J
Jul
Guest
The debut broadcast of The CBS Evening News with Katie Couric has just aired in the ET/CT zones. Any thoughts on the broadcast, graphics, the set, etc.
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It wasn't bad. Interesting new features. The set is nice.
She wasn't too bad, but this evening news broadcasting was "lighter" than the average evening newscast.
She wasn't too bad, but this evening news broadcasting was "lighter" than the average evening newscast.
Not a bad start at all. There's a new 'energy' to the show. Kevin, you may be onto something about the newscast having a lighter feel to it...they probably won't be able to do that for every telecast.
I like the idea of the 'freeSpeech' strip, though it has the risk of being a way to sneak celebrities onto the show...
I like the idea of the 'freeSpeech' strip, though it has the risk of being a way to sneak celebrities onto the show...
Echoing the above sentiments...
CBS News Lite.
CBS News Lite.
CBS News Lite? 
LOL
The evening network newscast sometimes feature a lighter segment (or a serious one) towards the end of the program.
LOLThe evening network newscast sometimes feature a lighter segment (or a serious one) towards the end of the program.
I'm not necessarily a fan of Couric. But I've enjoyed watching CBS News for the last year or so during the tenure of Sheiffer. So I decided to keep an open mind and see how she would do.
I have to say the new set, music, and graphics are nice. And Couric didn't do too bad herself. I'll give her some credit.
But the new format is AWFUL! Beside the format, the whole approach of the program was like watching a documentary or newsmagazine.
Someone also said it was too light/lite! I have to agree. It was like watching a diet version of the news.
I think the program would do a lot better by sticking to the old format. Afterall, Couric is supposed to be this great addition to CBS. If that's the case, why do they have to adapt the format to cater to her morning show, easy going style? Shouldn't she be conforming to the needs of the network and viewers?
I hope that the CBS News executives went back to the board room after last night's show. They need to tweak this thing a bit! I'll give them the benefit of the doubt, continue watching, and see if they can make it work or not. Although, I have to be honest. Last night I caught myself drifting back and forth to ABC World News with Charlie Gibson.
I have to say the new set, music, and graphics are nice. And Couric didn't do too bad herself. I'll give her some credit.
But the new format is AWFUL! Beside the format, the whole approach of the program was like watching a documentary or newsmagazine.
Someone also said it was too light/lite! I have to agree. It was like watching a diet version of the news.
I think the program would do a lot better by sticking to the old format. Afterall, Couric is supposed to be this great addition to CBS. If that's the case, why do they have to adapt the format to cater to her morning show, easy going style? Shouldn't she be conforming to the needs of the network and viewers?
I hope that the CBS News executives went back to the board room after last night's show. They need to tweak this thing a bit! I'll give them the benefit of the doubt, continue watching, and see if they can make it work or not. Although, I have to be honest. Last night I caught myself drifting back and forth to ABC World News with Charlie Gibson.
F
fred flintstone
Guest
BRING BACK BOB!
For the past year and a half, the CBS Evening News was the best it's been since Cronkite. The boradcast was working well and numbers were growing. Now they've mucked it up.
All these changes to dumb down and flash up the show, they were not Katie's ideas. She didn't make the changes. She is just one of the changes. Edwards was a newscaster. Cronkite was a reporter. Rather was a prima donna. Katie is Teleprompter reading Barbie.
Do they really think they will get somebody other than Metamucil, Geritol and some fly by night life insurance company to buy time with Katie?
It should tell you something when she starts flashing her legs. If they want to go that way, maybe they could hire Janet Jackson - much better in the flashing department.
Tomorrow night: The CBS Evening News with Rush Limbaugh.
For the past year and a half, the CBS Evening News was the best it's been since Cronkite. The boradcast was working well and numbers were growing. Now they've mucked it up.
All these changes to dumb down and flash up the show, they were not Katie's ideas. She didn't make the changes. She is just one of the changes. Edwards was a newscaster. Cronkite was a reporter. Rather was a prima donna. Katie is Teleprompter reading Barbie.
Do they really think they will get somebody other than Metamucil, Geritol and some fly by night life insurance company to buy time with Katie?
It should tell you something when she starts flashing her legs. If they want to go that way, maybe they could hire Janet Jackson - much better in the flashing department.
Tomorrow night: The CBS Evening News with Rush Limbaugh.
It's definitley a different show than what it has been in the last few years.
I was impressed with how bold and daring the show took on how it handle some
of it's stories as well as some of the exclusives she already got to the show
(Lara Logan's report, Vanity Fair, and President Bush)
I have faith in her, and I think it will take a least a year before anything
will creep ratings rise.
I was impressed with how bold and daring the show took on how it handle some
of it's stories as well as some of the exclusives she already got to the show
(Lara Logan's report, Vanity Fair, and President Bush)
I have faith in her, and I think it will take a least a year before anything
will creep ratings rise.
I've been outspoken against CBS's hiring Katie,
and I'm more comfortable with Charlie Gibson,
but I have to admit that Katie didn't do such a
bad job last night. I can do without the "freespeech"
and "snapshots" segments, but I think she can attract
a different audience, the way ABC did when it went
to the three-anchor "World News Tonight" format
back in '78.
