If ever you wanted a case study on how to be a good talk show guest, take a page out of the Meredith Vieira play book. This seasoned professional on the other side of the desk, knows what to give and how often to give it in an interview situation. Not everyone does as well when the tables are turned. Her fearless approach, combined with energy and charm came shining through in her recent appearance on Late Night with Conan O’Brien.

Nothing phased Vieira, not a recounting of Jane Fonda’s “c**t” utterance that slipped out during a live interview; or even the “audio-erotic” sounds Meredith appeared to be making during a Today Show stunt in England — even jokingly claiming “that’s not the way I sound (during sex).” She had all the right answers and held nothing back.

Perhaps getting up at 4:30 in the morning does have its upside if you’re a student in the art of the interview. NBC not only made the right choice in their replacement for Katie Couric to keep the show on top, as the ratings of the past 18 months has proven, they also picked a seasoned veteran who is a perfect emissary for adding to their success.