SUSAN SAYS

posted by James Reel

    This has turned up on the electronic staff bulletin board:

    April 5, 2006 · Enough about Katie Couric. A female news anchor may be a big deal for television, but here at NPR, we recognize a different trailblazer. In 1972, Susan Stamberg became the first woman to host a nightly network news program -- All Things Considered. After holding that job for 14 years, Stamberg has this advice for Couric:

    Here's how long ago it was: In those days, I had a steak-and-cheese sandwich with onions for lunch every day. My first anchor day, I couldn't eat my lunch.
    My advice:
    1. Eat your lunch every day. Veggies.
    2. For your half-hour nightly broadcast, have more than the five reporters we had, for ATC's then-90 minutes.
    3. No catchy graphics. We found we never needed them.
    4. Read and prepare as if your life depended on it.
    5. Combing one's hair was never a priority here, and I can't see why it should be for you.
    6. Read and prepare as if your life depended on it.
    7. Be careful not to repeat yourself.
    8. Don't let anyone tell you a woman won't be taken seriously doing anchor work. Over time, you'll be taken as seriously as you take yourself and your audience. And don't be afraid to laugh. But filter it a bit. It's better to be compassionate, humane, steady.
    9. Get off on time. [James Reel notes: Bob Edwards has said that he expects his tombstone to be inscribed, "He got off on time."]
    10. Don't believe people who promise TEN pieces of advice.

-- Susan Stamberg