Cooper dooper!
Posted on 03/01/2010 11:22:34 AM PST by jessduntno
In mid-2011, Katie Couric's five-year contract at CBS News will expire, and network executives appear to be exploring a "Plan B" if she departs after her oft-rocky tenure in the anchor's chair. According to the New York Times, that backup plan could very well be CNN host Anderson Cooper, who reportedly met with CBS execs months ago about anchor opportunities at the network.
The Times got the information from a pair of "TV veterans informed of the meeting."
However, a spokesperson for CNN denies a meeting ever occurred and claim in a statement to EW that Cooper "is not engaged in any additional conversations with them beyond those necessary for his continuing role on 60 Minutes."
Whether Cooper's reported meeting with CBS execs means he is being courted for Couric's job is unclear; he was previously pursued to host the network's 'Early Show,' which has struggled in the ratings. A switch to CBS full-time would be an easy one for Cooper, who is a regular contributor to '60 Minutes.'
Cooper joined CNN in 2001 and has hosted his own show, 'Anderson Cooper 360,' since 2003. He specializes in covering tragedies, including Hurricane Katrina and the recent the earthquake in Haiti.
'360' has not exactly been a ratings boon for CNN and generally ranks third in the 10 PM hour behind FOX's Greta Van Susterein and HLN's Nancy Grace. Often, repeats of MSNBC's Keith Olbermann will edge Cooper out as well. His focus on delivering the news -- and not opinion -- has been cited by industry analysts for his viewership.
Couric's ratings have not changed much either, and she currently ranks behind NBC's Brian Williams and ABC's Diane Sawyer in the evening news race. As we noted in an earlier piece, CBS may be looking to bring down costs in the newsroom due to the economic downturn.
Couric reportedly makes $15 million a year.
NBC's Brian Williams -- who almost permanently holds the top spot among the nightly network news broadcasts -- makes $10 million a year and pulls in, on average, over 3 million more viewers, averaging around 10 million viewers to Couric's 6.5-7 million.
CBS had no comment when asked by the Times, but it is not uncommon for TV stars to take meetings with other networks in the run-up to contract negotiations.
Stick a fork in CBS News, its done.
The media pushes an end to “don’t ask don’t tell” in the military but is strangely silent over their own closeted homosexuals reading the nightly news.
A queer for a feminist. Take your pick America.
This is a mistake; I think after 5 years of having a female news anchor, they ought to replace her with a male one. It’s only fair.”
Men could picket, but it would just give him what he wants...
This is hilarious. So they are going to replace one failure with another failure? Of course they wouldn’t go out looking for someone who has a successful news program on like Brett Baire now would they? At least when the Perky one was hired, she came from a successful show....
Oh dear. How badly Cooper’s show must suck when even Keef’s repeats often “edge him out in the ratings.” Lol.
The boy who was raised to be queen, by his adoring mommy, Gloria Vanderbilt.
BTW I think SeeBS should hire Olberman away from MSNBC. I mean why settle for a half a glass of fail when you can have an entire ocean of fail.”
Hahahaha...that’s good...
No, Cooper likes it in the pooper...
They could put Anderson in a dress, and have him tell his audience about his sex change operation. After all, they were thrilled to hear about Katie’s colonoscopy, weren’t they?
That should attact plenty of viewers! Moreover, it would be just the kind of viwers they want!
< /s >
Ooops, the feminine clown Couric to be replaced by the truly feminine Cooper. How low can they go? I guess hiring a filthy rich nancy boy to replace the filthy rich cheerleader makes some sense to the NY mind. Glad it doesn’t compute with me.
I am hoping they sign him on so their ratings will drop even lower and advertiser will flee in higher numbers. Go Anderson Cooper!
How low can they go?
Hard to tell which one is perkier!
Boyfriend?!?
Damn, I had no idea Vin Diesel was gay...
Wanted a more feminine prime time presence?
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