Katie Couric Needs Your Help!

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

26 Jun 2006 11:11 AM

Incoming CBS evening-news anchor Katie Couric wants to hear from you. The former "Today" show host named as the first woman solo anchor of a network evening newscast, is embarking on a six-city tour where she will meet informally with viewers like you to hear what you're interested in seeing on the news.

Couric's first stop will be Denver, Colorado on July 13th. While her visit is still a few weeks away, starting today (June 26, 2006), Denver residents can visit cbsdenver.com and fill out a questionnaire. One hundred people representing a cross section of the community will be invited to a "town hall forum" to chat with Couric. Mangers at the local CBS affiliate say that Couric handpicked Denver as one of the cities she wanted to visit. Another meeting is planned for San Diego (the other cities have not been identified).

Joining Couric on the "listening tour" will be "CBS Evening News" producers who will be documenting ideas given by "regular folks" on a broad range of topics. Basically, they are looking for any legitimate ideas that will help them make decisions on how they can better serve viewers. Network executives hope Couric's meetings will help convince people to give her broadcast a try. ("CBS Evening News" has long languished in last place behind NBC and ABC in the ratings.) The meetings will not be filmed and reporters won't be allowed to cover them. Executives say, "it was Katie's idea to have a really honest, informal dialogue" and they don't want the presence of cameras to serve as a distraction. (Translation: they don't want people performing for the cameras.)

Couric will also participate in a charity fundraiser in each city she visits. In Denver, she will attend a luncheon for the Rocky Mountain Cancer Center Foundation. Couric's husband, Jay, died of colon cancer in 1998.

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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