The Firing of Ann Curry has come to its logical end, with Ann given a chance to say goodbye to viewers this morning, live on air. TMZ claimed that NBC was hellbent on getting Ann off the air by Friday, and it looks like Ann and NBC were able to work out a deal late last night. Ann gave a pre-interview to USA Today before her goodbye – it’s a very sympathetic piece, a lengthy piece in which Curry is given a chance to defend herself and discuss in vague terms what her new relationship will be with NBC. You see, she’s not really leaving, like sources claimed she wanted to leave completely with a $20 million golden parachute. Curry and NBC worked out a deal where (I think) she got a fraction of that, plus a job “leading a seven-person unit with a ticket to cover the world’s biggest stories, from the civil uprising in Syria to the plight of the poor in America. She’ll produce network specials and pieces for NBC Nightly News, Dateline, Rock Center— and Today— and she’ll occasionally fill in as anchor on Nightly News and elsewhere.”
Curry also told USA Today that she doesn’t know “who has been behind the leaks, but no question they’ve hurt deeply.” She talks a lot about how she wasn’t given a chance to “work out the kinks” as co-anchor and she wished she had more time. You can read the full USA Today piece here.
Then, this morning Curry said goodbye on Today. She was very emotional, and I did end up feeling sorry for her. It sucks that everything played out so publicly, and it sucks that her reputation has taken such a hit – although, to be fair to NBC, her reputation was taking hits every day she was on the air as co-anchor. Here’s the video and some highlights:
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Ann Curry will no longer co-host the Today show – effective immediately.
“This is not easy to say,” a choked-up Curry, 55, announced on Thursday’s show, as her costars sat on the sofa next to her. She said Thursday would be her last day as a regular on the show, but “I will still be part of the Today show family, in a different role.”
She said she has been “given a fancy new title” and will roam the globe for NBC, reporting the news.
With tears in her eyes, she expressed her gratitude and love for the viewers and the behind-the-scenes staff, and said, “To those of you who saw me as a groundbreaker, I am sorry that could not carry the ball across the finish line – but, man, did I try. I will keep trying and I’m so sorry I turned into a sob sister this morning. I am so grateful especially to all of you who watch,” she said. “We often call ourselves a family but you are the real Today show family. I have loved you and I have wanted to give you the world and I still do.”
Curry’s announcement comes after several days of news stories tracking the behind-the-scenes machinations of her departure. These have included unconfirmed reports that she will be succeeded by Savannah Guthrie, who currently is the show’s legal analyst and 9 a.m. anchor.
Curry assumed the co-anchor seat next to Matt Lauer, 54, slightly more than a year ago, when Meredith Vieira tended her resignation, for personal reasons. Since Vieira’s departure, Today ratings have slipped, and recently have been either neck-and-neck or even trailing those of ABC rival Good Morning America.
Ann Curry said goodbye to “Today” today — hours after her lawyer negotiated her exit from the show — sobbing as she told viewers, “I’m sorry I couldn’t carry the ball over the finish line, but man did I try.”
So, it’s over. Everyone says Savannah got the gig and TMZ claims that Natalie Morales is fine with it, and she’ll be staying on too. Such a wicked web that Matt Lauer weaves… but NBC values him, and Lauer gets to write his own ticket. It’s always been said that Lauer renegotiated his contract several months ago with the provision that Curry would definitely have to go – so I find it particularly cold that he could sit there, beside a weeping Curry, acting like he was so sorry that she was put in this position. SO GLIB.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
Poor woman
This.
If they had no chemistry, why doesn’t the man leave?
Oh right, because it’s all the woman’s fault, uh?
Disgusting.
EXACTLY!!! I cry sexism & am boycotting the Today show & NBC! Matt sucks not Ann. He should have been fired!
agreed, matt has the charisma of a rabid rat, oh wait, that’s what he is, he should have walked, how rotten.
You’re right, Flan. Ann got blamed for the no chemistry thing when really it was cuz Matt never wanted her as co host and accordingly never warmed to her. She tried so hard to connect with him, but he wasn’t having it. Savannah Guthrie is the least appealing of all. She comes across as awkward, not terribly friendly, aloof, and forced. She also seems too young to connect with the core of Today’s demographic. Hoda’s probably kicking herself now for taking the Fourth Hour gig…or maybe not. Anyway, she would’ve been perfect as co-host…perfect combo of silly/serious, sassy/warm
Except — except — except. Wait a minute! Matt has consistently kept the ratings up and the Today show didn’t get beaten by GMA until Ann took over the other anchor seat.
I’m a feminist, but NBC flubbed this per usual. Ann wasn’t a good fit. Matt’s ratings have been consistent.
True, Sheila, the ratings started slipping the minute Katie Couric walked out the door. She and Matt were a perfect fit. Katie has a dominant, forceful personality packaged in a sweet, girl next door exterior…she’s like a honey badger in kitty cat clothing. She could handle Matt expertly without him feeling threatened. Matt also thinks that everyone since Katie has not been in his league as an intellect or reporter. He may be right. While Savannah clearly has the intellect, she’s an awkward reporter and doesn’t project genuine warmth. She’s also too young, imo. It should be Hoda, but she’s how helming the most watched hour of am tv and she and KLG fit like hand in glove. Oh, well.
The Today Show had excellent ratings with Katie Couric & Meredith Viera, then sagged a little with Ann Curry. Matt was there through all of it….so I guess that shows that Matt isn’t as crucial to the ratings as the women. I wonder what would have happened had Meredith stayed and Matt been replaced?
This might sound stupid but one reason I always liked the Today show is that their set is light & bright and feels like it wakes me up in the morning.
Can’t stand fake Lauer and that kiss of death he gave Ann.
Will never watch this show again!!!! They replaced her with someone younger…I say age discrimination!
actually I believe the ratings went down when meridith left, pretty sure of that.
