Katie Couric finally ended all the speculation this morning when she announced that she’s leaving NBC’s “Today” show at the end of May and taking the anchor position with the CBS Evening News.
The move certainly deserves the attention it’s getting, but for different reasons. For months, most of the hubbub has been about whether NBC can survive mornings without Couric. But the real focus should always have been the fact that she now assumes the lead role at CBS News, which has long been dominated by men.
Leslie Stahl of “60 Minutes” is the only woman to have held any significant role at CBS News and Couric’s arrival now pushes the network into the new millennium.
As for Couric, she’ll do fine at virtually anything she tries — save for hosting “The Tonight Show,” although any permanent replacement for Jay Leno would be welcome. She’s already proven her ability to balance hard news with the lighter stuff, navigating through war coverage and celebrity interviews within the same show. She’ll be able to bring the necessary gravitas to the real issues and understand the fun side of news at the same time.
As for CBS, it will certainly benefit from switching up the old tired news format and bringing in some new blood with the 49-year-old Couric.
As for NBC, it will be just fine and will likely hold on to its vast lead among network morning news shows. It may be somewhat of a blessing, in that some fans were starting to get a little tired of Couric’s attitude of late. NBC is reportedly close to sealing a deal with Meredith Vieira, who provides the only tolerable moments on “The View.” It’s definitely time for Vieira to come back to news and still maintain the softer edge that “Today” offers.
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