The “CBS Evening News” is bringing back its classic “On the Road” segments made famous by Charles Kuralt on he program in the 1960’s and 1970’s. For the 21st century installment of the program, Steve Hartman has been tapped as the correspondent to do the exploring.
TVNewser spoke to Hartman this morning about bringing the segment back.
[CBS News chairman] Jeff Fager decided he wanted to bring it back, asked me if I would be willing, and I said I would, although as much as it is an honor, it is also incredibly frightening, as I don’t see how anybody could live up to that title,” Hartman says. “It is intimidating, I mean he was so good, and he would write beautifully. They are going to be very hard shoes to fill, that is for sure.”Hartman says he watched a number of Kuralt’s classic pieces, and has followed up on a number of them. The first new “On the Road” segment airs tonight.
“We have a pretty good idea of what we are going to do for the next couple, they are, in a lot of ways similar to what I have been doing, but now I am going to have all the more pressure to make them better,” Hartman says.
What should viewers expect? Anyone who remembers the Kuralt pieces should have a good idea:
“I am looking for stories that are either heartfelt or funny, or ideally make people feel something,” Hartman says. “But at the end of the day, I want them all to be something that I want to watch myself.”
One of Kuralt’s classic pieces is below.