I don’t know this woman, personally or professionally. I’ve never been a hardcore fan. In my six-plus decades on the Earth, I can honestly say I’ve only watched her in increments. I liked Bryant Gumbel so much more than Matt Lauer—even when he had hair, even before we knew he was a lascivious ass hat. So, that kept me away from a post all Bryant hosted Today Show, which even then, really wasn’t appointment viewing.
Before you accuse me of jealousy, stop. You couldn’t be more wrong. I think, jealousy can only be legit if the person of which you’re jealous, is physically in your realm and possesses something that is realistic, but unattainable, for whatever reason(s). Forty years ago, I may have had fleeting network TV news ambitions, but as I advanced in Broadcasting, the less committed I was to making all the required sacrifices. I didn’t have the gumption, the myopia, the do-or-die ego. I’d enough rehection on a regional level.
Plus, I’ve never trusted spunky women with intentionally broad smiles that reveal way too much gum. It’s too Haolloweeny. I’m far, far, far from perfect, but I’m honest and be it the sinful judgment that it is, smiles like this on anyone to be truthful, bother me. It hearkens back to a store clerk I once knew. I was five, maybe and I have vague memories of this woman being nice as pie, but when she smiled her top lip went all the way to her nostrils, and that exposed at least a half inch of pink gum, and wolf-like long teeth. No one in my immediate family or kindergarten pals had smiles like that. It guess it scared me. It might have even scarred me.
Anyway, last week, Katie’s publicity people earned every penny of their salaries. Her new biography was released and if there was a show, she was on it. She was everywhere and because of syndication, sometimes at two places at the same time. I read that some were completely shocked that despite her top dog, cherry position, namely at NBC, Katie felt “threatened” by other up and coming female reporters at the network.
Some were absolutely dismayed that Big Time Katie felt that way. What or who could possibly threaten Katie??? I understood how she felt.
On more than one occasion, I was on the air and glanced at the back of the studio or into the Control Room and saw the News Director giving a younger, thinner, prettier woman the grand tour of the station.
I remember thinking, ”So, this is my replacement.”
And in time, she was—just as I’d been someone else’s younger, thinner, cuter replacement 15 years earlier. History always repeats itself.
It worked like this— once you witnessed the tour, a few weeks later, you’d get called to the News Detector’s office where he/she, the station’s Veep and the HR Director would be waiting for you. One of two things usually happened, you’d get canned outright or as a stop gap measure, you’d be offered a demotion for less money, with management knowing full well that you’d only stay long enough get a new gig, but that was rare. If you have the audacity to age in Broadcasting (especially if you’re a woman), EXPECT to be jettisoned. It’s the two H’s that’ll kill your career: getting Heavy and Haggard.
Even in radio.
It’s a horrible gut feeling; something you just know and it’s immediate, upon first glance. It’s nausea inducing. And I feel the need to hammer home home the point, that this has nothing to do with gender. I’ve known men who’ve experienced the same thing. A sports anchor I once knew told me that he’d watched the “replacement tour’ go down one afternoon. Two days later he was released from his contract and was heading out the employee door, holding a box of tapes and other remnants of his professional past Just as he was about to make his final exit, the new sports guy, a walking Ken doll, almost 20-years younger, was entering, carrying a box of what he hoped was his professional future. Eugene O’ Neil couldn’t have written a scene with more symbolic realism.
I’m not sure why Katies’s excerpt created such a stir. The specific women she perceived as threats who’ve responded to its ”slight” really, should know better. This is an very well known occupational hazard in broadcasting. They weren’t exactly fresh out of college when all of this transpired. And as of the book’s release, they’re now seasoned news vets with more than 20-25 years under their belts. They still felt compelled to respond, a few in anger. Why? It’s free press for this book!!!
Katie left The Today Show in 2006. A short time later, she was the first official, full time anchor on The CBS Evening News. She was there for about five years but left, perhaps of her own accord or perhaps she was asked to leave. How she left is one thing, why might be better known. I do remember the ratings for the newscast being ”cellar dwelling”.
Despite what I think, she definitely has her fans. Katie’s perkiness and that big, big, big smile of hers seems to have charmed the right people at the right time. But here’s the reality: Couric is approaching 65. She’s now a published author. Trust me, she didn’t write that book without a big payday and over the years, she’s made millions and millions. Let’s hope she sought good advice and made solid and sound investments. Because cherry, full-time, on-air prime time news gigs don’t happen to older women. Barbara Walters, Leslie Stahl and Diane Sawyer are in the minority and exceptions to the rule. I’m only talking about news anchors, not talk show hosts or news program hosts.
Additionally, Kate’s done a tremendous amount of work for colorectal cancer research which killed her first husband in the mid-90’s. She’s to be lauded for that. I hope that’s something she continues to do, but as a retiree. She’s earned it, I’ll grant her that, but I just have this feeling, that’s going to become a viable alternative fir her.
Again, I’ve not read her book, nor will I, but I’ve read critiques & reviews and very few are positive. I don’t think her candor is coming across as she intended. From what I understand, many think her story telling in this book makes come across as petty, catty and I’ve even heard the word ”mysogenistic’ bandied about. Anti-woman, even. Who edited this book??? Women read more biographies about women, so this doesn’t make sense.
In KC’s defense (sigh), broadcasting is still a man’s world. For a woman to venture into this arena in almost any capacity, her lack of testicles must countered by wearing her ovaries very low. Many women will agree with me. We have the chafing to prove it. I’ve met very few women outside show business, or broadcasting who can write decent dick joke, much less laugh at one. Apparently, Katie’s new book implies she can.
Well, so can I, but I still don’t care for her.
So there.
