Hoda Kotb To Replace Ann Curry Next Week [Rumor]
Ann Curry is out. Hoda Kotb is in. Reports have been circulating all week that Ann Curry will soon be getting the ax from The Today Show and now we may know her replacement. Kotb is rumored to be the front-runner to sit beside Matt Lauer and the move could be made as early as next week.
The Daily Mail reports that Kotb, who has been with NBC since 1998 and currently hosts the fourth hour of Today with Kathie Lee Gifford will step in.
“Hoda has a hard news background but is extremely comfortable discussing pop culture issues. She just has a warmth that viewers find comforting. She was very public with her breast cancer battle, and allowed cameras to follow her during her cancer treatments on Today. Hoda is a team player, and is so well liked by everyone at the show, most importantly, Matt Lauer. They have a very easy rapport and mutual respect. Hoda even recently interviewed Matt for a Hamptons Magazine profile on him.”
In that profile, Kotb called Lauer “the most talented journalist I have ever seen.”
Kotb said:
“He is one of the funniest people I know… He is also compassionate, and I think it’s that characteristic that drives him to motivate others to take care of their community.”
NBC executives reportedly blamed Curry for their low ratings, saying that she had no chemistry with Matt Lauer. Kotb, who has scored well in NBC focus groups, has a good rapport with Lauer and could help boost the shows ratings.
Savannah Guthrie is also rumored to be in the running but the Daily Mail reports that NBC executives aren’t comfortable putting Guthrie in the spotlight yet.
‘The problem with Savannah is that in focus groups, she just doesn’t score as high as Hoda does… NBC has been conducting focus groups to assist the network executives in determining who should replace Ann. Savannah is an extremely talented journalist, and she is extremely bright, but she only recently joined Today and viewers just aren’t as comfortable with her.”
Do you think Hoda Kotb should replace Ann Curry?
Tags : Ann Curry, ann curry fired, ann curry replacement, hoda kotb, matt lauer, the today show
Posted: June 23, 2012
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Jun 24, 2012
Would love to see Hoda with Matt, but I'm not sure about Hoda leaving Kathie Lee, they are too good together, will miss that very much.
Jun 24, 2012
"Kotb, who has scored well in NBC focus groups, has a good repertoire with Lauer and could help boost the shows ratings." Really, 'repertoire'? Perhaps you meant 'rapport'? Ya think? Yes, Hoda is an excellent choice, Ann is good on Dateline, keep her there. Hoda is on the same level as a Katie Couric and please, leave Meredith home when u go to London.
Jun 24, 2012
Ann Curry should remind NBC executives that people have seen Hoda & Kathy go on air sans their normal three hours in the make-up chair. How would Hoda manage to get her make-up on three hours earlier for The first segment of The Today Show? Since NBC is not going to fire Andrea Mitchell for her idiotic editing of Romney's WaWa speech, maybe she could hold Matt's hand in the morning?
Oct 16, 2012
I wish they'd take hoda off the air completely she always looks like shes tweaked out on drugs……not so proffesinal either.