Shes anchored the CBS Evening News for four years. Hows she been doing?
A few years back, Katie Couric left The Today Show for a $15 million-a-year gig as the anchor and managing editor of the CBS Evening News. Whats happened since the date of her first broadcast on Sept. 5, 2006, has been a mixed bag, with some triumphs and a lot of disappointments. Heres the overview:
Good News
CBS celebrated Courics arrival with a $10 million promotional campaign and a champagne celebration after her first broadcast.
Bad News
As her contract enters its fifth and final year, she hasnt yet been able to pull the network up from third place in the evening-news category. In fact, during a two-week period in August, the program pulled in the lowest number of viewers in 20 years. Network executives are still drinking, but for a different reason.
Good News
With her move to CBS, Couric wanted to escape the perky image that dogged her at The Today Show.
Bad News
During her first month at CBS, she made a video comparing her new job to her first day in seventh grade, when she wore a lime green and white shift. We think we heard the ghost of Edward R. Murrow groaning in despair.
Good News
She was the first network anchor on the ground in Port-Au-Prince after the 2010 Haiti earthquake.
Bad NewsSome thought Anderson Cooper looked even cuter, and he stayed a lot longer.Good NewsShe got the Walter Cronkite Journalism Award for her interviews with vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin.Bad NewsSarah Palin is thinking about adding Katies head to her trophy case. Just kidding.Good NewsShe landed A-list interview subjects like George W. Bush, Condoleezza Rice and John Edwards.Bad NewsNot too many watched.Good NewsShe brings a touch of humor to her work: She mocked Dan Rather and Sarah Palin, but only in front of her staff.Bad NewsThe cameras were rolling. The cameras are always rolling.Good NewsHer boyfriend, Brooks Perlin, is a hunky entrepreneur 17 years her junior. Theyve been together since 2007.Bad NewsThere is none. We certainly cant think of any.Good NewsShe wrote two childrens books, The Brand New Kid and The Blue Ribbon Day.Bad NewsThey didnt sell. On the other hand, Sarah Palins book Going Rogue hit the million-copy mark a while ago and is still going strong. As the the ex-governor of Alaska might say, Hows that book writin workin out for ya, Katie? (Sarah Palin keeps coming up a lot, doesnt she?)Good NewsThe CBS producer who urged staffers to imagine what ass well be kicking with Couric in the anchor spot isnt there anymore.Bad NewsKatie is, but the CBS news staffers have suffered huge cuts during the Couric years.Whats next for Katie when her contract is up? Good news or bad news? Stay tuned...
