Posted on 05/15/2010 2:02:52 PM PDT by SkyPilot
You hit the nail on the head...actually, Mr. Lauer and NBC form a mutual protection association. The network believe its needs Lauer because “Today” is the most popular show in its line-up, including prime time. And, with ABC running a distant second and CBS a non-factor, it’s no wonder that Today has finished first in the ratings for more than a decade. NBC attributes a portion of that success to Lauer’s presence in the anchor chair, but the network also owes a debt to ABC for thinking George S. will bring in viewers and to CBS for sticking with Harry Smith, who has been failing in that timeslot for decades.
On the other hand, Lauer needs NBC and that big paycheck. Brian Williams is a bit younger than Matt and he has the big job sewn up for the next 20 years, if he wants it. Besides, NBC does not view him as evening anchor material—if they did, he would be filling in for Williams instead of Ann Curry.
Put another way, Lauer’s hit his glass ceiling at NBC and he’s got a choice: stick with a proven winner (Today), or strike out doing something else, realizing there aren’t a lot of gigs for washed-up anchors (hellooo Dan Rather and Bryant Gumbel).
Lauer also needs NBC to run interference for him when his messy private life becomes public. As long as he’s #1, the network will defend its star, doing whatever’s necessary to protect that cash-cow program. But if the ratings start to slip, Lauer will be gone in a flash.
Incidentally, I worked in the salt mines of broadcast news until I had the good sense to join the military and have a real career. I still know a few behind-the-camera folks at the nets; Lauer’s philandering is the stuff of legend; he was a notorious skirt-chaser as a local host, and it continued during his first NY stint (at WWOR-TV), and later at WNBC. Lauer destroyed his first marriage through serial cheating and seems hell-bent on doing the same thing again.
Also, some FReepers may remember Lauer’s involvement in a sex scandal about 10 years ago. He was engaged, but flew to Florida every weekend, ostensibly to care for his aging parents. In reality, he was hooking up with a married woman. If I recall correctly Lauer was named in the divorce proceedings and the former husband blamed the NBC host for the break-up of his marriage.
I’m guessing the current Mrs. Lauer will decamp to her native Holland in the near future, taking their three kids (and a good chunk of Matt’s $7 million annual paycheck with her. You go girl.
Who cares? The only decent one out of that whole morning group who didn’t think she as “all that” like matt and katie did was Ann Curry. She is still there. Behaves like a lady, remains professional, does her job and is dignified. The rest of them make me laugh over and over again at their stupidity and the importance they place on themselves. AS for Matt’s wife? She knows the score. He makes tons of money...if she wants to leave him she can. I don’t feel sorry for her if she has that choice.
NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!
You think?
It takes two to tango and not a peep about the other party.
What dread disease will take him out? Any guesses?
Like the screen name. Thanks for the grin!
And if you ask me, (which you didn’t, I know ;) ) He is a girlyman I wouldn’t look at twice.
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