of Stone. I hope you will reconsider and keep Stone Phillips. He is a gem, a trusted veteran news man. I trust what he says and believe NBC may not realize what they have until he's gone.

Sharon Hope, Lady Lake, FL (Sent Wednesday, May 23, 2007 12:14 AM)

Truly a sad moment! I watched the show because of Stone Phillips. Will need to pick up a good book now. Good Luck Mr. Phillips

Ellen, Kenosha, Wisconsin (Sent Wednesday, May 23, 2007 6:08 AM)

I just can believe how NBC ignores is viewership! We ovbviously want Stone Phillips to stay with NBC but NBC executives want it their way. I find Stone to be an honest anchor, with talent that surpasses anyone in broadcast journalism now. NBC says it wants more versitile anchor's well, get rid of Vieria on the "Today Show!" She is awfull and is on the "D" list of news anchors. Back to Stone, please keep him on Dateline, he has been on for 15 years!!! If not Dateline, give him another post at NBC. Or as I'm sure you know, your viewership will fall.

David (Sent Wednesday, May 23, 2007 8:01 AM)

It breaks my heart to see Stone Phillips leaving Dateline . All because of money . Isn't it the way it always is. So the executives don;t want two anchors. What poor judgement. They have the best lineup with Stone Phillips and Ann Curry. Now the smart people of NBC has done it again. NBC is making a mistake. Mr. Phillips is the reason I watch Dateline. What are we gonna do???? Watch 48 hours.

Elaine McClure (Sent Wednesday, May 23, 2007 8:32 AM)

I can't believe NBC is letting Stone go. What net work will he work for next because I will follow.

Angila, Carrollton Ky (Sent Wednesday, May 23, 2007 8:54 AM)

I am shocked to read the headlines today that Stone Phillips is leaving. I sure hope Dateline finds extra money somewhere to cancel the termination of their contract and keep Stone Phillips on Dateline. I love watching that show, and one of the reasons I love the show so much is the way Stone Phillips presents the stories. He's great to look at, he has a wonderful voice to listen to, he speaks clearly and intelligently, and I just absolutely love the way he reports the Dateline segments. He's dashing, polished, sophisticated, appears to be quite the gentleman, and well-dressed (and all those are definite pluses compared to the majority of men in the US). I truly look forward to the show mostly because he's hosting it. Please, please, please do everything in your power to keep him on.

Loretta E. Kaczorowski, Alexandria, VA (Sent Wednesday, May 23, 2007 9:44 AM)

Stone Phillips is well respected and professional. I am sure there will be Other offers from the media world. I have to ask myself why some other newcomer t did not get"cut back"ie;from the TODAY SHOW. Is NBC going the way of the corrupt scene in the White House? Cronyism It smells!!!!!

Mo Branan, Memphis, tn. (Sent Wednesday, May 23, 2007 9:59 AM)

Please tell me that the reason for Stone Phillips leaving is not for cost cutting reasons! This gentleman has instilled trust,and has remained consistant in his dependability in reporting accurate news since he started. I will notice his absence! NBC....what are you thinking?

C. Mitchell, Virginia (Sent Wednesday, May 23, 2007 10:05 AM)

I am an avid fan of Dateline, watched ever since the beginning with Jane Pauley. Please rethink your decision, as you will be losing many viewers including me. Stone Phillips is wonderful and if he does leave God be with him.

Diane Sutton, Allen Texas (Sent Wednesday, May 23, 2007 10:20 AM)

Stone will leave a huge void at NBC and NBC would be wise to keep his presence alive via replay. Some of Stone's past quirky stores still reverberate vividly in my mind and I would love to see them replayed in tribute. I especially remember the one where an over-crowed ferry sunk in Asia and the passengers has to stay afloat for days with no land in sight until they were rescued. The recreation showed how an ingenious American college student used her jeans as flotation devise. It was astonishing to watch. Also the story about the nuns that needed money and started selling prayers for donations – those that purchased their prayers told how their lives changed positively as a result. I hope Stone turns up on PBS or another station that values truth and integrity.

