This week's issue of The New York Observer has a pretty lengthy article about Katie Couric, discussing not only the multiple parties celebrating her fiftieth birthday, but talking about the tough sledding her first few months at the helm of the CBS Evening News has been. Rebecca Dana does a good job of showing all the issues that have surrounded her tenure at the anchor desk, speaking to CBS News producers, executives, and people on her old NBC staff who made the move with her.Turns out that, not only are people at CBS uncomfortable with Katie's more conversational anchor style and her favoritism towards lengthy interviews and lighter fare, the viewers aren't taking to it either. "The most stunning thing about this experience has been to discover how resistant people are to change," executive Paul Friedman told Dana.
Couric doesn't seem to be worried; throughout the article, she demonstrates how truly confident she is in herself and her abilities to get the job done, despite the high and sometimes unfair expectations heaped on her. ""I think that, probably it may be off-putting at times to some people who are used to a very, very buttoned-up newscast that doesn't have much leeway for an occasional glimpse of personality, but you know, I try," she tells Dana. "If people feel discomfort, maybe they should consider a suppository."
Boy, oh boy. Does she kiss her kids with that mouth? Anyway, I'm not sure why people aren't giving her more time to develop and see how she does when big stories, like Gerald Ford's death, occur. It just seems too early to dismiss her or say she should move to mornings at this point. She's still in third place but doing slightly better than Bob Schieffer did at this point, according to the article. So, might as well leave her there and let her grow, right?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
1-11-2007 @ 11:06AM
Lynn Corbitt said...
I think Katie Couric is doing a fine job with the news. I prefer the lighter, more conversational style. She has a good personality, and she should let it shine through. My only criticism? Katie needs a new hairdresser.
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1-11-2007 @ 11:11AM
David Johnson said...
But is it news? The sweet sugar coating makes me think that Couric is a member of the administration. Bob was so much better. She should be reassigned to AM Talk.
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1-11-2007 @ 11:41AM
TVGenius said...
From what I've heard from the inside, she and her NBC-hangers-on aren't afraid to throw their weight around and get things done their way, to the discomfort of the longtime CBS people. And something about her yelling at Richard Schlesinger to wipe the seat in the unisex bathroom near their offices.
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1-11-2007 @ 11:19AM
Julian Sanchez said...
I believe she should get another job, but behind the cameras!
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1-12-2007 @ 7:54AM
Laraine Davis said...
Man....what has happened to ourso called tolerance and nonjudgmental virtues? I don't know how I feel yet, think its still too early to tell. I know this is just a blog, but really can't we EVER give the other guy a break? It's pretty comfortable passing judgment sitting in front of the laptop isn't it? How would I feel if I were under the microscope? Not great.
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1-11-2007 @ 11:36AM
Marilyn J. Twitchell, DVM said...
Let Katie do "her thing" it takes time for people to accept change. She certainly has been "top drawer" in a stellar career for many years. I love her "naturalness." Also she has saved a lot of lives with her discussions on colon cancer. Viva La Couric
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1-11-2007 @ 11:39AM
mary said...
I personally like her but she is on at the same time as The News Hour with Jim Lehrer so don't often watch.
Like other extremely successful people in that business, the expectations get so huge and unrealistic, I doubt that even Ed Murrow or Walter Cronkhite could posssible measure up.
Money is so much the overarching factor in TV now that there is little time to allow a Murrow or a Cronkhite to develop--which takes a great deal of time.
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1-11-2007 @ 11:46AM
Shelley Domotor said...
I think Katie is doing a great job. After a long day of work; it is refreshing to watch the news and Katie. I think she is growing should be allowed to grow just like anyone else that starts a new job.
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1-11-2007 @ 11:45AM
Bing Martinez said...
I think Katie is doing a great job. I used to watch Brian Williams but has switched to CBS because I love the way Katie delivers the news in her light, conversational style, as opposed to Williams' stiff manner. Katie has a great personality and she connects with me and my high school students who appreciate a friendly delivery of evening news. My best to you, Katie and I'm wishing you success at CBS.
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1-11-2007 @ 11:49AM
Lorna said...
