CBS News should be announcing...oh...any minute now...that the great Bob Schieffer has just signed a new contract that'll keep him at the network for at least four more years - as host of "Face the Nation."
This is a big turnaround from a year ago when Bob had pretty much decided to get out while the going was good. He had planned to retire, until CBS News boss Sean McManus asked him to stay past inauguration.
This - of course - immediately set up speculation by TV writers, who added two and two together and came up with seven (we write about TV; we can't add). Aha! (we mused.) This could mean Bob will be taking over when Katie Couric leaves "Evening News," as has been reported (and re-reported) so often that it'll be huge news if she stays.
In any event, I asked Bob about the new contract and whether this means a little show with the initials "EN" is in his future. Said he:
"This is just about my continuing role at 'Face the Nation.' Covering Washington is still more fun than anything I know, so when Sean asked me to stay around, it was hard to say no."
(Above, Bob, courtesy the New York Observer)