It's official, Ann Curry is out on NBC's today

[searadiofreak]

http://tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx?news=739457

[The Voice of Reason]

Amazing how NBC executives are ready to toss Ann Curry under the bus just because GMA beat out The Today Show in recent ratings despite the fact that for many many years Today reigned supreme.

Did NBC suits think perhaps the recent news about Robin Roberts health might have been one reason more people turned to GMA?

Curry still walks away with millions of dollars so while she might cry on the air this morning, her last day, she is laughing all the way to the bank.

[FRR]

Ann Curry did a wonderful job saying goodbye this morning. She is a real class act. I hope TODAY sinks after this and the "suits" who made this decision get the boot. If I were Ann, I'd take that payout and tell those network executives to kiss her behind.

[firepoint525]

Amazing how NBC executives are ready to toss Ann Curry under the bus just because GMA beat out The Today Show in recent ratings despite the fact that for many many years Today reigned supreme.
Did NBC suits think perhaps the recent news about Robin Roberts health might have been one reason more people turned to GMA?

Also the fact that Katie Couric guest-hosted there for a week.  I'm tired of her, but apparently, not everyone else is! 

[tvreader]

Who thought of her as a "Trailblazer?" and why?

[nfladxer]

First of all, IMHO, Ann Curry's talent and sincerity have always been her strong points, especially this morning!  I think that Today's current problems are more deeply rooted in some of the subjects and the way they are being presented, than in what Ann did or did not contribute as a Co-Host.  In a sense, Katie Couric's resignation several years ago, set this scenario in motion.  I've been a Today Show viewer for decades, and it was obvious to this viewer, regardless of your opinion of Katie, that Matt and Katie were the strongest lead team that NBC ever had the fortune to put together.  If Katie had stayed, Ann Curry would, most likely, still have been the lead newsreader and pinch hitter, a role she played very well and seemed very comfortable in.  But again, I feel Today's current woes are not because of any single regular on air talent, but, possibly, a result of the more "tabloid" approach the program has taken.  After 15 years, and a great exit deal from Today, plus a continued role on NBC, I'm confident Ann will do very well!      

[formeraa]

Ann has been a decent team player all these years, but the fact of the matter is that she isn't "top" anchor material.  It's easy to be nostalgic...but Ann stumbled awkwardly through the news for years as if she hadn't taken the time to read her "script".  She should have arrived 30 minutes earlier and actually read through the news before airtime!!

That said, Ann seems to be a genuine person.  She is what she is.  She needs to capitalize on her strengths.  Being a well-traveled reporter and substitute anchor is a job that many of us would gladly accept.

[FreddyE1977]

Knowing the Jane Pauley-Deborah Norville history of this show, any female anchor who accepts that
job has to know they are going under the bus eventually.

[Bob1370]

She grew a great deal in the anchor role as the years passed, and it won't be long before the NBC brass realize that she wasn't the problem with the show, when the new crew doesn't budge the needle fighting against the growing popularity of Robin Roberts and George Stephanopolous on ABC.

The show itself needs a reboot with a higher energy level, and at this stage, Matt Lauer might not be the man to give it that jolt. He's lasted longer than any other male co-host the show's had--even the best and longest-lasting of them, from Dave Garroway to Hugh Downs to Bryant Gumbel, grew tired and walked away after 10 to 15 years in the job. Lauer's now entering his 16th year. They all reached their "sell-by" date after a while, and maybe Matt's getting there too--it may be time to shake up the whole show and start fresh.

As for Ann Curry, she has real skills as a serious reporter and anchor, and should take solace from the fact that even Walter Cronkite flopped as a morning host before he found his game at the anchor desk at CBS.  We haven't seen the last, or the best, of her.

[Mark_Giardina]

Let us remember boys and girls that this is the same network (NBC) whose primetime shows are losing out to CBS, ABC, and even some cable networks. So do think these brainiacs at 30 Rock are doing to make a sensible decision when it comes to The Today Show? No! They overreacted.

If Good Morning America had not increased its audience to overtake Today, then Ann Curry would still be co-host of the show.
 
What I find mind-boggling is that GMA only beat Today a few weeks out of over several years when Today was on top of the ratings heap.

NBC also has a history of screwing up when it comes to replacing hosts of their TV shows. Remember the Leno/Letterman and Leno/Conan debacles?