CBS Corp. (NYSE:CBS), whose "Evening News" broadcast trails its competition by a mile, recently named former MSNBC head Rick Kaplan to oversee the show. Anchor Katie Couric better hope that Kaplan brings a magic wand with him otherwise her job could be in jeopardy.
Despite all of the talk to the contrary, CBS has got to be wondering if it made the right move hiring Couric. Her predecessor Bob Scheiffer was doing a great job in the wake of the Dan Rather Memogate debacle. In fact, Couric's ratings are worse than his.
There's no doubt though that Couric faces a double-standard because she's a woman, though I don't think her gender is the reason for her poor ratings. Plenty of women anchor local and cable news shows. People just aren't warming up to her as the "Evening News" anchor. Maybe all of the tabloid gossip tarn shed her once golden-girl image. Whatever the reason, Couric is facing an uphill battle.
As the Associated Press points out, Couric's broadcast is a mess. Kaplan, a skilled producer, can make the "Evening News" more coherent. But if people haven't warmed up to the star anchor now, I am not sure they will once the broadcast is revamped.











Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-09-2007 @ 11:47AM
monte said...
maybe its cause the commie cost Bush SR his job when she blindsided him on election morning giving us 8 years of clinton and now we can look forward to hilary rodham, too.thanks katie.
3-09-2007 @ 11:44AM
Thomas Gerardi Ryan said...
Couric is blatantly anti-Republican, anti-capitalist, pro - socialism, carbon catastrophist, and an open Bush hater. She can't soften it with a smile.
Her history follows her, and it is impossible to view her as an impartial evaluator of the day's events. She's a known quantity.
3-09-2007 @ 11:46AM
Chocolate Starfish said...
You say Katie faces a double standard because she's a woman, but never say what that standard is or offer further explanation.
The only way I can see a double standard applying is the fact that she's still got a job despite poor viewership because she's a woman.
3-09-2007 @ 1:47PM
cla1712 said...
I can't imagine Katie giving an unbiased account of the events around the world. Her bias was very evident when reporting the outcome of the 2000 presidential election.
3-09-2007 @ 2:33PM
Starr said...
"Katie Couric Woman of Admirable Courage."
Wouldn't you know, a woman brings a different perspective to news broadcasting and is attacked and dismissed upon ratings that are driven by the male gender.
Being Canadian I absolutely love Katie's news broadcast. The hard news first and then, thank heaven, some good news to help us see the beauty in the dark ruling masses.
International women's day and no celebration for women birthing all genders. No credit for what we contribute and so when one rises to the male dominant reporting she must go. After all men rule and woman are silenced yet again.
It is a refreshing news broadcast with some hard facts that are on 24 hrs if one wants to increase their blood pressure. With Katie and her sensitivity to newness, she is condemned and threatened. Shame, shame. Lets try her and hang her before she even has a chance to change the world view of more than war, hatred and male dominance.
Where has common sense gone? Money is the driving force to condemn her. What an example for our youth. Talk about bullying, whose the bully here?
Why do the females have to play by the men's rules? Katie got the job not just by her gender. She dares to risk and try something new and halleluiah for that.
However, the powerful elite see you, Katie, as a threat to them. How dare you show us another way to digest the hatred and war that surrounds us.
No matter what happens, Katie, you are a hero for going for it. You should be commended for this.
I salute you in your attempt to make us,the public, feel good after a news broadcast instead of this penetrating negativity that's submits us (all genders)by massive negativity to bring us into submission by the leaders.
Shame on you healthy men who denounce the importance of a unique approach to helping humankind become a gentler society.
Freedom of speech is being able to voice your opinion even if the audience does not wish to hear it.
Women, united we stand, divided we fall. It's time to speak.
Starr Boyce, person, woman, daughter, sister, aunt, mother, grandmother
Vancouver BC CAN
3-09-2007 @ 2:15PM
L said...
Maybe she needs to get her ass examined on national T.V. again. Her "cutesy" smile ain't cutting it!
3-09-2007 @ 2:27PM
Fred said...
I hope they keep her until the only people watching her are her kids!
3-09-2007 @ 3:24PM
gary wagner said...
Blah, blah, blah. Another ditzy bottle blond liberal lying to her viewers. Only people over 60, and liberals watch TV news anyway. Even they can't stand this phony, pretend-perky, cheerleader for democrats. Give it up and go home, Katie.
3-09-2007 @ 4:44PM
Beretverde said...
Rick Kaplan and Katie Couric... liberal bias marriage made in heaven. They will both go down in flames and end up blaming each other. Kaplan is a joke. Whoever is placing these clowns in these positions need to have their heads examined! Couric is an expensive bust, and Kaplan a proven one. Remember CNN's "Operation Tailwind" debacle. Kaplan ran that piece and during the outcry of the falsehood of the story... he was NOWHERE to be found! A joke at best.
3-09-2007 @ 11:20PM
richard reaux said...
Her stories are only as good as she gets them. I know she would be better if she had a free hand to report the way she felt. Wake up people she works for a paycheck as you & I. I can only amageine the pressure she is under.
3-10-2007 @ 8:41AM
Sarah said...
It has nothing to do with her being a woman. When I think of Katie Couric, I think sweet and perky. I don't mind watching sweet and perky in the morning, but in the evening when I'm winding down, I don't want to watch sweet and perky. It's hard to take her too seriously when it comes to hard core journalism.
3-11-2007 @ 9:00AM
CO said...
It would be nice to here two sides of a story so I could draw my own conclusions. Katie fails in this area. Everytime I watch her, I'm watching the the world according to "Katie" not the evening news. I guess nothing is new under the sun.
3-11-2007 @ 9:01AM
roger suied said...
you have to give time for the show to be successful.
3-12-2007 @ 7:28AM
Patricia said...
I briefly view her show, on occasion, but my opinion never changes......she lacks good deliverance, personality and she is not believable. Her extreme liberalism proceeds her so that I feel I am not receiving unbiased news coverage. It's time to move on Katie. CBS, certainly you can do better?
3-12-2007 @ 7:29AM
Ed Alley said...
I couldn't stand her on TODAY and refuse to watch her on CBS. About 50% of the viewer pool are not flaming liberals, her politics are her poison...drink up Katie.