Amazing money for newsreaders, imagine how really hard they don’t work for it.
not sad at all to see Ann go. Could not stand her throaty voice and how she would paw all over Brad Pitt and ask him what his hopes and dreams were. Ugh. She tried too hard and it showed. Matt is fine where he is. I actually watch because of Lauer.
Yeppers, I think Girlieman Lauer couldn’t stand the way Ann’s flamboyant designer frocks were bleeding the attention away from him each day and all anyone talked about was what she wore. He’s an attention whore who needs constant ego stroking, and IMO it was his vanity, pure and simple, that cost Ann her job.
The Today Show has become like ET no NEWS
that is why it sucks!
Ann is thee best! NBC SUCKS BOYCOTT!
I just watched and feel soooo sad for her.
Yeah.
NBC – where professional go to host, get deceived, publicly humiliated, and kicked out.
They have a new head, but really, things don’t seem to have changed at all.
The NBC executives are obviously bullies. In this day & age where we are so on top of bullying and preventing it why are we letting them get away with this? They are big wig sexist bullies who fired the easy target Ann instead of Matt. BOYCOTT NBC!!!!!!
Good bye, good bye. Good bye everyone, goodbye!
LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Perfect! Now I will only get to hear the “good morning” song when I replay that Soup Episode for all time.
The plus of being on tour? The only show I multipass and save on my computer is the soup, I have the last three years on there! A treasure trove of hilarity!
Who thought Tommy would have been right about Matt? Hahaha! Glib indeed. Sounds like a womanizing, misogynistic pig of a boy.
I missed it, and glad I did. WON’T BE WATCHING AGAIN..
They were beyond just disrespectful to this woman. And nothing they do or say will change that. Next we will get Matt and/or Al coming out with all this mush. Well where the hell were they before. It is obvious that Matt wanted her gone. And he is an asswhip in my book and I can’t stomach them after this.
Look for the bright side. At least now Lauer don’t have anybody else to blame except himself when the ratings keep going down after this.
you’re right. I’m going to protest. Won’t watch but will be watching CBS. I actually love that show anyway. So all is good. But yes if the ratings don’t rise then yep who will Matt point the finger at then. They have dug themselves in a deep hole. Blaming it on Ann.
I blame the metrosexual Donnie Douche/Nazi Snyderman segment for the falling ratings. Since when are they experts on anything except giving us mandates on how to be PC?
What does Al have to do with any of this? Why would the meteorologist who’s on air for a couple of minutes have pull with the hiring/firing policies of co-anchors who have nothing to do with his job, at all? What could he have said or done that would have made a difference and do the people working on the show even have the legal right to talk about it to the public? What if Joel Goddard said, ‘I’m the announcer and I will not permit you to fire Conan’?
Office politics and diva antics from co-workers and employers aside, even a scapegoat can be pretty crappy at her job. Their mistake was in giving Lauer too much power but their other mistake was in hiring someone with a fortress contract before she had proven that had the abilities to do the job well. At any rate, even though they sought to drain her of her professional credibility (which is wrong, but par for the course at this network) she’s hardly unemployed and this new post may be a better fit. God knows we should all be so lucky to have a new job cushion the impact of having lost the old one and the new martyr status has made people forget about all the things they disliked about her even a fortnight ago.
They were crappy, no doubt, and Lauer’s a real piece of work whose stock is plummeting everywhere but on NBC but this situation doesn’t require a hagiography written up on St. Curry. At this point, she’s far more compelling as the face of the struggle than she has been her work (to me, at least). The backlash has been earned, but it doesn’t make her retroactively good at her job.
Annette needs a hobby.
These types of shows are tailor-made for boredom, so everyone’s firing on all cylinders in that regard, backstage catfights, or none.
too bad she cried. i would rather her be more defiant about it. anyway, she belongs back in news. it was never a good fit for her….good morning, good morning.
Laeur is an asshole but evidently a-holes bring ratings.
Only because we keep excusing and watching them.
I won’t anymore. Women need to take a stand sometimes.
Absolutely. I don’t like to play the race or gender card, but I hope a good number of women and minorities side with Curry by dumping Lauer and the Today show. He is way past his prime and if a woman aged as badly as him, she would have gotten the boot years ago. He is no longer the “sexy anchor” People Magazine named him fifteen years ago. I hope he gets the boot next when ratings continue to drop!
ya, so wtf was up w/ him and Seacrest a few weeks ago? did anyone else see THAT completely useless interview segment? TALK ABOUT SMUG – it was f*cking gross from start to finish.
I don’t really get what the problem was.
She was an effective and cheerful person with the right attitude for a morning show.
I just don’t get how the Today show itself isn’t taking hits instead of Ann. They can’t seem to find a woman to keep as a co-anchor and it looks bad that they just treat women as interchangeable and swap-able whereas Lauer is SO integral.
Bah, poor woman. I wish her the best and to eventually get away from NBC completely if that’s what she wants.
If you want insight into Ann’s faux pandering to guests, consider watching the documentary “Word Wars” – both the feature and the behind the scenes extra features. The difference between how she treated the guest (who was this sweet, if a bit nerdy little fella from the National Scrabble competition) on-air vs. later in the green room was shocking. Leaning in, gushing and fascinated on camera and then dismissive, could care less, and condescending after the show – as the poor guy was presenting her with gifts.
And then there was the whole icky cupping of Brad Pitt’s face with her hands. She comes across to me as a phony, try-hard on screen and cold & entitled off-screen.
But I’ve been wrong before, so who knows?
A shitty deal, all the way around. Matt has moved from “glib cheating douche” to “full blown asshole” in my opinion. And NBC as well.
Good thing their programming is so lousy I don’t watch them anymore. This cements it.
