KIM'S CELEBRITY SLEAZE

Will Katie Couric have to take a paycut?!

CBS HAS DENIED A REPORT THAT KATIE COURIC WILL BE ASKED TO TAKE A PAY CUT: 

 

The "CBS Evening News" is still in last place . . . behind "NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams" and "ABC World News with Diane Sawyer" . . . so reports that CBS is looking to dump KATIE COURIC continue to pop up and fade out.

 

--The latest rumor was started by The Drudge Report, which claimed that Katie was, quote, "in the direct line of fire . . . [for a] dramatic pay cut."  (???) 

 

--It's easy to see how this rumor got started.  CBS News has been working to cut its budget.  On Monday, they reportedly laid-off 150 employees, but they're paying Katie around $15 million a year to anchor a last-place news show.

 

--Drudge also claims that Katie's huge salary . . . in the face of all those lay-offs . . . is causing a lot of backlash among other members of the staff.

 

--But CBS News boss Sean McManus says these reports are false . . . quote, "I don't think it's fair at all.  There is no relationship between how much money Katie is paid and the adjustments we make to our budget periodically."

 

--He admits that CBS has had to lay-off some employees, but said it was only, quote, "a fraction" of the reported 150 being reported.  (--He didn't give a specific number.)

 

--McManus also insists . . . again . . . that the network is happy with Katie.  He says, quote, "I am not anticipating, nor do I want to anticipate, life at CBS News without Katie Couric.  [I expect her to be here] for a long time."

 

--Katie's contract is up in May of next year.  It seems like CBS News is interested in retaining her, but for now there have been no formal negotiations on an extension.

 

--There's also speculation that Katie and CBS will part ways at that point . . . and she could move on to do anything from taking over for LARRY KING, or becoming the next big daytime talk show host.  (--Oprah will leave syndication that fall.)


 



Add a Comment

 

 

Adam Levine of "Maroon 5"

Lead singer of "Maroon 5" joined us talking about the new song and new CD coming out in September and the bands touring dates.


Chris Daughtry and Brian from "Daughtry"

They came over for the Hasboro Children Hospital day and they met the kids. They talk about how it has been for them.