ABOUT allDAY

allDAY is the official TODAY blog, your virtual window to Studio 1A and the people who make America's favorite morning show come alive. Whether it's exchanging views with the anchors and contributors or going behind the scenes with the producers, editors, camera people and more, we'll bring you the buzz here at 30 Rock, and we hope you will make this a regular part of your online routine. We want this to be a conversation, so please respond with your comments and questions directly to the blog, and we'll do our best to post what you have to say.



The Return of Katie

Posted: Wednesday, May 28, 2008 9:42 AM by Dan Fleschner
Filed Under: ,

Your eyes were not deceiving you this morning.

Two years after she left TODAY to anchor the CBS Evening News, Katie Couric was back in our studio -- along with Brian Williams of NBC Nightly News and Charlie Gibson of ABC World News Tonight -- to announce the launch of the Stand Up 2 Cancer initiative. WATCH VIDEO

There is no truth to the rumors that Katie challenged Meredith to an arm wrestling contest, made fun of Matt's haircut or "walked around like she owned the place." In fact, it was simply a nice -- and quick -- reunion.

"I think it was a nice boost of energy," Matt Lauer told me an hour after the segment. "She had a good time, and we had a good time. It's nice when you can do something like that but also tie it into a great cause, with these networks coming together to in the fight against cancer."

Matt continued, "I think it was a win-win, and I'm sure there were a lot of very interested people at home to see what the dynamic would be like, and I hope they were very pleased with the outcome."

For Meredith Vieira, it wasn't exactly a reunion, but was more of an opportunity to talk about a good cause with colleagues.

"I think the fact that the three of them were here was pretty great, talking about Stand Up 2 Cancer," Meredith said. "The whole initiative is incredibly exciting and worthwhile."

You can learn more about the initiative at the Stand Up 2 Cancer site.

The show airs September 5 at 8 p.m. EDT/PDT on NBC, CBS and ABC.

You can also check out the very well done public service announcement promoting Stand Up 2 Cancer, featuring more than a dozen celebrities, as well as narration by Sidney Poitier and a song by Eddie Vedder ("Rise" from the Into the Wild soundtrack).

MAIN PAGE

Email this EMAIL THIS

Comments

It was a great segment.  Loved it; loved the banter with all of the assembled and think that the cause is magnificent and shows what collaboration and cooperation can do.  And I thought that going into the actual news discussion was also appropriate and very interesting.  Let's have more as we approach September 5.

Ann Stanke, Madison WI (Sent Wednesday, May 28, 2008 10:12 AM)

I don't know why Matt felt the need to bring up the book that bashed Pres. Bush during the Stand Up for Cancer interview. The Today show is the only program that during the interviews decided to bring up a polictial issue.
I know that Katie and Matt are both on the Democratic side when it comes to any interview, but I don't think this was the time for such a disscussion.

Leigh Richards, Topeka, KS (Sent Wednesday, May 28, 2008 10:13 AM)

Actually, Harry Smith asked the three anchors about Scott McClellan's book when they appeared first on the 'Early Show' at 7:30.

WO, Cambridge (Sent Wednesday, May 28, 2008 10:24 AM)

I could feel a little tension from Meredith on having Katie there - and I liked the fact that at the end Katie could laugh at herself when a joke was made that all 3 anchors would be on one newscast - and it '...would solve all our problems.'  Somehow it just felt right seeing Katie there.  Maybe she could come back and do the 4th hour with Kathie Lee if it doesn't work out too well at CBS.

Robbie B, Williamsburg, VA (Sent Wednesday, May 28, 2008 10:43 AM)

Good Morning,

It was great to see Katie on The TODAYSHOW. I want to thank each of them for the task that they are taking on Cancer. My prays is that we do find a cure for Cancer.

Mary Anderson, Leesville,LA. (Sent Wednesday, May 28, 2008 10:44 AM)

Wonderful effort by all three networks.  So many energy towards efforts to battle this terrible disease that has effected me personally.  Now I hope someday to see the network members with integrity come together to battle the disease of immorality and violence on our TV.

Jill, Spokane, Wash (Sent Wednesday, May 28, 2008 11:15 AM)

I really enjoyed the segment and seeing all parties together. I loved seeing them together and so obviously comfortable and charming. I'm looking forward to the September cancer special. I liked that they brought up Scott McClellan's book and questioned each one of their opinion. I think that Charlie Gibson is a wimp and always has been. Just my opinion.

JEB Winnemucca NV (Sent Wednesday, May 28, 2008 11:28 AM)

We are still not asking the right questions! Post 9/11 we are living in a world that has T-ray technology in airports, strip searching 70 year old ladies, and one of the most restrictive immigration policies in the history of the US. Why? It was intelligence & the CIA that failed! What is to be gained from all the extra surveillance, The state said we need to tighten our boarders,ok, fine but why tighten the boarders between states? Who is the government really trying to stop?

Luis Modesto (Sent Wednesday, May 28, 2008 11:40 AM)

It was great seeing all the anchors together.  They are a great team.

AliceGibble, Lebanon, Pa (Sent Wednesday, May 28, 2008 12:21 PM)

Harry Smith on CBS also brought up the Scott McClellan book, and the three anchors gave basically the same answers, with Katie saying the press wasn't skeptical enough and Charlie Gibson saying =he thught they did their jobs. It is a NEWS show after all, so I am glad there was at least some attempt to bring a current issue into the debate.  Let's not forget we stiull have young men and women dying in Iraq as a consequence of the misinformation campaign Scott McClellan talks about in his new book.  

