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.
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.
Agree! I think Matt needs to go! Time for new blood!
I quit watching them altogether….
I liked Ann much better.
NBC blew it, letting Matt fire Ann. I'm done with the Today Show until they fire Matt.
I now watch CBS and GMA – like CBS greatly.
They should fire Matt instead. Ann was real and empathetic.
They should fire Matt instead. Ann was real and empathetic.
AND Savannah's voice REALLY grates on my nerves!
Matt is a douche
Well said Skip. She does grate more than cheese.
That's an astute observation Skip. It is a low blow to our Asian American citizens and other Asians too.
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!
I now watch abc, I miss ann.
I'll miss. Ann…she was my favorite.
Mark, my account was hacked and this was not posted by me. your comment was hillarious, however
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
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.
I LOVE Ann Curry!
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.
What a tagdedy of disrespect to.
the classiest woman in modern day news anchors!
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.
I like Ann Cury. She was better than Savannah. Guthrie. I use to watch the today show every morning. Now I really hate watching.
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.
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..
I agree , Sis:)
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.
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.
Savannah is really boring. Time to let her go!
At least Ann Curry had class! Savannah and Matt do NOT!