In her first interaction with Matt Lauer since her ouster from NBC’s Today show in June, Ann Curry introduced her report on Australian photographer Adam Pretty during the show’s second hour. But the former co-host did not banter with Lauer or anyone else on the Today team. There was a lot of talk at the time of her departure about the anchor-at-large Curry covering the Olympics for Today, but her return on the 14th day of the Games came considerably later than expected. Lauer said “nice to see you” at the beginning of the segment and “good to see you” at the end but Curry did not exactly reply in kind. You can watch below Curry’s full video on Pretty, who is photographing his fifth Summer Olympics. Curry, whose initial return to work was reporting on the Colorado movie theater shootings, also is expected to appear during coverage of Sunday’s closing ceremonies.


This whole event has greatly damaged Matt’s image. It appears he unaware of it. Ann was miscast from the beginning, she is too serious for the role. But Matt’s implied push of her out the door could be very hard for him to overcome. She is far more like able in the end.
Remember when your divorced parents would be forced to say a couple of words to each other at your wedding? Yeah, Matt and Ann seemed as awkward as that.
That was so uncomfortable to watch. They were both professional, but it was obvious there was a chill between them. Matt doing his best to be chatty, and Ann giving short and non-personal responses. Given the circumstances, they handled it as well as possible. But Ann clearly despises him. I’m sure Matt’s fall will come one day soon.
(I wonder what it was like between them when the piece Ann introduced was rolling. It was a fairly long piece, so what did they do/say to each other off camera while the piece played? Did they sit in silence, or pretend to talk to producers and/or the crowd?)
I started to watch the video but fell asleep 20 seconds in. What a snooze artist she is.
She’s like the semi-hot, nerdy girl in high school that you wink at in order to get her to do your math homework.
Yeesh.
WHAT is NBC News thinking? Beyond awkward, but I stayed tuned JUST to see it, so I guess it’s good TV… Are they saying to her, “we’ll pay you off the 30 mil, but we’re going to humiliate you while we do it”? She looked depressed, sad and LIVID to be sitting there, with Ms. Guthrie probably just off camera.
I think Matt did the best he could. At least he TRIED to be civil and friendly – she was having none of it. Okay, it was fun from a voyeur perspective ONCE – but no more! Leave this poor, rich woman alone with her millions…
This reminds me a bit of what happened when Dan Rather was pushed out at CBS News. From nightly news anchor and correspondent on “60 Minutes,” he ended up having his last report on “CBS Sunday Morning.” There were hardly any goodbyes or special tributes when he left. Don’t get me wrong. They both left their jobs under very different circumstances. However, the saying goes, “Don’t eat where you sh*t.” Ann needs to cut her ties with NBC and move on, preferably to a network and program that features real news instead of that fluff they do in the mornings.
Please someone explain to me the politics of her Job. Why didn’t she take a long vacation and then NOT return to Today. Is she/was she contractually obligated to continue with Today? She was forced out! Doesn’t she ‘lose face’ by returning? She does in my book. Maybe I’m wrong about this. Someone please help me understand.
James, Ann remains contractually obligated to NBC for the duration of her contract. Technically she wasn’t fired, but reassigned so her contract continues in effect. She could resign but it is an industry standard to have a non-compete clause in people’s contracts so even if she left it is unlikely that she could report for any other network for at least three years. That kind of break would push her completely off of the radar and would make it harder for her to get a prime position once the non-compete expired. It is actually better for her to do whatever they tell her to do for the duration of her contract and then seek employment elsewhere. I for one, can’t wait for her to find a home where her skills are utilized and she is valued.
I’m still floored that they unceremoniously dumped Ann at the end of their show, yet gave Meredith Viera, who had the personality of a desk lamp, a 1 year victory tour? Have stopped watching Today since then. Hope karma’s a bitch to them and Matt Lauer. Oh wait – ratings are still sliding — Still Ann Curry’s problem?
Desk lamp? SERIOUSLY? While I wouldn’t say she’s a rocket scientist Viera was a great interview and jovial host with a quick wit and fun personality who left a job she deserved and excelled at to take care of a personal family matter. Ann Curry may well indeed have a huge heart but she TANKED as a co-host. She was awkward and utterly painful to watch and ultimately HURT THE SHOW. That aside, NBC and the shows producers are to blame not Matt. They should have never given her the co-anchor chair and handled her departure miserably. Debacle for sure but for all those claiming Ann’s a classy broad gimme a break. The least classy thing she did was appear bitter and sullen on air and her comments regarding her “Toucan Sam” wardrobe choices being a cause for consternation with management all I can say is WOW -SUCK IT UP ANN, take on your new assignment, MILLIONS and move on. You should have known your limitations and passed on the job and one last thing…NO I didn’t need to wake up to your ridiculous wardrobe choices to make me feel happy in the morning! People – that was her solution to making people like her – says it all doesn’t it?
