LESTER LEAVES NBC IN CHAOS!

Power vacuum over unfilled anchor seat

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Lester Holt's surprise decision to exit Nightly News sparked a battle to replace him

INSIDERS hope the announcement that Tom Llamas is taking over for Lester Holt as the anchor of the NBC Nightly News after the beloved newsman's shocking decision to step down will put an end to the "shark tank" atmosphere that has been roiling 30 Rock.

There was no successor in place when Holt, 65, who spent a decade behind the anchor's desk, announced his resignation.

"That was an unforced error," says a tipster. "They should have had Lester's successor locked down at the time he announced. So instead of everyone firmly united behind a new anchor, you had uncertainty and backstabbing and rumor and chaos."