Viva Vieira

By Brill Bundy

September 13, 2006 5:39 AM

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Perky doesn't always age well. That's why after a gazillion years on Today, it's good for co-anchor Katie Couric to traverse networks -- and dayparts -- to reclaim her serious newswoman mantle.

It's also why her replacement, Meredith Vieira, is a strong, yet different, choice to freshen up NBC's morning show.

On The View, Vieira always seemed like the slightly more grounded big sister of the group. The one who was responsible enough to make sure no one ever forgot grande dame Barbara Walters' birthday, but cool enough to cover if you occasionally missed your call time.

During her debut on Wednesday, this sensibility served her well, allowing her to seamlessly join a more sedate ensemble that doesn't number a single Star Jones diva, nor even a brassy Joy Behar.

From the get-go she likened the experience to the first day of school, where she was "sitting next to the cutest guy." Returning the compliment, co-host Matt Lauer said he hadn't been as excited to come to work since the day after former co-host Bryant Gumbel announced he was leaving.

Vieira bonded with another member of the team by telling Al Roker that she used to have a hamster named "Al." We're pretty sure it wouldn't have been the same if Couric had been the one blithely likening a co-worker to a long-dead pet.

Equally comfortable talking with NBC News colleague Tim Russert about President Bush's recent War on Terror remarks, ribbing Lauer about a topless photo in a celebrity magazine and refereeing two couples competing for a wedding, Vieira has mastered the tonal tightrope walk between being taken seriously and keeping the proceedings light and moving. Hosting the syndicated version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire has obviously come in handy.

Airing for three hours each morning, Today is a marathon rather than a sprint, even with Roker, Ann Curry and Natalie Morales carrying the load for the last third. In the second hour, as they moved outside to join the throngs assembled in Rockefeller Plaza, Vieira's energy was high and you could almost see her thinking, "This is so much fun."

Indeed, with more people tuned in, the whole show picked up with veteran correspondent Willard Scott joking that Vieira looked like a million, or rather "14 million," the sum she's reportedly worth to NBC.

Sure, the first day was more Vieira-centric than future shows will be. At least we assume bio clip reels and floral tributes from Brian Williams won't be regular features. Yet Vieira is to be commended for going in, doing her job and letting the audience sniff around the new girl, rather than pushing an "I'm different" agenda.

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| Comments (4)

Comments

Meredith is a refreshing change & will add new viewers to the show & a new reason to watch for those who grew weary of Couric. Hooray for NBC!

tabba | Sep 13, 2006 4:23:04 PM | #

GOOD JOB,GREAT PICK,AND IT ONLY GETS BETTER

| Sep 13, 2006 4:51:29 PM | #

This has been a season of changes... Katie, Rosie and now the cirlce is complete with Meredith. I think all 3 shows basically hit the jackpot! The job shift is making all 3 of their shows a joy to watch.

Meredith's a perfect match to the Today Show, I've never had this much fun watching a morning show before... good luck.

ankush | Sep 13, 2006 11:29:10 PM | #

Did Meredith audition for the same spot just before NBC selected Jane Pauley?

Doyle | Sep 18, 2006 12:15:53 PM | #