Secretary of State Hillary Clinton discussed the ongoing Libyan crisis with Erica Hill on The Early Show and revealed that regarding any strategy, “we believe it’s important that this not be an American, or a NATO, or a European effort. It needs to be an international one.”

KCBS-TV reporter Serene Branson visited the CBS Early Show Friday morning, talking about the Grammys night liveshot that left many viewers worried they’d just witnessed a reporter having a stroke on live television. Appearing with Erica Hill and CBS medical reporter Dr. Jennifer Ashton, Branson said she felt nervous about returning to work but had been fully cleared to do so by her doctors.

CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric tells the New York Post she didn’t have a hand in the decision to replace Early Show co-hosts Harry Smith and Maggie Rodriguez, but she did mention that Erica Hill, who was then at CNN, might be worth watching.

“I first saw Erica on Anderson Cooper,” Couric tells the Post‘s Michael Shain, “and I liked that she was cheeky and seemed to have a sense of humor.”

The new-look CBS Early Show has one week under its belt, and the show’s executive producer David Friedman likes what he sees. “I’m extremely happy,” Friedman tells the New York Daily News‘ Richard Huff.

Friedman say his new morning team of Chris Wragge, Erica Hill, Marysol Castro and Jeff Glor have changed the energy of CBS’s last-placed wakeup show:

In case you missed it (perhaps your iPhone alarm left you snoozing), the new-look showroom fresh 2012 CBS Early Show launched this morning. And there was much rejoicing.

Chris Wragge and Erica Hill replace the departed Harry Smith and Maggie Rodriguez as co-anchors.

CBS debuts its yet-again-revamped Early Show on Monday, and that meant a moment of reflection and farewell for Harry Smith this New Year’s Eve.

After two tours totaling 17 years on CBS’ early shift, Smith signed off at the end of his final show Friday, describing his major emotion as “one of gratitude, absolute gratitude.”

On The Early Show, soon-to-be new co-host Erica Hill interviewed a delirious Larry King who danced, sang, and recited strange poetry to Hill’s amused bewilderment. Hill told viewers “For the first time in 53 years, Larry King is without a radio or TV program to host.” Who could have guessed Hill’s seemingly innocuous introduction was truly a viewer warning, since King (who just ended his CNN show), apparently doesn’t know what to do with himself trying everything from a surprisingly successful turn atstand-up comedy to a painfully awkward song and dance here.

CBS needed to do something with its struggling morning show, but is the soon-to-debut duo of Chris Wragge and Erica Hill the answer? Maybe not.

A survey of media buyers reveals a general consensus among the folks who make key advertising spending decisions: CBS’ Morning Show was in major need of “something,” but “I’m not sure this is it.”

CBS’ repeatedly revamped and ratings-challenged Early Show will be clearing the decks yet again. The AP’s David Bauder reports anchors Harry Smith and Maggie Rodriguez, along with weatherman Dave Price, are all on the chopping block.

Weekend Early Show regulars Erica Hill and Chris Wragge are slated to become the new main duo. Marysol Castro will reportedly step into Price’s role.

The Early Show‘s Erica Hill warned viewers that they were all “about to see a whole lot more of Levi Johnston.” Considering the guy posed for Playgirl, that’s saying a lot. Still, it’s definitely true as he’s got both a reality show and a mayoral campaign coming up. Now that he’s finally separated from the Palin clan for good (except for, y’know, that whole child thing), he can speak freely about the big Mama Grizzly. He began his new-found freedom by completely retracting his apology to the family.

CNN’s Erica Hill, Anderson Cooper‘s 360 sidekick and sassy onscreen better-half, is leaving the network — and the show she shares with Cooper — to go to CBS full-time (she’s currently co-host of the CBS Early Show on Saturdays). Cooper announced it on tonight’s show “with a heavy heart,” saying “I cannot imagine doing this program without Erica Hill and I cannot really express how much I’m going to miss you.” Check out the video of the moving goodbye inside.

Kathy Griffin will be co-hosting CNN’s New Year’s Eve coverage with Anderson Cooper tonight, live from Times Square. Last night, CNN viewers got a taste of what was to come as Griffin joined guest host Erica Hill on the set of AC 360, in what turned out to be a remarkably entertaining segment. However, the real revelation in the interview turned out to be Ms. Hill, whose comedic timing and whip-smart retorts showed that she has the chops to stay with anyone. Very funny video after the jump:

There are just some things you don’t ask a lady — like, say, asking “Bachelorette” Jillian Harris how many of the guys on the show she slept with. But that’s’ just what Anderson Cooper did while filling in on Regis & Kelly earlier this week. But should Cooper — who famously refuses to answer questions about his personal life — have the right to ask?

Maybe it’s all that medium is the message stuff, but Mediaite has been popping up in the television world a lot lately. Prior to all that scruffy-faced interrupting, Mediaite made a cameo on Anderson Cooper 360‘s “The Shot.” Apparently Anderson Cooper is a bit of a moody muggle.