A blockbuster trade of TV superstars was floated Friday by TV insiders as a solution to CBS' Couric problem.

Cooper, CNN's prematurely gray prince of cable TV, would replace Couric as the anchor of CBS' "Evening News." He already is a contributor to CBS' "60 Minutes," they said.

And CNN will eventually need to replace the iconic Larry King, who is 74.

Why not Couric, who remains a marquee talent despite being a $75 million flop for CBS, the insiders said. "Take Katie off the 'Evening News,' let her do Larry King, and then let Cooper anchor," one network source said.

Couric, 51, has said only that she was "working hard and having fun" since word broke this week that she was heading for a humiliating exit after just 18 months as anchor.

[nydn]