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Murphy Martin Commentary
June 1, 2006

 "YESTERDAY KATIE SAID GOODBYE TO TODAY"

NBC-TV threw a party yesterday morning for its' longtime co-host of the Today Show. Since 1991 millions of Americans have begun their day with that NBC program and a big reason why that program has dominated the morning ratings for lo these many years is Katie Couric.

Katherine Anne Couric was born January 7,1957 in Arlington, Virginia. Her mother was born to Jewish immigrants from Germany and her father was an Episcopalian journalist with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the United Press in Washington. Ms. Couric graduated from the University of Virginia in 1979 with a degree in American Studies.

Couric began her professional news career as a desk-assistant at ABC-TV News Washington Bureau. Then followed stints at CNN as an assignment editor, a general-assignments reporter at a Miami TV Station, and finally to WRC-TV, the NBC affiliate in Washington.

Ms. Couric was married to Jay Monahan in 1989, the same year she joined NBC as a reporter. Then in 1990 she became national correspondent for the Today Show and in 1991 she moved in as Co-Host and just about everything that has happened since was touched on yesterday as NBC said farewell to its' morning star.

Celebrities, politicians, co-workers, past and present, were there and many others sent their regards. And yes, the producers were able to locate highlight film and even a few goofs to remind Ms. Couric of her fifteen years in the Co-Host hot-seat. Yes there were a few different hair styles noted also. And, always short skirts that accent Couric's legs. It was a grand going away party.

Ms. Couric told USA Today that among those who made her sweat during interviews was Ross Perot. "He is very pugnacious" she said. Funniest person ever interviewed: Robin Williams. Toughest interview was KKK politician David Duke. Favorite stars interviewed: Bette Midler, George Clooney, Nicole Kidman and Emma Thompson. And who was her favorite politician: Bill Clinton.


Katie Couric, now 49-years old, told USA Today that she "had led a charmed life pretty much until I was 40. Things were easy and pretty much went my way." But in 1998, Ms. Couric's husband, Jay, died from colon- cancer. In 2001, her sister, Emily, 54, who was a State Senator, died from pancreatic-cancer. Katie said those deaths "reminded me how much suffering was going on in the world." Since the loss of her husband and sister, Katie Couric is a prominent spokeswoman for colon cancer awareness and despite her busy schedule she still finds quality time to spend with her daughters who were born in 1991 and 1996.

Meredith Viera moves in as co-host of The Today Show. She has a challenge! She has some journalism experience and also quite a bit of hosting or co-hosting entertainment programs. Yes, Meredith Viera faces a big challenge. But not nearly as big as the one Katie Couric will face on September 5th.

That's the day she becomes the sole anchor of the CBS Evening News. She will sit in the chair where, Walter Cronkite, who was repeatedly named the most trusted man in America, once sat. Dan Rather followed Cronkite and competed at the top level for several years before finally stepping aside just over a year ago with his ratings running third behind NBC and ABC. Lately, since Bob Schieffer became the interim anchor, the ratings have been climbing and on occasion have surpassed ABC in second. Who knows, by the time Ms. Couric moves in on September 5th, Schieffer may be firmly in second or maybe even challenging Brian Williams.

When Katie Couric announced on April 5th that she would be leaving the Today Show yesterday, she also said: "Sometimes I think change is a good thing. Although it is terrifying to get out of your comfort zone, it is very exciting to start a new chapter in your life."

Critics of the move by CBS to promote Couric to the anchor slot point out her lack of credentials in hard journalism.

It will be interesting to see if Ms. Couric can prove those critics wrong!

Check her comfort zone around late October and early November when the Fall Sweeps Ratings are tallied up!

Murphy Martin

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