ETA: Okay, I just watched the vid. Way to rub it in, Matt! “You’ve been with the Today show for what? 20 years now?” ASS. HOLE.
Argh! I can’t watch the vid from my pad! I’ll have to take a look when the puter comes back from the upgrade.
I only watch sporting events on the big three so NBC doesn’t get my eyes except for the Olympics, I guess this asswipe is going to be filling my days along with tiny Bob. Ugh.
ps, how are ya?
It’s really sad (on Ann’s part) and condescending (on Matt’s). It’s worth the viewing though, just to really drive home what a total asshole Matt is.
I also only watch the Olympics on NBC (or a sports channel – I take what I can get) but I am NOT looking forward to cleaning Matt’s smarmy ooze off my TV.
I’m doing okay, thanks. 🙂 Things are…in a holding pattern for now.
And puter upgrades? ARGH! HATE those!
Not to sound insensitive, but in a business driven by viewer numbers and consequently, sponsor dollars, why are people surprised when someone who is not pulling either is replaced???
Ann is a kind, gentle lady. No question about it. But the position of a morning co-host for a news show is one that is beyond what she can offer, no matter how sweet she may be.
It was the same with Conan O’Brian. He was in a hurry to fill Jay Leno’s shoes. He had 6 months to prove himself worthy, and could just not do it. Why the absurd brouhaha when he was fired… And had gotten over $40MILLION in the process as a compensatory package deal.
In the real world, people get fired all the time for incompetence: in sales when you don’t reach your numbers, in research when you don’t fulfill your promises, in everything when you don’t meet upper-management or Board of Directors expectations. And most of us, don’t even get a hint of any compensatory packages. Just our last paycheck and maybe, a thank you.
The notable problem here, is that the one responsible for hiring talent for the network, is obviously quite shitty at his/her job. That is the one person that should be quickly replaced.
True and well said. I’m sure Ann is a great person. But she was not good at the job and frankly never should have gotten it.
@LW, I agree.
Watching her reaction though with Matt Lauer, it brought even more home how incompatible with the hard environment she truly is:
Whatever the situation, you always keep your game face ON.
Yes Matt is a d-ck. But whatever he had done, the world of media is small, you ALWAYS stay gracious in the public eye. Unfortunately, she made him look the consummate professional, and her the emotional amateur.
She should definitely be doing emotional journalism, but one that has had time to be much-more edited before viewing.
It’s easy to look like the consummate professional when you got your way and pushed your co-host out the door. It was all he could do to not rub his hands together.
How do you distinguish who’s not pulling their weight? As far as I know, there are 2 co-hosts with Al & some other chick pulling up the rear. So how do decide that Ann, not Matt, Al or other chick isn’t the problem?
this – this – this.
and as someone else pointed out, whoever’s hiring the talent & producing the content oughta watch their back, as well.
Oh, I don’t like Matt Lauer. At all.
But I am critiquing here Ann’s professional attitude, and the fact that like it or not, she got sacked for not attaining job-related expectations.
Theirs is quite measurable, it is not a feeling, the likability of a TV host is based on viewer comments and numbers.
Before this situation came to light, most of us had harshly critiqued Ann’s unprofessional attitude during interviews, how uncomfortable she is in everyday unscripted banter. And her lack of chemistry with most of her co-stars, AS WELL as stars interviewed.
@Stinky, I was also the one who pointed out that the person doing the hiring should be replaced. Could have saved many a lot of trouble, not to mention obvious heartache.
I’d agree with you if something she’d done clearly brought down the ratings, but I don’t think that’s what happened. She’s been there for years and has done nothing different (whether that’s good or bad, they hired her for the job), so for them to blame her for the show’s failings doesn’t seem fair. Plus it seems a lot of this is coming from Matt wanting her gone.
The Conan debacle was more on NBC than him not being up to the job, IMO. They stacked the deck against him by having Leno do his 10 pm show – why would Leno Tonight Show viewers become Conan TS viewers when they could watch their Leno show 90 min earlier? And that show tanked, pulled down local news ratings, and affected the TS too. Leno’s payout would have reportedly been way higher than Conan’s too.
But I’ll agree it is a business and sometimes decisions that aren’t fair to everyone have to be made.
You know what, I believe that whatever show would have been running during that time slot, would have been blamed anyways for poor ratings. It was wimpy to say the least.
Maguita-agree on all points.
Hey O,Kitten!!! How is everything?
Always get the feeling when I miss a few days on this site, I kind of miss a lot!!!
Hi Lucy 🙂
“She’s been there for years and has done nothing different.”
Actually Curry has only been co-hosting for what, less than a year right? She’s been on the Today show forever but prior to that, she was just doing news, fc work, and covering for Meredith/Katie when they were out. I’m sure they tracked the ratings and if rating have been low since she was hired to co-host, that’s grounds for dismissal. I have a strong feeling that this stipulation was built into the contract (keep the viewers and keep your job), especially at NBC where they’re notorious for dotting their i’s and crossing their t’s.
Hey Maguita! I feel like I spend WAY too much time on this site. Actually I KNOW I spend way too much time on this site! Since I’m such a “pro” (snicker) at my job I’ve learned to multi-task between work and C/B 🙂
But yeah I always get sucked in…it’s dangerous.
^Ha! Gotta learn how to do that one: multitask CB/Work:D . Find myself having debates on CB subject with co-workers at times… An involuntary break.
Agree that whoever decided to keep Curry after Viera left AND give her a 3 year contract should be the scapegoat. Curry was never anchor material. She doesn’t have charisma. Being “nice” doesn’t cut it in the end.
Couldn’t agree with Maquita more on all points – well said.
Yeah I knew she would cry, she’s an emotional woman, which doesn’t help her interviewing style. I’m not dogging her for it, but it would have been bad ass for her to go out guns blazing.
