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Ann Curry Leaves Today Show on NBC - Page 2

post #31 of 64
7/4/12 at 2:51pm
Must be somethung behind the scenes. I don't see Ann as hurting ratings; on the contrary, with her bubbly persona, great smile, and that sexy voice, I thought she was a big plus for the show, and should have been selected over Meridith Viera earlier.
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post #32 of 64
7/4/12 at 2:55pm
The real reason: ""Matt Lauer is 100 percent behind Ann leaving," a source tells Us Weekly. In the days leading up to her emotional on-air farewell, Curry (who joined the show in 1997 as news reader) and Lauer, 54, "were really icy to each other, and she refused to speak to him all week."

Read more: http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/matt-lauer-was-100-percent-behind-ann-currys-ouster-from-today-show-201237#ixzz1zh26JlJK"
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post #33 of 64
7/4/12 at 5:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MRM4 View Post

I thought Ann was a terrible interviewer, thought that long before she was promoted to co-host. I think she's a good reporter, but not a permanent host. When an interviewer asks a grieving family "how are you feeling?" or "what's going through your mind?", those are some bad questions.
Savannah Guthrie is not who I thought would be the permanent replacement. Too bad. NBC has lost some good on-air female talent to other networks in recent years because of poor decision making.
Well, again I say, it was a big mistake for them to let Amy Robach get away. She would have been great as the new cohost. She has the right combination of looks, personality, and journalism/broadcasting credentials. She is now an asset for Good Morning America instead.
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post #34 of 64
7/4/12 at 6:02pm
And yesterday they had Natalie Morales doing both the Today Show and Nightly News. Anne has pretty much been pushed aside, as she used to fill in for Brian Williams. Now she is no where to be seen. But I'm guessing she will eventually reappear in her new role.
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post #35 of 64
7/4/12 at 8:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by igreg View Post

Must be somethung behind the scenes. I don't see Ann as hurting ratings; on the contrary, with her bubbly persona, great smile, and that sexy voice, I thought she was a big plus for the show, and should have been selected over Meridith Viera earlier.
I've said this for years. Meredith always reminded of the nasty old lady in Kingpin.
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post #36 of 64
7/5/12 at 8:55am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MRM4 View Post

NBC has lost some good on-air female talent to other networks in recent years because of poor decision making.
And they've kept some terrible (the two cougars come to mind) talent too...
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post #37 of 64
7/5/12 at 11:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Closet Geek View Post

I happened to be thinking about this over the weekend and what gets me is while working as the news anchor on the show she filled in as co-anchor who knows how many times when people were on vacation or assignment. Aside from the fact that there never seem to be an issue during this time (otherwise they wouldn't have kept using her), how do you not know that she wouldn't be a good fit? To me this speaks entirely of a management, production issue. In my corporate world, we very well know who the intended successors are with personality fit taken into account. You simply can't work that long with the same basic people and not gel or not know how to get it to gel. And as the dominant talent, Matt has entirely too much clout to not stand up and say to the producers, "Hey, this won't work with Ann..." if there were some issue. He would have made that known long beforehand and if he had, no way would she have even been given a shot let alone a $10MM contract. This woman was unsupported, probably pressured (which would make anyone uncomfortable if she appeared that way), and ultimately shafted. They know this, which is part of the reason why she's been "reassigned" with a truckload of cash instead of shown the door. Ratings suck but people like her, moving her completely out is a much worse PR move than "reassigning" her with the cash and bringing in a newbie. And speaking of the newbie, just on image alone, could she look any less like she belongs at a network anchor desk?

Oh please... Anybody who accepts one of these positions knows full well the perils and responsibility they are taking on. For whatever reasons something wasn't working as well as they had hoped and they decided to make a change to shake things up. Unfortunately for Ann she was the focus of the change this time. To say she was unsupported is ridiculous. I'm quite sure she started out with all kinds of support. Of course that began to erode as she appeared to struggle with her new role. Personally I see no "image" issues with either Ann Curry or Savannah Guthrie sitting at a network anchor desk, even though that is not what either of their primary roles was/is anyway.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Charles R View Post

I tend to look at it exactly the opposite. She was given plenty of opportunities to prove herself. More than any outsider would have certainly. Ultimately, it didn't work and whether she was never given the position or let go years from now it really isn't any different. They decided to go elsewhere and (partly for PR) they gave her more than an ideal position.

