Katie Couric joined her old co-host Matt Lauer on NBC’s “Today Show” Wednesday morning to discuss her new book, but instead fielded questions about future plans and hinted at a syndicated show.
Couric, “CBS Evening News” anchor and history’s first solo female news anchor, will need a plan when her contract expires in the coming weeks.
While she said she acknowledges the risk of diverting from news reporting, she also said a syndicated show proves appealing.
“I think what might appeal to me, and it’s something I’m considering is, you know, just the creative freedom to pick subjects, dig deep, to have a smart intelligent conversation,” she told Lauer on the “Today Show.” “It might be nice for me to show my personality.”
Couric would then join the ranks of Oprah Winfrey, Ellen Degeneres and the women of “The View.” She said a host of subjects from health and social issues to current politics leave her with a variety of material to choose from.
Couric stayed mum on whether or not she planned to renew her contract with CBS, explaining that she planned to make a calculated next move. She said the honor, privilege and experience of reporting the evening news has not escaped her, however.
“I love covering the evening news,” she said on “Today.” “I love covering the big stories, going to Haiti and Egypt and having this front row seat and actually going in and witnessing firsthand.”
The pressure of figuring out her next move proves her least favorite part of the job, she said.
“I think I have learned that you have to be true to yourself, focus on your work and not be influenced by outside naysayers or in some cases supporters,” she said. “You just have to focus on the job at hand.”
Couric’s new book, “The Best Advice I Ever Got: Lessons from Extraordinary Lives,” details the advice offered by the exceptional people she met throughout her career.
Watch the interview from NBC’s “Today Show” below:
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