Dark pronouncements by Republicans about a “communist agenda” espoused by public media were intercut with lighter references to “Sesame Street” and “Curious George.”

Rebecca Kutler, senior vice president for content strategy at MSNBC, will succeed Ms. Jones as interim president.

Here’s how they’re preparing to make calls in a very tight race — and ensure that viewers and readers believe them.

The appointment of Ms. Blumenstein, a deputy managing editor at The Times, is a part of a broad overhaul of the news division at NBCUniversal.