To a large degree until they are the one you can't tell how someone will do... much like a second string quarterback filling in because of injury. It's a whole new game. One apparently (rightfully or wrongly) they no longer want her to start and they have every right as it's their team and she has been treated more than fairly to my thinking.

Exactly.


Quote:
Originally Posted by tylerSC View Post

And yesterday they had Natalie Morales doing both the Today Show and Nightly News. Anne has pretty much been pushed aside, as she used to fill in for Brian Williams. Now she is no where to be seen. But I'm guessing she will eventually reappear in her new role.

It will likely take some time to shake out but this week in general with the holiday midweek there are lots of fill-in's for regulars anyway. Add to that her contentious departure from Today and there is likely some time needed for "calmer minds to prevail" and settle down. I'm quite sure NBC still sees Ann as a valuable contributor and wants her to continue on in related duties. They just wanted to try a change in the Today co-anchor seat. It's a cut throat business and ratings drive everything.


Quote:
Originally Posted by igreg View Post

The real reason: ""Matt Lauer is 100 percent behind Ann leaving," a source tells Us Weekly. In the days leading up to her emotional on-air farewell, Curry (who joined the show in 1997 as news reader) and Lauer, 54, "were really icy to each other, and she refused to speak to him all week."
Read more: http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/matt-lauer-was-100-percent-behind-ann-currys-ouster-from-today-show-201237#ixzz1zh26JlJK"

The only thing worse than BS sensationalistic gossip mag "reporting" is other people further spreading the crap....


ron
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post #38 of 64
7/5/12 at 11:56am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by R11 View Post

To say she was unsupported is ridiculous. I'm quite sure she started out with all kinds of support. Of course that began to erode as she appeared to struggle with her new role.
ron

Ann Curry never got the level of spot promos that other co-anchors got. Jane Pauley, Katie Couric, even Merideth Viera all got strong spot promos to single them out to give them a boost and identity. Even Hoda and Kathy Lee are getting more promo time. Curry was the co-anchor of the biggest portion of the Today segment, which was already plunging and they did little to help create buy-in to her, which is a particular slap in the face, IMO, considering she was already on the show at the news desk. By the way, when she was there, ratings still weren't great and it wasn't because Ann was at the news desk.
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post #39 of 64
7/5/12 at 10:44pm
There are way too many souces citing the fact she doesn’t get along with co-host Matt Lauer to have no merit. This is a reply to R11; I don't know why it is not listed as such.
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post #40 of 64
7/6/12 at 7:08am
Thread Starter 
This may or may not be true but one would question how this could be possible considering how long she was at the news desk. Again, if there were personality conflicts then, no way would Matt (with his clout) have agreed to Ann becoming the co-anchor.
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post #41 of 64
7/12/12 at 1:44pm
Thread Starter 
Not looking so good for NBC or Guthrie.....interesting

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/entertainment/post/2012/07/ratings-gma-trounces-today-with-savannah-guthrie/1#.T_828ZErJk0
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post #42 of 64
7/13/12 at 10:16am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Closet Geek View Post

Not looking so good for NBC or Guthrie.....interesting
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/entertainment/post/2012/07/ratings-gma-trounces-today-with-savannah-guthrie/1#.T_828ZErJk0
Beaten by GMA again... even with Ann gone? What a shocker! I thought they solved the "problem" rolleyes.gif
How long till they bounce Savannah Banana now?
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post #43 of 64
7/20/12 at 6:31pm
Ann Curry reappears on NBC Nighty News and Dateline special covering Colorado shootings today. Meanwhile, Amy Robach does good anchoring GMA this morning. Should have given her the job at Today.
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post #44 of 64
7/21/12 at 5:14am
I saw Ann on the Today Show this morning. She did a great job with the taped interview of a Colorado couple and their little baby who were at the theater shootings, obviously shot in the daylight hours of yesterday. However, when Savannah cut to her "live" this morning (Saturday), Ann had this "hang dog" look like she would like to have been anyplace but there, especially with her cue coming from Savannah.
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post #45 of 64
7/22/12 at 5:54am
Quote:
Originally Posted by BoilerJim View Post

