the Meredith and Katie story

[Auggie27]

Posted: 4/6/06 at 2:41pm

We've all oded on this "shakeup" at Today, View, CBS. But though it's easy to be cynical, and kvetch about Katie's gummy grin lacking gravitas, Merdedith's back slapping camaraderie with the freshly pruned and stapled Star Jones, or the already low ratings that make the 6 o'clock slot a time warp arena for "achievement..." I think the bigger story is age, not gender.

TV is a brutally youth-obsessed medium, and as someone just on the other side of mid-life act-break, like Meredith, I think it's telling that a 52 year old woman is replacing a 49 year old, the 49 year old making network history. How pundits leaped to predict an Eve Harrington-like ascedency of someone like, say (the admittedly capable) Campbell Brown. Maybe we've moved past Norville-esque blonde is better promotions. It's at least gratifying to see experience(s) honored. You may argue about the breadth and depth of that experience, the too-well-known personal side of the personalities, the mysteries of "weight" on camera ... but these two women have put in time, and rather than be replaced by lineless faces that look more WB than Black Rock, have earned coveted spots.

Their age is being perceived a distinctive, edge--a plus here, by suits and audiences alike. In today's world, where executives and "talent" are both routinely fired at 50, this constitutes a success story for us boomers.

Updated On: 4/6/06 at 02:41 PM

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 4/6/06 at 2:45pm

Let's not overlook the fact that Meredith is a proven ratings-grabber. That trumps age.

[RobbO]

Posted: 4/6/06 at 2:49pm

eh, she's just an easy fill-in like the current pope. katie put it in her contract that her successor could not reach her 15 year record as host of the today show. in 15 years, meredith will likely be in the star jones reynolds gest jackson home for the aged.

Updated On: 4/6/06 at 02:49 PM

[Auggie27]

Posted: 4/6/06 at 2:51pm

Totally agree, Rath. It's the strategy that suggests a more savy approach to evaluating the whole talent package, not just looking for someone "young and fresh." I've worked in television, and it's a demographic-obsessed biz. What they seem to be acknowledging here: younger viewers don't necessarily tune in more regularly when a young face fills the screen. I've been in meetings where that idea would've been laughed at.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 4/6/06 at 2:51pm

Thanks for my new sig, Robb.

[Garland Grrrl]

Posted: 4/6/06 at 3:13pm

diane sawyer is 60 and not going anywhere.
bawa has been pushing 80 so long it's pleated.
people don't want youth in a broacaster -- they want solidity.
ps. katie is a skank
pps. young poeple get their news on the web

Updated On: 4/6/06 at 03:13 PM

[Gothampc]

Posted: 4/6/06 at 3:35pm

Maybe they will be the 21st Century version of Hedda and Louella.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 4/6/06 at 10:28pm

Katie is "a skank?"

[slimandslam]

Posted: 4/6/06 at 11:08pm

pps. young poeple get their news on the web

And old people get their news by reading a newspaper.
And people with actual jobs who are pressed for time get their news on the radio.

Really... does anyone watch TV news apart from CNN/Fox/MSNBC? Show of hands here.

[RobbO]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 3:02pm

the latest "news" :
Page Six reports today that former Everybody Loves Raymond star Patricia Heaton is set to replace soon-to-be Today show host Meredith Vieira on The View.

my only question then would be who is going to replace patricia heaton on the acme commercials? will this vicious cycle of musical chairs never end?!?

[MatthewAddison]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 6:48pm

I hope you all are more kind to me when I have my talk show.
Updated On: 4/7/06 at 06:48 PM

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 6:51pm

I prefer Meredith to perky Katie

Updated On: 4/7/06 at 06:51 PM

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 6:52pm

Patricia Heaton? Oh my. Having seen her interviewed - I certainly hope she's developed some sort of personality...

And yes, Roxy, we all read that - two posts above yours.

Updated On: 4/7/06 at 06:52 PM

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 6:57pm

I stand corrected re Heaton - I am editing my post. Thanks

[MatthewAddison]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 7:00pm

Ann Curry was off today. I wonder if she was taking personal time?

And someone, I don't know if it was on this board- wait---it wasn't. Said they thought the network was pruning Alexis Glick to take over, but she hasn't been on since the Winter Olympics. I'm curious as to why.

Did you all know Ann Curry is 49? I love women in their 40's...