“Tom makes his views known at all levels of the organization – corporate on down,” said a network executive who has worked closely with both Brokaw and Williams. “Tom was surprised by a lot of the things Brian has said, and has become increasingly critical through the years.”…

The NBC veteran said: “There is no love lost between those two. It’s always been a very awkward relationship. Brian has always felt very threatened by Tom, and acts very strangely around Tom. Brian wants to make sure he’s out front, and Tom is not in the way.”

“Brian always feels the need to embellish,” the NBC veteran said. “He has always been known for telling stories dramatically, and he’s known for making any story about him.” But the bluster had always seemed more like a quirk than a time bomb. “It was more people eye-rolling: ‘That’s Brian,’” the NBC veteran said…

But the lack of support is partly Brian’s fault, according to some colleagues. “A lot of people have been very loyal to Brian over the years, but he doesn’t jump in when other people need help,” said one person who has long known him. “He is not a stick-out-his-neck person.”