• by Wayne Friedman , Staff Writer, August 15, 2006

In a few weeks, choice words from the TV news and sports world will come from a less-buoyant Katie Couric on CBS and a selectively snarky Tony Kornheiser on ESPN.

Couric and Kornheiser are both deeply involved in changing the direction of two notable TV shows getting face-lifts--the CBS's "The CBS Evening News"  and ESPN's newly placed "Monday Night Football," respectively.

In speaking to a group of reporters yesterday, Couric hinted she would probably be a little more conservative than her bubbly profile on NBC's "The Today Show." That said, she noted that viewers don't want a "Robocop" anchor. To that end, Couric says CBS is considering longer, magazine-style news pieces that could take up the bulk of the show's 22-minutes of running time. All this to delve into deeper, more complete daily news stories.

ESPN's "Monday Night Football" is thinking of a more measured commentary from its new on-air talent-- this despite the hiring of the loquacious Tony Kornheiser as a third body in the booth, along with Mike Tirico and Joe Theismann. Kornheiser has already been in a previews of sorts--the pre-season NFL started for ESPN last night.

Indeed, the Washington Post sports columnist and co-host of ESPN's "Pardon The Interruption" appeared calmer but still biting during his first "MNF" game. This could have been due to the residual effects of some nice tranquilizers Kornheiser took to combat his issues with airline travel.

Still, sarcasm is always welcomed during any football game, including last night's Oakland's 16-13 victory over Minnesota. When play-by-play man Tirico said there were more than 11,000 lakes in Minnesota, Kornheiser said, "And you won't see any Vikings players on any of them this year," a reference to the team's problematic sex cruise last season.

As far as Couric is concerned, it's all about how she delivers the news--a definite about-face from her sometimes light-hearted "Today Show" persona. Though CBS hired her for her spunk, she talked up taking the straight-ahead reporter approach. That early-morning banter will be tough to find at 6:30 p.m. 

Kornheiser is, of course, at the far end off this spectrum. He's not delivering sports news of any type during the game--the play-by-play action. Nor will he be doing analysis, which is Theismann's role. Instead, Kornheiser will play more of the instigator and interrogator--asking why certain plays are run and why certain players are playing.

If both Couric and Kornheiser do their jobs right, fewer words will result in better understanding. If not, there is always misunderstanding: When asked if Couric planned to make any appearances on "Today Show" competitor "The Early Show," she replied, "Are you trying to get me in trouble?"