That leads to a lot more "spin" on the issues, and fewer insightful discussions and debates.
The result is that big-name guests are thrown softball questions, instead of the hard-hitting grillings that the show was known for back in its early days.
Believe it or not, there was a time on "Meet The Press" when lawmakers who went on the show weren't given the red-carpet treatment.
Instead, regardless of their political affiliations, they were barraged with questions, and often made to feel uncomfortable, all in the name of enlightening the American people.
So, those are some of the major problems that have dragged "Meet the Press" down in recent years.
Luckily, the show can be salvaged, and once again be a leader in political news television.
First, the show's producers have to stop laying out the red-carpet for politicians who appear on the show.
It's all about "access" to politicians -- and because politicians have succeeded in intimidating the media, the producers are more concerned with maintaining relationships with politicians than they are with holding them accountable.
Going on "Meet the Press" shouldn't be a walk in the park. Lawmakers and guests should be grilled, and if they feel uncomfortable, that's a good thing.
Guests should be challenged on their beliefs and stances, so that the American people can have a well-rounded view of what's really going on.
Look at a show like BBC's "HARDtalk." Instead of asking guests fluff questions and worrying about maintaining relationships, "HARDtalk" brings on some of the biggest names in politics, and still manages to hold their feet to the fire.
And right here on "The Big Picture," I love getting into serious debates with big names, which illustrate the political issues involved.
I recently had Pat Buchanan on the show. Buchanan is still arguably one of the biggest names in Washington, and yet I made sure to ask him some tough questions and to hold him accountable for his beliefs.
If I can do it, "Meet The Press" can do it.
Next, instead of asking the same old beltway regulars the same old questions, and relying on boring panels, "Meet The Press" should be talking to experts on the issues, even if it means abandoning their current format, and doing more longform interviews and debates.
Look at Amy Goodman's "Democracy Now!" for example, which dives deep into the issues that Americans really care about. Amy does longform interviews with expert guests and has serious discussions that cut through the "spin," and that's why "Democracy Now!" has been so successful.
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