Morgan Freeman Replaces Walter Cronkite's Voice in Katie Couric Intro

By PopEater / Wire Services Posted Jan 4th 2010 05:41PM

Nearly six months after Walter Cronkite's death, his voice is leaving the 'CBS Evening News.'

His introduction of anchor Katie Couric was replaced Monday by a voiceover featuring actor Morgan Freeman.

The legendary CBS News anchor's voice was played at the beginning of most newscasts when Couric started at CBS in 2006. Cronkite's voice was kept on the air even after his death July 17.

"As comforting as it is to look back on the great career that Walter had, we're looking forward now and we just felt it was the right time to make the move that at some point had to be made," said CBS News and Sports President Sean McManus. "This seemed like the appropriate time since Walter's passing to make the move."

Having Freeman on board gives CBS the flexibility to record different intros when Couric has special reports and is on location, he said.

CBS has replaced Cronkite with a generic voice over the past few months when it wanted to highlight something special.

The change also gives the network more consistency, McManus said.

The Oscar-winning actor isn't the only star to lend his voice for news promos. According to Gawker, Michael Douglas opens 'NBC Nightly News' and 'Dirty Jobs' star Mike Rowe does the same for ABC.

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Tags: cbs evening news, CbsEveningNews, dirty jobs, DirtyJobs, katie couric, KatieCouric, Michael Douglas, MichaelDouglas, mike rowe, MikeRowe, Morgan Freeman, MorganFreeman, NBC Nightly News, NbcNightlyNews, walter cronkite, WalterCronkite

Comments

(55)

Tuesday 05 January

By John

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Walter Cronkite was a reporter who always got his facts straight. If he had an opinion he indicated that the piece was an opinion. All of Fox "News" is opinion and poor reporting at its best. Time to deFox America.

By Beydmosky

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James Earl Jones is THE voice!

By Gardner

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Why not replace Couric? Harry Smith would be a great choice.

By Sharon

I will miss Walter's intro. I just love the way he said, "Couric."

By love

And who watches CBS........Fox news is the only station with truth

By kenny

it was just fine the way it was.

By rick

I watch Brian Williams too. Katie was ok,with the Today Show but when she left her head got bigger and had to wear 2 sizes bigger hats.Get rid of her too.

By Len

Use the voice of Tiny Tim, singing the intro. Also, would love to see Pamela Anderson as the character, "Wanda the Weather Bunny."

By Bob

Who cares? Who listens to CBS, the Obama stooge network!

By Steve

What! Woody Allen, Tiger Woods, Elliot Spitzer, and Steve Phillips were not available. Walter is spinning in his grave.

By Kent

Don't networks have staff announcers anymore?

And frankly, Michael Douglas doesn't have a very authorative voice. It sounds a little nasal. Couldn't have they used Joel Goddard since he has nothing to do since Conan O'Brien left for Hollywood. I've heard him do "serious" voiceovers, and he's good.

By mike

I still wouldnt watch Katy Couric, to me she prove to be a women that will do anything, even sell her mother to get ahead. When she interviewd Gov. Sarah Palin she went too far in making an ass of her by asking impertinent questions, just to scora points. Ever since then I switch to ABC.....!!

By susan

very disrespectful...I hate KC on CBS news...

By DON1WOLF

... USE THE VOICE OF PORKY PIG - THEN AT LEAST PART OF NEWS WILL BE ENTERTAING - AND TH-TH- TH-TH-TH THATS THE W-WW-WWW WAY IT WAS - TH-TH-TH-TH- THATS ALL FOLKS -- WALTER WOULD ROLL OVER IN GRAVE CHUCKLING LOL

Friday 19 February

By meow1755

image the society we could change if so many of u christians on this board that are here talking about people would get together and help save, feed and house the less fortunate in this society.and i know u have to be christians because other wise u wouldnt be here talking about other people's indiscrections simple because u have none of your own.

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