Matt Lauer's Journey On 'Today': The Rise, The Challenges, And The Fall

For two decades, Matt Lauer was the face of NBC's 'Today' show, a reliable anchor who guided viewers through the morning hours with charm and professionalism. As co-anchors like Katie Couric, Meredith Vieira, and Ann Curry came and went, Matt remained the constant, even advising his superiors on personnel decisions. He famously warned against bringing on Billy Bush and Megyn Kelly, sources say. However, his tenure came to an abrupt end on November 29, 2017, when he was fired following sexual harassment allegations.

Reports had surfaced that Matt was planning to step down once his contract expired in 2018. According to insiders, "He tried to make things work," but the network's decision to let him go came sooner than expected. It was a shock to many, given his long-standing role as the backbone of the show.

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At 59, Matt had already begun considering his departure from 'Today' when his estimated $25 million-a-year contract was set to expire in 2018, according to sources. "Matt’s heart just hasn’t been in the job this past year," one source revealed. His strained relationship with Megyn Kelly, the 9 a.m. host, likely contributed significantly to his decision to leave. "He thinks she's entitled," the source added.

But beyond professional frustrations, Matt also wanted more time with his family—his wife Annette and their three children: Jack, 16, Romy, 14, and Thijs, 10. Sources suggest that Matt's absence from home due to the demanding nature of his job had taken its toll. "Matt is going to do a lot of damage to the show when he leaves," an insider warned, noting that no successor was being groomed to fill his shoes.

It all started when Matt's bosses brought Megyn Kelly on board in January. "He was told at the last minute that she was being hired," the source explained. "Before, he would have been in the loop. He used to have tremendous influence." This shift made some feel like Matt was being sidelined. A month later, he admitted to having plans to retire, saying, "At the first hint that I might not love it, I will go. It would be a crime to stay." Despite this, Matt attempted to welcome Megyn and offer advice about transitioning from Fox News to the lighthearted world of morning television. "Megyn didn’t want to hear it," the source said. This rejection sparked a clash of egos that simmered for months, culminating in an argument in the halls of NBC's New York City headquarters in October.