I saw Ann on the Today Show this morning. She did a great job with the taped interview of a Colorado couple and their little baby who were at the theater shootings, obviously shot in the daylight hours of yesterday. However, when Savannah cut to her "live" this morning (Saturday), Ann had this "hang dog" look like she would like to have been anyplace but there, especially with her cue coming from Savannah.
Yea, kind of ironic that their roles have now been reversed.
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post #46 of 64
8/17/12 at 12:02pm
Thread Starter 
http://newyork.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/al-roker-delivers-apparent-dig-at-matt-lauer-on-today-1.3910038

It appears Ann has at least one advocate.
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post #47 of 64
8/17/12 at 1:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Closet Geek View Post

Ann Curry never got the level of spot promos that other co-anchors got. Jane Pauley, Katie Couric, even Merideth Viera all got strong spot promos to single them out to give them a boost and identity. Even Hoda and Kathy Lee are getting more promo time. Curry was the co-anchor of the biggest portion of the Today segment, which was already plunging and they did little to help create buy-in to her, which is a particular slap in the face, IMO, considering she was already on the show at the news desk. By the way, when she was there, ratings still weren't great and it wasn't because Ann was at the news desk.

Sorry, I thought you were referring to management support, which she obviously had in the beginning or she wouldn't have been promoted in the first place. Perhaps she didn't get the same promo support since she was already a known entity from having already been on the show for so long?


Quote:
Originally Posted by igreg View Post

There are way too many souces citing the fact she doesn’t get along with co-host Matt Lauer to have no merit. This is a reply to R11; I don't know why it is not listed as such.

My point was not really whether Ann and Matt had a strained relationship at the end or not. It's the way the media outlets sensationalize the whole thing trying to make it into much more than it was simply to generate ratings based on emotional response. "Ooohhhh, Matt's a mean Villian!! He booted poor Ann out the door!". But that's the way everything is presented by the BS media in this current age unfortunately.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Closet Geek View Post

This may or may not be true but one would question how this could be possible considering how long she was at the news desk. Again, if there were personality conflicts then, no way would Matt (with his clout) have agreed to Ann becoming the co-anchor.

Exactly. I don't doubt that Matt was likely a proponent of moving Ann out at the end, just as I have no doubt that he was very much in favor of her taking over Meredith's spot when she left.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Closet Geek View Post

http://newyork.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/al-roker-delivers-apparent-dig-at-matt-lauer-on-today-1.3910038
It appears Ann has at least one advocate.

I don't know about that. It seemed pretty clear to me that Al was simply making a joke about the media and viewer overreaction to the whole thing as opposed to taking a jab at Matt. Matt and Savannah's reactions would seem to support that as well. I rather doubt Al would actually try that to "King Matt" if he valued his job wink.gifbiggrin.gif


Iike I said when this all first come up, I liked Ann. She was a local girl from the Oregon area, was an University of Oregon Duck, and even spent some time as one of our local news anchors way back when. I followed her career as a girl with local ties and liked her as a person. In retrospect I still think she was not the best person for that role though and I thought it was showing on air. I personally think Savanna is better suited for the position and has been doing a fine job. Also as I said before, I never saw Ann as "the big reason" for their ratings drop either, as they seem to have various other factors they need to address. But that doesn't mean that it was a mistake to make the change with Ann though. I sincerely think that Matt feels bad about it but as he should was looking at it from a business perspective instead of an emotional one, which many others seem unwilling or unable to do.


ron
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post #48 of 64
8/17/12 at 1:54pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by R11 View Post

Sorry, I thought you were referring to management support, which she obviously had in the beginning or she wouldn't have been promoted in the first place. Perhaps she didn't get the same promo support since she was already a known entity from having already been on the show for so long?
My point was not really whether Ann and Matt had a strained relationship at the end or not. It's the way the media outlets sensationalize the whole thing trying to make it into much more than it was simply to generate ratings based on emotional response. "Ooohhhh, Matt's a mean Villian!! He booted poor Ann out the door!". But that's the way everything is presented by the BS media in this current age unfortunately.
Exactly. I don't doubt that Matt was likely a proponent of moving Ann out at the end, just as I have no doubt that he was very much in favor of her taking over Meredith's spot when she left.
I don't know about that. It seemed pretty clear to me that Al was simply making a joke about the media and viewer overreaction to the whole thing as opposed to taking a jab at Matt. Matt and Savannah's reactions would seem to support that as well. I rather doubt Al would actually try that to "King Matt" if he valued his job wink.gifbiggrin.gif
Iike I said when this all first come up, I liked Ann. She was a local girl from the Oregon area, was an University of Oregon Duck, and even spent some time as one of our local news anchors way back when. I followed her career as a girl with local ties and liked her as a person. In retrospect I still think she was not the best person for that role though and I thought it was showing on air. I personally think Savanna is better suited for the position and has been doing a fine job. Also as I said before, I never saw Ann as "the big reason" for their ratings drop either, as they seem to have various other factors they need to address. But that doesn't mean that it was a mistake to make the change with Ann though. I sincerely think that Matt feels bad about it but as he should was looking at it from a business perspective instead of an emotional one, which many others seem unwilling or unable to do.
ron

