Norah O’Donnell Fans: We Told You So
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Despite CBS denying that they are anything but happy with their pick of Jeff Glor to Anchor the Evening News, the New York Post wants to make it a controversy.
The Post's Page Six has been doing stories, claiming that CBS is upset with Glor's performance and his days are numbered behind the desk.
Now, the Post writes that the shaky start for new “CBS Evening News” anchor Jeff Glor is breathing new life into controversy over the network’s decision to pass over Norah O’Donnell for the gig.
Sources tell Page Six that inside the network, O’Donnell was a popular pick for the storied anchor’s chair after Scott Pelley vacated it last summer.
The gossip column said that CBS suits were in panic mode because their flagship show has lost some 1.5 million viewers since Glor took over in December.
The network has denied the story, saying it “couldn’t be more excited about the direction” in which Glor is taking the show. CBS News president David Rhodes said in a note to staff after our story was published: “We have full confidence in Jeff Glor.”
Now we’re told that O’Donnell’s supporters are crowing, “We told you so!”
Last year, insiders said that execs were loathe to move her off the successful “CBS This Morning” for the “Evening News” job, which has been held by Walter Cronkite, Dan Rather and Katie Couric.
When they moved Glor over from streaming service CBS Interactive, O’Donnell even appeared to express frustration, posting on Facebook, “Reposted this running photo as a reminder to myself that life is a lot like training for a road race. Sometimes no matter how much effort you put into the goal, you fall short. There’s always another race.”
Sources close to O’Donnell claim it was a coincidence, but fans seemed clear on her meaning, replying with condolences on being skipped over for the “Evening News” job.
Said an insider, “Norah’s well-respected and she seemed like the obvious choice, and there’s a faction inside the network that continues to be disappointed. With Glor struggling, it makes that even worse.”
Stay tuned...
