Anderson here. Let me tell you something—things haven’t been the same at NBC’s "Today" show since Matt Lauer got the boot back in 2017. Allegations of sexual harassment rocked the morning talk show, and it left a huge void in the network's lineup. Matt, who was 59 at the time, had been a mainstay of the NBC brand for years. But according to sources speaking to Us Weekly, there’s been this eerie vibe on set ever since he left. It’s like the energy got all thrown off.
Now, Savannah Guthrie, his former co-host? She’s absolutely heartbroken about it all. Sources say she and Matt were super close. They weren’t just colleagues—they had a real bond. When the news about Matt broke, Savannah was blindsided. Sure, everyone knew Matt had a playful, flirty side, and maybe he’d had some relationships over the years. But the people around him believed those were consensual. They had no clue there was more to the story. This revelation left the entire "Today" team reeling, questioning everything they thought they knew about their colleague.
Reactions From the "Today" Family
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After being fired, Matt released a pretty heartfelt statement. He admitted to his mistakes, apologized to those he hurt, and promised to do better. In his words, "I regret that my shame is now shared by the people I cherish dearly. Repairing the damage will take a lot of time and soul searching, and I’m committed to beginning that effort. It is now my full-time job. The last two days have forced me to take a very hard look at my own troubling flaws. It’s been humbling. I am blessed to be surrounded by the people I love. I thank them for their patience and grace."
How NBC Handled the Fallout
Higher-ups at NBC didn’t waste any time informing the staff about Matt’s departure. They wanted to make sure everyone was in the loop right away. Sources say it felt almost like they were handling a death in the family—it was a somber moment. Editorial meetings that usually had around 30 people suddenly ballooned to 200 attendees. Executives made it a point to address the situation openly with the entire team. They encouraged questions and transparency, trying to keep communication lines open.
Not Everyone’s Ready to Write Him Off
Even though Matt’s public image has taken a major hit, not everyone at NBC is ready to turn their backs on him. Kathie Lee Gifford, one of his co-workers, spoke out in support of forgiveness. She urged fans to show Matt some mercy. "No person is perfect in this world," she said. "Nobody is. We’ve all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, as scripture says. What we need now is forgiveness, and we need mercy for one another. We don’t need taunts and we don’t need ugliness. We have enough of that in the world." Kathie Lee’s message resonated with many, reminding everyone that redemption is possible.
