Comments on: 'Evening News' Executive Producer Rome Hartman on Katie Couric

[cwbarnes]

I absolutely USED TO LOVE the Today Show. But Katie Couric's condescending attitude finally did me in. She's a wantabe actress stuck in a news format show. Good luck CBS. Think you'll need it. Dont you think that if NBC thought she was worth it, they've have stuffed more cash into her purse? She already made a ridiculous amount of $$$ - she just wasnt worth it, and I'm sure NBC realized this. Trim the fat and let her go!

[lizbinnie]

One of my earliest memories is watching Walter Chronkite on the CBS Evening News. It was a nightly ritual at my house. Sunday evenings were created for 60 Minutes. By the time I was 12, my parents had a well informed daughter--who could argue about Watergate, Vietnam, and a host of other topics. The obvious commitment of CBS to intergrity and solid news really was part of what formed my own internal core of ideas and principles. I even entertained the idea of becoming a journalist, with a dream of working at CBS, until I traded it in for other dreams. Now you tell me that the Tiffany Network the best of the best newscasts is hiring a Barbie Doll to do the anchoring. Edward R. Murrow, another of my heros, must be turning in his grave. I know Katie can win a popularity contest, and yes, she comes from a journalistic bakground, but a background is all it is. She gave it up 15 years ago, and she hasn't shown us any journalistic savvey since. If she was really anchor material, don't you think NBC would have grabbed her--after all this has been a year of anchor turn-overs. Enjoy your short term ratings bump. I won't be there to watch "Katie does network news". I will watch, instead, the last remaining news show with total integrity--The News Hour on PBS. If I have to have network, I'll opt for Brian Williams.

[jefferson86-2009]

This is the best thing CBS has ever done. Congrtulations to Katie and CBS! I'm looking forward to May.

[jmmgausa]

Wow.. I really can't hardly believe it. I guess if Bob Schieffer wanted to only be temporary you had to pick someone. Really now, did ya'll even TRY to entice Bob with something to get him to stay? I wonder. I probably won't be watching though. Katie Couric is just too cutesy for me to take her seriously. Guess I'll return to the internet and good ole newspaper for my serious news. I think you guys made a serious goof on this one.

[Henry Mullen]

From Dan Rather to this? I did not think that it could get worse... But it will, a lot worse. What were they thinking?

[jude2004-2009]

After 40 years of watching, this is the end of CBS news for me. I've hated Katie Couric since the first time I saw her interview someone. I loved Bob Schieffer's newscast--the way he made the reporters the most important part of the newscast. I can't believe you'd hire *her* to carry on the legacy of Edward R. Murrow and Walter Cronkite. When Bob Schieffer signs off, I'll be signing off as well. It's been a great 40 years. I'll miss it.

[jaguar0]

You know, I think some of you people, are being unfair to Katie journalism ability? One things that stands out about, whether, Katie can be consider, a serious journalism> Is while at the white house doing what started out as a pug piece, with Barbara Bush> President Bush(the good president Bush), came into the room. Probably excepting to be kissed up. Katie went into Bush, with no notes, no advance planing, no FEAR, interviewing the President> She scooped out what is going to be consider, one of the best interview, in TV history. The thought that everybody on this and other boards, should be answering. Is how NBC is panicking, at losing their star. HOW NBC, is going out to fine a name , just to keep up Today rating? What I fine interesting, is the number one name, that is talked as Katie replacement MV, is OLDER then Katie> It would not surprise me if NBC, came out of left field, and hire someone, no one was talking about? Gee! I wonder why RM, was not doing CNN news today> Talking on the phone with JZ, I wonder?

[dw438]

Congrats to Katherine Couric. Even more kudos to Bob Schieffer. He's been a trouper over his years at CBS, anchoring weekend news, morning news, traveling around the nation and the world as part of the ol' tough as nails CBS Washington Bureau ... now he can go back to being the senior guy in DC, host "Face the Nation" and enjoy his wife and family more ... and not burning up those miles on the Delta Shuttle. CBS went for the best available, high profile person. And that is Katie Couric. CBS News itself is of two fronts. The old guard, mostly working for "60 Minutes" ... and everyone else. There is no one on the CBS News bench that could take over the 6:30p ET slot. The evisceration of CBS News by Larry Tisch and co. became quite apparent when Dan Rather was forced out. CBS News really didn't groom anyone to take the chair.

[bmclenit]

I think I'm going to vomit. Katie Couric, you are kidding. She has gotten so bad on Today, that I watch GMA. Les will ruin CBS given enough time. Try the Fox format. Solid, serious, and fairly balanced individuals delivering important information. You might as well have gone with Al Franken. Your continued liberal bias is in tack with Katie. She can't even present two sides to a story.

[justin6882]

To all of you who are deeming Couric unqualified for the position - why not give her a chance? She may suprise us all. After all, the much heralded Bob Schieffer has publicly stated he is all for Katie taking over the program and is excited about the future of the broadcast. After much contemplation, I think this is a good thing, not only for CBS, but for network news as a whole.