The Katie Couric Conundrum: What Should CBS Do?

By Mike Hess Posted Feb 4th 2010 01:40PM

Katie Couric's tenure as the anchor of CBS' 'Evening News' has been one of just as many highs as lows. Through it all, she's weathered the storm -- both critical and public -- and persevered despite generally ranking last among the Big Three network evening broadcasts for almost all of her time at CBS since 2006. And, as everyone saw with Conan O'Brien and Jay Leno, the business side of television can be a demanding and cruel landscape, and with Couric's (very meaty) contract up next year, many are pondering what will transpire with CBS' Couric conundrum.

The state of the economy is affecting everyone, and new reports claim that Couric's whopping $15 million a year salary might have to be trimmed a bit if CBS keeps her on board. For comparison, NBC's Brian Williams -- who almost permanently holds the top spot among the nightly network news broadcasts -- makes $10 million a year and pulls in on average more than 3 million more viewers (averaging around 10 million viewers compared to Couric's 6.5-7 million) than Couric.

This week, the New York Post reported that there was a "populist backlash against Couric's cash" brewing, but CBS News & Sports President Sean McManus quickly stepped out to extinguish the rumor-mill flames.

"Nobody in the business works harder than Katie and I can tell you unequivocally that there have been and are no plans and not even a single discussion about making a change or renegotiating," McManus told the Huffington Post. Still, McManus told TVNewser that "when Katie's contract is up there will be a spirited competition for her services, based on the work that she's done in the last few years."

Roger Friedman, who writes the Showbiz411 column for The Hollywood Reporter, tells PopEater that CBS is going to do everything they can to hold onto Couric, even in lieu of her third-place performance for the network.

"They've already invested a lot in creating and promoting her as anchor of the Evening News. They're not going to abandon that next year," Friedman told us.

In the first days of Couric's CBS debut, ratings skyrocketed for the 'Evening News' broadcast due to public interest as to how Katie would handle the job -- much like how Conan O'Brien drew his biggest numbers in his final days on the 'Tonight Show,' with everyone wanting to see what would happen. Sadly for Katie, once the initial interest faded away, so did her viewers.

During the 2008 presidential election, though, Couric gained a heap of redemption -- and credibility among her skeptics -- when she sat down for a now-infamous interview with vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin. Couric asked the Alaskan governor questions that Palin later dubbed "gotcha journalism" -- namely what kinds of magazines she reads and how Alaska being close to Russia relates to foreign policy. The Couric-Palin showdown put Katie back in the public eye, but much like her debut, the attention eventually faded away.

Couric's past in the word of less-serious television -- namely the 'Today' show -- has many wondering whether the fact that her contract expires in the same year that Oprah Winfrey is ditching network TV to start her own cable empire could result in Katie jumping ship to go back to fluffier programming.

"Some viewers that were accustomed to her more perky side had a difficult time accepting her covering more serious news," says Michelle Lee, Executive Editor of In Touch Weekly.

So what should CBS do? It really depends who you ask, as both of our experts seem to have different ideas as to what's best for both involved.

"CBS News is a dinosaur fighting for survival. Katie is the network's last best hope," Friedman tells PopEater. "She's a news person. She was raised on news, and wants to be taken seriously. Closet make overs and DNA tests don't seem like her milieu. People want a new Oprah. But if there's one out there, we haven't seen them yet."

Still, In Touch Weekly's Lee disagrees, and thinks that this could be the perfect opportunity for Couric to make her move back to the peak of the television food chain.

"Katie has the interviewing skills and personality to headline a daytime talk show like Oprah, so this could be the strategic move that brings her back on top."

No matter what happens -- whether Katie stays or goes -- let's just hope things work out a bit tidier than they did with Jay and Conan.

http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,entry&id=828268&pid=828267&uts=1265301195

http://www.popeater.com/mm_track/popeater/movies/?s_channel=us.moviespop&s_account=aolpopeater,aolsvc&omni=1&ke=1

http://cdn.channel.aol.com/cs_feed_v1_6/csfeedwrapper.swf

Katie Couric Snapshots

A bundled-up Katie Couric trudges through a frigid winter day in New York City in this photo. Click for More Pics of Katie Out and About >>>

Getty Images

Getty Images North America

Susan Sarandon Snapshots

NEW YORK - JANUARY 20: Actress Susan Sarandon attends a Haiti Disaster Relief Fundraiser at SPiN New York on January 20, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Steven A Henry/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Susan Sarandon

Susan Sarandon Snapshots

Susan Sarandon (L) and Eva Amurri arrive to the 15th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards - Afterparty held at Katsuya on January 15, 2010 in Hollywood, California. 15th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards - After Party the Hollywood Palladium Hollywood, CA United States January 15, 2010 Photo by Michael Tran/FilmMagic.com To license this image (59294326), contact FilmMagic.com

Susan Sarandon Snapshots

Susan Sarandon and Eva Amurri arrive at the 15th Annual Critics Choice Movie Awards Official After Party at Katsuya on January 15, 2010 in West Hollywood, California. 15th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards Official After Party - Arrivals Katsuya Hollywood, CA United States January 15, 2010 Photo by Todd Williamson/WireImage.com To license this image (59304452), contact WireImage.com

