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Lately, the only Katie Couric most people have been seeing is the one that's depicted in the picture to the right: serious, sober, possessing whatever gravitas she can muster in her role as anchor of the CBS Evening News. But where can you see the goofy Katie, the one that people came to know -- and some got sick of -- for fifteen years on the Today show?

Why, on YouTube, of course! In fact, Katie has her very own page on the leading video sharing site, where she posts extended Evening News interviews and behind-the-scene footage. The behind-the-scenes stuff is where you see Katie at her most impish, doing things like snapping Larry King's suspenders as he leads her to the set of his show, singing with Bette Midler, and meeting with mommy bloggers in her office (check out the huge Warhol-esque portrait of herself she has hanging near her desk!).

I like these "Found Objects" videos that Harry Shearer has at My Damn Channel, even if I'm not surprised by what news people do behind the scenes and during commercial breaks. They fuss with their hair and clothes, they argue with staff, they rehearse segments. All the stuff you'd expect to find on videos like this. Of course, that's not to say that there's something mesmerizing about watching Ann Coulter chew Nicorette Gum.

That's one of the many things you'll see in this variety video after the jump. Coulter is waiting to be interviewed on one of the cable networks. You also see Bill O'Reilly looking into a mirror and sighing heavily because "Dave"couldn't get something right in the studio, Chris Matthews talking about a guest that's coming up, and more shots of Katie Couric and her clothes. There's also some footage from a woman I recognize but who's name escapes me at the moment (maybe from The Early Show?), but she urges us to remember that " 'synonymous' is not a good morning show word."

I've always liked Harry Shearer and the behind the scenes video and audio he has collected over the years. But I have to be honest and say I'm not quite sure what we're supposed to get from these videos of Katie Couric before and after her newscasts. I think we're supposed to giggle at how she acts or be surprised at the "real" Katie or maybe think less of her or something?

I actually think more of her after viewing these, because she seems real, she's funny, and she seems to get along well with her coworkers, something that people said she didn't do. So, I think they work more for Katie than against her, though she probably wouldn't want her mom watching her say "Oh shit oh shit oh shit oh shit oh shit."

After the jump, the latest video, from CBS News coverage of the NH Primary (and here's part one if you missed it.)

Simpsons star Harry Shearer has been exposing the behind the scenes faux pas and foibles of the national media for years. His video and audio of such things as Tom Brokaw's off-camera remarks are classic. Earlier this year he posted a video on his My Damn Channel channel of Dan Rather going on and on about whether or not to wear a trenchcoat. Now it's Katie's turn.

In the video after the jump, we see Katie prepping to go live during The CBS Evening News' recent trip to Nashville. We see her talking about her hair and whether or not to button the top button of her coat. Personally, I don't see what's so shocking or even "embarassing" about this video. All network reporters do this before the cameras roll - all of them, male and female. In fact, it makes me like Couric more, because she's self-deprecating (combing her hair: "This tart's ready to go!") and seems to be getting along with everyone on the crew.

Did you know that online video is popular? It's true! Everybody's doing it. Well, I doubt Bea Arthur is doing online video, but still...

Today, MyDamnChannel.com launched. It's a new online video channel put together by some big celebs, including Harry Shearer (The Simpsons), David Wain (Stella, the new movie The Ten), and music producer Don Was. It was created by former CBS Radio and MTV exec Rob Barnett.

As with any new launch, the content is hit or miss, but there's a surprising number of videos here, including several from Shearer and Wain and a couple from web video icon Andy Milonakis. You need Flash 9 to view the videos.

[via TV Tattle]