Morgan Freeman Replaces Walter Cronkite's Voice in Katie Couric CBS Intro - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 01-05-2010, 02:20 AM

Nearly six months after Walter Cronkite's death, his voice is leaving the 'CBS Evening News.'

His introduction of anchor Katie Couric was replaced Monday by a voiceover featuring actor Morgan Freeman.

The legendary CBS News anchor recorded the introduction, played at the beginning of most newscasts, when Couric started at CBS in 2006. Cronkite's voice was kept on the air even after his death July 17.

"As comforting as it is to look back on the great career that Walter had, we're looking forward now and we just felt it was the right time to make the move that at some point had to be made," said CBS News and Sports President Sean McManus. "This seemed like the appropriate time since Walter's passing to make the move."

Having Freeman on board gives CBS the flexibility to record different intros when Couric has special reports and is on location, he said.

CBS has replaced Cronkite with a generic voice over the past few months when it wanted to highlight something special.

The change also gives the network more consistency, McManus said.

The Oscar-winning actor isn't the only star to lend his voice for news promos. According to Gawker, Michael Douglas opens 'NBC Nightly News' and 'Dirty Jobs' star Mike Rowe does the same for ABC.

http://www.popeater.com/2010/01/04/m...-evening-news/

Zoneboy · 01-05-2010, 02:36 AM

Katie was the one needing replacing not Walter's voice.

MickeyMac · 01-05-2010, 06:41 PM

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

TV Knowledge Fan · 01-06-2010, 01:20 AM

...and his name is Wendell Craig. He also announces the weekend editions of the "EVENING NEWS", and is mostly the "sponsor I.D." voice for the daily telecasts {"Tonight's 'EYE ON AMERICA' segment is sponsored by..."}. The only reason Morgan Freeman's voice is now used to open the show is because Sean McManus believes his is a voice that lends "prestiege" to the broadcast (as much as Cronkite's did). For all his abilties as a dramatic actor, though, Freeman is definitely not an "announcer". Who knows how long this arrangement will last?

I prefer Wendell Craig.

angiefan · 01-06-2010, 08:15 PM

Walter Cronkite's Voice does NOT need to be Replaced by Morgan Freeman.

01-05-2010, 02:20 AM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,108	Morgan Freeman Replaces Walter Cronkite's Voice in Katie Couric CBS Intro Nearly six months after Walter Cronkite's death, his voice is leaving the 'CBS Evening News.' His introduction of anchor Katie Couric was replaced Monday by a voiceover featuring actor Morgan Freeman. The legendary CBS News anchor recorded the introduction, played at the beginning of most newscasts, when Couric started at CBS in 2006. Cronkite's voice was kept on the air even after his death July 17. "As comforting as it is to look back on the great career that Walter had, we're looking forward now and we just felt it was the right time to make the move that at some point had to be made," said CBS News and Sports President Sean McManus. "This seemed like the appropriate time since Walter's passing to make the move." Having Freeman on board gives CBS the flexibility to record different intros when Couric has special reports and is on location, he said. CBS has replaced Cronkite with a generic voice over the past few months when it wanted to highlight something special. The change also gives the network more consistency, McManus said. The Oscar-winning actor isn't the only star to lend his voice for news promos. According to Gawker, Michael Douglas opens 'NBC Nightly News' and 'Dirty Jobs' star Mike Rowe does the same for ABC. http://www.popeater.com/2010/01/04/m...-evening-news/
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01-05-2010, 02:36 AM	#2
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,339	Katie was the one needing replacing not Walter's voice.
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01-06-2010, 01:20 AM	#4
TV Knowledge Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 29, 2006 Location: Long Branch, N.J. Posts: 2,577	CBS already has a perfectly good announcer for its "EVENING NEWS".... ...and his name is Wendell Craig. He also announces the weekend editions of the "EVENING NEWS", and is mostly the "sponsor I.D." voice for the daily telecasts {"Tonight's 'EYE ON AMERICA' segment is sponsored by..."}. The only reason Morgan Freeman's voice is now used to open the show is because Sean McManus believes his is a voice that lends "prestiege" to the broadcast (as much as Cronkite's did). For all his abilties as a dramatic actor, though, Freeman is definitely not an "announcer". Who knows how long this arrangement will last? I prefer Wendell Craig.

01-06-2010, 08:15 PM	#5
angiefan happy labor day! Forum Regular Join Date: Apr 15, 2006 Location: grand blanc,michigan Posts: 618	Morgan Freeman replaces Walter Cronkite's Voice in Katie Couric CBS intro Walter Cronkite's Voice does NOT need to be Replaced by Morgan Freeman.

01-05-2010, 06:41 PM	#3
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,004	BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO