If Katie Bolts To CBS, Best Choice Is Already In-House
Today's Wall Street Journal has a thinly sourced story about NBC brass contemplating who'll get to keep Matt Lauer company should Katie Couric weary of the predawn patrol and relieve Bob Schieffer at the "CBS Evening News."
In the article from Brook Barnes, there is a cryptic sentence about the chances of Campbell Brown, who co-hosts "Weekend Today," moving over to replace Couric.
"Ms. Brown has star wattage, but NBC worries her hard-news bent wouldn't fit well with the fluffy segments that are the "Today" show's bread and butter."
Well, whomever "NBC" actually is, either hasn't watched Brown that carefully, is a poor student of history, or both.
The 37-year-old Brown has indeed established her hard-news credentials, first in Washington and especially notably in post-Katrina New Orleans. But she's also established a down-to-earth, unpretentious and engaging persona during more placid times on "Today."
She's proven equally at ease grilling Bush administration officials as learning how to grill a steak during a cooking segment.
If she's not a huge fan of the fluff, Brown does a great job of hiding that. If nothing else, she's proven to be the consummate team player on the ensemble that "Today" really should be, rather than the Couric star vehicle it is now -- the "Where In The World Is Matt Lauer" gigs notwithstanding.
And who's to say she wouldn't be a fit for such segments? After all, Couric came to NBC as a Pentagon correspondent and joined "Today"as its first national correspondent in 1990, back in the days when she was still "Katherine Couric."
Couric didn't exactly have many fashion and wedding segments under her belt when she first took over. Somehow she's managed.
The Journal points to Meredith Vieira winning the hearts and minds at 30 Rock. Wishful thinking, as the article suggests. Besides, she has an extremely cushy and lucrative gig at "The View."
Remember, this is the woman bounced off "60 Minutes" because she had the temerity to get pregnant. With three teenagers in the house now, it's hard to see her bounding out of her Westchester home in the dead of night right about now.
So, if Couric leaves, and we're still not sure why she'd do that even if it meant getting to sleep in -- look for Brown to get the nod.
Meantime, NBC worry-warts have time to backpedal and catch her on "Weekend Today" to see that all will not be lost -- and that includes Today's sizeable lead over Good Morning America -- should the Perky One take her leave.
14 comments:
NBC would be insane not to replace Katie Couric with Campbell Brown. Not only would Ms. Brown an adequate replacement - In many respects she would outshine her predeccessor. Success has not yet gone to her head. Although she is a superior newswoman she also has the human interest part more than covered. Who can forget how wonderful she was during Katrina - she established a personal and loving relationship with that New Orleans little boy - Katy could not even get him to answer her questions at a later interview. Further, although Natalie Moralis is alright - that's all she is. She is just a clone of all the other female talking heads on the air. Campbell on the other hand could hold her own with the likes of Tom Brokaw, Brian Williams, Dan Rather, etc. Her White House and Foreign coverage puts her head and shoulders over amny present competiont. Further, I for one hope Katie does "bolt" - her persona is definitely starting to fray. However, I don't think she will do well as CBS's prime time anchor either - but that is CBS's problem. In short - NBC GIVE US CAMPBELL - SHE IS WONDERFUL!!!
While I'll admit it took me a little bit to warm to Campbell Brown after the departure of Soladad O'Brien (sp), I now greatly enjoy and admire her.
I think she handles herself well, regardless of the segment type. We've been impressed with her intelligence and knowledge, yet she's fun, relaxed and seems to enjoy herself on the "fluffy" pieces.
Katie and Matt have been a great team, but let's face it - we're ready for a change and I think people would embrace Campbell Brown, though I'd miss her on the weekends, when I get to watch the morning shows.
I'm hoping she gets the gig, IF that's what she wants. She's the real deal.
I'm so happy to find these comments that say exactly what I think about Campbell Brown. She'd be such a refreshing change.
Campbell Brown is a proven package. She is smart, insightful and fun! The perfect "replacement" for Katie. She also has good chemistry with Matt. Why in the world would you
not choose a proven "wiiner"!
Katie Couric lost me as a fan the day she snapped at the genial Lester Holt that "you are here to support me!"
Campbell Brown is such a class act - bright, beautiful and just so pleasant in every way. I cannot wait for her to take the reins. NBC please don't let us down!
I change the channel when Campbell Brown domes on! She is so self-involved... it's distracting.
What about bringing back Soledad O'Brien? She's wasted on CNN with Miles- Mr Stiff- O'Brien. I like Campbell but don't see her as well-rounded as Soledad, who is beautiful, bright, an accomplished journalist and multi tasking Mom of 4. In addition, as a Latino, she could draw more audience members from the wave of Hispanics in the USA.
Please, please do not replace Katie with Meredith Vieira. My family and friends are biting our nails at the thought of Meredith taking Katie’s place. I can speak for at least 15 people who will no longer be watching the Today show if Meredith gets the job. We all much prefer the beautiful, charming , intelligent and articulate Campbell Brown. If Meredith gets the job we will switch to ABC’s Diane Sawyer and her team
MAJOR MISTAKE on the part of NBC in not replacing Couric with Camppbell Brown. Meredith is fine, but Campbell has it all to bring in even more viewers and to offset Pompus Matt. Very sneaky way that they did it too - waited until she was out of town on her honeymoon! Bad form!!
I'm disapointed in NBC's choice of Viera, especially over Brown. What a missed opportunity.
NBC has insulted every fan of the Today show by going outside the aptly talented family and tapping a complete outsider. What a shock and undeserved disappointment to both Ann Curry and Campbell Brown. Both are much better suited and have much happier and positive personalities, not to mention that talent again. Everyone I know loves both of them. How could NBC not at least give them the shot? I have nothing against Viera, but she's perfect for The View - not Today.
Oh well, What the Heck, I didn'tsee me in the list to be co-host of NBC Today. So that is that. Oh, is there any Black females around for those tyes of job or are we still in segregation? Oh My, CBS should have made me the Grand Dame of CBS News.
Are you people insane? Campbell Brown, while adequate doing the news, becomes a whiny, shrieky goofball, when handling the "fluff" segments. I haven't watched Meredith Vieira, but after suffering through Campbell Brown's fill-in duties, anything will be an improvement. I would much rather see Ann Curry or Natalie Morales work the fill-in duties. Or, Maria Menounos...grrrooowww!!!
WOULD SOMEONE TELL CAMPBELL BROWN TO STICK THE PEN OR HER FINGER ANY WHERE BUT IN MY FACE....SHE SHOULD TAKE A LOOK AT THE OTHER REPORTERS AND TAKE A CLUE....I HAVE TO FIND THE REMOTE WHEN SHE APPEARS !
Post a Comment