The NBC morning show officially said goodbye this morning to executive producer Jim Bell, who is departing after seven seasons to focus on his Olympics duties for the network; he was exec producer of the London Olympics this summer, replacing Dick Ebersol. He presided over some bumpy times at Today, taking much of the heat for the ouster of Ann Curry as co-anchor this year and seeing a ratings slide that has eroded much of the show’s dominance over rival Good Morning America. His No. 2 Don Nash is taking over as executive producer, with Alexandra Wallace becoming the executive in charge. Here’s the cast and crew’s toast to Bell:


So he gives himself a champagne toast, but Curry got the hook?
I highly doubt that he gave “himself a champagne toast”. I went to college with him – he’s a really good, smart guy
He wrecked the Today Show with the terribly tabloidy content, and the poorly handled Vieira-Curry-Guthrie transition (Curry never should have gotten the co-host job, but he compounded the problems by firing her in such a humiliating way).
On top of that, he looks like a fat, unshaven bum.
I quit watching the Today Show. Bell is a flop. He ruined the show.
A sweet day to see Jim Bell off of the Today Show. Once my favorite show has become a shut out due to this guy and his lack of understanding what not only people want to see but the chemistry between hosts especially Guthrie and Lauer. They both need to go away I am a loyal fan again. At least I see Curry doing some coverage since he left. Why don’t some producers get it? I used to work at a network, not this one and could understand the ejection seat job of making these moves.