CBS Eyeing Anderson Cooper for Katie Couric's Job?

By PopEater Staff Posted Mar 1st 2010 10:01AM

In mid-2011, Katie Couric's five-year contract at CBS News will expire, and network executives appear to be exploring a "Plan B" if she departs after her oft-rocky tenure in the anchor's chair. According to the New York Times, that backup plan could very well be CNN host Anderson Cooper, who reportedly met with CBS execs months ago about anchor opportunities at the network.

The Times got the information from a pair of "TV veterans informed of the meeting."

However, a spokesperson for CNN denies a meeting ever occurred and claim in a statement to EW that Cooper "is not engaged in any additional conversations with them beyond those necessary for his continuing role on 60 Minutes."

Whether Cooper's reported meeting with CBS execs means he is being courted for Couric's job is unclear; he was previously pursued to host the network's 'Early Show,' which has struggled in the ratings. A switch to CBS full-time would be an easy one for Cooper, who is a regular contributor to '60 Minutes.'

Cooper joined CNN in 2001 and has hosted his own show, 'Anderson Cooper 360,' since 2003. He specializes in covering tragedies, including Hurricane Katrina and the recent the earthquake in Haiti.

'360' has not exactly been a ratings boon for CNN and generally ranks third in the 10 PM hour behind FOX's Greta Van Susterein and HLN's Nancy Grace. Often, repeats of MSNBC's Keith Olbermann will edge Cooper out as well. His focus on delivering the news -- and not opinion -- has been cited by industry analysts for his viewership.

Couric's ratings have not changed much either, and she currently ranks behind NBC's Brian Williams and ABC's Diane Sawyer in the evening news race. As we noted in an earlier piece, CBS may be looking to bring down costs in the newsroom due to the economic downturn.

Couric reportedly makes $15 million a year.

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, over 3 million more viewers, averaging around 10 million viewers to Couric's 6.5-7 million.

CBS had no comment when asked by the Times, but it is not uncommon for TV stars to take meetings with other networks in the run-up to contract negotiations.

Tags: anderson cooper, katie couric

Comments

(177)

Monday 01 March

By Patricia

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This is the first & only time I've ever seen anything mentioned about Anderson being Gay and I do NOT think that it is even close to being the truth.
I hope he does get the job - Couric is a phony and I for one would be glad to see her gone!

By dudewithhair

ummm anderson never came out and said he was gay. That's speculation.

By Andy

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Yes, Patricia, he is gay. So you know that he is eyeing Couric's job and not Couric's ...

By Evelyn

Patricia... where ya been? Although Anderson is not out and has not addressed the rumors publicly, the speculation has been for YEARS that he is gay - but, really, who cares? The only love life I care about is my own. I LOVE this man on the news. He was a tireless worker in Haiti and always charming in interviews and when he subs for Regis. I think CBS would be wise to replace Couric with Cooper!

By June

She sure doesn't know how to interveiw and Sarah Palin could do her job with her hands tied behind her back. She thought she made a fool out of Sarah but she just proved how smug she thinks she is.

By Justin

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June, Sarah Palin made a fool out of herself. She didn't need Katie's help to do that!

By Susan

Oh YES!! Anderson Cooper would be great! They are all liberal-viewed, I know that, but I just never cared for Katie at all.

By Long Island

I also love Anderson Cooper - a Perfect replacement for Katie-
Katie how does a season of Dancing With The Stars sound?

By Gina

Wow, what a great choice. I'd finally start watching the news again.

By Bonbon

I don't watch the evening news, but Couric is such a witch and a two face anyone would be better than her, she is like the biggest snob, just a total beotch!!!

By Eddy

Sounds like BonBon is talking about herself again! Just like the witch she is. I thought if you stayed away from the political pages, no one would have to read her crap.

By Samantha

Anderson Cooper is Gay?! It's always the good looking men...

By Reggie

I agree that Anderson would miss the adrenaline rush of reporting from some war zone or disaster area, but he would sure make a great anchor if he chose to be. I always get the feeling that Katie is always straining at maintaining an impression of being a no-nonsense broadcaster.

As she glares into the camera, I just wonder if she wouldn't much rather be smiling at a chef who's just given a demonstration of his new restaurant's menu, or interviewing a cast member of a new film.

By Michael

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Cooper is a thrill seeker with a daddy didn't love me syndrome.
He has to run into burning buildings to prove he doesn't fear death. He never recovered from his brothers suicide. As a CNN "newsman" he is just another true believer in the Obama super man myth. So juvenile.
Couric is a kool-aider from the word go. CBS has one of the strongest left wing biases in the news biz. Unwatchable.

Tuesday 02 March

By Tam

If it's all so unwatchable why are you even involved in this convo.Dur.

By Barbara

Katie WHO ???????She is probably the worst NEWSCASTER I've ever listened too, and that was only when she first took over ABC news. Tuned in again recently and see no improvement. Yea for AC. He can deliver news, unlike Katie.

By Anna

Couric should have stayed on morning t.v. CBS needs a heavy weight journalist like Anderson, not a cream puff "interviewer" like Couric.

By sup

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Les Moonves isnt gay so I dont think AC can "suck up" this job. I think Julie Chen (since she married old coot Moonves) sits on his pole so she is up for the job ... As for Katie Co#ksu&ker (and yes she has been on her knees pre-Today Show audition) its time for her to retire and pitch Valtrex from a Senior Citizens home. I know shes allegedly a couple of years younger than Diane Sawyer but she looks 10 years older. Old Katie is looking as old as centurian Barbara (does her interviews with her legs in the air or on her knees) Walters. I like Diane and Brian (although NBC Executives need to pull him by the feet so they can at least get his NECK out of the intestinal tract of Obama ... BO is looking constipated because he has Brian Willians up his a&s.
Katie Co8ksuc*er say GOODBYE.

By Caring Kate

If Katie doesn't want to pick up a new contract, I can't imagine anyone I would rather see in her place than Anderson. He consistantly appears to be level headed, experienced and adorable. He is soothing when news is bad. There's just something about him that seems to be wise and sane. I would never miss his news report as anchor of CBS.

By Sharonlynn

Elizabeth Vargas would be a perfect candidate for the anchor job. She is a very serious professional and I would rate her right up there with Peter Jennings. I think she would be a hit for the anchor seat.

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