Then again, I guess it’s smart to not burn any bridges. Regardless, it can’t have been all that bad for her or she would have left NBC entirely. I’m sure plenty of networks would hire her for some off-camera or foreign correspondent work.
To me, it speaks VOLUMES that she said she was “given a fancy new title” and that gets to work with a team of her own choosing on her new projects.
I think NBC realised Ann wasn’t just going to lie down and let them steamroll her, so they sweetened the deal and both parties came to a “mutually satisfying” conclusion. Which is Business BS Speak for “You don’t badmouth me and I won’t badmouth you; and you still have a cushy job doing what you love.” (I think. I’m a little rusty.)
Everything you said makes perfect sense to me, Bella. Didn’t think of that. I’m not a fan of Curry but I’m happy for her since it seems like they found an amicable solution.
I just wish they would find someone NEW to co-anchor ya know? Don’t they see that hiring within isn’t exactly the best move?
OKitt – They definitely need some new blood introduced into the mix. Too bad for them they can’t see it.
I would have LOVED it if, when Matt started to speak after she finished her good=bye speech, she turned to him and said “fuck you, Matt”!
Now THAT would have been some “must see tv!”
And she should have added “And Natalie, this tool is the reason you’re not getting the anchor job!”
I watch “The Today Show” now and then, not always, and I can’t for the life of me figure the hate-on people have for Ann. She wasn’t that bad, in my humble opinion. As for her contract, I think she was well within her rights to demand NBC honor it. That said, I think she’s much better suited to a news format, where she does excel.
As a guy, I must say it’s pathetic how a woman who is strong and aggressive in business, and who demands her fair share, is labeled as a “bitch”, and in all honesty I feel that women in general (not all women) are the primary “attackers” of other women who are successful and have reached the top – I’ve seen it time and again. Many men I know (including me) have zero problems with women who strive for and reach the top. Then again, on the flip side, there are men who still view women in a 60’s “Mad Men” fashion, which would be funny if it weren’t so damaging and counterproductive.
As for Matt Lauer, what a two-faced ass this guy is, sitting there and putting on a great performance for Ann, his colleagues and the audience.
Ann deserved to walk away with what she demanded from NBC.
you are awesome.
Aww, Mr. Greek, there you go being all common-sense and on the same page as me! I don’t regularly watch the Today Show – I quit when Katie did – but I’ve always liked Ann.
Yes, she says “good morning” a lot. She did that before she even got the co-hosting job. But she’s NOT a stupid woman; she’s accomplished.
And I’m happy to hear she’ll be at the Olympics. Hopefully she’ll douche-check Matt there! 😀
Bravo, Mr. Greek. Agree with 100% of what you said.
+1
So, are you single?
Agree and disagree, Mr Greek. Agree 100% that Ann was well within her right to demand her fair share of the contract, in fact she had an obligation to fight for what was hers. NEVER would call her a bitch for doing so- I actually commend her.
However, I disagree with some of your sentiments about women sabotaging other women more than men. As a female who works in the very male-dominated financial services industry, I can say that unequivocally, men are the more challenging adversary when it comes to getting ahead.
I could give you a million stories (but I’ll spare you) beyond the simple fact that men make more money than women who do the SAME job and who are the majority of people who dictate those salaries? Men.
But on that same note-I do have stories of women shitting on other women in order to get ahead but I think that dynamic is due to men creating an environment where it’s harder for women to succeed. Suddenly animal instincts take over and you learn quickly to protect yourself and your career, even at the expense of others (not saying I do this BTW-I’m a hippie at heart 🙂 )
And please don’t jump all over me on this one. It’s just my opinion and it’s based on the environment that I work in which is very much old boys/country club/corporate work situation. Could be very different dynamic, depending on the field you work in.
PS-isn’t it a MAN (Matt Lauer) who is arguably sabotaging Ann Curry’s career in this case?
TOKitt – No jumping on you; you make perfect sense.
I used to be a property manager. You’d be SHOCKED to learn how many single mothers are on-site property managers: the apartment is (generally) part of your salary; some companies provide a utility allowance, medical benefits, sick days and vacation time; plus virtually NO COMMUTE!
BUT…when you lose your job, you lose the roof over your head and everything else all at the same time.
Wow, Bella. That is incredible! Had no idea such a set-up even existed. I think because where I live (Boston) everything is managed by giant property management corps.
Yeah the flip-side would be pretty tough but still-amazing benefits.
I wish I had a link but there was a report recently published that bore out your argument. It was generally found that men do willfully hold back women in the workplace and that (I guess despite continual stories to the contrary) women do mentor other women to be successful in the business world.
Damn it I just want my Joan London back on Good Morning America and get rid of Mr. Snuffalupagus!
LOL! & no kidding! (Although I prefer Diane Sawyer to Joan Lunden, IDK why).
But that was funny!
I think she is a wonderful person and a wonderful anchor. Maybe they need a lighter vibe on that show, but it was nothing she did ‘wrong.’ It was really awkward to look at Matt Lauer pretending as though he was sad. TV is brutal.
Exactly! They really did her dirty and I hope they get what they deserve with ratings drops. Matt is a such a jerk.
Haven’t watched Curry’s departure and I’m almost dreading it. I knew her weaknesses many years ago but don’t think she deserved this. Matt Lauer is a freaking jerk. I will never tune into the Today show again (I stopped watching it years ago but this situation solidifies my decision) and I hope their ratings continue to plummet. I know some Asians who were rooting for her since she is half-Asian and I hope the show loses a large portion of their Asian viewership as well. Oh, and I hope Lauer’s wife divorces him and takes him to the cleaners.
