"I think she'll be missed at NBC, but I don't think she'll have any problem sliding into the new position," said West, who was shopping in Danbury on Wednesday. "I think it's wonderful."

West said she believes Couric's handling of her personal challenges – she's had to raise two daughters alone since her husband died – has helped to form a bond with her viewers.

"She has great personal chemistry, a great following and a lot of energy," said West. "I believe she'll be welcomed by everyone in her new job."

Maybe not everyone.

An Associated Press-TV Guide poll conducted Monday and Tuesday found about 55 percent of those polled said they have a favorable view of Couric. But about half of those polled, 49 percent, said they would prefer to see Couric stay in her longtime role as anchor of NBC's "Today" show.

Some 29 percent said they'd rather see her on the evening news.

About half in the poll said they were likely to tune in to see Couric in her new role. Six in 10 women said they would watch Couric in the evenings, compared to 38 percent of men.

Some TV critics have also wondered whether Couric has the journalistic chops to follow in the footsteps of CBS news stalwarts such as Edward Murrow, Walter Cronkite and Dan Rather. Couric is known as a good interviewer, but during her 15 years at the "Today" show she handled a lot of fluffy topics.

"If we have another (terrorist) attack or hurricane and need lifesaving information, I think her image is that of more fluff than fact and that's going to have an impact," said Jeff Alan, author of "Anchoring America: The Changing Face of Network News."

Others call such criticism thinly veiled sexism. After all, few questioned Tom Brokaw's seriousness when he switched from a "Today" host in the 1970s to become NBC's longtime top anchor.

Danbury area residents are among those who are curious to see whether Couric can make the switch from the peaches-'n-cream brand of morning television to the harder news anchor spot.

Bethel resident Frank Avallone, 26, owner of Avallone Wine and Spirits, who watches all three networks, said only time will tell whether Couric can make the change.

"We're used to seeing her in the morning being perky," said Avallone. "Now she's going to have to deal with more heavier news. I think she's a credible broadcaster but if she's no good, she won't last long."

Retired retail executive Carolyn Hitter, 55, of Roxbury, another all-channel viewer, believes an evening news program requires presenters to be more serious than morning anchors.

"Maybe it's a whole new world but I think Couric is too giggly for the evening show," said Hitter. "It's all right to be perky on a morning segment but the evening show is different. Maybe the old-timers who watched Walter Cronkite aren't around anymore."

By contrast, 17-year-old Allison Walker, a Danbury High School senior, believes Couric is a good reporter and will do well at CBS.

"I think she's very believable," said Walker, who has watched Couric on the "Today" show and will switch to see her on CBS. "She makes everything interesting and she's very animated. I think it's refreshing to see something different, and the change may give CBS a good push."

For Mike Schwartz, 42, of Sherman, who follows several TV news shows, whether Couric presents a morning program or anchors an evening news slot is academic.

"It really doesn't matter who delivers it," said Schwartz. "I'm not big on personalities. I'm more interested in the content of a program. I think Couric is a talented broadcaster but if Joe Schmoe did it, it wouldn't make any difference to me."

Certainly Faye Brooks, 51, a Danbury housewife, has no reservations about the switch.

"Katie is easy to listen to and she comes across in a very pleasant way," Brooks said. "Although she's going to have to handle some heavier news, I think she can do it. If a man can handle it so can a woman.

"I don't think they would have given her all that money if they didn't think she could do it."

Contact Brian Saxton

at bsaxton@newstimes.com

or at (203) 731-3332.

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