Couric has been a decent well mannered rounded journalist, with A for effort she will surpass the big guys. She is good at what she does and has the flir and personality to susceed, give her a chance
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1-11-2007 @ 11:50AM
Mildred Kilarjian said...
I loved Katie on the Today show and watched the 6:30 pm
news a few times only because of Katie! She's no longer
"Katie" as we knew her. You can see that she's reading...
and pausing in inappropriate places. I do think she has
improved, and hope she is what CBS wants, and it's what
Katie wants, too.
PS I also like Meredith Viera, but the Today show is not
what it was with Katie Couric!
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1-11-2007 @ 11:54AM
Barbara said...
I like her style but, quite frankly, I think her format is much more suited to the morning crowd. The Today show isn't the same without her.
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1-11-2007 @ 11:59AM
Vince said...
CBS will reap the rewards as KC continues to build. I think she understands that there is no monopoly for news anymore and she is developing a trust relationship with her viewers.
I don't like some of her makeup/hair choices but it never mattered what Dan Rather wore did it?
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1-11-2007 @ 12:07PM
Karen Watson said...
I think she is doing as good of a job as anyone else. What does everyone want blood!
The only problem I have with the show is that they are giving her that standard achor man look. She's beautiful woman. Do something with her hair and oh my goodness.....dress her like a woman and not like a
60 yr. old man smoking a pipe. LOL
If Barbara Walters can yell at Donald Trump on national TV and she is suppose to be the matrioch of television. Centianly they can do something with Katie's hair and clothes. It's not her fault.
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1-11-2007 @ 12:38PM
Olaine Smith said...
I have always felt that Katie was like the "girl next door". Being an Africian American who is 50+ I find that she brings a positive flavor to whatever she is reporting about. I miss her on the "Today Show" --- but I refuse to watch any other morning show. I am giving Meredith a chance. In closing, Katie being a female anchor in the male oriented environment is doing a fantastic job. Happy 50th Katie!!!!
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1-11-2007 @ 12:43PM
Annabelle said...
I like Katie & the way she handles the news. But i think CBS is trying to make her look older with the clothes, hair & makeup they use. It seems wrong to be critical of her hair & makeup since we don't do it to male anchors. I still think she's doing a great job.
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1-11-2007 @ 12:44PM
Pam said...
This is the year of the "woman"
Pelosi in the house!
Rosie with her "View"
Katie is good, but she needs some,
pardon me for saying this "balls"!
Get a little more into reporting
and show some emotion or disgust!
Or have a minute at the end where she
can have an opinion or comment.
(but have someone very knowledgable
write with full truth)
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1-11-2007 @ 12:49PM
Tom McLaughlin said...
I miss Katie doing all the interviews and cooking presentations with Martha Stuart. She is really good at that. I think you should bring the morning style news that Katie was so good at on NBC into the eventing news at CBS!
Anyone else with me on this idea?
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1-11-2007 @ 1:57PM
Westmark said...
Gee, I didn't know that she had moved, not watching her on the old morning show, and not feeling the need to watch anything other than Fox for my evening news.
I hope she does well, but never actually considered her to be more than a "woman's gab over coffee type" that I probably wouldn't take seriously.
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1-11-2007 @ 6:57PM
Jasmine said...
I was very happy for Katie and eager for her to do well. I watched The Nightly News with Peter Jennings, but when Peter died I tuned out. I switched around from station to station, but was not loyal to any network. Therefore, I was hopeful Katie would provide what I was looking for. Unfortunately, she has not provided the "IT" I need. I am not sure what it is. Her style just does not work for me. In a recent interview with the wife of one of the Colorado victims, I was repulsed by her interview. I thought she was faking concern and it didn't play well. I will keep watching, but I'm not pleased with her. I am also not pleased with Meredith on the Today show. While I am a Meredith fan, I find it difficult to watch her forced interaction with the guys. I also think her job on "Millionaire" diminishes her credibility on The Today Show. I personally think the Today Show would have been better to move Ann into that spot. Al, Matt, and Ann have great natural chemistry together and it is not forced.
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