The newest Katie Couric replacement name "to be kicked around by more than one industry insider is actually an old one: Bryant Gumbel," Broadcasting & Cable's Flash! hears.

"File this one under 'Long Shots,' but let's not forget that Gumbel put in 15 years on Today, the longest run of anyone in that show's history, and then clocked another three years on the CBS Early Show after that.

Sure, this would mean pairing him with Matt Lauer and ditching the venerable gender-balanced co-host formula, but the two already have the chemistry..."

> Update: 12:29pm: "Bryant Gumbel's departure from TODAY coincided with the biggest spurt ever in the show's ratings. He'll NEVER be allowed back in Rock Center, unless Hell and the Skating rink freeze over," an e-mailer says...

> Update: 12:33pm: "He's not nearly warm and fuzzy enough for a morning show in this day and age."