Couric eyes new notions for news
Anchor gives newscast a fresh approach
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"It's very liberating to try new things," she told a group of journalists at the CBS Broadcast Center in Gotham. "Sometimes they won't work, but the notion of being able to do that is really exciting."
Three weeks before she takes over "Evening News," a surprisingly large number of details remain unresolved. The set is not yet finished; there has been no rehearsal.
Couric said she expects the newscast to remain a work in progress for several months as the team tinkers with the right mix of stories, presentations and the "Free Speech" segment, which will introduce opinion to the newscast.
The biggest change aside from cosmetic, she said, is that the newscast will occasionally take a deep look at one issue to try to bring greater understanding to an ongoing story. That would mean running through other headlines of the day quickly in order to clear out time for a piece on, say, the history of the U.S. relationship with Israel, which could take up a large slice of the 22-minute broadcast.
"Given the media landscape, people want to know what's going on and want a sampling of the day's events, but they know the headlines by the time they get the evening news, and we have to give them something a little different that will delve more deeply into a topic," she said.
Much of Couric's time is spent conducting interviews for her first "60 Minutes" piece, which will focus on what's been learned about terrorism since 9/11.
Last week, she spent two days taping interviews with 50 news anchors for the local affiliates. Exec producer Rome Hartman has left the day to day of the "Evening News" to focus on the relaunch.
Couric seemed fit, tan and relaxed as she picked at a salad during a lunchtime interview with journalists. Leaving the morning shift has allowed her luxuries she hasn't enjoyed in years, like staying up until 11 p.m.
"I wasn't anxiety-ridden if I stayed up to watch 'CSI' ... that's on CBS, right?" she quipped.
On the inevitable question of her personal style, Couric said she plans a more conservative style and wardrobe but that she doesn't think the news need always be serious.
"People don't want a robo anchor," she said. "I hope that the essence of who I am, any kind of humanity and natural curiosity I brought to the 'Today' show, will have a place on the 'Evening News.' "
On the business of ratings, Couric cited her early years at "Today," when the morning show was No. 2, as some of her most rewarding.
"Those were the salad days, when our collective energies were focused on new approaches," she said.
That said, she is under no illusions about why CBS brought her aboard. "Obviously, this is a business, and ratings are one measure of success, so I wouldn't be truthful if I said it didn't matter at all," she said. "I'm certain that was one of the reasons I was hired -- I'm not naive in that regard."
Asked if she planned to make any appearances on "The Early Show," she replied, "Are you trying to get me in trouble?"
