Around the time of Katie Couric’s departure from The Today Show, a disc jockey at NYC’s 92.3 FM spoke about the famous co-host, making repeated mention of Couric’s “fat arms.”
I’d imagine that as broadcast journalists, DJs would admire Couric’s assent to the pinnacle of her field. For the first time in American history, a woman is poised to become the solo anchor of a primetime news program, and we’re talking about her body, or rather, the one thing that’s (arguably) wrong with her body.
Maybe you don’t like her interviewing style. Maybe you disagree with her politics. Maybe you think she’s just not that entertaining. Feel free to comment on any of these. But, please, leave her arms alone.
6 comments:
Here's my 2 sense, or is it cents, as in money? ;) (I actually posted on Katie myself).
I think I like Katie more after seeing her final show. As for what the DJ said, this might sound cruel and it does NOT apply to all radio personalities, but most radio people have a "face for radio." (I am a radio person so I am allowed to say that.) Maybe this DJ is a top model, but come on now, it's her journalistic skill and personality that got her where she is today. I'm sure they weren't looking at her arms when she went for her interview at NBC 15 years ago. (She probably had a suit on anyway!!) ;)
Here here! I totally agree. Not to mention that I saw some ad with Katie flexing her muscles once - girlfriend's got some serious muscle actually. Maybe this DJ is a little jealous that Katie can probably kick her/his ass in a number of intellectual/physical arenas. Although I will admit her journalistic style and on-air personality is becoming a bit tiresome for me.
PTC--thanks for the inside scoop. And, I'm sure your "radio face" is beautiful!
AS--you're right. Right now they're calling her "radiant." My guess is, she has 2 weeks for radiance before the weight comments set it.
PS--So, maybe it is jealousy. It just saddens me that in a culture that still often misogynistic, women are attacking each other.
I also did television news for a few years. Those people can be brutal too, in other ways. "You have to wear this. Your hair has to be this color and this length." That used to make me so mad. Stop controlling what people look like. I understand it to a point, because somethings can be "bad" for tv, but come on. I hate the control they (the consultants and news directors) have on the anchors.
I think weight is the final frontier. No matter WHAT a woman has accomplished, the world still feels it has license to critique her if her weight isn't "right." Look at Oprah, for example. Look at EVERYTHING she's done. She's gotten Americans interested in reading amazing books, thanks to her book club. She's tracked down pedophiles and other sexual predators. She has her own non-profit organization. She has done more than almost anyone (except maybe Bono) to bring attention to the AIDS epidemic in South Africa. She sends kids to the "A Better Chance" program, so they may have "a better chance" at a "better life" - college, the American dream, all that. She's launched Dr. Phil's career and made him a millionaire 50 times over. And yet? We mock and obsess and talk about most . . . her weight. Sickening.
Good point, teacherlady--with all that she's done, that's the best we can do?
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