Matt Lauer 'Today' Rumors, Not Getting Fired

By Emma Koonse, Christian Post Reporter Monday, December 03, 2012

Matt Lauer has become the source of online gossip on Monday as "Today Show" ratings suggested the news anchor could lose his job.

Following the firing of Ann Curry from the popular morning show, many fans worried that Lauer would also fall victim to poor ratings.

"There is absolutely no truth to this," Alexandra Wallace, the head of the show told The New York Post's Page Six.

"There have been some recent outrageous claims regarding Matt and the 'Today' show, and an awful lot of pilling on from nameless, faceless sources," she added. "These stories are wrong and irresponsible."

Moreover, NBC News president Steve Capus added that the rumors surrounding Lauer are the result of baseless internet speculation.

"Sadly, this is the era in which we live," he told Radar Online. "Venomous tweets somehow threaten to drown out all of those who praised Matt for his coverage."

The rumors of Lauer's termination began after an inside source contacted Radar Online claiming to have exclusive information about NBC.

"News executive Alexandra Wallace has told NBC bosses she will have to replace Matt if the ratings continue to tank," said the anonymous source. "If viewers continue preferring 'Good Morning America' over to the 'Today' show that revenue will decrease and cuts will have to be made."

The insider also told Radar that despite Lauer renewing his contract, he could still lose his job.

"Matt's contract pays him $25 million a-year, and he just signed an extension to that deal last year before the ratings started falling," said the source. "However, Alexandra has told her bosses if the show isn't pulling in more viewers by February, she has no alternative but to fire Matt."

Meanwhile, Lauer remains nonplussed by the rumors.

"They have an opinion and two thumbs, and that gives them the right to do whatever they want," the talk show host told the Daily News.