Cathy Delano, Rye, NY (Sent Wednesday, May 23, 2007 10:31 AM)

Thank-you for your excellence. Your methods are the way news should be presented. The best to you & yours.

Rick Backus. Russell, NY (Sent Wednesday, May 23, 2007 10:48 AM)

Every time I see Dateline I will Sotne Phillips I see all the show and read them on line I an going to miss you good luck and god bless.

Theresa North Providence, RI (Sent Wednesday, May 23, 2007 11:37 AM)

Good Luck to Stone Phillips. The show will not make it without you. Rose of NH

Rose (Sent Wednesday, May 23, 2007 12:58 PM)

To Stone, first I don't believe there is a more handsom man in the world. I will miss you because you are so honest and get the facts out. I loved you as a person and a great journalist. My best to you and your family. I loved the story about you and your father. You truly are the best.

Bertha Wright (Sent Wednesday, May 23, 2007 2:23 PM)

Dateline just lost a viewer, Stone Phillips IS Dateline. NBC, if this is your decision it is a big mistake.

Jenny Couch, Coarsegold, CA (Sent Wednesday, May 23, 2007 2:27 PM)

At first I was disappointed to see Stone leaving but now that I think about it, I'm sure he will find a better job. I miss the reporter in Stone, he is never out in the field any more with Dateline so I fully expect to see him more often now that he's leaving. He probably has 50 job offers already and he deserves it!!

Anonymous, Michigan (Sent Wednesday, May 23, 2007 2:35 PM)

Stone=Dateline, what a huge loss. I can say I won't be watching anymore.

David Barnes, Clifton Park, NY (Sent Wednesday, May 23, 2007 2:38 PM)

I will certainly miss Mr. Phillips on Dateline. I love his voice!! Dateline won't be the same. Goodluck!

R. Healy, Charlotte, NC (Sent Wednesday, May 23, 2007 2:42 PM)

This is outrageous! Stone Phillips is one of the few anchors who are actually an asset to NBC. I have enjoyed watching him since he began and I will follow him to whichever network is smart enough to grab him. Although I enjoy Ann Curry I will be passing NBC news shows.

Leenie Carroll, Bangor, Maine (Sent Wednesday, May 23, 2007 3:07 PM)

I can't believe Stone is leaving.. Why? He is Dateline and I'm not sure I'll watch it anymore.

Courtney , Minneapolis, MN (Sent Wednesday, May 23, 2007 3:09 PM)

He will be missed. I am anxious to find out where he will be going. He is an excellent journalist and has the most calming, soothing voice. He should start a similar show on ABC, CBS or FOX. You know one of those networks will be after him. NBC, your cheap!

Colleen, Forest Park, IL (Sent Wednesday, May 23, 2007 3:49 PM)

DATELINE certainly won't be the same without Stone. It's not that I don't like Ann Curry, but the two of them made the show what it is. No pressure Ann.

Leslie, Kensington, CT (Sent Wednesday, May 23, 2007 3:51 PM)

Stone Phillips is FABULOUS! but I'm not worried...I bet CBS will have an opening soon

Cumming, GA (Sent Wednesday, May 23, 2007 4:10 PM)

NBC News what are you thinking? Anchors of Stone Phillips caliber don't come along every day. Of all of the cost cutting moves you could take, couldn't you think of another. In the future, I will be watching whatever network he appears on.

Linda Rasmussen (Sent Wednesday, May 23, 2007 4:35 PM)

Dateline will never be the same without Stone Phillips....he just "made" the show....hopefully, this will reverse and he will remain with this show....I will follow him wherever he goes....

Ann (Sent Wednesday, May 23, 2007 5:07 PM)

Stone Phillips will be a real loss to NBC! His level of professionalism, degree of outstanding dedication to not only NBC but to the audience is a rare find, and style of delivery has been EXCEPTIONAL!!! Stone, I hope that you are made an offer which enables you to obtain the respect you so truly deserve. Good Luck!!! Don and Irene Crane, Peoria, IL

Don and Irene Crane Peoria, IL (Sent Wednesday, May 23, 2007 5:54 PM)



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