Ann Curry Leaving Today Show: 'It's Not How I Expected to Leave After 15 Years'
Anne Curry offered a tearful farewell on the "Today" show on Thursday, with tears in her eyes and her voice breaking she explained to her fans, "It's not how I expected to leave this couch after 15 years." Her words seemingly confirming that she had been forced out by the network.
Curry performed her last show as co-host of the Today show on Thursday, and on Friday she was replaced by new anchorn Savannah Guthrie.
Friday morning's Today Show was surprising, not for a grand farewell, but for the indifferent attitude towards Curry's departure. Guthrie just sat in Curry's spot and got on with the show as normal, with no acknowledgement of the change, and no mention of her predecessor.
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Guthrie had hosted the 9 a.m. Today Show for the last year, and is also NBC's chief legal correspondent.
On Thursday, sitting with Matt Lauer, Al Roker and Natalie Morales, Curry referred to them as "family." She also told the audience, "You are the real Today Show family. I have loved you and have wanted to give you the world."
She also said during Thursday's show: "This is not easy to say, but today is going to be my last morning as a regular co-host of 'Today.' I will still be a part of the 'Today' show family, but I'll have a new title and a new role, and this is not how I expected to ever leave this couch after 15 years. But I am so grateful, especially to all of you who watch."
Curry also said, "For all of you who saw me as groundbreaker, I'm sorry I couldn't carry the ball over the finish line. Man, I did try and so to all of you who watched, thank you from the bottom of my heart for letting me touch yours."
Curry has signed a new multi-year deal with NBC News to serve as a national and international correspondent. It has been reported that she will contribute to the organization's many news programs, according to USA Today.