But why is Matt looking at it at all? I've been in a situation where my coworker and I didn't get along and our boss basically said "figure it out and work it out". Being the two professionals that we were that's exactly what we did. By no stretch were we running buddies but we kept it professional and found a groove.

And to each there own but I don't think Savannah works and an anchor at all. And in a business that is largely image driven, she doesn't fit in with the look of that team at all and that really stood out during the Olympic coverage. Don't get me wrong, she's professional and seems to have credibility to me and presents well but to me she just doesn't fit nor is she an upgrade over Ann. Not as a morning anchor anyway.

Oh well, whether this was really directed at Matt or just a misinterpreted inside studio joke it sure has a lot of legs. And speaking of legs....Amy Robach's are still looking quite good over on the now watched Good Morning America!
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post #49 of 64
8/17/12 at 4:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Closet Geek View Post

But why is Matt looking at it at all? I've been in a situation where my coworker and I didn't get along and our boss basically said "figure it out and work it out". Being the two professionals that we were that's exactly what we did. By no stretch were we running buddies but we kept it professional and found a groove.
And to each there own but I don't think Savannah works and an anchor at all. And in a business that is largely image driven, she doesn't fit in with the look of that team at all and that really stood out during the Olympic coverage. Don't get me wrong, she's professional and seems to have credibility to me and presents well but to me she just doesn't fit nor is she an upgrade over Ann. Not as a morning anchor anyway.
Oh well, whether this was really directed at Matt or just a misinterpreted inside studio joke it sure has a lot of legs. And speaking of legs....Amy Robach's are still looking quite good over on the now watched Good Morning America!

Why is Matt looking at what? I don't follow what you're trying to say here. If you mean why does Matt figure into what goes on with his co-anchor seat that should be obvious. He's the lead person and has been for a long time. It's more or less his show. He has an extremely vested interest in what goes on with the show. And I don't think any of this has had anything to do with them "not getting along" at all. That's the BS news sensationalism crap I was referring to. As friends and even co-workers I think they got along just fine and liked each other. My suspicions are that as Ann struggled in the execution of her role over time and was informed as to how management felt about her performance, she resented it and that strained their relationship toward the end. I'm quite sure Matt always has liked her and cared about her as a person, and still does. It was quite obvious on his face that he felt really bad for her when she sat in with him on that little photography piece during the Olympics and she basically wouldn't even look him in the eyes.

I understand her being hurt over being moved out of the chair but she really has not handled it well. But then her emotional reaction is pretty much a microcosm of the issues she had while she was co-anchor. She was often near tears during emotional segments and it just seemed like she was not cut out for the stress of the position to me. To me she's a great straight news anchor or reporter, but when she has to handle the traffic of multiple segments etc she just became overwhelmed trying to keep up with everything.

Savannah is far better with the interviews, day to day chit chat and handling the traffic competently. She was great at the Olympics as she has been all along. I really don't understand your odd dislike of her "image" with the crew either as it seems perfectly fine to me. Other than being taller than everyone else (which I couldn't care less about), I have no idea what you might object to with her there. My guess is that it's because she's not Ann Curry biggrin.gif

As far as the Al Roker thing goes I think there's no question what that was. There's no way he would try to throw something like that in Matt's face behind doors, let alone on air. The funny and ironic thing is that they were making fun of the idiotic media dolts sensationalizing things and blowing them out of proportion, and what happens is that media then twists that around and tries to make it into something else too! Fricking jack asses rolleyes.gif


ron
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post #50 of 64
9/11/12 at 3:48pm
Ann Curry is back in her real element this week with her live, gut-wrenching stories from Syria. They have been fascinating to watch and have illustrated why she is one of the best news reporters on TV. For all of her shortcomings as a Today Show anchor, she is truly in her element with this type of hard-hitting journalism.
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post #51 of 64
9/11/12 at 4:07pm
Yes she is a very good news anchor and reporter. But perhaps not best suited as the morning host, I don't know. But I wonder if they will continue to allow her to be the substitute anchor for Brian Williams on Nightly News? She does a good job there.
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post #52 of 64
9/12/12 at 7:14am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by R11 View Post

