Print journalists are always dumping on the TV side, calling TV journalists "talking heads" or "more interested in the appearances than the news" or saying they "don't go deep enough" in their stories. So this is what makes this Wall Street Journal article so funny.
Writer Vanessa O'Connel wonders (and in the very first sentence too) "Is Katie Couric changing her look?" Yes, it's an entire article examining the new promos that CBS is running for Couric's new CBS Evening News gig. O'Connell wonders why Couric is now wearing a serious black dress and pearls instead of the clothes she wore on Today.
What, did she used to wear clown outfits and bathrobes on Today? Is she really that different? And even if she is, what, you never changed your clothing because of a job change?
But that's not all: O'Connell goes on to interview various experts about Couric's wardrobe. One of the experts even suggests that Charles Gibson (yes, he's no longer officially Charlie!) should wear lighter colors so it's "more flattering." Ugh.
Favorite line: "Neither Ms. Couric nor CBS, which hopes she'll attract younger viewers without alienating the old guard, would discuss her anchor wardrobe - although a spokesman for Ms. Couric says she at times wore the same black suit on the Today Show. But how Ms. Couric looks will help shape her images as she discusses weighty topics like The Middle East."
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-07-2006 @ 12:32PM
MrsEldubya said...
There were times when I liked what Katie wore on the Today show and times when I thought her clothes were horrible. But like you said, it seems reasonable that she will tone down her wardrobe for the evening news. It's a more serious job. I hope she retires a few of her today show favorites and we never have to see them again! Expect more suits, less fashion forward, and hopefully... less legs.
I worked for a temp agency right out of college because I had no clue what I wanted to do. My mom had made sure I had a proper work wardrobe too. The agency loved me because they knew if they sent me to a law firm or brokerage firm, I would look the part. Don't we all try to look like we fit in when we get new jobs?
I like the old geeky Katie and not the fashion forward one that came around later. Maybe that's why I like Campbell Brown so much, she's another geeky morning show person. :)
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8-07-2006 @ 12:39PM
Myron said...
That article is from their Saturday edition, which carries lighter fare than during the week. The WSJ is a solid publication with excellent reporting and writing. (Just skip its editorial page, which is frightening.)
The WSJ is fair game for ridicule, but I think you could find a more deserving target.
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8-07-2006 @ 3:51PM
Brent McKee said...
This whole thing is spiralling out of control from the rather simple question that Alan Sepinwall asked at the press tour - "Have you given any thought as to what you're going to wear?". I suppose it has to do with her being "Katie" Couric, since I can't imagine anyone asking this sort of question of Dianne Sawyer if she were becoming the host of the CBS Evening News, or writing this sort of stupid article about Elizabeth Vargas.
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