Your YouTube channel is a little out there. Well, sometimes I think I get a little too weird. ’Cause, I mean, we would wing it 100 percent, pretty much. And so obviously it’s just loopier and more relaxed. We can make jokes. I can say to Hillary, “Why do you have a nutcracker and Sarah Palin has an action figure?” Which is probably not something I would ask her if I were doing a network-news special.

Why? Because my bosses would probably choke.

Network-news shows are seeing their ratings wither away. Are you disappointed about the ­format’s decreasing influence? Clearly I knew this was a declining genre when I came here, because I’m not an idiot, you know? I knew that network news was declining, and evening newscasts in particular.

But they really play an important role, and I thought that if I could have the opportunity to somehow revitalize it in some small way, it would be a noble endeavor. I have to believe that there is a place for quality and experience. Because many of these outlets are not necessarily legitimate news sources, whether it’s blogs or people who are spouting their opinions about this, that, and the other thing. And there should be, I think, outlets for accuracy and credibility and experience and evenhandedness. But I don’t know. What will ultimately be considered legitimate news may change in the future.

There was talk a while back that suggested you were going to leave the CBS Evening News before your contract was up. All those stories were really blown out of proportion. 

Meaning they were not accurate? No, they weren’t.

You’re really smiling, though. Because it was a bit of a nightmare.

I need a straight answer. Like any person, I want to make sure people are happy with the job I’m doing, and there are ongoing con­versations about whether we are doing the right kind of show. There was a feel­ing a while ago that it was a fairly confining format for me, so we’ve had discussions about that. But I think during the election cycle we really broke out in an important way, and our coverage was certainly praised, so I think we—“we” meaning the ­Evening News folks—are feeling very great about the product. Those stories were so twisted and taken out of context. That’s all I want to say about it.

What if Larry King left CNN and they begged you to take his seat? You know what? I’ve always had this philosophy in my life that I don’t try to think about what’s around the corner.

What is it like being a single mom? I have to say, sometimes it’s hard. I have a great live-in nanny, who is getting married in September and moving to England. And she’s been a huge force in our lives. Listen, it’s not easy—as any single parent will tell you—but when you have means, it’s a lot easier. But it’s challenging, and I’m as guilt-ridden as any working mom is. I just try to do the best I can, you know? I’ve run up to many a volleyball game at my daughter’s high school at 4 in the afternoon, stayed for half an hour, cheered, and run back and done the newscast. And it’s really hard when I can’t. So sometimes I wonder if my kids are going to put my face on a milk carton. But then we become reacquainted again. As you can see, my guilt is oozing out of every pore.

Last question: Which newspapers and magazines do you read? Anything and everything. I’m kidding, don’t use that. That’s what Sarah Palin said.