Shakeup at 'Today': Ann Curry out?
NBC is reportedly negotiating to dump the co-anchor
Shakeup at ‘Today’: Ann Curry out?
David Hiltbrand, Inquirer TV Critic
So much for smooth transitions. With little fanfare, NBC appointed Ann Curry, Today’s longtime newsreader to replace Meredith Vieira when Vieira stepped down as Matt Lauer’s co-anchor exactly a year ago.
Then reality set in. Curry was stiff and unnatural in the role, had no chemistry with Matt and showed little flair for either the human interest or hard news segments.
All that might have been overlooked. But the viewers started to turn away, and that NBC would not stand for.
The New York Times reported yesterday that the network has been working for weeks on a plan to replace Curry on the morning show and find a more suitable job for her in the news division. There is some urgency to this negotiation because NBC wants to have the Today situation resolved and the show running smoothly by the time Olympic coverage begins next month from London.
Curry is apparently not going gently. She has retained Washington attorney Robert Barnett to represent her in talks with NBC. Neither Curry nor Barnett nor any network executives have commented thusfar.
Early conjecture has Savannah Guthrie, who currently co-hosts the show's third hour, as the front runner to replace Curry at the big desk. A formal announcement is expected as soon as next week.
Curry’s fate was essentially sealed when Good Morning America beat Today in the ratings this spring, ending a remarkable string of 852 consecutive weeks as the queen of morning. The two programs have been swapping the top spot since.
What do you think? Is Curry responsible for Today’s decline or is she just a scapegoat?
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Time will tell how this scenario will play out but one senses that Ms Curry isn’t just a pretty face to play along to demands (she does have her lawyer already on board) which is probably what got her in trouble in the first place…
ps- Where do I sent my resume again Matt?
http://scallywagandvagabond.com/2012/06/ann-curry-turns-up-to-today-show-acting-as-if-she-hasnt-been-fired/— scallywag- I absolutely agree with the network's decision. I used to really like Curry in the past, but she has become quite annoying since her promotion. And her feeble attempts at channeling Diane Sawyer's svelteness are diastrous. She is out of her depth.— POF
- I feel for Ann,, however, I have never really enjoyed listening to her while she talks or interviews a guest. I have found myself....changing the station! I used to crave The Today Show like my breakfast coffee, not any longer! In my opinion Ann does her best work while narrating Dateline Sories. I think Ann tries really hard to be the Cohost we want and expect,, in my opinion, Ann is NOT cut out for this particular position, regardless of how bad she desires it. I wish she would move on graciously! I'm wishing NBC and Ann the best!— K.W.
- I like Ann Curry. I think her only problem is that she is not Meredith Viera, who was top notch in that role. I can't see Savannah Guthrie being any better than Ann Curry.— bwillie
- I have lost interest in The Today Show because of Ann Curry!!! I truly believe she is totally ~ out of her league ~. Some people are cut out to be reporters and cohost, but I, unfortunately, Do NOT feel its for Ann. I wish she would bow out graciously, NBC did her a favor, by giving her a chance, in a position she was totally wrong for. NBC shouldn't be penalized!!! She needs to admit to herself, this position, isn't moving her forward, actually causing her to look foolish....EVERY morning. Sorry Ann!— K.W.
- Just get the hottest chick available. They just have to read the teleprompter, nod at Matt, and laugh at Al.— The Selector
- I always liked Ann Curry. It sucks they keep replacing people. The entertainment industry is cut throat and networks are always looking to blame one specific aspect or person for declining viewership. A lot of times there are various reasons causing a problem. I watch the Today show less and less because they have way too many commercial breaks. There are times when they do a segment and then a ton of ads and then they comeback for a minute or two and go to more commercials. Then certain stories I'm interested in seeing takes them forever to show. I don't want to sit there for an hour when they keep saying "next up" when in reality its 45 minutes away. NBC spends more time showing commercials then they do the news. I understand they need the ads to generate income, but its become ridiculous, its worse than any other station. I get why people are watch ABC or CBS more often now. NBC cannot put the entire blame on Curry when there are other factors that maybe leading viewership away. They do need more real news also.— ChrisHR
- I agree that Ann is not right for the position but please do not replace her with Savannah. I'd rather have Natalie Morales or Meridith back.— debrat
- Making her the scapegoat is a cheap shot, but that's television. My guess is that NBC is getting a lot of heat from their affiliates.Since the expansion of the show, affiliates have lost a bunch of spots to the network. Lost inventory combined with lower ratings makes for unhappy stations.
— johnnymon - Tamron Hall from MSNBC would probably be the best choice. Ask Chicago viewers if they miss her.— jojotr44
- Ann Curry seems like a really decent person but as a co-host she doesn't seem to have the personality. However, the real culprit is NBC! Their BIASED reporting lost me because I don't trust their reliability.— James Weerts
- I'm not a fan of Ann. She's a horrible interviewer and really shows her Liberal colors when she's speaking with a Republican. She doesn't give people a fair shake. I don't mind her narrating Dateline but as a co-host on Today, she's a big turn off. Which is exactly what I've been doing lately.— analogjr
- 3 words: Campbell Brown PLEASE!!!— lcpeterson
- Agree with James Weerts above. I think they put her in that role because she was there for a long time and it would help with the Asian community? I turned to GMA awhile ago too.
— Jasper2020 - Put on Rachael Maddow, other than Matt and Al, there are no other dudes on the show.— jimmymack
