After the news broke that Katie Couric would be leaving CBS news after the presidential inauguration, the response from the media was very positive for CBS news to be finally dropping the weight that was dragging them down. Now it appears CBS may scoot Katie out the door in weeks rather than months. The New York Times reports:

Though some people close to Ms. Couric, as well as some professional associates, said Thursday they believed that it was now likely she would not remain as anchor through the election, and might even leave in the next few weeks, that point was adamantly denied by the senior executives closest to the decision.

When news like this leaks out of CBS it’s usually true. CNN also responded to Katie replacing Larry King saying they would extend King’s contract when it expires next summer. CNN isn’t doing very well either, so it’s doubtful they’d want Katie dragging them down, especially after they’ve seen what she did to CBS. Some suggest Katie go back to daytime TV, but she doesn’t want to. HG thinks Katie should retire, and write a book.

CBS has been losing so much money since Dan Rather had to resign over his fake news, they have recently announced they will be outsourcing their news gathering to CNN. That’s like jumping from the frying pan into the fire. When CBS gave Katie Couric a $15 million a year contract for the next five years, they had hoped she’d revive their news broadcast by attracting a larger female audience, but the plan backfired. CBS has been consistently in last place in the ratings since she joined the CBS evening news.

Now for the good news. Katie may leave CBS as soon as January 2009, when the new U.S. President is inaugurated. There’s talk that Katie could go on to ruin Larry King Live by taking Larry’s place when he leaves CNN next year. Larry is 74, and he is not expected to renew his contract when it expires next year. Katie just needs to go on a long vacation, then come back with something fresh.

Katie Couric has proven to be the biggest loser CBS has ever employed. She’s cracking under the pressure. Here’s more:

CBS EVENING NEWS anchor Katie Couric is being accused of slapping an editor — after he injected a word she detested into a script!

"The stress has caused her to blow up at her staff for small infractions on the set," charges NEW YORK magazine reporter Joe Hagan, in a story set for publication on Monday.

"During the tuberculosis story in June, Couric got angry with news editor Jerry Cipriano for using a word she detested— ’sputum’ —and the staff grew tense when she began slapping him ’over and over and over again’ on the arm, according to a source familiar with the scene. It had seemed like a joke at first, but it quickly became clear that she wasn’t kidding."

A top CBS executive tells the DRUDGE REPORT that no formal complaint has been filed against Couric over the incident.

"I sort of slapped him around,” Couric admits to the magazine. “I got mad at him and said, ’You can’t do this to me. You have to tell me when you’re going to use a word like that.’ I was aggravated, there’s no question about that.’ But she says she has a good relationship with Cipriano. ’We did ban the word sputum from all future broadcasts. It became kind of a joke."

A CBS insider says Couric slapped the staffer in a playful manner.

"Look, it wasn’t serious, whatsoever."

The magazine fronts the nearly 6,000-word expose with the headline: "I have days when I’m like, ’Oh my God, What did I do?’ KATIE COURIC’S IMPOSSIBLE YEAR"

Women get away with hitting men even today, but all things being equal, and Katie being in such a position of power, she needs to be held to the same standard as a man would be. Allowing a man to be hit by a woman, and doing nothing about it is sexist. If a man had done that to a woman she would suddenly be a victim. This guy should just sue CBS, and force them to treat men equally. If that doesn’t work the guy should just start dressing like a woman, and go around punching guys in the nose who work at CBS, and if he gets fired he can sue CBS for firing him because he’s a woman.

This is why America loves Katie Couric so much that her show is last in the ratings. She’s an ex cheerleader who loves to bowl.

Katie has the wrong people advising her. It’s easy to remake her image. Let’s try…

First she’s bowling. Woohoo! She’s just a regular gal. Wrong! Turn that into zexy Katie. Katie loves big balls, and can’t keep her hands off them. See? Now you’ve got male viewer’s interest.

Second, Katie has a cute smile, she’s a little chunky, and she’s a mom. Wrong! Dye her hair blond, give her a face lift, a breast lift, liposuction plus some Jenny Craig, plump up her lips, put her in a low cut dress, have her talk like she’s a little bit ditsy, and spread word she’s having an affair with Matt Lauer. Now you’ve now got the attention of male and female viewers. A dramtic beautiful b_tch would send ratings soaring.

I know, I know, I’m a P.R. genius, but don’t forget I’m handsome too.

Jessica Simpson is probably kicking herself right about now, seeing how she could have lost weight with Photoshop rather than by eating right and working out. Here’s more:

Vanity, thy name is not Katie Couric.

The incoming CBS News anchor is taking in good stride articles in both the New York Post and the city’s Daily News that show a photo of her in promotional magazine Watch! that was digitally altered to make her look about 20 lbs. thinner.

“I liked the first picture better because there’s more of me to love,” quips the former Today host, reports the News.

Couric, 49, also said she was unaware that the photo - which was reportedly taken in May - would be touched up until it crossed her desk. (The publication goes to CBS stations and to passengers aboard American Airlines.)

Actually, the “real” Couric appears on the cover, sporting a smile and a dark business suit. But on the inside of the magazine, a thinner version of Couric is shown, wearing a darker striped designer suit.

“The editorial staff of Watch! magazine retouched the photo without the knowledge of Miss Couric and CBS News management,” CBS spokeswoman Dana McClintock tells the News.

Couric bows as the new anchor next Tuesday.