Couric uses "Sex and the City" as a way to handle the alleged sexism she frequently faces, at least her 12-year old daughter’s take on "Sex and the City." Appearing on the July 30 edition of "The View" to promote awareness for cancer research, Couric first took questions about her career and recent allegations of sexism in the media and politics. When Joy Behar asked how she deals with such negative press, Couric, who likes to quote her daughter’s wisdom, did so again. [MP3 audio clip available here]
"But Carrie once said when I was kind of bummed out about something that somebody had written that was really nasty and had nothing to do with sort of, my abilities or my journalistic capabilities. She said ‘mom, remember what Samantha said in "Sex and the City"? "If I listen to what every bitch in New York City said about me, I’d never leave the house."’ [laughter and applause] And I said ‘Carrie, you’re not watching "Sex and the City" are you?’ She sometimes watches with Ellie and Ellie covers her eyes and closes her ears in the inappropriate parts."
From the start, Barbara Walters asked Couric about her recent cries against sexism in the Democratic primary. Couric first explained that her comments to an Israeli newspaper were lost in translation. In words very similar to Gloria Steinem’s, Couric opined that "in our culture, sexism is more socially acceptable [than racism]."
Throughout much of the rest of the interview, Couric complained about her negative press and denied rumors she is leaving her anchor position at CBS anytime soon.
The transcript is below.
BARBARA WALTERS: You at one point said that sexism was as predominant, if not more so, than racism.
KATIE COURIC: Yeah, I was misquoted actually-
WALTERS: Well, give us the quote.
COURIC: -in an Israeli newspaper actually because the guy was taking notes in Hebrew, and he didn’t have his tape recorder but, that’s- and he was under-
WALTERS: But do you think there’s sexism?
COURIC: I, I, think- well, I think that those are two different questions. I think what I have said in that past is that in our culture, sexism is more socially accepted. You know, saying comments about people based on their gender, particularly in the primary process, I think was not considered as repugnant as racism. And that in this country we need to get to a point where that is offensive as well, so that’s what I said.
WALTERS: Okay, but what about you?
COURIC: For me, I think, I don’t, I think there’s some sexism of the coverage of me because, for example, my first night, I thought the newscast was strong and smart, but pretty much most people wrote that I had a white jacket on after Labor Day. [laughter] You know, those rules are so five minutes ago, by the way. And it was winter white, and PS, Armani. So it’s like exsqueeze me.
WALTERS: You know, we also hear the reports you’re leaving now, you’re leaving after the election. You have a contract for three years.
COURIC: Five years actually.
WALTERS: Okay, so I have a simple question: Are you going to stay for five years?
COURIC: You know, I think that I’m enjoying what I’m doing now. [laughter] Is that fly back?
WALTERS: The fly!
ELISABETH HASSELBECK: It’s back.
COURIC: I’m really enjoying what I’m doing now. I really like the people I’m working with.
WALTERS: Five years?
COURIC: We’ll see, you know. We’ll see. I hope that the, you know, I mean, you have to constantly assess the situation and I think , you know, I’m enjoying it, and I think our show is really strong. We just won an Edward R. Murrow award for best newscast. So it’s nice-
JOY BEHAR: Did he wear a white jacket after Labor Day?
WALTERS: So you’re not leaving after the elections.
COURIC: No. I have no plans to be.
BEHAR: The press has been negative, though, of- a lot of negative press of you.
COURIC: Very, uh huh.
BEHAR: And it’s very hurtful I think. And how do you deal with that with your daughters?
COURIC: Well, they, you know, first of all, we don’t really pay that much attention to it.
BEHAR: Good.
COURIC: And, you know, my daughter Carrie is so- oh there they are! We were inside- I know- Carrie’s 12 and Ellie’s 17, she’s going to be a senior in high school next year. I can’t even believe it. We’re looking at colleges, I’m like ah!
BEHAR: We’re all growing old with all of your children.
COURIC: But Carrie once said when I was kind of bummed out about something that somebody had written that was really nasty and had nothing to do with sort of, my abilities or my journalistic capabilities. She said "mom, remember what Samantha said in ‘Sex and the City’? ‘If I listen to what every bitch in New York City said about me, I’d never leave the house.’" [laughter and applause] And I said "Carrie, you’re not watching ‘Sex and the City’ are you?" She sometimes watches with Ellie and Ellie covers her eyes and closes her ears in the inappropriate parts.
Photo Credit: AP photo via FoxNews.com