It won't come easy to add the name Couric to the
list of CBS giants: Murrow, Cronkite, Sevareid, Collingwood,
Hottelet, Wallace, Edwards, and--yes--Rather. The test,
as USA Today said this morning, will be: Will the public
turn to her first in times of breaking news?
But I do think she has a chance. Overall grade on her
first night: A-.
and I'm more comfortable with Charlie Gibson,
but I have to admit that Katie didn't do such a
bad job last night. I can do without the "freespeech"
and "snapshots" segments, but I think she can attract
a different audience, the way ABC did when it went
to the three-anchor "World News Tonight" format
back in '78.
It won't come easy to add the name Couric to the
list of CBS giants: Murrow, Cronkite, Sevareid, Collingwood,
Hottelet, Wallace, Edwards, and--yes--Rather. The test,
as USA Today said this morning, will be: Will the public
turn to her first in times of breaking news?
But I do think she has a chance. Overall grade on her
first night: A-.
I know she's covered breaking news on the Today show, but it will be interesting to see how she covers them at CBS.
J
Jul
Guest
Strong Ratings for the newscast last night
Reuters: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060906/tv_nm/media_couric_dc , AP: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060906/ap_en_tv/tv_couric_debut
I'm not surprised at the ratings Katie pulled last night.
Barbara Walters got off to a similar start in 1976, IIRC.
But I think Katie might just make it in the long run,
although she's not going to win many viewers accustomed
to the CBS tradition of Cronkite, 60 Minutes, See It Now,
etc.
BTW, the Tom Cruise baby's pictures reminded me of a
segment on my local CBS affiliate WFMY's Good Morning
Show. It's called Who's Turning 2 and it consists of pictures
of kids celebrating their second birthday.
I haven't pointed this out, but it seems that Katie is trying
to establish herself as part of the CBS News tradition from
the outset: why else the old clip of Douglas Edwards and the
baby pictures of Prince Charles? It takes time--years--to
earn the public's trust; Walter Cronkite had been at CBS for
more than 15 years before people began calling him "the most
trusted man in America." Yes, some of you who remember the
Edwards newscast will recall that he had his share of "fluff"
pieces, but he didn't have the instant newsgathering technology
we have today. Katie does, and it would be best not to fill up
too much of the broadcast with it.
But I'm sticking with my grade of A-.
Barbara Walters got off to a similar start in 1976, IIRC.
But I think Katie might just make it in the long run,
although she's not going to win many viewers accustomed
to the CBS tradition of Cronkite, 60 Minutes, See It Now,
etc.
BTW, the Tom Cruise baby's pictures reminded me of a
segment on my local CBS affiliate WFMY's Good Morning
Show. It's called Who's Turning 2 and it consists of pictures
of kids celebrating their second birthday.
I haven't pointed this out, but it seems that Katie is trying
to establish herself as part of the CBS News tradition from
the outset: why else the old clip of Douglas Edwards and the
baby pictures of Prince Charles? It takes time--years--to
earn the public's trust; Walter Cronkite had been at CBS for
more than 15 years before people began calling him "the most
trusted man in America." Yes, some of you who remember the
Edwards newscast will recall that he had his share of "fluff"
pieces, but he didn't have the instant newsgathering technology
we have today. Katie does, and it would be best not to fill up
too much of the broadcast with it.
But I'm sticking with my grade of A-.
Seen better but also seen a lot worse. Katie did a solid job with her delivery, even though it wasn't as authoritative as that of Peter Jennings, Tom Brokaw or Dan Rather. It wasn't as authoritative as Brian Williams or Charles Gibson either, for that matter. However, she proved that she could take the news seriously without being overly perky, something she was often criticized for on Today, and that was something she needed to do.
The format needs some work. The free speech segment has to go. It was just awful! Also, too many interviews, not enough news was a big problem. The constant directing to the website was annoying as well. I tuned in to watch the news, not have someone tell me where I can read it. The good news segment she wrapped up with, however, was a nice touch.
The only major flaw with Katie's delivery that I could find was the way she wound up the show. Her sign off, while honest and candid, outdid Kraft in the cheesy category. I especially hated the way she thanked us for watching. When I was in high school just starting in radio, my PD reamed me for signing off my first shift with "Thank you." He said, "you provided them with something they wanted. Good, solid entertainment and the most country music. They ought to be thanking you!" I agree. Katie could have used his advice!
The format needs some work. The free speech segment has to go. It was just awful! Also, too many interviews, not enough news was a big problem. The constant directing to the website was annoying as well. I tuned in to watch the news, not have someone tell me where I can read it. The good news segment she wrapped up with, however, was a nice touch.
The only major flaw with Katie's delivery that I could find was the way she wound up the show. Her sign off, while honest and candid, outdid Kraft in the cheesy category. I especially hated the way she thanked us for watching. When I was in high school just starting in radio, my PD reamed me for signing off my first shift with "Thank you." He said, "you provided them with something they wanted. Good, solid entertainment and the most country music. They ought to be thanking you!" I agree. Katie could have used his advice!
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