Waiting In The Wings For KATIE's Exit?

(From Newsday -- By Verne Gay)

Who is ALEXIS GLICK and why are TODAY SHOW viewers about to know this name well?

The basics -- She was MORGAN STANLEY's chief of floor traders at THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE before joining CNBC's SQUAWK BOX two years ago, and TODAY (as correspondent) just recently.

Let's get even more basic -- The 32-year-old mom has two young kids, her husband runs a photography company in MANHATTAN, her maiden name is DONNELLY, she grew up in WESTCHESTER, and got a degree in political science from COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY.

And now, let's get reeeallly basic -- ALEXIS GLICK could be the next KATIE COURIC.

Yes, yes, this is a ridiculously premature declaration, and absolutely no one at TODAY is talking about this publicly -- nor do they dare. But the thought has certainly entered some heads over there, and because "ridiculously premature declarations" are our business, here goes.

People in the industry who know Couric say she has entered a HAMLET-like phase, thinking hard about her next career move, which is perfectly logical for someone who has held this post exactly 14 years. But speculation has it she will stay one more year (her contract is believed to be up in May) and then sign a so-called "victory lap" deal, giving NBC just enough time to fold in a successor.

Fifteen years has a nice ring to it, while anything beyond that means beating BRYANT GUMBEL's record. Couric also apparently now has zero interest in syndication (there was a flirtation before the last deal was signed), and so a short contract extension gives her time to plan her next move, too.

What about all this stuff you've doubtless been reading about TODAY's GREAT DECLINE? That was generated mostly by GOOD MORNING AMERICA's aggressive publicity machine. GMA's surge -- pulling within 40,000 viewers of TODAY at one point -- was fueled by DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES and LOST, both of which were flacked frequently on GMA. But since late May, after those series' finales aired, TODAY has widened its lead.

Then there are the stories claiming Couric is the anchor from HADES. Oh yes, she is difficult, but she's also a first-rate anchor, which is why NBC wants to re-up her.

But she will leave someday, so succession chatter has begun. ANN CURRY has likely been scratched off the short list, and observers say she was recently named new co-host of DATELINE to set the table for her eventual TODAY exit. Newsreader NATALIE MORALES is a long shot, and so is CAMPBELL BROWN (WEEKEND TODAY).

That leaves Glick, who began to fill in on the 9 am edition last Monday.

JIM BELL, new executive producer of TODAY, scoffs at all this chitchat, insisting no one is being groomed to replace Couric. She's staying at TODAY he says, "Period. Make that a big period." Glick's doing the 9 am show "because the third hour is a great place to see what people have, to show their talent" and Glick "has a real freshness (and) that ability to talk about anything."

Yes, what about Alexis? She's clearly bright, and as one person who knows her says, "she has got great warmth and natural appeal. The question is, does she have enough natural chops to carry it off?"

Indeed, Glick, who was boss of 200 floor traders just three years ago, is greener than KERMIT when it comes to the tube, and the hard work is just beginning. How hard? Let us count the ways -- The top TODAY gig may seem like a lot of yucks, but do not be fooled. The on-screen persona is a studied casualness, into which a lot of work -- and intensity -- is poured. The hours are long (naturally). You get up at 4 am (sometimes 3) and if you haven't slept the night before, too bad. The appearance of on-screen fatigue is not tolerated. You hop into that limo by 4:30, and not just because subways are considered unsafe for world-famous celebs at that time of the day, but because an aide jams into your cold hands a book-length script of notes, which you are expected to read by show time. Woe betide the unprepared morning anchor who stumbles during an interview. An on-air gaffe instantly breaks the bond with millions of viewers who realize the anchor's just as fallible they are.

Then there's the performance. You may feel like hell, or you didn't sleep the night before, and the world around you is moving at the speed of sound. Then the little red light goes on. You have to be funny, smart, casual, clever, quick and knowledgeable all at once. Plus, you must look mahvelous.

One more thing -- You're the show leader, who must worry about ratings, competition, the press, story selection, self-image and TOM CRUISE's love life.

The fact that people such as Couric or Gumbel have done (or did) this job so well, year after year, is nothing short of amazing. And if Couric is a demanding boss (Gumbel sure was) or her heels go clickety-click every now and then, it's easy to understand way.

So buck up, Alexis. There's a long and winding road ahead.