Today’s Woes: Ann Curry Out, Savannah Guthrie Not Faring Any Better
Ann Curry’s forced exit from Today seemed like some kind of emergency move to better ratings, anchor-relationships, or something (hard to say, since no one is saying). Too bad her last-minute replacement Savannah Guthrie isn’t doing much better in the co-anchor seat. Good Morning America has taken the lead in ratings, as Today continues to plummet.
Rival ABC show Good Morning America has had an edge on Today ever since Guthrie took over for Curry. Preliminary data show Good Morning America had 4.425 million viewers Monday to 4.069 million for Today. On Tuesday, preliminary numbers showed Good Morning at 4.326 million to 4.175 million for Today, notes NY Daily, who called Guthrie’s replacement of Curry “no quick fix.”
The TV industry has been quick to note that preliminary data are no indicator as to whether or not a morning host will take with audiences. Few take immediately, as was the case when George Stephanopoulos replaced Diane Sawyer on Good Morning. The show dropped a bit before eventually climbing. “It’s too early to tell with Savannah Guthrie,” says Michael Harrison, editor of Talkers magazine. “Ratings almost always take time to build. There’s also a tendency to look at one anchor or one person when these things almost always involve a large combination of factors. I’m not sure Ann Curry was the problem before. Maybe someone should have looked at Matt Lauer.”
Or maybe someone should look at NBC as a whole. Their odd anti-Ann animus combined with their complete infatuation with Guthrie aren’t even subtle. Curry only got a few tearful moments to say her goodbyes on her last show. Guthrie got what Daily Mail called a nauseating “Ode to Savannah,” calling the Guthrie clip-show “a reel of her rapid rise to the top from her days as legal correspondent to White House reporter to where she is today.”
Curry’s farewell was additionally difficult as she hinted she’d failed a role for Asian-Americans. “For all of you who saw me as a groundbreaker, I’m sorry I couldn’t carry the ball to the finish line, but, man, I did try,” she said during her goodbye. Larry Atkins of Huffington Post opined that her dismissal was indeed a setback for Asian-Americans.
In any case, I don’t watch much morning television myself, so I can’t really offer personal commentary on the matter. All I can say is this: whether Guthrie will end up being a good host or not, she sure looks to be enjoying herself in Curry’s seat.
…Or Curry left a tack on the seat.
Tags : Ann Curry, ann curry fired, ann curry today, good morning america, good morning america today show ratings, matt lauer, matt lauer today, Savannah Guthrie, savannah guthrie matt lauer, savannah guthrie on today, savannah guthrie ratings, savannah guthrie replaces ann curry, Today Show Ratings
Posted: July 11, 2012
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Jul 11, 2012
SEEMS LIKE THE TODAY SHOW IS JUST CENTERED AROUND GUTHRIE, HER SINGING CAREER AND HER HIGH FLYING WITH HER BROTHER. MATT'S GUSHIENESS GAGS ME, AL THINKS HE'S ON COMEDY CENTRAL, THE ONLY ONE TO WATCH IS NATALIE:) SHE WAS BY PASSED, WHATEVER, GETTING USE TO GMA, OH ON THE REASON I KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON ON NBC IS BECAUSE THEY MAKE FUN OF IT ON CHELSEY LATELY, HELL THEY SHOULD OF HIRED HER.
Jul 11, 2012
Agree! I think Matt needs to go! Time for new blood!
Jul 12, 2012
I quit watching them altogether….
Jul 12, 2012
I liked Ann much better.
Jul 12, 2012
NBC blew it, letting Matt fire Ann. I'm done with the Today Show until they fire Matt.
Jul 12, 2012
I now watch CBS and GMA – like CBS greatly.
Jul 12, 2012
They should fire Matt instead. Ann was real and empathetic.
Jul 12, 2012
They should fire Matt instead. Ann was real and empathetic.
Jul 13, 2012
AND Savannah's voice REALLY grates on my nerves!
Jul 13, 2012
Matt is a douche
Jul 13, 2012
Well said Skip. She does grate more than cheese.
Jul 13, 2012
That's an astute observation Skip. It is a low blow to our Asian American citizens and other Asians too.
Jul 13, 2012
Matt is as dull as they come! He is a snake in the grass! Shame on NBC and what they did to Ann Curry! She is a loving, caring person and deserved better then what she got! I will not watch The Today Show until Matt is fired! Will someone tell Savannah to take off those high heels that she towers over everyone in!
Jul 13, 2012
I now watch abc, I miss ann.
Jul 13, 2012
I'll miss. Ann…she was my favorite.
Jul 13, 2012
Mark, my account was hacked and this was not posted by me. your comment was hillarious, however
Jul 13, 2012
this was not a comment i made – account hacked! i have never read this publication, nor do i watch this television show. although, i have have never known matt l to be a credible journalist in the past
Jul 13, 2012
Ann Curry, you are so missed. I think you'll go on to do something better than the, Today show! If this show wants squeaky silly anchors. That just shows the mentality of the producers! I stopped watching. But you can bet I'll be watching for the amazing journalism you'll be doing.
Jul 14, 2012
I LOVE Ann Curry!
Jul 14, 2012
You used Mary's ipad and left your facebook logged on. Mary didn't know that when she commented, your name would be used automatically. She did know before posting the scond comment though. Just funnin you. Apparently, everything is linked to facebook now so if you use a different computer, you must make sure you log out.
Jul 16, 2012
What a tagdedy of disrespect to.
the classiest woman in modern day news anchors!
Jul 16, 2012
I was an avid Today show watcher, but the awful way that Ann Curry was ousted from the show, I will watch anything else BUT the Today show… Come on NBC… wake up… Ann was a "real" reporter who "real" folks identified with.
Jul 16, 2012
I like Ann Cury. She was better than Savannah. Guthrie. I use to watch the today show every morning. Now I really hate watching.
Jul 18, 2012
I now watch Good Morning America….hate the Today Show without Ann. Go back and get on your knees and ask Ann to come back to the show….and get rid of the back stabbing new girls…loose Kathy Lee also.
Jul 18, 2012
ann-classy, kind, accomplished, articulate, brave, focused, award winner and the list goes on and on…yeah, those are sure reasons to be fired. I guess matt really has no worries.. no ann-no today show..
Jul 19, 2012
I agree , Sis:)
Aug 8, 2012
I have watched the Today Show as long as I can remember. I no longer watch it since they dumped Ann Curry. I hope their ratings continue to fall and send Matt on his way too.
Aug 12, 2012
It was a mistake to replace Ann Curry and an even bigger mistake to replace her with Savannah Guthrie. I no longer watch the show, it is just not the same anymore. Seems to me Ann will be the least of TODAY's problems.
Sep 3, 2012
Savannah is really boring. Time to let her go!
Dec 17, 2012
At least Ann Curry had class! Savannah and Matt do NOT!