If Katie Couric and Matt Lauer do end up hosting a syndicated talk show, they're going to have to brush up on their banter. That much was clear during Couric's stilted, nervous appearance on The Today Show this morning.

In their defense, it's tough to have a nationally televised conversation about a career move you (maybe) are planning in secret. But it's even tougher when you pretend you have no idea what's happening. That was Lauer's approach in the interview. Couric responded with sporadic odd gurgling noises and murmured replies.

One thing seemed clear: Couric doesn't plan on working anywhere where she can't be Katie Couric. Along with the standard boilerplate about how nice it would be to have "smart conversations" in greater length, she made it clear her ideal new gig would give her "a little more wiggle room for me to show my personality."

In other words, start adjusting your anchor chair, Scott Pelley.

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Ray Gustini