Why is Matt looking at what? I don't follow what you're trying to say here. If you mean why does Matt figure into what goes on with his co-anchor seat that should be obvious. He's the lead person and has been for a long time. It's more or less his show. He has an extremely vested interest in what goes on with the show. And I don't think any of this has had anything to do with them "not getting along" at all. That's the BS news sensationalism crap I was referring to. As friends and even co-workers I think they got along just fine and liked each other. My suspicions are that as Ann struggled in the execution of her role over time and was informed as to how management felt about her performance, she resented it and that strained their relationship toward the end. I'm quite sure Matt always has liked her and cared about her as a person, and still does. It was quite obvious on his face that he felt really bad for her when she sat in with him on that little photography piece during the Olympics and she basically wouldn't even look him in the eyes.
I understand her being hurt over being moved out of the chair but she really has not handled it well. But then her emotional reaction is pretty much a microcosm of the issues she had while she was co-anchor. She was often near tears during emotional segments and it just seemed like she was not cut out for the stress of the position to me. To me she's a great straight news anchor or reporter, but when she has to handle the traffic of multiple segments etc she just became overwhelmed trying to keep up with everything.
Savannah is far better with the interviews, day to day chit chat and handling the traffic competently. She was great at the Olympics as she has been all along. I really don't understand your odd dislike of her "image" with the crew either as it seems perfectly fine to me. Other than being taller than everyone else (which I couldn't care less about), I have no idea what you might object to with her there. My guess is that it's because she's not Ann Curry biggrin.gif
As far as the Al Roker thing goes I think there's no question what that was. There's no way he would try to throw something like that in Matt's face behind doors, let alone on air. The funny and ironic thing is that they were making fun of the idiotic media dolts sensationalizing things and blowing them out of proportion, and what happens is that media then twists that around and tries to make it into something else too! Fricking jack asses rolleyes.gif
ron

Ann Curry had been on the news desk for years on the Today Show and filled in on the co-anchor desk countless times. She was home there. Knew everyone and knew how everything was done. There were no surprises for her going in. Ratings were tanking with her going in and they basically put the turn around on her. If it's "Matt's show" so to speak, then he should have been accountable for it since he's been the one constant since the ratings started declining. So yes, when things weren't turning around they started "coaching her" to change who and what she is, she started getting rattled. What she "was" was good enough to get there but now she didn't fit in and was out of her element, supposedly. That doesn't make sense. And again, they never gave her the solo promo spots like they're giving Savannah. IMO, Ann was nothing more than a scapegoat for the producers and "Matt" if it's "his" show. They gave Ann a year and blamed blamed her for the ratings. And last I checked, ratings are still lackluster. This is an NBC/Today Show problem, not an Ann Curry problem.

And as far as Savannah is concerned, again it's only my opinion but regardless of how tall she is, or what her credentials are, she doesn't have a morning show personality. She isn't the kind of personality that people want to "wake up to". A legal or even political correspondent? Absolutely! Maybe even a Meet the Press personality after a little seasoning. But you're basically talking about carrying the Jane Pauley, Katie Couric torch and Savannah simply can't do it. And her contribution to the Olympic coverage was just poor. Sure, she laughs with the gang and all and can deliver a story but you can't relate to her. She doesn't inspire. She's not particularly attractive IMO and she's a dry interviewer. Her "not being Ann" has absolutely nothing to do with it. Sure I was and still am a fan of Curry but I just can't stand when people are treated unfairly. And I'm just very sensitive to all things going on at NBC these days both nationally and locally in that I feel like no one there knows what's going on or what they're doing. Programming is terrible now and even my local newscast is horrible after changes they've made in both morning and evening broadcasts. There's a reason why Leno has NBC jokes every night.
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post #53 of 64
9/12/12 at 7:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Closet Geek View Post

