Ann Curry Fired: Katie Couric Responds, Feels "Terrible" For Curry

Katie Couric has criticized the TODAY show for Ann Curry's dismissal.

The former TODAY show anchor who worked with Curry at CBS Evening News says she felt "terrible" for the firing and admits that she "felt really bad for Ann," in an interview with the Philadelphia Inquirer.

"I still don't understand why they didn't give her a sort of a proper send-off," Couric said. "Ann did some extraordinary work during her time there. It was just not the best chapter in the TODAY show. It made me sad for the institution."

Couric interviewed the newspaper for one of many stops on her press tour to promote her highly anticipated daytime talk show "Katie". The network is reportedly paying her $40 million a year.

Couric has already booked several news headlining guests including Jessica Simpson, Sheryl Crow, flesh-eating bacteria victim Aimee Copeland and Amanda Knox's former boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito. She will also address serious issues such as military suicides.

The 55-year-old is a special correspondent for ABC. She contributes to a host of ABC shows: ABC World News, Nightline, 20/20 and Good Morning America. Couric became the first woman in the history of televison to anchor of a weekday evening news program on one of the top three networks (CBS).

"Katie" premieres September 10 on ABC.