Viewers of MS NOW are saying goodbye to an anchor who’s been a familiar face on the cable news network (formerly known as MSNBC) for nearly 30 years.
Sunday, September 6 marked the final broadcast for veteran anchor Alex Witt, who first began delivering news on the network back in 1999.
A Touching Tribute
Witt’s fellow weekend anchor, Ayman Mohyeldin, shared a lengthy tribute via social media.
“Today is bittersweet —cthe end of an era,” he wrote on Instagram.
“After nearly 30 years at MS NOW, Alex Witt is retiring. No other anchor has hosted more hours of news. For one brief but unforgettable chapter, I had the privilege of sitting beside her at the anchor desk, with a front-row seat to her brilliance, compassion and grace,” he continued.
“But Alex’s greatest quality isn’t her remarkable stamina. It is her humanity: her passion for journalism, her generosity toward her colleagues and the care she brings to everyone — and everything — around her,” he added.
‘She is a mentor in the truest sense—someone who lifts you up when you are down, helps you navigate the complexities of this profession and reminds you never to lose sight of your own worth,” Mohyeldin wrote. “Day after day, I watched the thoughtfulness and discipline she brought to every show and interview. But what stayed with me most was how she treated people — with kindness, respect and an open heart.”
He concluded by writing, “Sharing the anchor desk with Alex didn’t just make me a better journalist and anchor. It made me a better person and a better colleague. Thank you, Alex. It was an honor.”
‘I Just Love the News’
News of Witt’s impending exit first emerged back in June, when Variety reported on MS NOW’s plans to shift from live news broadcasts on the weekends in favor of pretaped content.
In an interview with the same outlet, Witt — who’s earned the nickname “the Mayor” from her co-workers — discussed her longevity at the network with Variety.
“I’ve never played politics and never sought the limelight,” she explained.
“I’m the strangest person ever to be on TV. I can’t do my makeup. Trust me, you will not recognize me if you pass me on the street,” she added. “I don’t care about that stuff. I just love the news.”
That was corroborated by someone “familiar with” the network’s operations, who told Variety, “Even in a world where digital is king and social media is the currency, she just did the news. And the audience loved her for it. That was the key to her longevity.”
Witt is retiring, and as she heads off into the sunset, she reflected on the philosophy that kept her in front of the camera for nearly 30 years.
“I strive to do a really good job. Consistency, I know, helps. And I think I look at the camera lens like I’m talking to you. It’s one person. I’ve never thought about the numbers,” she shared. “When my parents were alive, it was my parents. I just wanted to talk to them. And I don’t know, I guess it worked.”
