Countdown to Katie: Couric excited about her new talk show, bringing smart talk back to daytime

NEW YORK - With more 30 years in television, broadcast journalist and author Katie Couric is adding another item to her resume -- a talk show.

I recently traveled to New York City to talk with Katie about this new chapter in her life. I had a great time seeing how excited the staff and crew are about this new venture in Katie's life.

We know Couric is no stranger to the camera and she's used to all eyes being on her. But not in a talk show format with a live studio audience. So I asked her if she was nervous.

"On a scale of 1 to 10, I'm probably a 5," she said. "I've been biting my nails a little more that I used to, but it's sort of a nervous excitement. I think you have to be fully engaged in your life. And that's when you're sort of operating on all four cylinders. So I'm nervous, but excited."

Katie said they have been waiting for this for more than a year. She is grateful to the people who are working together to make this show a success and doing everything they can.

Well, the year paid off. Katie feels it gave her staff time to zero in on the focus of her show, and afforded people a chance to heal from the loss of another one.

"It gave people a year to maybe get over their Oprah hangover. Because I do not want to be in a position where people would ever compare me to Oprah. Because there is only one Oprah and I don't think anyone can replace her," she said.

But Katie does feel her show can fill a void and hopes to build a connection with the person who is curious about everything from the news of the day to the news makers we all talk about.

Couric said, "I think people have missed that in-depth conversation in the afternoon. A chance to really get to know somebody who is a news maker or a celebrity. A chance to really roll up your sleeves and dig deep into an issue or a topic or a cultural trend or what going on with something. I think people are ready to embrace that again. Or at least I hope so."

Katie's talk show premieres on Sept. 10, 2012 on NewsChannel5 at 3 p.m. For more information, go to www.katiecouric.com