Since newspapers and magazines can only spill so much ink speculating whether or not Katie Couric is planning to take over the CBS Evening News anchor chair, talk has turned to who might replace her at NBC’s Today if indeed she does bolt. At this point, four names are being bandied about like holiday piñatas: Three front-runners within the network — correspondent Natalie Morales, Weekend Today cohost Campbell Brown, and Today news anchor Ann Curry — and one from outside, The View’s Meredith Vieira, the option that intrigues me most. Think about it: Vieira has sufficient news chops (no, not from ”Hot Topics,” but rather her tenure at 60 Minutes in the early ’90s) and she’s about as likable as they come. While word has it that Vieira probably won’t consider a move because she’s got a comfortable schedule that’s given her flexibility to deal with her husband’s health woes, being paired with Matt Lauer has to be better than sharing a table with host-bot Elisabeth Hasselbeck, right? Anyhow, if you ran NBC, who would you hire as Today’s cohost?
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Comments (1-25) of 25 Add your comment
I gave up on the Today Show (and all morning “news” programs for that matter) because of Ann Curry. While she is a decent enougn news reader (not anchor), she is incapable of thinking on her feet. She is by far the most incapable of the names mentioned. They will clearly need to go with someone in at least her late 30s, or the other hosts will look like seniors who need to be put out to pasture.
Viera is the only one that works for me. She’s someone I’d want to turn to on a difficult news day. That’s the key. Can this person handle serious news while handling the kitchen/fluff segments. Viera can do both with ease. I also think CBS will rue the day they hire Katie Couric for the nightly news. My vote would be a Judy Woodruff type of anchor.
This is an easy one. I would elevate Campbell Brown to the co-host position opposite Matt Lauer and name Natalie Morales the full-time person at the news desk and No. 1 backup to Campbell.
That would enable Ann Curry to become a full-time member of the “Dateline” staff. I would make her a frequent “Today” correspondent to promote some of her big stories to be aired on “Dateline.”
Lester Holt would continue to be a co-host of “Weekend Today” and Matt’s backup on “Today.” David Gregory would be No. 2 when available. Campbell’s replacement on “Weekend Today” would come from a rotation of such familiar faces as Maria Bartiromo, Amy Robach and Alison Stewart.
No one from “The View” would be allowed to set foot on the “Today” set — ever!
I agree that turning into Viera for serious news when needed and for the fun segments would be a much better choice. I feel that Ann Curry lacks emotion and quickness that are both needed in the event of breaking news.
Viera is about the only thing (short of Barbara) that makes the View watchable.
I am one of those few people who love Katie Couric, and if she leaves the Today show, so am I! I won’t care who they put up there. I like Matt Lauer, but with Katie. I also like Ann Curry a lot, so I am out here alone it sounds like! HA! I wish she would just hurry up and tell us what she is doing reading all the speculation is just crazy. If she does leave it will be the end of and era for sure.
Why would CBS want to pull in Katie Couric when John Roberts would be so much better. As for Katie’s replacement if that happens, I’d like to see Campbell Brown be up there with Matt. I just like the way she does her broadcasts.
How about Justine Bateman? Seriously. She’s the right age, she’s attractive and unoffensive, she’s witty and as far as I know, out of work. She’s been out of the spotlight long enough that people won’t think of her as an actress. How hard can it be to read the prompter and banter with Matt?
Why not really shake things up? Totally raid The View. Meredith Vieira as anchor, Barbara Walters does the news(who’s better?) and Star Jones to annoy the #%$! out of everyone! Seriously, I think that Campbell Brown is the only logical choice.
Viera stinks! Have you seen her on The View? She comes off as being self righteous and holier-than-thou.She has a sort of ‘If you don’t agree with me, then your wrong’ attitude about her.
I vote for Campbell Brown — she’s likeable in a ‘girl next door’ sort of way, but can still deliver serious news.
Why would the choice not automatically be Ann Curry? When Bryant Gumbel left Matt Lauer – in the same position Ann is in now – was the the immediate answer. I don’t understand why Ann isn’t the immediate heir to the coveted Today show throne as was Lauer. Ann has paid her dues at the desk. She deserves Katie’s job if it becomes vacant. Go Ann!
Ann certainly has “earnest interview face” down to an art form.
Campbell Brown, end of discussion. I love her!
Ann! Morning news is one instance in which people do not like change. Why do you think Today has been #1 in the rating for so long. America likes to wake up to a familar face and Ann is the one that already fits into the winning equation. NBC has consistently left Ann in the dark and they are shooting themselve with the GMA gun right in the foot by not letting America get to know Curry even more.
Ann Curry. ITs time she had her share of the spot light. She the one who has been doing all the hard hitting head lines in the last year.
While I truly hope Katie stays put, my vote for her potential replacement is Campbell Brown. Anyone who has watched Campbell on _Weekend Today_ knows that she is a natural at hosting a morning show and that she possesses the same genuine, earnest quality that Katie does. Ann has certainly paid her dues at the news desk all these years, but her on-air interview skills, which are stilted and unnatural, would prove a hindrance to the show, IMHO. I think Natalie would be great as the news anchor if Ann moves full-time to _Dateline_. I haven’t seen enough of Meredith Vieira’s work to know if she would be a good fit or not.
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PUT ANNE TO REPLACE KATIE, SHE HAS WORK VERY HARD AND SHE DESERVES TO HAVE THAT POSITION . SHE WORKS WELL WITH MATT AND AL.
Viera WHO? Some “family” if they bring in Viera, keep it in the family. I vote Brown too!
I definitly would like to see Campbell Brown as co-host of the Today Show. No matter where NBC puts her she does a bang-up job. Ann Curry is also great and if the Campbell Brown thing doesn’t work out, then Ann’s my pick.
I will miss Katie!! My vote is for Campbell Brown! She has proven herself in serious situations, she has a great personality, and wonderful raport with Matt. If Meredith V is chosen, I will NO LONGER WATCH!! She’s quite possibly the WORST choice ever!!
Thanks goodness Katie is finally leaving. It is about time. I only watched the show becasue of Matt, Ann and Al. I certainly hope they will choose Ann Curry! Her television presence is warm and funny yet she can also be serious and objective. I certainly hope they do not choose Meredith Viera, who is clearly not a likeable TV personality. The few times I have watched Meredith Viera she appears to be a pitiful self absorbed television personality.
I am surprised that “Today” would offer the job to Meredith Viera…while I would like to think that Ann is a good candidate, I don’t think her interviewing skills are the greatest, but she is, by far, the most sincere interviewer. She really “cares,” unlike Ms. Couric…
Why wouldn’t NBC promote from within the “family”. I will miss Katie alot–my vote goes to Ann or Campbell.
If they pick Meredith Viera-then I’m gone–I can’t stand the woman!!!!!
Ann Curry is THE pick. She has more than “paid her dues” is an accurate, thoughtful and passionate journalist and should have been a shoe in. Meredith Viera is a wash. Too bad they chose her. NBC is clearly not aware of the general public’s feeling about the Today show family. Meredith may be seen as a “in-between”…kind of like the first guy you date after divorce. OK, but not handsome or serious. If that is the case…poor Meredith and hang on Ann, maybe NBC will wake up.
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