CBS this morning in BH at the Press Tour, and because the overall narrative contours of these affairs are so easy to draw, let's just go ahead and figure out what's on this morning's agenda.We begin at 9 (05) with Nina Tassler, CBS Entertainment chief, who will promptly declare - I'm just gonna make stuff up at this point - that Billy Petersen's eventual withdrawal from "CSI" will have "little impact" on one of "TV's great dramas" and (let's just keep making up quotes here) and that "Bill and Tony [Zuiker] always envisioned a moment when Grissom would leave, and have to leave. This opens up the series to new casting possibilities, and we'll be announcing those shortly, or leaking details to Michael Ausiello at 'EW.'" Meanwhile - she continues - "like any great TV drama, the ensemble is what counts. This departure ensures that 'CSI' will continue for years to come..."
Didn't you hear? They don't make news at Press Tour, just omelettes...
Next at 10, west coast time, Katie and the other toppers from CBS News will appear via satellite. This is actually a gutsy and mid-level surprising move, insofar as Katie et al know precisely what people will ask, and that probably won't be "how DO you plan to cover the conventions?"
This is actually an interesting appearance because the Omniscient We of the Mainstream Media - amazingly, always right, too - have declared that Katie will be gone after the inauguration. But, wouldn't it be exciting if....the giant head of CBS News boss Sean McManus appeared up there on the screen and said, "Katie's going nowhere - she's our anchor now and well into the future..."
But like I said, news rarely breaks out here. I suspect we'll hear this: "I just don't think this is the appropriate forum to discuss my future," says Katie. End of questions...
I'll get back to you shortly with the real quotes.