Couric’s Evening News Replacement: Pelley? Smith? Mitchell? Schieffer?

By Brian on July 11, 2007 1:59 PM

On Monday I asked: Theoretically, if/when Katie Couric makes a move to 60 Minutes, who would replace her on the CBS Evening News?

The responses flooded in. “To go outside of the house twice in a row would be a death sentence to the division’s morale,” one insider wrote.

Many voted for Scott Pelley and Russ Mitchell. Others leaned toward Harry Smith — another morning anchor who could move to the evening. One person wrote: “Is it me or does Harry Smith possess the same type of skills and resume that Charlie Gibson brought to World News?”

Still others hoped for a comeback: “Purely a guess, but by the winter, Bob Schieffer will pull a Charlie Gibson, say, ‘I want it for real,’ and take over the evening show again.”

Click continued to read a sampling of responses…

> “I wouldn’t bet against Scott Pelley.”
> “To go outside of the house twice in a row would be a death sentence to the division’s morale. So it seems like Scott Pelley might be leader-by-default. Harry Smith has a small chance as does Russ Mithchell, but my money would be on Scott.”
> “I believe they will go with Pelley. He has all the credentials now, and has followed the same path as Dan Rather. I think they should look at someone else though…how about Steve Kroft?”
> “It’s obvious: Russ Mitchell.”
> “Russ Mitchell is smart, credible, and serious. Furthermore, he would be the network’s first African American anchor, reminscent of the Bernard Shaw era.”
> “Russell Mitchell is the future leader of CBS. He has the presence and calmity that makes a good Nightly anchor. He has been filling in a lot these days.”
> “Is it me or does Harry Smith possess the same type of skills and resume that Charlie Gibson brought to World News?”
> “I would expect (and love) to see Harry Smith take over if Couric steps down.”
> “Purely a guess, but by the winter, Bob Schieffer will pull a Charlie Gibson, say, ‘I want it for real,’ and take over the evening show again.”
> “They should bring back Bob Scheiffer or go with Harry Smith.”
> “Bring back Bob Scheiffer. He was excellent.”
> “Bring back Bob Scheiffer, he is young by 60 Minutes standards.”
> “Anderson Cooper… A network friend told me that’s why they wanted him on 60 Minutes.”
> “I think Harry Smith would make an ideal anchor of the CBS Evening News, much like Charlie Gibson has done for ABC. However, a major coup would be Ted Koppel, who is not only respected but has the serious news chops to subplant Gibson and Brian Williams as well.”
> “I would love to see Harry Smith.”
> “I’d like to see Lara Logan hosting the newscast from the field… And if a big story happened, they could use a standby anchor in the studio.”
> “Lara Logan should be next. She is a smart, articulate, well-educated, beautiful woman. Don’t knock the woman anchor off just because of Couric.”
> “If I were CBS, I’d hire Shep Smith from Fox or newly unemployed John Seigenthaler for the anchor job.”
> “Former CNN anchor Aaron Brown is available.”
> “I think it will be Diane Sawyer who saves the day at CBS — think about when her contract is up…”
> “Dan Rather.”