Katie Couric and Diane Sawyer have been two of the most respected names in broadcast news for several decades, but a new tell-all book claims that the iconic journalists sank to stunning lows while fiercely competing with one another early in their careers.
In The News Sorority, veteran journalist Sheila Weller levels some startling accusations at Couric, Sawyer and CNN’s Christiane Amanpour.
Newly released excerpts from the book aren’t flattering for any of the women involved, and one anecdote in particular has caught the Internet’s attention in a big way:
“When Diane beat Katie on an interview with a 57-year-old woman who’d given birth to twins,” Weller writes. “Katie mused aloud, according to a person who heard the comment: ‘I wonder who she blew this time.'”
Yes, Couric reportedly accused Couric of gaining the upper hand by giving out sexual favors.
If true, it was a low blow to be sure. But if the ultimate prize in the competition between Couric and Sawyer was a reputation as a “serious journalist,” then we suppose Sawyer emerged victorious.
Sawyer anchored ABC’s World News tonight for five years before stepping down last night to focus on correspondent work. Meanwhile, the much younger Couric was fired from the CBS Evening News in 2011 and went on to host a syndicated daytime talk show.
Of course, at the end of the day, all that really matters is that neither of them can lip sync like Brian Williams: