Like many of my readers, I think Anderson Cooper (at right) is an outstanding reporter. That's why I chose to feature him in this weekend's print Who's News column.  Unfortunately, we didn't have room for all the interesting answers he wrote to our e-mailed questions (it was the one way we could get him quickly), so I'm sharing here.

Q. We've seen you subbing for Regis Philbin on Live with Regis and Kelly. How do you like that? Could you see yourself doing a talk show in your future?

Sitting next to Kelly Ripa is one of the funnest jobs I've ever had. She and Gelman, the whole team over there are a joy to work with.  My favorite part of the show is the fifteen minutes of chat in the beginning.  It's all unscripted, but Kelly is so smart and funny she makes it seem easy. She is a major talent.  As for doing something like that in my future?  I should be so lucky.

Q. Do you think the traditional network nightly newscasts are still important? Can they be fixed (to interest more viewers) or do you think there's just so much news available all day on cable and internet that younger people don't consider nightly news vital?

Those broadcasts are still watched by a lot of people, so of course, they are still very relevant.  I don't think they will be able to attract more young viewers, however.  All of us are working longer and fewer and fewer of us are home at 6:30 for the traditional network newscast.  That being said, the broadcast networks can do a better job of reaching out to news consumers on multiple platforms.

Q, What are some things you do when you're not working? Hobbies? Etc.?

My deal (to be on) 60 Minutes is that I can only work for them on holidays and weekends, so I am pretty much working most of the time.  In my spare time I've been fixing up my house for a while and I read a lot.

Q. If you weren't a journalist, you'd be a....

...... lot less tired.

(photo courtesy cnn.com)