Ann Curry had been on the news desk for years on the Today Show and filled in on the co-anchor desk countless times. She was home there. Knew everyone and knew how everything was done. There were no surprises for her going in. Ratings were tanking with her going in and they basically put the turn around on her. If it's "Matt's show" so to speak, then he should have been accountable for it since he's been the one constant since the ratings started declining. So yes, when things weren't turning around they started "coaching her" to change who and what she is, she started getting rattled. What she "was" was good enough to get there but now she didn't fit in and was out of her element, supposedly. That doesn't make sense. And again, they never gave her the solo promo spots like they're giving Savannah. IMO, Ann was nothing more than a scapegoat for the producers and "Matt" if it's "his" show. They gave Ann a year and blamed blamed her for the ratings. And last I checked, ratings are still lackluster. This is an NBC/Today Show problem, not an Ann Curry problem.
And as far as Savannah is concerned, again it's only my opinion but regardless of how tall she is, or what her credentials are, she doesn't have a morning show personality. She isn't the kind of personality that people want to "wake up to". A legal or even political correspondent? Absolutely! Maybe even a Meet the Press personality after a little seasoning. But you're basically talking about carrying the Jane Pauley, Katie Couric torch and Savannah simply can't do it. And her contribution to the Olympic coverage was just poor. Sure, she laughs with the gang and all and can deliver a story but you can't relate to her. She doesn't inspire. She's not particularly attractive IMO and she's a dry interviewer. Her "not being Ann" has absolutely nothing to do with it. Sure I was and still am a fan of Curry but I just can't stand when people are treated unfairly. And I'm just very sensitive to all things going on at NBC these days both nationally and locally in that I feel like no one there knows what's going on or what they're doing. Programming is terrible now and even my local newscast is horrible after changes they've made in both morning and evening broadcasts. There's a reason why Leno has NBC jokes every night.
I'm a big fan of Ann Curry also and thought she should have had the job when Katie Couric left. However, when she finally was named as Matt's sidekick, she just flat didn't work out. Those of us who watch the show on a regular basis could see that although she is a fabulous news reporter, she's no Katie Couric or Meridith Viera when it comes to co-host duties. Katie Couric failed as a news anchor for CBS and Ann Curry failed as a co-host on the Today show. Both were ok, but not great and in the ultra-competitive TV world, you need to be great to survive.

And, I will also take issue with your assessment of Savannah, I don't know what show you've been watching but I think she fits in perfectly. I guess time will tell.

One last thing, it's not the personalities that are getting stale on the Today show, it's the format. You can't keep running the football on every play before you get thrown for a loss. That's why GMA is becoming such a force on morning TV. They know how to mix it up. Even their concerts are better. Having them on the big stage in Central Park is miles better than Today's little restricted stage where fans are forced to line the streets for blocks.
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post #54 of 64
9/12/12 at 8:10am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by BoilerJim View Post

I'm a big fan of Ann Curry also and thought she should have had the job when Katie Couric left. However, when she finally was named as Matt's sidekick, she just flat didn't work out. Those of us who watch the show on a regular basis could see that although she is a fabulous news reporter, she's no Katie Couric or Meridith Viera when it comes to co-host duties. Katie Couric failed as a news anchor for CBS and Ann Curry failed as a co-host on the Today show. Both were ok, but not great and in the ultra-competitive TV world, you need to be great to survive.
And, I will also take issue with your assessment of Savannah, I don't know what show you've been watching but I think she fits in perfectly. I guess time will tell.
One last thing, it's not the personalities that are getting stale on the Today show, it's the format. You can't keep running the football on every play before you get thrown for a loss. That's why GMA is becoming such a force on morning TV. They know how to mix it up. Even their concerts are better. Having them on the big stage in Central Park is miles better than Today's little restricted stage where fans are forced to line the streets for blocks.

