Ann Curry Responds to Matt Lauer's 'Today' Exit: 'Still Really Processing'

NBC

“Today” show veteran Ann Curry is reacting to the Matt Lauer news on Wednesday, saying that she’s “still really processing it.”

Curry and Lauer worked together for more than ten years on the show before Curry left in 2015.

“The women’s movement got us into the workplace, but it didn’t make us safe once we got there,” she told People during an already-scheduled interview. “And the battle lines are now clear. We need to move this revolution forward and make our workplaces safe. Corporate America is quite clearly failing to do so, and unless it does something to change that, we need to keep doing more ourselves.”

Also Read: Bring Ann Curry Back to 'Today,' Online Petition Asks

“I admire the women who have been willing to speak up both anonymously and on the record,” she said of the wave of sexual misconduct allegations that has swept through Hollywood and the news industry in recent months.

“Those women need to keep their jobs, and all women need to be able to work, to be able to thrive, without fear,” she continued. “This kind of behavior exists across industries, and it is so long overdue for it to stop. This is a moment when we all need to be a beacon of light for those women, for all women, and for ourselves.”

Lauer was fired from his position Wednesday as “Today” show host by NBC after complaints of inappropriate sexual behavior were brought to the network.

Curry is currently promoting her new PBS series “We’ll Meet Again,” which she hosts and executive produces. Brian Stelter reported at the time that Curry felt there was a “boys atmosphere” behind the scenes at “Today,” and that top executives at NBC agreed to fire Curry to get Lauer to extend his contract. There is now an online petition advocating for Curry to get her back on the show.

'Today' Fallout: 13 Potential Replacements for Matt Lauer, From Ann Curry to Robin Meade (Photos)

Matt Lauer has exited NBC's "Today" show after allegations of sexual misconduct, which Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb announced on the show Wednesday morning. His departure leaves a big hole in the "Today" team. Here are some potential replacements.
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Ann Curry

Fans are already lobbying online for the return of Ann Curry, who left "Today" in 2012. Since she's a veteran, she'd no doubt easily slide back in to the role, but since there was reportedly conflicts with NBC higher-ups, we're not sure how likely her return might be (or if she'd want the job).
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Carson Daly

The host of "The Voice" is already a familiar face on "Today," has plenty of experience with interviews and lots of charisma. Why not give him room to expand his journalistic chops with a higher profile role on the morning show?
Sam Champion

The "Good Morning America" weatherman has 25 years under his belt anchoring a major broadcast, so he has the experience needed for the role. He tweeted Wednesday morning after the Lauer news broke that "Network TV needs a good scrubbing!"
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Katie Couric

Couric is a beloved figure in American journalism and would certainly be a welcome face for viewers. She worked with Lauer for nine years on the "Today" show before she moved on.
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Meredith Vieira

Another "Today" alum, Vieira definitely has the experience needed to succeed in the role. The "Who Wants to Be A Millionaire" host is deft in balancing small talk with the million-dollar questions.
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Bryant Gumbel

The former "Today" anchor comes across as a class act, which is something the NBC News morning show could sure use a touch of right now. With no "Real Sports" going on right now, the guy who recently appeared on "Finding Your Roots" should return back to his roots. Should Gumbel come back to "Today," we'd insist on Jerry Seinfeld granting him an interview while donning a puffy shirt.
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Willie Geist

The "Morning Joe" co-anchor also anchor's "Sunday Today," and has filled in for Lauer in the past. He's got the experience and seems like a logical pick.
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Al Roker

Roker's lovable personality already delights viewers of "Today." If Roker wanted to forgo his weatherman duties, we could see him moving into Lauer's role.
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Hoda Kotb

Kotb co-hosts "Today" show's fourth hour with Kathie Lee Gifford, but she's also done other segments for the NBC morning show, and we could definitely see her taking on longer interviews and expanding her hosting chops.
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Natalie Morales

Morales has defined her anchor abilities on "Today," "Dateline" and "NBC Nightly News." Her interviewing and hosting skills make her a great candidate to fill Lauer's shoes.
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Josh Elliott

By many accounts, Elliott was actually brought in to NBC a few years back to eventually replace Matt Lauer on "Today." That obviously didn't work out, nor did his recent year at CBS News. But the "GMA" alum knows how to do these morning shows, so how about a little Lauer 2.0 Take 2?
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Tamron Hall

The current Investigation Discovery host has done almost every job NBC News has to offer -- including hosting on the "Today" show. The former third-hour anchor could return for the first two, and maybe rub off in a positive way on her ultimate 9 a.m. successor, Megyn Kelly.
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Robin Meade

Alright, so Robin Meade is gainfully employed with her own morning show at HLN. But maybe it's time to step up to the big (broadcast) leagues. The country music singer and former beauty queen knows her way around a TV studio, and nothing topples the patriarchy like a little girl power.
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Who will fill the shoes of the fired “Today” host?

Matt Lauer has exited NBC's "Today" show after allegations of sexual misconduct, which Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb announced on the show Wednesday morning. His departure leaves a big hole in the "Today" team. Here are some potential replacements.

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