Katie Couric reflects on encountering a “sexist attitude” during her tenure as a female journalist in the 1990s.
During Sunday’s installment of Bill Maher’s “Club Random” podcast, the seasoned news anchor reminisced about her partnership with former “Today” show co-host Bryant Gumbel. They helmed the morning program together from 1991 to 1997 until Gumbel departed NBC for CBS.
While lauding Gumbel as a “seamless broadcaster” and acknowledging his considerable talent and intellect, Couric admitted to occasional clashes between them.
Describing Gumbel as “a guy’s guy,” Couric, now 67, recounted moments of friction. “He was prickly, but I mean, what a talent. I mean, my God,” she told Maher.
She noted that Gumbel, now 75, departed “Today” in 1997 after a 15-year stint, coinciding with her own departure in 2006 following a similar tenure.
Couric recalled a specific incident from 1991 when tensions arose as she prepared to take maternity leave during her first pregnancy. Gumbel, she recounted, expressed displeasure about her upcoming absence, resulting in what she described as “endless” friction.
Gumbel’s most recent hosting gig was on HBO’s “Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel,” which concluded last year after its 29th season.
