Report: NBC Courted Jon Stewart For 'Meet The Press'

Recent comments from inside sources indicate Comedy Central's Jon Stewart was originally being eyed to fill NBC's "Meet the Press" host spot that is currently held by Chuck Todd.

According to New York Magazine, multiple top NBC executives have confirmed that Stewart was in negotiation talks for the position last year, before Todd ultimately took the role. Gabriel Sherman, who reported on the alleged courtship for New York Magazine, wrote in her article that "though not a traditional journalist, Stewart can be a devastatingly effective interrogator."

Sherman claims to have three sources from NBC who told her Stewart was being courted for the position. One of the sources told Sherman the network was willing to do "anything" to put Stewart in the "Meet the Press" spot. "They were ready to back the Brink's truck up," the source added.

The New York Magazine article points out that NBC, like several other television networks, is desperate to win a younger viewership. Comedy Central, with shows like the "Colbert Report" and "The Daily Show," has managed to report on current news events to an interested younger generation.

When Chuck Todd took over "Meet the Press" back in August, NBC News Chief Deborah Turness released a statement that read: "I am very pleased to announce that Chuck Todd will take the [Meet The Press] helm on September 7. There is no one with a bigger passion for politics than Chuck."

"His unique ability to deliver that passion with razor sharp analysis and infectious enthusiasm makes him the perfect next generation moderator of this beloved broadcast. Chuck will ensure that Meet The Press is the beating heart of politics, the place where newsmakers come to make news, where the agenda is set. We have some exciting plans to evolve and update the broadcast under Chuck's leadership that we will be sharing with you shortly."