An Open Letter to Katie Couric

Katie, you're no longer America's sweetheart. As you've become more powerful, you've also become a bit more strident. We viewers are picking up some tense vibes. But that personality that charmed Americans is still there -- you just need a little help coaxing it back out so it can work on your behalf. Here's my advice:

• You're short. Deal with it. Stop using it as an excuse for wearing those dangerously high heeled shoes. Your footwear alienates you from the average female viewer in the hinterlands, who wears sensible shoes.
• Learn how to deal with other people's scripting mistakes off-camera.
• Give the job of Room Mother to someone else. Relax. Don't worry so much about whether Matt or Al are going off-topic. Smile, be gracious, join in the fun. Let a producer be the nag.