Update: Oh goodness, I just watched it. Lauer is so fake! How can all of them sit there trying to act like they support her when they were all rooting for her firing?! So, so fake. Only to save their own reputations. Curry is a better person than any of them. At least she will get the chance to do real journalism now rather than be an overpaid talk show host. If I were her, I would have demanded the $20 million and left for another news station. However, it is clear that she still wants to work and have a large impact and her career has been established at NBC. Don’t know if she’d get a bigger job elsewhere now that her reputation has taken a hit. Ugh.
It just turns my stomach. What a pompous ass to sit there and then act all sad she’s leaving, like he’s just going to miss Ann s-o-o-o much!
And how “nice” of him to point out her 20-year career and some of the things she’s accomplished. (Ann, that means he’s jealous.)
(And DO NOT start in with any “jealous h8tr” talk, or I’ll VOM! Y’all know how much I HATE that term!) 😉
I couldn’t have a lower opinion of Matt Lauer if I tried. Not only does he cheat continually on his wife, he sleeps with all his coworkers and he orchestrated this whole thing.
He hates women, only likes them for one thing. He’s that guy. I worked with one like that, my last boss. Could not believe what this guy would say about women, he’d try to get us fired but was so crass and crude about all his conquests. Smug douche. That guy.
He really does hate women, doesn’t he? I mean, other than his rampantly-reported predilection for them.
What is he supposed to do? He is sitting there, I am not sure what the correct response would be.
Ann Curry seems like a wonderful person and I think it is horrible all this stuff is so public, but she is not a great interviewer.
Anname – What he SHOULD have done is had the balls to own up to what he set in motion in the first place.
Something along the lines of “I’m sorry the anchor gig didn’t work out and I threw you under the bus for the falling ratings. You really ARE good at your other assignments. When ratings continue to drop, maybe NBC will realise it’s actually ME and the lame content, NOT YOU.”
(Wishful thinking, I know, but it doesn’t make it any less true.)
Another theory-the Today show is tanking because every other day there’s a (non)story about Kate Middleton/the royals or some other crap that nobody cares about. It really hasn’t been a “serious” news show for quite sometime. I have it on in the other room in the AM while I’m getting ready for work. I wouldn’t call it *riveting television*.
Lauer is a crow faced, balding douche. (jeez, I’ve used that word a lot today) I never watched the show so I have no idea how Curry did, but I can say that I hope the ratings continue to drop..
I’m not sure how much backlash The Today Show may get. They’re somewhat infamous for humiliating their stars.
First Bryant Gumbel’s memo criticizing just about everyone on the show was leaked. The show became number one again.
In a similar move, Jane Pauley was humiliated to be replaced with simpleton Deborah Norville. The show eventually recovered.
It would seem the fans only stay mad for a short time. It’s a shame.
I have never been a big fan of Matt’s (thought he was too full of it and not as good looking as everyone thought) but at this point it’s pretty clear that’s a d-bag all around. Goodbye Today Show, hello GMA for me.
Totally. Me too. Stephanapolous -vs- Lauer? Are you kidding me? No freakin’ contest. The only reason I didnt switch sooner was that i’m too lazy to turn the channel in the morning when I’m rushing around to go to work (yes, i really AM that lazy). Lauer’s a dick. And so is Seacrest, btw!
I feel bad for her. I don’t think she was the best fit for the job, but the ratings aren’t her fault at all.
If I were her, I think I’d have taken the money and left. I don’t know that I’d want to continue to work for that company (especially if I had millions to fall back on). Hope the new gig works for her.
its just business. nothing more.
I remember working in an office where one of our managers was always sleeping with the women there (all of them). A new girl started and made clear he had no chance, from that moment he did everything to get her to leave. Something about his ego couldn’t handle the rejection. I’m reminded of him by Matt Lauer.
So sick of those kind of assholes. Like babies getting pissed off when mommy has to make a phonecall.
HA!
It’s well within the realm of possibility that Ann resisted Matt’s romantic overtures and that may have had a lasting effect on their professional chemistry.
It is obvious that Lauer was determined to sabotage Ann’s career.
this!
By jove daz, I think you’ve got it! She refused to flirt with him on air; she never acted all “giggle giggle hee hee” when he tried to do or say something clever. She never even out right sparred with them like I’ve seen Meredith do on occasion. When they say “there was no chemistry” what they mean is “she didn’t flirt enough and stroke his ego.”
Yep!
I think it goes beyond sleeping with him. She didn’t play the game and act like he was desirable. Good lord that glib bald crow of a man is PATHETIC!
Sounds like her new job will be more fun and interesting.
Totally agree – it sounds great – a new chapter and interesting stories/opportunities.
Ann never looked more beautiful than she did today in that red dress…and what a figure! That woman is gorgeous and classy.
I watched the entire goodbye segment and was in tears myself. Crying doesn’t always show a lack of strength…I was glad she showed some real emotion, and I thought she made it perfectly clear that she felt betrayed, as well as humiliated.
It was so interesting that she never once looked at Matt when he spoke about her accomplishments, but she did look at Al.
” Crying doesn’t always show a lack of strength”
I just read this and had to say thank you for saying that. I get so tired of people saying that tears equal weakness.
Ann showed a lot of strength this week. I don’t know if I could have done what she did. she came to work everyday. Reports around her were everywhere. Everyone talking about her positive and negative. Hell Ann rocks and I admire and respect her more for how she handled this.
BRAVO ANN.. Classy lady
I agree! It couldn’t have been easy to sit there with people you feel betrayed you, and pour your heart out to the world.
I agree with your phrase. It takes a lot of strength to show feelings like that for everything to see it.
for everyone to see it* gosh …
She can’t even look him (Matt) in the eyes and her arms are crossed while he is speaking to her.
She’s not buying his bs, you can tell by her body language.
