So Katie Couric is making the move from The Today Show to CBS Evening News. That we've all heard. But is it the right decision? Couric is apparently very well loved (although it seems that maybe it's just her legs that garner all the attention). But can she transition to the evening? Will her perkiness be too much to handle on the more serious evening news stories?
I'll be the first to admit that I don't like Couric (although not nearly as much as some people). Her chipperness and permanent smile are just too fake and creepy for me. So, of course, I don't think she can make the cut.
Apparently, Dan Rather is somewhat skeptical of his replacement, as is Tom Brokaw, another nightly news fixture. These men (and Peter Jennings) are stoic yet caring and seem human. I think that Couric will do just what Rather and Brokaw fear -- she will change the face of the evening news. Really, can you see Couric covering something like the Vietnam War with the compassion of someone like Rather and actually believe her?
Joe Terranella @ Wed, 04/26/2006 - 11:15am
I remember watching Couric do her special on colon cancer after her husband died. She was quite sober and sincere. I've also seen her do longer form packages and she does have the ability to convey the gravitas for a serious story. Of course she doesn't have the sober, monotone, delivery of any of the old anchors. I think her move to evening news will revive interest in a time slot and format that has seen its ratings decline of late.