A caricature of Sarah Palin by DonkeyHotey. (Flickr/Creative Commons)

During the show's 8 a.m. hour, Palin joined Ann Curry and Co. for segments on party planning and raising teenage daughters, featuring a panel of "professionals" like Star Jones, Donnie Deutsch and Nancy Snyderman.

When asked about her stint on the show, Palin called the experience "organized chaos," adding "I've always said that if everything's under control, you're going to slow - Mario Andretti says, too!"

The Chicago Sun Times reported inviting Palin on was a strategic move on NBC's part to compete with "Good Morning America."

From the Sun-Times:

ABC’s “Good Morning America” has been chipping away at the ratings gap, which separates the two programs by a mere 137,000 viewers, according to the most recent Nielsen report. “GMA” averages 4.84 million viewers compared to “Today’s” 4.98 million.

“GMA” is hoping to break its rival’s winning streak this week by nabbing none other than former “Today” host Katie Couric to fill in for a vacationing Robin Roberts.

NBC promised Palin would “reveal a different side” as co-host, but viewers got the classic I’m-just-like-you Palin, who talked in sound bites about the importance of a strong work ethic, the challenges of raising kids and her appetite for caribou and moose. (NBC also promised a big announcement from Ryan Seacrest, but the “American Idol” host tweeted that he was in pain from elbow surgery and would have to reschedule his “Today” appearance for Wednesday.)

…Curry had to rein in a chatty Palin more than once to cut to commercials. But in general, Palin knew how to play the game and came off suitably personable, escaping without any major gaffes.

One thing Palin did not do was use her time on national television to stump for GOP frontrunner Mitt Romney.

“Anybody but Obama,” Palin repeatedly said during a one-on-one interview with Lauer. She noted that a shake up within the Republican ranks was still possible and urged her party not to “play it safe.”

Meanwhile, Palin's media nemesis Katie Couric has been filling in on Today's rival show Good Morning America. The two have been pitted against each other in something of a face-off. 

From The Huffington Post:

The former vice presidential candidate and current Fox News pundit is co-hosting "Today" on Tuesday, while Couric is guest hosting on arch-rival "Good Morning America" on ABC. It's being billed as the biggest showdown between the two women since Palin's infamous interviews with Couric in 2008, and it's at the epicenter of the raging ratings war between ABC News and NBC News.

…Speaking to Breitbart News, Palin didn't shy away from addressing the Couric-shaped elephant in the room. "Game on," she said simply.

Though Palin tends to be a big draw in ratings, no word yet on whether this will be a recurring role for the former Alaska governor.

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