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:: Wednesday, April 05, 2006 ::
Roger L. Simon on Katie Couric:
Determined somehow to prove that an anchorman (or woman) is still a relevant profession in 2006, CBS has named Katie Couric, in the words of their press release, "Anchor and Managing Editor of The CBS EVENING NEWS WITH KATIE COURIC." Note the nearly (or actually) pathological narcissism of the title, undoubtedly negotiated to death by a team of lawyers, which elevates Couric to equal billing to the news itself. It's almost as if CBS were acknowledging that this was not going to be the truth, but only the "world according to Couric," a field day for deconstructionists. The desperation in this choice and in the need to preserve the role of "Anchor" itself is palpable. Amen. They so don't get it...
Update: New Media observer Jeff Jarvis weighs-in on the Couric switch. He jumps out of the gate with fire in his nostrils but quickly loses steam as Couric's fans respond. I guess some people still get their "news" the old-fashioned way: from the top-down, pre-masticated and over-packaged. Can't remember the last time I actually suffered a broadcast news segment; it's way too painfull - like watching the last Stegosaurus die.
Don't cave Jeff. As usual you're right on the money - just ahead of the curve maybe.
:: Max 10:01 PM [+] ::
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