Susan Sarandon Snapshots

Susan Sarandon and Eva Amurri arrive for the 15th Annual Critics Choice Movie Awards Official After Party at Katsuya on January 15, 2010 in West Hollywood, California. 15th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards Official After Party - Arrivals Katsuya Hollywood, CA United States January 15, 2010 Photo by Craig Barritt/WireImage.com To license this image (59294923), contact WireImage.com

Susan Sarandon Snapshots

Susan Sarandon arrives for the 15th Annual Critics Choice Movie Awards Official After Party at Katsuya on January 15, 2010 in West Hollywood, California. 15th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards Official After Party - Arrivals Katsuya Hollywood, CA United States January 15, 2010 Photo by Craig Barritt/WireImage.com To license this image (59294939), contact WireImage.com

Susan Sarandon Snapshots

Susan Sarandon is seen at the 15th Annual Critics Choice Movie Awards on Friday, Jan. 15, 2010, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Susan Sarandon Snapshots

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 15: Actor Matt Gerald arrives at the Critics' Choice Movie Awards After Party hosted by Susan Sarandon on January 15, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Valerie Macon/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Matt Gerald

Susan Sarandon Snapshots

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 15: Actress Bailee Madison arrives at the Critics' Choice Movie Awards After Party hosted by Susan Sarandon on January 15, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Valerie Macon/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Bailee Madison

Susan Sarandon Snapshots

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 15: Actor Justin Jon arrives at the Critics' Choice Movie Awards After Party hosted by Susan Sarandon on January 15, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Valerie Macon/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Justin Jon

Susan Sarandon Snapshots

Tags: katie couric, KatieCouric

Comments

(426)

Thursday 04 February

By geomcd

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

doesn't really matter what they do. Her whiney little voice along with her liberal agenda will keep me from watching her or any other news on CBS.

By Cynthia

I agree! 15 mill? Since she is such an Obama Fan I wonder if she would be willing to redistribute some of her wealth in my direction!

She won't starve! Good Bye Lady Katie!

By Nate

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I'm not a Couric fan,but she didnt do anything to Palin, other than expose her as a clueless,simpleminded fraud. That hardly qualifies as hard hitting investigative journalism though, since it was fairly obvious to begin with.

By Tom

That clueless, simpleminded FRAUD you speak of is currently in the White House.

Friday 05 February

By Sul7

Vote down Vote up Report this

Hope she shows the world the true b.o., but im sure he will get a cheat sheet before the interview....CBS SHOULD CAN HER, WHILE THEY CAN

By Leland Haynes

I think she should be sent down the road. I have disliked her since she cornered and delighted in embaressing Sarah Palin in that interview. Absolutely no class on her part. I have other network news I can watch. The real word for her starts with a "B".

By duhmokrat1

Just get her sorry A** off of TV, should have never been there to start with.

By Mr.

I LOVE KATIE AND FOLLOWED HER TO THE NEW NETWORK AND WILL WHEREVER SHE GOES!

By James

Great, great! You follow her, no matter where she goes. That sounds like a win win situtation for the rest of us.

By Melody

Never thought she was good in that spot....they should have given it to Harry Smith from The Early Show, he's likeable, personable and believable. I never liked Katie Couric in this anchor chair.

By Gunny

She should be replaced and a REAL Unbiased person put in her place, maybe someone like no talent kate gosslin.

By heywood jablome

Get rid of Katie Courec...PLEASE..PLEASE...PLEASE.. Why not just go ahead and get Jenifer Aniston to do the news. They are about as beleivable as each other....better body.....and that`s what we`re looking at...we get our news everytime we log on....so your wasting your money.

By EDEN

ANOTHER OBAMA A--KISSER. LOSERS STAY WITH LOSERS. THEY ALL DESERVE EACH OTHER.

By Janice

OBAMA WON JERK!!!! EVEN IF COURIC GETS FIRED I'S LIKE TO HAVE THE MILLIONS SHE'S BEEN PAID. PLUS WHAT THE HELL DOES COURIC'S ISSUES TO DO WITH PRESIDENT OBAMA/ SEEMS LIKE YOU REALLY NEED TO GET A LIFE.

By Patty

There are times when news doesn't fit my schedule but I try to make it a point to tune in to the Evening News with Katie Curic.
I like the quiet no hype reporting, just the facts. I think ditching her would be a huge mistake.

By algonquin j. calhoun

couric is an industrial strength irritant...i look at her and all i can think of is on-camera colonoscopy, the very nadir of journalism...and this just in from the American Medical Association: "Couric" will replace "Colic" as the official name for the childhood malaise.

By john

Ever notice with the right anything that a Eighth grader would know is gotcha journalism?

By Melanie

I don't understand why Katie was picked for this job. I never really thought she was a top notch interviewer. She's no Diane Sawyer that's for sure.

By Bo

Whether a liberal or conservative. Newscasters must understand what is news and how to deliver. All the networks today are filled with slanted reporting. The only way to truly know the truth is to be there in person. Gone are the days when reporting called on US to actually form an opinion on the issue. Today everyone saddles up to someone and follows them blindly down the road. Everyone is to wrapped up in themselves, and that is why our country will continue to fall down the proverbial shute!! You want to get rid of her, stop watching.

By Richard

Good post Bo. Katie is a pleasure to watch. She is a cute chick with a great smile and a wonderful personality. She does her job well. I look forward to watching her every night. Katie is refreshing to watch. Keep up the Great job Katie.

Page 3 of 22