The TV Zone

Don't know about you, but I'm beginning to think Katie "Outta Here by January" Couric isn't acting like someone who's ready to get outta there by January. First, she told TV scribes back in July that she's staying in the anchor chair beyond the inauguration (a prediction echoed by her own boss). Then last night, she and CBS launch this: A webcast on CNET that was 45 minutes long, pretty good, and revealing a side of Couric that is slightly more familiar to viewers of "Today" over fifteen years than the stiff-upper-lipped automaton she sometimes imitates in the anchor chair every night.

She called herself "loosey goosey;" you be the judge.

You may be thinking: "A webcast on CNET? WHO CARES!!??" Please allow me to correct your understandable impressionism: This is a pretty big deal. Back in May, CBS paid about $1.8 billion for a website that had virtually no logical place in its media "portfolio," though promised to change that situation forthwith; a bunch of new CBS shows are planned for CNET, and I wouldn't be surprised if the network even brings 'em to next summer's press tour (assuming there is a tour by then.)

How'd she do on this? From what I can tell, fine; has a "web-exclusive" Caroline Kennedy interview, some cross-talk segments with Bob Schieffer et al, and otherwise fronted a credible debut webcast. This will go forward, BTW, and will be part of what she does on a regular basis for CBS News and "Evening News." (Meanwhile, Charlie Gibson yesterday took his first web baby steps, by posting his first ever blog. )

Does all this sound like someone who's ready to disappear in three months? I wonder. I wonder...