Meredith Vieira Celebrates ‘Today’ Anniversary, Talks Katie

CBS anchor Katie Couric made a much-publicized trip to Iraq last week. The reporting was good, the viewing figures however, were not.

It’s been a rough first year for Katie. After starting big, the ratings went down, while Meredith Vieira is on the upswing, celebrating her first year on “Today.”

In a candid interview with Access Hollywood’s Billy Bush, Meredith said she feels for Katie.

“I know that there was far more of a spotlight on Katie than there was on me,” Meredith said. “I think that coming in I was the lucky one because I was almost under the radar. Also, I think people, I hate to say this because she has such a huge fan base, but I think there were a lot of people who were sort of rooting for her to lose. People like to put someone up on a pedestal and then knock them off.

“She comes in,” Meredith continued, “and people expect her to turn around a broadcast that, I think was in third place when she joined it. She’s been there a year and I think her work is outstanding.”

Thursday, Meredith celebrated her one-year anniversary at the “Today” show. All is well as the show still dominates the competition.

The seasoned journalist has been working in television for over 30 years.

Now, at the age of 53, Access asked the Emmy winner if she would take the next big plunge.

“A lot of TV journalists – anchors, sneak off and do work sometimes – work on the face, plastic surgery work. Will you ever do that?” Billy asked.

“Like I said before I never say never, but I’m not inclined tot,” Meredith said.

“Would you feel like you were damaging yourself or selling out in some way?” Billy asked.

“I don’t want to say that ‘cause I know lots of people who have and I don’t look at them like that . . . It’s such a personal decision but I’ve seen people who start down that path and then you kind of can’t stop.”