Maybe CBS can use the extra $15 million to hire back all the reporters it laid off last week

A friend of mine appeared on the “Today” a number of years ago, where he witnessed one of Katie Couric’s infamous-inside-the-industry tantrums. He looked around, and noticed that the expressions on the faces of crew members was not of the “Oh, sh!t, we screwed up” variety, but more like a blasé “Here we go again.”

A female comic who witnessed a similar side of Couric joked that during her “Today” tenure, if a woman wanted to hack Katie off, all she need do was wear nicer shoes.

Today, the nicer shoes can be found at “NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams” and “ABC World News with Charles Gibson:” As we noted yesterday, the low ratings for “The CBS Evening News with Katie Couric” has her considering leaving well before her contract expires in 2011.

Did we say “well before?” Her departure may well be imminent, according to the New York Times, which reports that yesterday’s Wall Street Journal story on her impending departure may have accelerated the process. Noting that Couric met with CBS brass to discuss her future at the network, Bill Carter and Jacques Steinberg write:

“[R]umors from CBS News and reported in the news media may have, inadvertently or not, done what the meeting failed to do: ensured Ms. Couric’s early departure.

“Though some people close to Ms. Couric, as well as some professional associates, said Thursday they believed that it was now likely she would not remain as anchor through the election, and might even leave in the next few weeks, that point was adamantly denied by the senior executives closest to the decision.

“‘Katie is absolutely going to continue as anchor until the [2009 Presidential] inauguration and very possibly beyond that,’” one said.”

Very possibly? That doesn’t seem to be a big vote of confidence. The Times continues:

“[E]ven the hint that Ms. Couric might depart was hardly a development that CBS News needs. …

“Some of Ms. Couric’s friends have described her as miserable, while others say she has adopted a stoic reaction to what has happened. …

“‘She’s fine,’ an associate said. ‘She’s annoyed at all the stories being leaked about her. But she’s not angry. You could say she’s in a good position now. She’s got zero to lose.’”

That’s not particularly suggestive of a long-term tenure for Couric, either.

Here’s how bad it is: The Washington Post has already moved past her, focusing on who will occupy the anchor’s chair next. Among those said to be in the running are Harry Smith, one of the co-anchors of CBS’s “The Early Show,” and CNN’s Anderson Cooper, while in an online chat, Post TV Columnist Lisa de Moreas championed David Caruso (whipping his “CSI: Miami” sunglasses on and off during every story) and Christopher Walken, both brilliant suggestions. Let’s hope Les Moonves is paying attention.