Today Show Matt Lauer: Crew "Breathed Sigh Of Relief" Over His Absence
Matt Lauer's absence on the "TODAY" show last week was considered a "relief" for the show's production crew and staff.
"The energy is just so much lighter and not as tense while Matt has been on vacation this past week," an anonymous source from the show told Radar Online. "Everyone has breathed a sigh of relief. The crew just works better together, things just flow a lot easier, and no one is looking forward to Matt returning."
The insider disclosed that while Lauer is away, his co-host Savannah Guthrie settled into her new co-host role much better with her temporary sidekick, David Gregory. Gregory sat in for Lauer during his vacation.
"Savannah is now settling into her role as being co-host and the staff is truly embracing her now. David Gregory has been filling on for Matt this past week and he and Savannah have a good chemistry."
"TODAY" show production crew and staff were reportedly more at ease during Lauer's absence. There was less pressure than normal and the staff were not reminded about their recent defeat against morning show rival "Good Morning America."
"The cast and crew are very much aware that 'Good Morning America' has been consistently beating them in the ratings but while Matt has been gone, it hasn't been thrown in their faces everyday."
It was reported on Oct.2 that Ann Curry will be returning to the news program more often to help boost the show's ratings.
Her recent stint in Syria proved to be a hit. Curry's fans' criticism of her absence had inspired "TODAY" executives to bring her back to the show.
"She will be featured on a much more routine basis going forward for the TODAY show," another source told Radar Online. "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."
Matt Lauer reportedly was upset for being blamed for Curry's exit in late June. "TODAY" executive producer Jim Bell announced in a statement that he was responsible for the decision to remove Curry and replace her with Savannah Guthrie which decreased the show's ratings. According to New York Post, it was Lauer's idea for Bell to take the heat for their critical missteps.
"Matt wanted Jim to do it. Matt was sick of being the punching bag," a source told The New York Post.
"It was definitely not Matt's call," Bell reportedly stated in an interview about the Curry's firing. "[Matt] is the host and does not have management responsibility. It was not his call. That was my call."
The source added that Bell taking the heat for Lauer was considered a "Yom Kippur attack" among television industry insiders.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, "Good Morning America" won the premiere week of the 2012-13 season (Sept. 24) in both adults 25-54 and total viewers, beating "TODAY" significantly.
ABC's hit morning show beat "TODAY" by 254,000 viewers (1.937 million over 1.683 million) and in total viewers, "GMA" won by a margin of 808,000 viewers (4.957 million viewers versus 4.149 million viewers who watched "TODAY")."
