Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

Katie Couric has finally spoken out in some detail about the Matt Lauer sexual misconduct scandal.

In breaking her silence to People magazine, Couric called the accusations against her former “Today” show co-host “disturbing, distressing and disorienting” and “completely unacceptable.”

“This was not the Matt we knew,” she said.

Also Read: Why 'Today' Looks Even Stronger Since Hoda Kotb Replaced Matt Lauer

“The whole thing has been very painful for me,” Couric said. “The accounts I’ve read and heard have been disturbing, distressing and disorienting and it’s completely unacceptable that any woman at the ‘Today’ show experienced this kind of treatment.”

“I had no idea this was going on during my tenure or after I left,” she continued. “I think I speak for many of my former colleagues when I say this was not the Matt we knew. Matt was a kind and generous colleague who treated me with respect. In fact, a joke I once made on late-night television was just that, because it was completely contrary to our brother-sister relationship. It’s still very upsetting. I really admire the way Savannah [Guthrie] and Hoda [Kotb] and the entire ‘Today’ show staff have handled a very difficult situation.”

Here’s the joke Couric was referring to above.

Also Read: Hollywood and Media Flameouts Top Google's 2017 Searches: Matt Lauer, Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey

Prior to these remarks, Couric had only responded to an Instagram comment on the allegations against her friend.

“Nothing to say on Matt?? Huh – ya’ll would have been all over the story years ago,” said one social media user.

“It’s incredibly upsetting and I will say something when I’m ready to,” Couric wrote back at the time. “Thanks for your interest.”

Also Read: Katie Couric Breaks Silence on Matt Lauer: 'It's Incredibly Upsetting'

Couric and Lauer co-hosted the popular morning show from 1997 to 2006.

Lauer was fired from his NBC News gig in late November after a colleague filed a complaint of “inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace” against the longtime “Today” show host.

Hoda Kotb has since replaced him, and the chief “Good Morning America” competitor’s Nielsen TV ratings have not skipped a beat since.

7 Times Matt Lauer Came Under Fire, From Sexual Harassment Accusations to Ann Curry Ousting (Photos)

Matt Lauer was terminated by NBC News on Wednesday after the company received a complaint of sexual harassment against him. But that's not the first time the longtime "Today" host found himself in hot water.
Getty Images
Rumors of extramarital affairs dogged Lauer during his tenure on "Today," with tabloid reports linking him to other members of the show, including Natalie Morales. In 2010, NBC News finally responded to the allegations, calling them "completely inaccurate and unfounded" and "reckless and harmful to the Lauer family."
Getty Images
Ann Curry was ousted from "Today" in 2012 as the show was losing ground to ABC's "Good Morning America," and after she issued a tearful on-air goodbye Lauer was widely viewed as the reason for her departure. New York Magazine later reported that the two had a tense off-camera relationship, and though Curry took the fall, Lauer was more to blame for the show's declining viewership.
NBC
In 2012, Lauer was criticized for asking Anne Hathaway about an upskirt photo taken at the premiere of "Les Miserables" and attempting to make a joke of the situation by saying he'd "seen a lot of you lately." Hathaway was praised for how she handled the situation, gently shutting down the line of questioning by saying it was unfortunate that the culture "commodifies sexuality of unwilling participants."
Getty Images
In 2006, Lauer's wife Annette Roque filed for divorce, alleging that she suffered "cruel and inhumane" treatment at the hands of her controlling husband. The two eventually reconciled and Roque, who was pregnant at the time, withdrew the paperwork, but the documents were obtained and published by the National Enquirer in 2014.
Getty Images
Lauer's former co-anchor Katie Couric joked about his behavior in a 2012 interview with Andy Cohen. "He pinches me on the ass a lot," she said, calling it Lauer's most annoying habit. Video of the interview, which was handled jokingly at the time, was recirculated following his termination for a sexual misconduct allegation.
Getty Images
Lauer moderated a pair of NBC News town halls during the 2016 presidential election, which were widely slammed for the way he questioned the two candidates. Lauer repeatedly asked Hillary Clinton about her email server and rushed past other, more concrete policy issues. Meanwhile, he was perceived to have gone much softer on Donald Trump, failing to press the then-nominee on repeated falsehoods.
Getty Images
Lauer was finally axed by NBC News and removed from "Today" in 2017, after the company received a "detailed complaint" from a colleague accusing him of inappropriate sexual behavior.
Getty Images

1 of 8

Morning show host was axed following a sexual misconduct allegation by an NBC News colleague

Matt Lauer was terminated by NBC News on Wednesday after the company received a complaint of sexual harassment against him. But that's not the first time the longtime "Today" host found himself in hot water.

View In Gallery

Katie Couric Breaks Silence on Matt Lauer: ‘This Was Not the Matt We Knew’

7 Times Matt Lauer Came Under Fire, From Sexual Harassment Accusations to Ann Curry Ousting (Photos)

Amy Schumer’s ‘I Feel Pretty’ Braces for Ugly Box Office Debut

Roger Stone Disses Barbara Bush as a ‘Nasty Drunk’ on News of Her Death

Simon Shelton, ‘Teletubbies’ Tinky Winky Actor, Dies; Falwell Called Him the Gay Teletubby

Who Wore It Best? Karen McDougal and Cynthia Nixon Donned Same Dress for Big Media Moments

7 Times Matt Lauer Came Under Fire, From Sexual Harassment Accusations to Ann Curry Ousting (Photos)

Related Content