Ann’s body language says it all. She couldn’t look at Matt at all, but she directly looked at Al and Natalie. She cuts him off when he tries to say nice things about her, and the “hug” was so awkward. He is responsible for this, and she knows it.
Yes – this! She looked Natalie and Al in the eye, and hugged all back, but definitely stiffened up with Matt.
Ann cried out of frustration and weariness, I’m sure. This move is going to backfire on Lauer and NBC big time. The way the suits handled this is pathetic. And, this whole kerfluffle only served to make the general public aware of Matt’s liasons. Stupid, stupid NBC.
Ann Curry was the classy part of NBC. Good luck, Ann.
edited to add, no reason to watch anymore…CBS does the news.
Matt Lauer is the reason I have never watched the Today show. I used to see it on at a certain Drs office & he comes off so pompous & smug I just didn’t care to watch… To sit there on a couch w/ the person you campaigned to have fired as if you will miss them only proves my opinion of him was right & I haven’t missed much by not watching him.
Am not an ardent fan of Ann as co-host with Matt however do think that she deserved her opportunity to chair the Today show. Additionally, the vitriol that has been directed at her is pretty disgusting. My main problem with the show wasn’t Ann but the lack of news. I watch the first 30 mins while getting ready and it feels like entertainment stories take up the majority of that time. When the stories about the Kardashians or Lindsay Lohan become one of the top 3 leading stories almost everyday is when I think the Today show started to lose it’s edge. The real issue is their content and please, please, please do not bring the Duggars back.
I feel sorry for her. Too many leaks about the situation. I bet it was Matt who leaked. Jerk.
Matt Lauer sucks!! Ann Curry is better off her new job sounds way better. I never watch Today show because of him and i hope they cann his ass when nobody tunes in to see this smug, pompus dick!
Ann is a class act! I’ve always enjoyed her. I used to like Matt, but I think I’ll go elsewhere for my morning news after this. Matt and NBC should be ashamed of themselves.
I hope their ratings tank and when they do, they will probably blame the new co-host (woman) and get rid of her too.
Charlie Rose, here I come. A professional all the way without the silly, gossipy stuff from GMA (if they got rid of Laura Spencer, I might watch, as Robin is cool and George is tolerable.)
Dammit.. I watched it and it made me cry.
F&%$ you Matt.. Ugh I’m so mad now.. damn.
I would have cried too and I bet she’s p.o’d that she did. More from frustration than anything else.
Honestly, I think she was reacting to Matt Lauer’s skeevy-ness and that’s what seemed wrong on screen. Not a ‘lack of chemistry’ but a visceral reaction to an outright a-hole.
I can’t feel sorry for someone who makes that kind of money. I’ll save it for my neighbor, a single mother, who is worried sick over how she’s going to pay her bills after losing her job last week. Ann is still going to be working there, just not as a co-anchor.
She hates that douche Lauer. You can tell.
I loved how she called him “Glib” hahah
Ann was expected to carry the ball for d-bag Matt lauer because he sucks. The ratings will tank even further because his co-host needs to have a huge personality to wash away Matt glib lauer. Savannah is too bland.
He probably wanted to bone her and she refused so now he has a hate-on for her and wanted her gone at all costs.
I’ve always thought Matt Lauer was a scumbag, but this whole thing brings my loathing to entirely new levels. I so hope this show totally tanks.
Who will NBC blame when the rating continues to fall? The new female co-host?
Seriously. He’s like Henry VIII.
I feel so sorry for Ann. She was intelligent and authentic and really probably too good at her job for what morning tv has become (celeb pieces, home decor, cooking). The network should have bumped her up to Nightly News a long time ago.
That said, though I DO think she’s very talented, I don’t undersrtnad why they would give her the extra 20 million. 30 million was for 3 years of work, presumably with the expectation of growing ratings. Though they didn’t give her enough time to prove herself, she did 1 year of work. To the rest of us paupers, 10 million is a LOT of money. Why would they hand over money for the extra 20? I’d just take it and say goodbye.
Also, I think they should make some major changes to the show–new set, new structure. Today’s rep isn’t exactly glowing after this
So true – they need new blood! We don’t want to see the pretty-but-boring ladies who are already there. Bringing in Meredith was a brilliant move last time, they need to go that route again.
If memory serves.. Didn’t they ax Bryant Gumble for old Matt
Is that what happened…my memory is not computing that. Aren’t Matt and Bryant great friends and golf buddies?
At any rate, I think Bryant Gumbel is one of the sexiest men alive.
Actually, what I believe happened is that Bryant got a little too big for his britches and attempted to correct some “programming concerns” (obviously, they need Bryant back), so they axed his bum and put Matt into place.
He went through several co-hosts himself, until Katie came on board.
Submitted by chewinsmoke on Thu, 06/28/2012 – 11:41am.
Regardless of how you feel about her ability to effectively co-host this stupid ass show, she handled all of this shit talk about her these past few weeks with honor, dignity, and grace, and for that alone I have profound new respect for her. I don’t think I could have sat through this segment with Matt Lauer rubbing my shoulders without elbowing him right square in the nuts, for all of America to see. In fact, I know I couldn’t have done it, so kudos to her. She will be just fine.
Matt Lauer has risen to be a complete fucking TOOL. I remember when he was just a fucking little pee-on when Bryant and Katie were rocking that show. He didn’t even have a college degree and if I remember correctly, he came on board with NBC as an intern. Well Matt, the bigger you rise, the harder you fall. You’ll get yours someday, you GLIB piece of shit.
Team Ann.
+Infinity
^ THIS
This!!!!!
It was cringeworthy would have much preferred defiant WOman Hear Me Roar not women see me pour tears – actually, i’m starting to like the CBS morning show with charlie rose better guests low key; will never watch ABC the DWTS and Disney marketing network. Matt Lauer really looks like he should be an extra in a bad Adam Sandler movie, not getting paid what 50 mil – are you kidding me – for sleepwalking through the Today SHow.
