Katie Couric Leaving 'CBS Evening News' Anchor Chair

Katie Couric is leaving her anchor post at "CBS Evening News" less than five years after becoming the first woman to solely helm a network TV evening newscast.

A network executive, who spoke on condition of anonymity because Couric has not officially announced her plans, reported the move to The Associated Press on Sunday night. The 54-year-old anchor is expected to launch a syndicated talk show in 2012 and several companies are vying for her services.

Couric's move from NBC's "Today" show was big news in 2006, and she began in the anchor chair with a flourish that September. She tried to incorporate her strengths as an interviewer into a standard evening news format and millions of people who normally didn't watch the news at night checked it out. But they drifted away and the evening newscast reverted to a more traditional broadcast.

After those first few weeks, the "CBS Evening News" settled into third place in the ratings and is well behind leader Brian Williams at NBC's "Nightly News" and second-place Diane Sawyer at ABC's "World News."

Damon Wayans To Star In CBS' Sports Show Comedy Pilot

In one of the biggest talent deals this pilot season, Damon Wayans has been tapped to star in CBS' untitled sports radio show pilot. The multicamera comedy, from veteran writer-producers Bill Martin and Mike Schiff, CBS TV Studios and the Tannenbaum Co., is inspired by ESPN personality Colin Cowherd’s outspoken sports talk show. It centers on Nick (Wayans), an egotistical sports-radio host with a quick wit and cocky likability who is adored by his fans. When he's on the air, Nick says he is "right about everything." But the moment he steps out of the booth, "I'm just a schmuck trying to keep three women from freaking out on me." The deal with Wayans, which took several weeks to close, is said to be for a top-dollar acting fee and a substantial piece of the show's potential backend. On TV, Gersh-repped Wayans most recently starred on ABC's long-running sitcom My Wife and Kids, which he also co-created.

OL Launches New Radio Offering

AOL has launched a new version of its AOL radio that features a redesigned online player, along with 150 CBS Radio stations.

The new player is powered by CBS Radio, and allows users to skip songs, add unlimited channel presets and share streams with AIM users.

Browsers that support Adobe Flash v.9 can access AOL Radio with no sign-up required and users of AIM 6.0 and higher can listen to AOL Radio through the mini-player in their buddy list. Integration with AIM is included in the browser-based player through the “share this” tab, allowing users to share stations they are listening to with their buddies.

AOL Radio users will be able to access a collection of CBS Radio programming including WFAN-AM, 1010 WINS in New York, KLSX and KRQQ in Los Angeles, WXRT in Chicago, and WVEE in Atlanta. AOL Radio includes more than 200 stations in 25 musical categories.

Along with the new player, AOL plans to release downloadable versions of AOL Radio for Winamp and the Mac in the coming weeks, and is working on widgets that will let users access stations directly from other AOL and third-party applications.

“The new AOL Radio underscores AOL’s ongoing commitment to provide users with the best all encompassing radio experience available,” said Kevin Conroy, Executive Vice President, AOL. “With over 350 streams, 150 of them from CBS Radio, AOL Radio is unmatched in breadth of streaming audio content available online.”
 

Yeah, Right... He Doesn't Want That!

While watching CBS I just saw a new CBS Cares infomercial telling women everywhere to give their men the perfect Christmas gift that you know is on the top of his list... a prostate exam.

CBS what are you thinking? Christmas is supposed to be a time of peace on earth and goodwill towards men - that's not either. A prostate exam certainly is something for men (you choose the adjective), but it's not goodwill.

So ladies, while it is important that your man get a regular check-up, do not - I repeat - DO NOT get him one for Christmas, unless you want a mammogram for Valentine's Day. And CBS, that commercial is worse than the creepy Burger King.
What were you thinking!? CBS may care about men's health but they certainly don't care about relationships.

Warrant out for Katie Couric to pay bill

Katie Couric reportedly earns $15 million a year as anchor of CBS Evening News. But the preternaturally perky newswoman failed to pay a bill for $210.41 in 2003, and the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance has issued a warrant for her.

Her rep, Matthew Hiltzik, told the New York Daily News that the debt was a minor oversight because her bills were being sent to an old address. Hiltzik added that Couric will settle the matter when she returns from vacation.

In other news about Couric, she has been honored by the National Organization for Women (NOW) for her work as a "groundbreaking anchor and managing editor of the CBS Evening News."

Senior director of Issues Analysis for Focus on the Family Action, Carrie Gordon Earll, said Couric's acceptance of the award speaks to her journalistic credibility.

"NOW's agenda is very clear - it is pro-homosexual, pro-abortion and anti-male," Earll said. "Couric is giving her personal and professional approval of this radical agenda by accepting this award."

Victoria's Secret hits small screen again

CBS has announced that it will air the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show again this fall.

The holiday-themed runway show will reportedly be held at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach resort. The legendary resort has been undergoing a massive, $1 billion renovation, and the show will be part of a grand reopening.

Models confirmed for the show so far are Heidi Klum, Adriana Lima, Marisa Miller and Miranda Kerr. The show will also feature musical performances, although they have yet to be revealed.

Ratings have declined since ABC first aired the controversial show in 2001. CBS has telecast it since 2002, despite FCC complaints about the scantily-clad models.

Slaying on Television to Resume Tonight

Last week's twist ending to CSI: in which Gary Dourdan's character, Warrick Brown, takes two bullets to the neck begins the time of season finales, which for many characters may be more permanent than a summer vacation.

Tonight viewers can expect at least two people getting the ax with the finales of American Idol and NCIS. American Idol is down to its two final contestants. One will perish and the other will be crowned American Idol.

CBS continues the "finale killings" with a two-hours of NCIS, in which a major series regular will perish. One of the producers is quoted saying that the death will make fans "throw things at the screen." This is the second major death since Sasha Alexander's character Sp. Agent Caitlin Todd died at the end of season two. So far two deaths have occurred in the CBS primetime line-up and maybe more will follow.

Previews for Criminal Minds among other CBS programs depict possible murders of the main characters. CBS has announced 6 new series for the fall 2008 season, but they have lost a fan base from their stronger shows with these "finale slayings." With American Idol we're expecting the contestants to get voted off not Simon.