Nellie Andreeva

Katie Couric, do you want your old job back? While media attention has been focused on Couric’s pending departure from CBS Evening News, the anchor who succeeded her on Today, Meredith Vieira, is  reportedly plotting an exit too. According to TVGuide Magazine, NBC News brass are still hopeful they would get the 57-year-old Vieira to stay beyond September, when her current contract expires, but chances appear slim. When Vieira’s previous multi-year contract with Today was up last year, she only agreed to a one-year extension. And, after going outside to replace Couric in 2006, NBC may stick with homegrown talent this time, like Ann Curry or Natalie Morales. As for Vieira, she has discussed the possibly of leaving Today fairly recently. “I’ll know when it’s time to go, and I’m not afraid to go,” Vieira said in an interview last October. “If I were to leave at the end of next year because it’s time for me, I wouldn’t jump into another show. I would look forward to not working, to traveling with (husband) Richard and carving out time for us. You’re always doing something, if you are curious. It doesn’t have to be a 9-to-5 job.” She recently found a new career as a movie producer with the upcoming Return. Vieira also continues to host the syndicated version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, a gig she got as part of a contract renewal for The View at ABC, where she served as co-host from 1997 to 2006. NBC News issued a carefully worded statement that, while accurate, doesn’t actually address Vieira’s future on Today: “The Today show anchors are currently under contract and firmly in place.” Meanwhile, Vieira and Couric will rub elbows in London at the end of the month when the two will lead NBC and CBS’ coverage of the Royal Wedding.

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