I just wonder if it’s really necessary to respond to this mess by creating such a dichotomy about it: that Ann is the saint in all of this and Lauer is the douche. Certainly Lauer *is* a douche (although the same people who never seem to have heard that Travolta is gay also seem not to know this about Matt) – but that doesn’t mean Ann was always wonderful or free of blame, either. I think she’s a capable reporter and good with hard news, but I never liked her manner or her interviewing style in particular and I can understand why they let her go. I’m not saying it was a classy move, or that Matt is blameless in it – but it also weirds me out the way Ann is framed occasionally as someone who is completely not responsible for anything that went wrong.
I said something to this effect upthread. Even with the drubbing she’s been getting ‘elicits pity’ isn’t a reason to get me to watch and evidently not for anyone else, either. She was treated poorly, yes, but my not caring about her professional work doesn’t make me a traitor the cause and my personal distaste for Lauer doesn’t make her interviews better by default.
Now if Today will get rid of that baldheaded nose, I might consider watching again.
Am I the only one hoping Matt’s wife makes his Olympics gig a family trip? *evil cackling*
Apparently not. ROL is reporting Matt’s wife will be attending the London Olympics! Karma…
I dont get it? I totally liked her and think she was great at her job. Why does everyone think she was so bad? I actually liked her more than Meredith Vierra which I know I am in the minority here but come on Ann is a thousand times better than Matt “big ego” Lauer or Al Roker for goodness sakes! Must be network politics because she wasnt untalented. Matt Lauer I think is bad. He has become arrogant and it shows in his interviews.
Classy leaving speech from a classy lady.
meredith rode my nerves into the sunset. and the GINORMOUS send-off she got when leaving the show was to puke for. im serious. it was a ridiculous gala that i just could not understand. i thought she was rude to guests w/ constant interruptions, etc. She was over-worshipped. the question is “why??’
Uh, I never watched the Today Show…grew up in a household that watched Good Morning America and now I watch Fox & Friends. Seem’s like this morning show was more of a soap opera then anything else. Glad I’ve missed it actually.
Matt is a tool because he never clicked with Ann as co-host? Wow. It’s a business. He never wanted her, gave it a try, and it didn’t work and the ratings reflect many viewers feel the same way. It’s sad, but it’s the business world. She still has a great job with NBC. I do admire the grace with which she handled this.
I am done with Matt Lauer & the today show forever. Ann Curry was not suited for the job which was evident but the way NBC & Lauer handled this situation was disgusting. The way Matt sat there consoling her made me physically sick. I have watched this show since Brokaw & Pauley but it’s so over. To put Ann Curry through this circus is unforgiveable.
How could he have possibly acted that you would have found acceptable?
I am done with Matt Lauer & the today show forever. Ann Curry was not suited for the job which was evident but the way NBC & Lauer handled this situation was disgusting. The way Matt sat there consoling her made me physically sick. NBC & Matt Lauer antics unforgiveable.
If I was her, I’d want to cut all ties with NBC. I’m surprised she’s staying with a company that doesn’t appreciate her at all. I know – contract and all that – but still.
Having said that, I’d much rather watch Meredith Vieira or Natalie Morales over sappy, syrupy Ann Curry or that trailer trash Savannah Guthrie.
Der Schnozzle was smiling and “showing sympathy” as he was twisting the knife.
Matt Lauer certainly seems like a ruthless SOB.
I found it particularly disturbing that after having Ann fired he felt the need to humiliate her, in order to stoke his own ego.
IKR? What a pig!
I don’t think that was his intention. What would you’d rather he’d done anyway? Give her a huge hug and say he’ll miss her – then you would have been attacking him for being insincere and a fake! I think the way he handled it was the best way he could – staying professional, not faking that he was devastated but also acknowledging what she’d done well and the time that she’d been there.
All these negative “Matt” comments are very telling. Maybe the audience is just sick of him and he’s the reason for the ratings drop. Who’s to say that he wasn’t riding on Katie’s and Meredith’s coattails before Ann?
Can’t believe NBC pays him what they do. It’s beyond ridiculous.
I agree…I think Katie and Meredith were the reason viewers tuned in…Maybe Today just needs to clean house and start with a fresh crew…
They Today Show’s ratings dropped because they kept inviting the Kardashians and alike as guests. I like Ann Curry, although I haven’t watched that show in ages. Let’s not forget what NBC did to Conan O’Brien. Their tactics are tactless and trashy. And Matt Lauer and that affair, gosh I just read about that. Ugh, tacky, tacky, tacky!
F*CK Matt Lauer & The Today Show. This said from a former long time viewer who thinks they treated Anne Curry like sh*t & who now will change the channel instead of watching therm.
You know what, Kells-bells, I’m also a very, very long-time Today Show viewer and I’ve been supportive of Matt Lauer, but after viewing what took place this morning and seeing the public humiliation Ann Curry was subjected to, I am about to jump ship also.
The more I have thought about this today and the way it was handled, the angrier I have become.
Love you Ann Curry…you are well-respected and loved…that’s worth more than any amount of money. Also, you have class, and that is something money cannot buy.
There’s a retrospective look back at her journalistic career @ NBC over the years and truth be told, sitting on a couch in a studio reading from a teleprompter (beside a dull as dishwater dude like Matt) is anti-climactic when compared to all she’s done and experienced. Seriously, the Today job seems boring. She will land on her feet.
Her new gig sounds awesome! She gets to see the world, meet and report on real people, discuss per tenant topics and possibley make a difference in peoples life’s. That is way more than Matt would have ever let her accomplish. Go Ann show them what you are made of!
