Meredith Vieira confirmed on the air this morning that she will leave NBC’s Today Show next month and be replaced by Ann Curry. “After months of personal reflection and private conversations between my family and my friends, I’ve decided to leave Today in June,” said Vieira, who replaced Katie Couric on TV’s highest-rated morning program five years ago.
Curry has been a news anchor on the Today Show since 1997. NBC’s Natalie Morales will take Curry’s place as newsreader.
“Time is one of those weird things. You can never get enough of it. It just keeps ticking away. And I know that I want to spend more of mine with my husband Richard and my kids Ben, Gabe and Lily…” said Vieira while sitting on a couch surrounded by co-anchor Matt Lauer, Al Roker, Curry, and Morales. “I really hope to stay in the NBC family. That is my goal. It just won’t be sitting at the couch.”
Lauer lauded Vieira saying, “You should know at home that Meredith is universally adored here at Today. Not just by those of us on the couch but by all the people behind the scenes. She has brought class and dignity and talent and a joy of life to this show over these last five years and we will miss you like crazy.”
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This is a disaster for “Today.” Ann Curry is far too dramatic, doesn’t know when to stop talking, fawns over celebrities like a googly-eyed teen and flubs her lines constantly. What in the world are the producers of “Today” thinking? PS. Did anyone see her kiss Matt Lauer’s hand during the announcement? What the heck?!
EXACTLY!!! I am sure she is a great person, seems relatively intelligent, and is obviously beautiful, but that syrupy tone she takes makes me gag. And in virtually every interview, she speaks about 20 words for everyone one the supposed interviewee speaks! And when interviewing an expert, she actually will contradict or throw in her own opinions or suggestions. Really poor interviewing. I have watched all through college, through my jobs, etc. I fear those 18 years of viewership are over.
I agree with all of the above. When I heard Meredith was leaving, I hoped Ann wouldn’t be taking her place. Natalie would be a much better choice.
They’ve been grooming Ann for this. I think a lot of people are going to be surprised at how well she does.
I hear Katie Couric may be looking for work soon, and would love to team up with Matt Lauer.
I hope not. She burned her bridges when she left that show. Let’s see how much in demand she really is….her and her big ego.
Katie Couric couldn’t have burned any bridges. She was on the Today Show recently to plug her book.
I have heard that all these ladies leaving news have decided to join forces and create their own news channel.
Curry is just a short-term band-aid. Lauer has made noises that he may leave when his contract is up so promoting Curry preserves continuity. If they brought in someone new for Vieira and then someone new for Matt, it would be way too much change for the show. If Lauer re-ups and stays, Curry will be bumped shortly after for someone new & exciting. That’s show biz, folks…
Back when Katie was still on, the 4 of them gelled beautifully. Meredith has always done a fine job too, but she and Ann together do seem a little less energetic in the daytime. But it’s only fair that Ann finally gets the top spot. She’s a very smart and understanding interviewer.
The best part of this news is that Curry won’t be flubbing the news anymore.
This is great news for Joel McHale. I think Ann is probably a really good person, and she has paid her Today Show dues, but Natalie is actually good at the job.
Hey, leave Ann alone. She’s great. She’ll do a terrific job.
I can’t stand Anne Curry’s whispery voice.
I like Ann, but I totally agree with you. It’s her ‘sympathy voice’ when she interviews someone who has a sad story to tell. I believe she is being heartfelt, but for some reason it comes off as condescending.
She has a cameo in Doctor Who this season.
Completely agree, Ann was a bad enough news reader, she’s unbearable as an interviewer.
All I can think of is that clip from The Soup:
“Good morning good morning and good morning”
Ann will do great! She is classy & beautiful.
I agree with the others re: Ann. She is bright, attractive and works really hard, BUT there is something a bit too sugary and almost as if she plants herself in others’ personal space. I can’t stand watching her for longer than about three minutes so Robin and George get my vote.
Ann Curry? THe ratings are going to sink after this change
Ann Curry will go down as the worst replacement ever. Curry is a very talented news reader, but has no personality, and heaven forbid she has to improvise.
Far worse than Deborah Norville…
One word: “Eyebrows”
Are you serious? Curry’s a train wreck. She’s a horrible news reader.
Talented news reader? Good morning, good morning, good morning, and good morning does not make good news reading. But I like HER.
I like Ann! I think it’s a good fit and well deserved!
