CBS - REPORT: COURIC NOT KEPT IN LOOP RE EXEC PRODUCER SWITCH

Although she is credited as managing editor of the CBS Evening News, Katie Couric was not informed that Rome Hartman had been fired as executive producer of the program and that Rick Kaplan had been hired to take his place until after the deal with Kaplan had been finalized, the New York Times indicated today (Friday), citing Kaplan and CBS News President Sean McManus. Couric declined to comment on the shake-up. McManus told the Times, "I think Rick can work with her to maximize her many talents." Kaplan said that he hadn't "the slightest doubt about Katie's talent" but maintained that the key to the success of the show "is convincing the viewers that you are pushing the stories ahead" that they may already have become aware of. Reporting on the changeover, the Associated Press commented that it was "a sign that the network wants to replace experimentation with a program its viewers can count on." Several articles referred to Kaplan's notorious temperament. Advertising Age called him "tough as nails." The New York Times said that he "had a reputation for sharp elbows." Verne Gay in Newsday observed that Kaplan "rules staffs with a very loud voice and imperious manner." In an interview with the Washington Post, ABC newsman Sam Donaldson remarked, "He sometimes goes on rampages -- thunders and screams and hollers. He's a big guy, and he intimidates people. I've seen him terrorize people, and later he comes back and apologizes, and he means it."

09/03/2007