Tim in MD (Sent Wednesday, May 28, 2008 12:43 PM)

Re the issue of media responsibility for "not asking the right questions": We -the American public let ourselves be led down the garden path.It is true that restricted access to the facts on site was a monumental drawback but that does not pardon our collective failure. And we -the public is- still not asking for the answers. Where is the outrage with 4000 plus deaths and thousands more crippled in mismanaged war that has wasted our blood and treasure and sill has not achieved any real impact on the Muslim community, who will attack us again at the first opportunity?

Eugene Donovan (Sent Wednesday, May 28, 2008 12:50 PM)

Thanks for thinking my family important enough to bring 3 Networks together (ABC, CBS, NBC) in the fight against cancer.  My mother is a recent lung cancer survivor and I stand for all those in the fight, and those who have yet to fight. Loved it. It was awesome!

Andrea Mills, Smyrna, GA (Sent Wednesday, May 28, 2008 1:15 PM)

Wonderful!! This is a one word description of the efforts of the networks to pull together for a common fight.  I cannot think of a more formidable foe (Cancer) deserving of a more potent opponent (the Network teams).  In one way or another, Cancer has affected every person in America.  Personally, it took my sister and we (the remaining sisters) have vowed to fight back.  God bless this effort, I know it will only succeed and have a most positive effect on our nation.

Annie Readus-Erskine, Huntsville, AL (Sent Wednesday, May 28, 2008 1:55 PM)

What a line-up - my five favs!  They could move mountains together.
The Stand Up to Cancer initiative is a great thing and what better folks to kick it off!

Cindy Devon, Finksburg, MD (Sent Wednesday, May 28, 2008 2:14 PM)

It would have been interesting if they'd given Meridith and Katie a minute or two to compare notes. I didn't sense any animosity there.

Tod, Denver, Colorado (Sent Wednesday, May 28, 2008 2:58 PM)

I completely approve of Matt Lauer's introduction of the topic of Scott McClellan's book, and I think Katie's comments represented the most objective assessment of the role played by the news media in the run-up to the war.  Charlie Gibson's defensive, self-justifying statements suggest that he doesn't really understand the role of the reporter in a free society.  A reporter doesn't just ask questions of those in power and record the answers; he or she gathers information independently and investigates the foundations of the assertions made by public officials.  The media's failures were clear to me before the war began, and they have never really acknowledged and taken responsibility for their laziness and lack of courage.  No doubt corporate cowardice played an important role, as well as a fundamental misunderstanding of the true nature of patriotism.    

Marcia Karlin, Lincolnshire, IL. (Sent Wednesday, May 28, 2008 3:00 PM)

I think it's amazing that the only time the networks and their news anchors will even attempt to explain their unwillingness to do their jobs as journalists is when they happen to be together for something completely unrelated. Charlie Gibson's failing memory aside (he asked the most softball questions regarding Colin Powell's UN presentation, despite his assertion that he challenged the report at the time), all networks are as culpable as McClellan states in banging Bush's war drums. They owe the American people an in-depth explanation of what happened, and what they are prepared to do to make sure it doesn't happen again. From where I sit, it's already happening again NOW.

John DesJardin, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Wednesday, May 28, 2008 4:02 PM)

I was very pleased at the initiative by the networks to encourage the battle against cancer, BUT felt the political discussion left many of us thinking..."more of the same" ...!
Why does the media feel they should have responsibility in deciding if a war is warranted and that the public expected them to "ask the right questions"??! Isn't that what we have elected officials for?  I don't remember seeing any networks or newpapers on the ballots.
Are there any reporters out there that simply "report" and not feel they have to add their own commentary, or bias the report one way or another.
i do think you are to blame for the division of Democrats and Republicans instead of calling us all Americans. Why don't you try reporting the good things... when we all band together regardless of political affiliation or race or other differences.
I bet the first network to switch to more reporting ofthe positive news will get the biggest share of viewers.  It is just like when you keep telling a child he is bad....he will try and live up to his label!
Would love you all to take the high road for a change.

S. Ledet, Cypress, TX (Sent Wednesday, May 28, 2008 6:34 PM)

Congratulations to Katie, Brian, and Charles on their joint venture to find a cure for CANCER. I hope everyone gets behind these 3 people to find a cure and put an end to all cancers.

Denise Sutton, Unionville, New York (Sent Wednesday, May 28, 2008 10:37 PM)

Loved it!  Great to see all three of them in the same "space" at the same time!

Jun Nishihara, Japan (Sent Wednesday, May 28, 2008 10:58 PM)



SEND A COMMENT

PLEASE READ: All comments must be approved before appearing in the thread; time and space constraints prevent all comments from appearing. We will only approve comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):

Your name, city and state (John Doe, Seattle, Wash.): 

 Your e-mail address (jdoe@msnbc.com):

Your website (it's okay if you don't have one):

Remember me? (We'll keep it private)

More allDAY

Recent Posts:

Archives:

Categories

Syndicate This Site

Add allDAY to your news reader:
live.com xml
myyahoo msn
bloglines newsgator
google

MSNBC Weblogs

More Links