Matt Lauer’s shameful behavior tarnished his reputation and ruined his career. NBC refuses to stand behind him, the network would scrub his name from their history if it could.
Host Hoda Kotb’s career, on the other hand, received a massive jolt when Lauer was outed as a pervert. NBC announced Tuesday that the veteran journalist would be permanently replacing Lauer on the Today show.
“This has to be the most popular decision NBC News has ever made,” fellow host Samantha Guthrie gushed on air.
Lauer was one of the biggest names to fall in 2017’s sexual assault flurry. Abusers and attackers were exposed to the public relentlessly. Of course, viewers are happy that Lauer’s been taken off of the Today show, no one wants to start their morning with someone they don’t respect.
After he was sacked, Lauer issued a bland apology: “There are no words to express my sorrow and regret for the pain I have caused others by words and actions… To the people I have hurt, I am truly sorry. As I am writing this I realize the depth of the damage and disappointment I have left behind at home and at NBC.”
Hoda and Guthrie never stumbled for a moment. Ratings soared after Lauer was fired, and they still haven’t settled down.
“Over the past several weeks, Hoda has seamlessly stepped into the co-anchor role alongside Savannah, and the two have quickly hit the ground running,” NBC News chairman Andy Lack wrote in a memo.
“They have an undeniable connection with each other and most importantly, with viewers, a hallmark of Today.”
Hoda Kotb has been named new co-anchor of TODAY https://t.co/rTgMsxnEtw pic.twitter.com/Jk1w8nk0tY
— NBC News (@NBCNews) January 2, 2018
(Source: USA Today)