Ann Curry Back On The 'TODAY' Show?
Ann Curry could be back on NBC's "TODAY" show in an intriguing new twist in her firing saga.
Curry was formerly co-host of NBC's "TODAY" show before she was abruptly axed after just one year in the position. Many believed that she was blamed for the morning show's drop in ratings, and was being used as a scapegoat. However, in a strange turn of events, Curry looks like she will be featured on "TODAY" on a more regular basis.
"Ann Curry reported for the TODAY show on Monday morning from the Syrian border, and she will be featured on a much more routine basis going forward for the TODAY show," a show insider told RadarOnline. "Ann is truly doing what she loves the most now, reporting from war-torn countries and bringing viewers stories of people that are affected by the destruction in the region."
While Matt Lauer's "likability" has decreased by 25 percent over the past year -- according to Q Scores --Curry's popularity has risen.
"Ann has been reporting for other NBC news programs as well. She certainly didn't like getting sacked from being the co-host, but Ann is making the best of the situation and is a true professional," the source told RadarOnline. "Fans of the 'TODAY' show let the network know they missed seeing Ann and the plan going forward is to use her more. Hopefully that might bolster the show's falling ratings."
Is Lauer seething? The anchor will be expected to take a significant pay cut from his $25 million salary if "TODAY" ratings continue to go south.
Lauer had enough of the badmouthing over Curry being fired that "TODAY" executive producer Jim Bell publicly took the blame for Curry's leave even though Lauer originated the idea.
"Matt wanted Jim to do it. Matt was sick of being the punching bag." a source told The New York Post.
Curry is content with where she is now.
She is "happy to just have the drama of dealing with concerns about the TODAY show when she was a co-host behind her. Ann at her core is a hard news journalist and reporting from the field is her strength. Look for Ann to be reporting from Africa as well in the next two months," the RadarOnline source said.
