Do you think part of Katie Couric's problem is that she still goes by "Katie"?

Question

I have never been impressed by her as a news anchor and never understood what the fuss was. She complains that people don't take her seriously because of her "fluff news" work at the Today show, and says that's "patently unfair".

But I think the first thing she needs to do is become "Kate Couric". There's nothing wrong with have a cute name if that's what everyone is used to calling you, but there are just some circumstances where using that cutsey nickname works against you.

Frankly, I think she needs to demand more hands-on investigative journalism like Geraldo used to do in his 20/20 days. Instead of just being a commentator on "60 Minutes" introducing stories, she needs to roll up her sleeves and be part of the story investigation and production itself. THAT would help her credibililty too. For instance, interview Hillary Clinton and ask really tough questions. Do something unexpected. And sign off with "I'm Kate Couric."

What do you think?

Answer 1

I think you are right - she needs to roll up her sleeves and get in there and do some real journalistic work. Katie does seem to be a bit "cutesey."

Answer 2

The best thing Katie Couric could do to revive CBS news ratings would be to return to the concept of the "Fourth Estate" wherein the press becomes the watchdog over our corrupt politicians, greedy corporations, and evil elitists.
If you 'click' through the three network news programs, as I do to avoid commercials, you'll often see the very same story being reported at the very same time in the broadcast - and sometimes using the very same film clips!
Just once I'd like to see a news program that lasted an hour (or more) and actually did in-depth journalism on such diverse topics as:
* The impact of our devastation of the mangrove forests;
* An expose' of Halliburton's contract to build fourteen (yes - 14) permanent U.S. military bases in Iraq;
* Why Halliburton should be allowed to relocate its corporate headquarters offshore to avoid paying federal taxes on the billions in profits it's earned from the Iraq war;
* Who, exactly, are the investors and principals behind the Carlyle Group;
* An exhaustive report on members of Congress who take "fact finding junkets" to exotic places on private jets;
* Why is the U.S. building the largest embassy in the world on a 104-acre site in downtown Baghdad if it actually intends to leave Iraq once democracy is established;
* How can lawyers get away with charging $200 an hour for filling in the blanks on a contract;
* Arguments for making all hospitals non-profit businesses and all doctors employees of the federal government;
* Housing all elected officials in barracks-style dormitories where they can live as 'public servants' instead of some kind of privileged American royalty.
I don't mean the "in-depth" reports that last a whole three minutes on the network news shows. I mean rock-solid, in-depth, exhaustive exposes' that present all sides of the story instead of just reading the government's prepared press release. -RKO- 07/09/07

Answer 3

She is the WORST thing to happen to women in journalism - all fluff and no guts.

I agree she needs to earn her stripes or go to be on "the view" or her own talk show

How about when they airbrushed her to be slimmer? That should tell you about how she is viewed

Answer 4

Her problem is that the still have her on the news.

She should resign and move to a foreign land and become a sheep herder.

Answer 5

I'd prefer she just sign off.

Really, she's NOT to be taken seriously. She's a fluff artist.

Answer 6

I think people would take Larry King much more seriously if he called himself "Laurence King." Much more dignified.

Answer 7

Shes hopeless....................