Megyn Kelly gets off to low-key start on ‘Sunday Night’

Megyn Kelly was arguably a highest-profile media figure of a 2016 campaign, interjection to her exchanges with Donald Trump. Yet as Trump was sworn in as president, a former Fox News anchor stayed sidelined, watchful to start her new assignment during NBC News.

Set adult to horde dual opposite shows — including an hour of “Today” come tumble — “Sunday Night With Megyn Kelly” noted her central NBC debut, armed with a high-profile “get” speak with Russian personality Vladimir Putin.

In a CNN interview, Kelly confirmed “Sunday Night” would heed itself by being “cutting edge” and “a small irreverent.” Those attributes, however, weren’t quite clear in a premiere that looked like flattering many any required newsmagazine, including apart pieces from Cynthia McFadden and Harry Smith.

Kelly’s centerpiece speak displayed some of a toughness that tangible her during Fox, expressing dishonesty when a Russian boss claimed he hadn’t oral with his envoy about meetings with Trump’s middle circle. “Never?” she asked, with an arched eyebrow.

Still, Putin’s “Deny, deny, deny” plan done a sell melodramatic adequate though mostly news-free. “I have no idea,” he pronounced during one point, exhibiting an considerable miss of oddity about what’s function within his possess government.

The program’s one wrinkle, such as it was, concerned a shred called “The Kids’ Table,” that kicked off by carrying children speak about a significance of manners, inter-cut with wire news articulate heads interrupting any other and bickering. Beyond pandering to NBC’s “LIttle Big Shots” audience, it felt some-more like a explanation on a sourroundings Kelly left than a preview of where “Sunday Night” is heading.

Related: Megyn Kelly touts lane record forward of NBC debut

Speculation about Kelly’s destiny during NBC raced forward of her arrival, including a Vanity Fair piece that suggested she competence be neat to eventually fill a blank when Matt Lauer leaves “Today,” NBC News’ many remunerative franchise.

By that measure, a primetime hour is maybe a reduction poignant partial of Kelly’s new gig, given there’s plenty room for doubt about her softer side, that is many of what morning news entails. An try final year to uncover her off in a primetime Fox special featuring Trump and several celebrities valid particularly weak.

As an on-screen presence, Kelly thrives in a some-more prosecutorial mode. Just as relocating from “Today” to “The CBS Evening News” flummoxed Katie Couric, Kelly’s morning berth could broach a arrange of unintended wake-up call perceived by many transplanted news stars.

It’s value noting, too, that Kelly came to NBC with a satisfactory volume of baggage. Many liberals still associate her with Fox News, while Trump’s complaints about her discuss questions alienated some of his supporters. In these polarized times, truly uninformed starts are tough to come by.

Before announcing her Fox exit in January, Kelly described her dream job as a reduction of “a small Charlie Rose, a small Oprah, and a small me.”

NBC executives apparently have an investment in creation a transition work, and “Sunday Night” outlines a convincing beginning. Nevertheless, if this initial hour was any guide, it’s going to need some-more work and reinvention to find a ideal regulation for that Kelly cocktail.

“Sunday Night with Megyn Kelly” premiered Jun 4 during 7 p.m. on NBC.

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