She can sleep in: CBS' Rene Syler to leave `The Early Show' later

NEW YORK (AP) Rene Syler, a member of the four-person anchor team on CBS' morning news show, will leave the program shortly before Christmas, the network said on Monday.<br/><br/>The network said Syler

Monday, December 4th 2006, 6:35 pm

By: News On 6

NEW YORK (AP) Rene Syler, a member of the four-person anchor team on CBS' morning news show, will leave the program shortly before Christmas, the network said on Monday.

The network said Syler is leaving "The Early Show" to pursue other media opportunities. Her first book, "Good Enough Mother," is being published next year.

CBS has tried many different personalities and styles over decades in the morning, but has always remained third in the ratings.

Since 2002, Syler has anchored the program along with Julie Chen, Harry Smith and Hannah Storm in CBS' attempt to try something different than the traditional two-anchor format.

Earlier this year, the network hired veteran morning-show producer Steve Friedman, who wasn't involved in creating that format, and gave him a mandate to make the program more competitive.

CBS said it has no immediate plans to replace Syler.

Syler has been active in raising awareness about breast cancer since her mother and father both had the disease. After doctors told her that she had a greater than normal chance of developing the disease, she kept a video diary of her experience for a story that won the 2004 Gracie Allen Award.

"I'm now on to the next chapter in my life, literally," she said. "My book will be published in March, and I'll be off on a book tour across the U.S., where I very much look forward to meeting in person all the people I've woken up with for the last four years."

Her final broadcast will be on December 22nd.