New York Times: “On the Today show on Friday morning, the former NBC anchor Brian Williams used every verbal variation imaginable to express error and regret. Every one, that is, except the two words that his colleague turned inquisitor, Matt Lauer, kept pressing him to say: ‘I lied.’

“And that resistance made Mr. Williams’ first appearance since he was suspended from NBC News unexpectedly raw, and distressing. This was an anchor who throughout his career had the cool, confident style of a John F. Kennedy; in parts of the interview, he came close to Richard M. Nixon in a flop sweat.”

“Brian Williams, the embattled NBC news anchor whose credibility plummeted after he acknowledged exaggerating his role in a helicopter episode in Iraq, has been suspended for six months without pay,” the New York Times reports.

“The suspension culminated a rapid and startling fall for Mr. Williams.”

Dylan Byers: “There are two scenarios in which Williams returns: One, he pulls off a stunning apology tour and wins back the favors of the nation. Two, ‘Nightly’ tanks so bad under its new host(s) that NBC is forced to bring Williams back in a last-ditch effort. I wouldn’t place my money on a Williams’ return, but you can never underestimate the power of the redemption narrative, especially in this country.”

Sources tell FTVLive that NBC News President Deborah Turness is strongly considering having Brian Williams step down, maybe as early as next week.

However, Howard Kurtz reports Williams plans to use an appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman next week “to try to clear the air and address the lingering questions.”

Jack Shafer: “Nobody can say Williams doesn’t deserve the scrutiny he’s now facing. If a politician, corporate leader, university professor or prominent clergyman made similarly inaccurate claims, the press would be digging their professional graves with backhoes… Now the once respected anchor has become a national punching-bag, as Twitter nation, comedians and wise guys have taken to mocking him. How long Williams can take the abuse depends on how much more his critics dig up on him.”