I always liked her, She is beautiful and talented and she tells the stories as they touch her. She is not an “anchor”, she is a journalist. Therefore, she is ready for the news, not some fluffy morning stuff…
I loved her speech to the Today show audience. She is really classy.
She hugged Al and Natalie and avoid ML. This speaks volumes!!! ML is the type of person who can kill you while smiling at you… What a douche!
These are the facts:
1. Ann Curry has been blamed for ratings drop on most blogs but there is no definitive proof statistical or otherwise that she was responsible
2. Matt Lauer main anchor has been away from anchor desk 40 percent of weekday mornings during each year period since 2010 -excuse given he is either on assignment or no excuse given at all
3.Prior to Ann Curry, Miss Viera was absent from anchor desk 30 percent of most weekday broadcasts during a one year period
4. Ann Curry had few absent days during the first year of her contract as co-anchor prior to today
5. When Katie Couric was main anchor and Matt Lauer her co-anchor there were
very few absent days for either of them
5. Good Morning America consistently has all 5 people show up every weekday morning without fail. Robin Roberts,George Steph.Lara, Josh, and Sam Champion.
Viewers love consistency
6.Even Lenny the Today Show favorite audience person( I think he is an army vet) has been absent lately.
Lenny has left the building!! When Lenny is gone then you know something is seriously wrong with the Today Show
7.This morning for the first time in months Hoda and Kathie Lee did not have wine or alcohol beverages to start the morning. They had COFFEE!
Finally not a fact just a prediction: which could have been made by any 10 year old after seeing Ms Curry cry this morning:
The Today Show will start seeing viewing numbers tumble starting from tomorrow morning. Women have always supported Ann Curry and after this morning they are not feeling the love.
I am 100% sure that NBC have done extensive research before making this decision. They won’t just have guessed at what’s behind the ratings failure.
The show has always eaten up and spat out hosts who aren’t up to the job – how’s this different from Deborah Norville? It’s one of the reasons why the hosts command high salaries, because they can fail and fail very publicly.
Lauer has generated some bad, bad karma. That debacle will come back to haunt him, I swear. So very, VERY badly handled by NBC to boot, and also by Lauer.
And if it were me, I’d have done my usual stories/and interviews for the show, and then used the last 30 seconds to sign off: “Well everyone, this is my last show, thank you all for your support, thank you NBC for the opportunities, and see you all again soon sometime. Good-bye” And, boom, done. And nothing more, nothing less.
Curry seems to have handled herself with class and Lauer’s insincerity was galling. Just galling. I can’t believe he can look at himself in the mirror.
Very classy exit speech. Good luck, Ann. Matt is beyond awful…shame on NBC.
What a shame…. A woman who tried so hard was treated as if she never tried at all. Ann worked hard. Shame the way it ended NBC. Ann gave you her all and you couldn’t give her a tribute to endless hours of research and commitment to her job. No more today show for me.
Given the circumstances, that would have looked more than a little insincere. Besides, as they all pointed out, it’s not like she’ll be entirely gone. The tributes are for people who are retiring or leaving the network – she’s not.
Why does Matt have so much power? Can someone explain this to me…ML seems to enjoy humiliating women, has lost his looks, and is morally corrupt in every possible way. He disgusted me long before this whole Ann Curry fiasco. I am Canadian, and regard Matt to be a smug, overrated, low-class snake.
Why does everyone assume it was Matt who booted her out? Why would he have so much power now that he didn’t have 12 months ago – or if he did have it 12 months ago, why didn’t he veto her then? It wasn’t like he didn’t know what she was like.
She’s a nice lady and I feel for her, but I didn’t enjoy watching her in the job. I have essentially stopped watching it since Meredith left. I don’t think she was ever up to it and after 12 months she hadn’t demonstrated that she could grow in the role or hold the audience. End of story.
Obviously Matt and she weren’t getting on by the end (remember how he told Meredith he adored her when she left? a much colder tribute for Ann), but that could be because she has been blaming him for her failure in the role. I thought he was professional in a difficult situation for everyone.
I agree. I rarely watched after Meredith left. But Ann said nice things about Matt this week. I don’t think she’s laying all the blame on him at all.
I don’t get choosing Savannah. She does nothing for me. Her personality or chemistry is no better than Ann’s to be chosen over her. Though, I have never watched enough this past year to know for sure. She has no upper lip. Okay. That was a shallow comment.
I’m going to go back on a few comments from yesterday…this, after watching TODAY this morning after Ann’s departure.
I like and respect Ann and I don’t condone or support the way her leaving was handled, but for the first time (maybe ever), TODAY is flowing FLAWLESSLY this morning.
Every single thing is in tempo…the chemistry is there, Matt is happy, Al is happy, and Savannah is doing a fantastic job. Matt, Savannah, and Al gel, and I’m not even minding Natalie Morales…she seems to fit in well with this team.
It was the right decision.
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Ann Curry was paid MILLIONS so we could get a nice long look and longer laugh at her. She’s gross. She makes canned facial expressions meant to evoke deep wells of sensitivity that simply are not there. Matt is much subtler and smarter in his morning show style bullshit.
NBC should erect a Greek-style statue of him so I can lay a wreath at his marble feet. He stuck it to Ann Curry without even having to have a conversation with her. It’s been less than three months since he renegotiated his contract and she is GONE.
If only all acts of justified smoting were accomplished so swiftly.
THREE MONTHS!
– SO GLIB! –
Perfect! I can’t believe what a douche that guy is.
Even if she wasn’t suited for the job (and I never watch, so I don’t know), the whole handling of this was just despicable.
Very funny, this morning I saw Lenny in the audience of GMA!!!! He’s left the Today show like a lot of us, and moved to GMA! The Today show execs must know they screwed up now (as did Matt) if even Lenny left!
I won’t be able to watch the Today Show until Matt Lauer is gone.