Doug's Place

Hopefully this will be my last bit of blogging on The Today Show until Katie leaves next month and/or Meredith arrives next fall.

On this morning’s menu of features…

\ A cooking demonstration in connection with the NBC competition series Celebrity Cooking Showdown. Two thumbs up already.

\ An interview with Eva Longoria on the movie The Sentinel, who’s also a co-star on “another show on another network”, as they generically put it. (Eva did sneak in a mention for Desperate Housewives, which is fine.) If only they did the same with 24‘s Keifer Sutherland, also in The Sentinel, the other day in a pre-taped piece.

…now I doubt the folks in New York visit Doug’s Place. But, I’d hope a bunch of executives from NBC stations made their voices heard and they’re finally saying “uncle”.

OK, it’s been more than 24 hours since the latest episode of The Amazing Race signed off. By now, you should now Lake and Michelle from Hattiesburg were philiminated.

Cindy and I truly hoped this was a non-elimination leg – but Phil delivered the home team the bad news.

When we go to the movies, we usually drive past Lake’s dentist office on the way. Hmmm – wonder if he screams out “Dagnabbit” if he drills a wrong tooth.

In any event, some radio business tomorrow, an Easter Sunrise service Sunday and straight to RockTrax afterward. Have a great and safe weekend, everyone.

I was busy Thursday — and didn’t get to blog about this. And it’s probably a good thing. Last night, I had this weird dream the third hour of Today was being replaced with Who Wants To Be A Millionaire as Meredith Vieira was coming over from ABC.

Seriously, I trust you’re aware as Today is losing Katie Couric, it’s gaining the service of Meredith.

The total number of minutes I’ve actually watched The View I can count with one hand. And I recall her brief stint on 60 Minutes.

During my travels, I’ve tried to catch her hosting the syndicated version of Millionaire (never has aired here…grrrr) and I think she does an excellent job with it. She’s no Regis — but she doesn’t have to be.

Truly wanted to see Ann, Campbell or Natalie move up in the world. But, Meredith will fill the shoes just fine.

OK, folks, barring a retraction from McPaper, now you may begin the speculation game…

http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2006-04-04-couric_x.htm?POE=LIFISVA

…FWIW, if indeed Katie leaves, I think they’d be wise to promote within (read: Ann Curry, Natalie Morales or the recently married Campbell Brown).

Further, should this all comes to fruition, how much ya wanna bet Katie will be disciplined for running a story about American Idol on The CBS Evening News?