Katie Couric Reveals Bryant Gumbel's Sexist Attitude During Maternity Leave

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Katie Couric and Bryant Gumbel Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for UNICEF

Katie Couric recently talked about her experience working with Bryant Gumbel on the Today show. Couric, who is now 67 years old, recalled how Gumbel showed a "sexist attitude" towards her during their time as coanchors. She shared this during an episode of Bill Maher's "Club Random" podcast.

Couric explained that Gumbel got upset with her when she took time off for maternity leave. She mentioned how he criticized her for taking a month or two off to have her first baby. Couric recalled Gumbel saying something like, "Why don't you just drop it in the field and come back?" This comment made by Gumbel reflected his sexist attitude towards her.

She mentioned that he was joking around and teasing her in a playful but disrespectful way, which reflected a sexist attitude.

Even though Couric complimented Bryant's smooth and articulate broadcasting skills, she also described him as being difficult to deal with and having a very masculine personality.

We have contacted Bryant for his input.

Bryant started working on Today in 1982. Couric joined him in 1991. She had her first daughter, Ellie, with her late husband Jay Monahan shortly after. They had their second daughter, Carrie, in 1996. Unfortunately, Monahan passed away from colon cancer two years later at the age of 42.

Couric and Bryant were colleagues at NBC until Bryant left the network in 1997 to join CBS. Following his departure, Couric also made the move to CBS and made history by becoming the first female anchor for CBS Evening News in 2006.

Katie Couric And Bryant Gumbel

Couric has been open about sexism in the workplace before. In a 2018 forum discussing women in the workplace, she shared her experiences with inappropriate comments at work. This included having her clothing choices criticized when she started hosting CBS Evening News, as well as a disturbing incident at CNN where an executive attributed her success to her hard work, intelligence, and breast size.

Couric mentioned that instead of ignoring the comment, she decided to reach out to the executive who had called her, and he was very apologetic.

She also shared that although she has been lucky to not experience much sexual misconduct, she has faced common societal beliefs about women and how they are often stereotyped.

Couric worked alongside Matt Lauer as her cohost on Today for many years. Lauer was fired from NBC on November 29 due to allegations of sexual misconduct in the workplace, which he has denied. When Couric discussed her experience with Lauer on “Club Random” with Maher, she mentioned that the atmosphere in broadcast news was distinct.

According to Couric, there was a significant amount of socializing among colleagues, which she described as "interoffice relationships" in a more polite manner.

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