Katie follows her heart and gut to embattled CBS

Katie Couric has announced her plan to leave the "Today" show to become the first solo female network news anchor. She states:

"...after listening to my heart and my gut -- two things that have served me pretty well in the past -- I've decided I'll be leaving 'Today' at the end of May"

So that explains her political leanings - using heart and gut instead of head. I have posted on this topic when it was merely a possibility. I think now as I thought then, that this is bad for Katie and CBS. She currently enjoys some success on the Today show. I think that early in the morning anybody will watch somebody that perky and upbeat as Katie is on camara. And what else is on in the morning outside of cable?

I do not think it will be that hard to replace her at Today. How hard can it be to find somebody who is so-so looking, doesn't think very deeply yet is upbeat that time in the morning? I actually think this is a win for the Today show, especially as it gets them out of the huge contract with the "Diva". I also predict their ratings will rise. I can think of a recommendation that would be good for both parties invovled: Paula Zahn. Zahn's star has been falling since leaving Fox and I think she only has a year or two at CNN before the ax comes down. A move to NBC would probably give her 10-15 years to finish her career and I think she would do well.

I again predict that Katie will have an initial fanfare at CBS that could last up to a year. Her coverage of the upcoming election could really sink her if she is as vacuously partisan as she has been on the Today show. She is both an intellectual and political lightweight and it shows easily once she leaves the "green zone" of broadcasting. The alternate media will take her apart if she tries. Once that starts to happen, it is over. Due to her status as first female solo anchor it will be extremely difficult for CBS to remove her once she is in. Being embroiled in controversy and tanked ratings will not be enough to swiftly end the pain.

My comments are not to be mistaken for my hoping for her or CBS' downfall. I am merely connecting the dots of her past performance with her new position and seeing an inevitable catastrophe. Well CBS, you are now saddled with her. You were warned.