Seen on the Screen with Jacqueline Coley
From Telemundo Intern to NBC News Anchor with Tom Llamas
October 8, 2025 · 26 min
Why listen
A network news anchor traces his path from Telemundo intern to NBC Nightly News in one honest conversation.
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In this episode
- How a career grows through nearly every role in a major newsroom
- The films a hard-news anchor turns to when the day is finally over
- What authentic journalism looks like on screen versus the real thing
- How Cuban American roots and family shape a life in the public eye
About this episode
Seen on the Screen is a finalist for 6 Signal Awards. Register to vote now. Voting ends October 9, 2025.-------------
What movies do news anchors watch to unwind after a day of breaking stories? Jacqueline Coley sits down with Tom Llamas—anchor and managing editor of NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas and host of Top Story with Tom Llamas on NBC News Now—to find out.
From growing up in Miami and interning at Telemundo to anchoring across network and streaming, Tom reflects on his journey through nearly every newsroom role at NBCUniversal. He shares how he balances the weight of covering hard news and enjoying some of his favorite films like Major League, The Searchers, and The Godfather.
Tom opens up about passing movie classics down to his kids (even if Jaws gave the youngest a scare), his Cuban American roots and food recommendations, and what authentic depictions of journalism on screen resonate most with him—from Spotlight to Deadline U.S.A. Plus, he talks about finding humanity at the anchor desk and the playful friendship he shares with fellow broadcaster Craig Melvin.
About Seen on the Screen with Jacqueline Coley
A podcast series hosted by Jacqueline Coley, Awards Editor at Rotten Tomatoes. Claim your ticket to witness the personal narratives happening behind the scenes of film and entertainment. Each episode invites you into intimate conversations with filmmakers, actors and industry insiders.
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