In a morning show battle of guests with a history, former Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska and newswoman Katie Couric appeared respectively on NBC's 'Today' and ABC's 'Good Morning America."

Palin began her two hour stint on the 'Today' show couch reading a broadsheet amid a pile of newspapers.

The scene was a reference to an interview during the last presidential campaign when Couric asked Palin what newspapers she read. At the time Palin did not name a single news publication.

"I see she's doing her homework," said host Matt Lauer.

Meanwhile, on 'GMA' , a pre-taped segment showed the Couric, who will be on the program for a week, walking around Times Square, including a stop at Madame Tussauds where she stood next to wax figures of her former 'Today' show colleagues, Lauer and Al Roker.

Couric jokingly spoke to the Roker figure.

"How's the weather in your neck of the woods?" she said, using one of the weather man's catch phrases.

Palin's guest host duties were announced after ABC said Couric would be hosting for a week.

'Today' is a longtime ratings champion in the U.S. morning show business, although 'GMA' has been recently threatening that standing with a ratings surge.

After Lauer asked Palin if she was happy with the status of Mitt Romney as the Republican leading contender for the party's presidential nomination, Palin said "anything is possible, there can still be a bit of a shakeup."

"It doesn't sound like you're happy with Mitt Romney as the party's nominee," Lauer replied.

"Anybody but Obama," she said.

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