Same here. I for one would watch Today more with Ann as the regular host, that is for sure.
I like Ann! I think it’s a good fit and well deserved! Sad to Meredith go, though.
Those five years went fast. At this point they sort of have to give it to Curry because she’s put her time in but I agree that I don’t think she’s a strong choice. With that lineup, it will feel like something is missing.
HATE this. Love you, Meredith. The shifts up for Ann and Natalie CANNOT happen and TODAY will realize it made bad decisions when GMA comes out on top…
GMA will never come out on top. That show is BAD
True!
Agreed! GMA is so boring.
Good for NBC for recognizing their girl Ann. And Ann Curry – knock ‘em dead! (Katie Couric was once just a sober-faced news reader too. How fast we all forget.)
Not true, as Couric had lots of field experience. Curry had always just been a news reader.
Totally untrue! Ann Curry was an unaccomplished journalist at KCBS, the Los Angeles CBS, before she went national. She also has pursued her own stories on primetime evening news magazines.
“unaccomplished”????
Was she really that bad?
Ann fumbles so many words (while reading news) it is a shame that doctor did not put her on Ritalin. And naturally this is the person who is promoted. The wonders of tv.
Curry had a clause in her contract that if they didn’t offer it to her, she was allowed to be released immediately. Then NBC would lose two people with a possible third at the end of the year. There goes your continuity.
Ann actually seems like she’s be better as the host than the news reader. I’ve seen her screw up so many times that I just don’t have the respect for her you would want from the person giving you the news.
Meredith is total class, she was exactly the right choice when Katie left and she will be missed. Ann may or may not be the best fit but she’s earned the opportunity to try.
Sorry to see Meredith go, but I’m willing to give Ann a chance. I’m certainly not going to switch morning shows just because she’s been announced. Just going to wait and see how it goes.
Viera never should have got it in the fist place. What had she done before, The View? She is the most condescending, self righteous person on tv. Ann Curry is a professional with a proven track record much longer than anything Meredith has ever done like hosting Who Wants to be a Millionaire when Regis got bored with it.
“Ann Curry is a professional…”
Are we talking about the same person? I love Ann but many times I’ve tuned in I’ve seen her less than professional (not that it’s always a bad thing).
Her misreads of the teleprompter are legendary for laughs. the Today Show is about to finally lose its perch on the top. Not that Robin at ABC is much to write about either. Time for sweeping changes all over the morning programs
What had Meredith done? Only several years at CBS News, not to mention her time on 60 Minutes. In other words, Meredith had a ton of news experience. She only left news because of her husband’s health.
Meredith’s husband isn’t dead.
it says “health”, not “death”. He has MS, I assume she wants to spend as much time with him as she can and take care of him.
@C
Meredith Vieira has far more professional experience than Ann Curry.
CBS NY local investigative reporter 1979-1982
CBS Chicago National Reporter 1982-1984
CBS News Magazine “West 57th” correspondent 1985-1989
CBS News Magazine “60 MINUTES” correspondent 1989-1991
CBS Morning News anchor 1992-1993
ABC News Magazine “Turning Point” 1993-1997
‘
Meredith’s husband has multiple sclerosis and has had cancer twice. They also had 3 young children. She decided she didn’t want to travel anymore, which being a correspondent required, so she joined “The View” in 1997.
Just because you are uninformed about Meredith Vieira’s career doesn’t mean she doesn’t have great credentials in the news business. She was on 60 Minutes!
Check the facts, Meredith has a journalist – she was a CBS 60 Minutes correspondent and co-anchor of CBS morning show back in the 80′s
I don’t like Ann. She’s far too judgmental in her interviews and she puts words in people’s mouths. I guess that’s the media for you.
Very heartbroken about Merideth’s decision to leave Today. I wonder if she is also going to leave Who Wants To Be A Millionaire too?
I think NBC was in a bind. I read elsewhere that Curry was very hurt that she wasn’t chosen before. I always thought of her in a supporting role not as the main cheese. She tries very hard that’s for sure. If they lose the number 1 spot she will be gone. Will miss Meredith. I really liked her.
Ruth
Sorry to see Meredith live Today….she gave the show warmth and wit and was a great fit with Matt….I wish Ann well, but hope she can learn to slow down….she talks soooo fast, maybe it will be different when she’s on the hosting couch and not reading the news……
Were you hoping to see her dead today?