Ann Curry should have kicked him in the balls, but of course, she’s a professional. However, NBC needs to keep these two seperated going forward. They obviously will never get along. Matt Lauer has finally been exposed as the true egomaniac that we all knew that lived just under his shiny surface. He’s damaged goods with a large segment of Today viewers. He’ll never recover from this vicious public backstabbing, which he shouldn’t. People won’t forget. Actions have consequences. I think The Today Show will slip into a permanent second place behind Good Morning America once the Olympics are through. NBC’s management only have themselves to blame.
In the end, vindication is Ann’s. I think I remember reading that the week after she left Today, that GMA won. Today lost all credible for me when they hired Jenna Bush. Where’s the news in all of these morning news shows??
It looked to me as tho Anns eyes were tearing up at the end of the report; it’s really creepy now watching the today show. Al and Natalie are giving the impression Matt and that other thing are dirty.
The executives that thought having Ann appear on Today just weeks after the relaunch should be fired on cause. It was not a breaking story that might have presented argument for using her. They us to tell us she should focus on nightly news, rock center, mtp
Matt Lauer should have been the one fired from the show. He is so much now like David Hartman of GMA days of old.
Time for Lauer to pack it in and go play on another corner.. IMO
I know my mom can’t stand Matt’s voice now — no more Today Show in that household. And after 6:30 PST my viewing time is done, so… meh.
I can’t stand Matt Lauer and after Ann was treated like dirt I stopped watching the Today Show. Did anyone read the interview where Bryant Gumble, another egomaniac, came out to defend his good friend Matt? I almost rolled my eyes clear out of my head. Birds of a feather and all that.
The today has slipped, not only in a presenting the show as a true news platform, but in the choices of anchors and correspondents. What happend to the news and good reporting? I use to look forward to watching and/or listening to the Today show while I was preparing for work. I looked forward to the professional delivery and summarized segments and smooth seguays of real information. Now, the viewers can hope at best to hear five seconds of coverage regarding the political campaigns or the fires out west. They have no problem adding fifteen minutes of discussion regarding Jennifer Anniston’s engagement and what the Kardashians had for dinner the night before. Furthermore, is the today show a cooking show now? It seems that they are so hungry (no pun intended) to fill air time with recipes and no time for actual true life stories. This is why GMA rises. They are a class act with real time journalism. This is where the professionals can be seen and heard. I am sorry-TODAY! I use to be a fan.
you said things i have thought along. i have watched the today show for many years but it became as exciting as a coffee table book youve had to long. all the cooking and talk about money dont appeal to many blue collar workers. most of us real people live pay check to pay check.ask us about our retirement funds or do we have 3 months salary in the bank incase we lose our jobs? i want real news and not a martha stewart interviewing a parrot.best show on these days is cbs sunday morning or 60 mins.
I stopped watching Today in 2007. Had watched it since the 80′s. Nothing against anyone, I just wanted a change.
I was VERY surprised to hear about Ann Curry. If anyone deserved to be given a lot more opportunity over the years it was Ann Curry.
She was there for a very long time and was a big part of that show’s success.
Glad to see Al got his dig in, I believe NBC and Matt, if he had anything to do with Ann be gone, deserved it. Nothing ever stays the same, the Today Show, has lost it’s luster.
I no longer watch the today show. I watch gma. Cannot stand Matt lauer. Will not watch today show as long as lauer is there
I also have stopped watching the TODAY show! I loved Ann Curry and thought she was a great journalist no matter what those BIG
SHOTS at NBC say!
Another reason I have stopped is ALL THE DAM COMMERCIALS! POLITICAL AND REGULAR !
I do like to watch Brian Williams on his daily evening news and Rock Center PLEASE DON’T MESS WITH THOSE PROGRAMS !
I love the Today Show. Matt and Savanah are a much better pair. I have never been a fan of Ann Curry and thought it was a mistake to promote her to co-anchor. She always had such a know it all attitude. Why interview experts on a subject if you were going to tell them they are wrong. She did that constantly. Sounds like she Got a great compensation package, more than she deserved.
I quit watching the Today show. I now watch Good Morning. America
Matt Lauer is loser.