Now one thing I do agree with is that it's not as much the personalities as much as the format, which is the subtext of my point anyway. And you couldn't have picked a better word than "stale". And I agree with your assessment of GMA and it doesn't hurt that I think they have some decent personalities over there as well. But as you said, time will tell and as they say, things must and always do change.
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post #55 of 64
1/24/13 at 3:34pm
They don't even seem to let Ann appear on Today anymore to introduce her own packages. Perhaps because Matt did not appear too friendly with her the last time. And ironically this morning, after her report, there was Savannah, Meredith and Natalie all sitting next to Matt in the window. Friendly chit chat but barely a mention of Ann. They even mentioned and showed Katie Couric during the news segment. But they don't seem to promote Ann at all anymore, nor do they allow her to sub for Brian on Nightly News like she used to. In spite of her payoff and reassignment, this cold treatment seems rather rude to me. Considering she was a good news anchor and reporter on the program for the better part of 15 years.
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post #56 of 64
1/25/13 at 4:25am
Quote:
Originally Posted by tylerSC View Post

They don't even seem to let Ann appear on Today anymore to introduce her own packages. Perhaps because Matt did not appear too friendly with her the last time. And ironically this morning, after her report, there was Savannah, Meredith and Natalie all sitting next to Matt in the window. Friendly chit chat but barely a mention of Ann. They even mentioned and showed Katie Couric during the news segment. But they don't seem to promote Ann at all anymore, nor do they allow her to sub for Brian on Nightly News like she used to. In spite of her payoff and reassignment, this cold treatment seems rather rude to me. Considering she was a good news anchor and reporter on the program for the better part of 15 years.
I totally agree. Just because she didn't work out as co-anchor, the fact remains that she is still a great newscaster and great with human interest stories. She really got the big NBC penile shaft.
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post #57 of 64
1/25/13 at 7:16am
Ok guys check this out. Ann runs barefoot across a boardroom table, pulls out a katana, and slices Matt Lauers head off. The stump blows blood like a volcano. End scene.
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post #58 of 64
1/25/13 at 12:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tylerSC View Post

They don't even seem to let Ann appear on Today anymore to introduce her own packages. Perhaps because Matt did not appear too friendly with her the last time. And ironically this morning, after her report, there was Savannah, Meredith and Natalie all sitting next to Matt in the window. Friendly chit chat but barely a mention of Ann. They even mentioned and showed Katie Couric during the news segment. But they don't seem to promote Ann at all anymore, nor do they allow her to sub for Brian on Nightly News like she used to. In spite of her payoff and reassignment, this cold treatment seems rather rude to me. Considering she was a good news anchor and reporter on the program for the better part of 15 years.

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by BoilerJim View Post


I totally agree. Just because she didn't work out as co-anchor, the fact remains that she is still a great newscaster and great with human interest stories. She really got the big NBC penile shaft.

 

 

If Ann had acted anywhere near professionally during and since her removal she would likely have been making regular appearances as part of the crew all along.  They gave her a 10 million dollar settlement as compensation when they pulled her from the co anchor chair, even though she was being retained for other duties.  They valued her as a long time contributor (and friend to many) and clearly wanted to keep her in the fold.  They have made efforts to keep her in the higher profile rotation with some studio spots, but her overly emotional behavior and attitude has torpedoed every attempt to incorporate her.  Each time she has been brought on she has sulked and not acted like a professional.  Beginning with the initial moving on segment where she went totally off the reservation with open on-air hostility and breaking down, to the piece during the Olympics where she continued to act like a child and wouldn't even look at Matt and a couple others since then, it's basically always the same thing.  Why would they put her on more when she seems unable to look past the move and act responsibly and professionally?  She's essentially made it impossible for them to use her in anything other than the pure field reporting type assignments. 

 

Ann is certainly a good person but she simply doesn't seem to have the inner fortitude to understand and handle the pressure cooker.  Yes, things are not always completely "fair" in the corporate world and often times people don't always get exactly what they want.  But you can choose to either respond to it professionally and live for another day, or you can just become a big mess.  She has not helped herself...

 

 

ron

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post #59 of 64
1/25/13 at 2:20pm
^^^^^^^ +1
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post #60 of 64
1/25/13 at 3:08pm
My perception was that Matt Lauer wanted her replaced as cohost, and that is why she was not very cordial toward him when they brought her back to introduce some of her reports. But I would not say she was unprofessional; just no friendly chit chat. I just find it insulting that they can bring Meredith back, talk about Katie Couric, have Savannah and Natalie on all the time, but not even allow Ann to make a token appearance to introduce her own segments. And despite being persona non grata on the Today show, I don't understand why they can't let her sub for Brian on Nightly News anymore. As ironically, she was a better evening news anchor than Katie was on CBS. And I sort of got the impression that Al Roker didn't care for the way she was treated. But at least they gave her a good compensation package, although I'm sure the lawyers had something to do with that. Meanwhile, I think hiring Erica Hill was a very good move.
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