Katie Couric recently opened up about the challenges she faced during her time at NBC’s “Today,” particularly the “incredibly sexist attitude” displayed by her co-anchor Bryant Gumbel when she took maternity leave in the 1990s. Couric’s candid discussion occurred during an appearance on the “Club Random” podcast, hosted by Bill Maher, where the veteran journalist delved into her personal experiences with workplace sexism.
Couric, who co-anchored with Gumbel from 1991 until his departure in 1997, recounted an incident where Gumbel took issue with her taking a month or two off for the birth of her first child. “He was giving me endless s— for taking like a month or two off. I was having my first baby,” Couric said. She remembered a particularly jarring comment from Gumbel, who quipped, “Why don’t you just drop it in the field and come back to work right away or something?” Despite the joking tone, Couric felt that the remarks were “emblematic of sort of an incredibly sexist attitude.”
The conversation about Gumbel’s behavior was prompted by Maher, who described Gumbel as a “guy’s guy,” a sentiment echoed by Couric. She expressed admiration for Gumbel’s skills as a broadcaster, calling him “prickly, but, what a talent. He’s such a seamless broadcaster, eloquent.”
The discussion took a broader turn as Maher noted the presence of an “old boys’ network” during the time Couric and Gumbel worked together, referencing Matt Lauer’s tenure and subsequent firing from the “Today” show amidst allegations of sexual misconduct. Couric acknowledged that the environment was “very different” back then, with “lots of fraternization” – a euphemism for relationships within the workplace.
In response, Maher said, “Women had to put up with more. They just did. I mean, you know, not to get all fuzzy and Lifetime Channel about it, but people like you and Barbara Walters — or just like women comedians of a certain age — you have to really tip your hat to them because it was harder.”Couric concurred, suggesting that while she doesn’t like to use the term “microaggressions,” it was an accurate descriptor of what she and her female colleagues frequently encountered.
Representatives for Gumbel and the “Today” show did not respond. Couric has continued to share her journey, including personal milestones like becoming a grandmother, while reflecting on the progress and persistent issues in the television industry.
Relevant articles:
– Katie Couric says Bryant Gumbel had an ‘incredibly sexist attitude’ about her maternity leave on Today show
– Katie Couric claims former ‘Today’ co-anchor Bryant Gumbel had ‘sexist attitude’ about her maternity leave, Page Six, Tue, 16 Apr 2024 23:40:00 GMT
– Katie Couric Says Bryant Gumbel Had an “Incredibly Sexist Attitude” About Her ‘Today’ Maternity Leave, Hollywood Reporter, Tue, 16 Apr 2024 20:36:34 GMT
– Katie Couric Says Bryant Gumbel Had an “Incredibly Sexist Attitude” About Her ‘Today’ Maternity Leave, imdb, Tue, 16 Apr 2024 20:45:36 GMT