Ex-'View' Vieira steps up to replace Couric on 'Today'

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(Free-Press-Release.com) September 13, 2006 -- NEW YORK -- Today is a big day for NBC's ''Today'' show, as television's most popular morning show brings in Meredith Vieira to take Katie Couric's place and moves into a flashy new studio set.
Couric's exit didn't put a dent in the show's ratings dominance during the summer, and now NBC hopes that viewers warm to Vieira, former panelist on ''The View,'' as Matt Lauer's on-air partner.

Given the ''Today'' show's importance to the network -- it's the most profitable show on television and riding a ratings winning streak of more than a decade -- Vieira can be forgiven a few deep breaths before the camera's red light goes on.
She will continue as host of the syndicated ''Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,'' and said she has gotten a head start by taping 60 of the new season's 175 new shows.
The blunt, funny Vieira acknowledged she may have to tone things down a little in her new job -- then, at a news conference, quickly answered a question about what her new beverage of choice in the morning will be by joking, ''gin.''

''They asked for personality -- my personality,'' she said. ''It's the big mistake they made. They're getting it.''

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