‘Today’ Show Montage Celebrates 25 Years at Studio 1A – With Matt Lauer Nowhere to Be Found (Video)

Other longtime anchors reflect on their happiest memories at the studio

Today show 25th anniversary at Studio 1A

The “Today” show celebrated 25 years at Studio 1A on Thursday with a nostalgic video montage, which did not include former anchor Matt Lauer.

After two decades at the helm of “Today,” Lauer’s career unraveled just 24 hours after NBC management obtained detailed allegations of sexual misconduct against him in November of 2017. After getting fired, Lauer released a statement acknowledging his wrongdoings with women over the years and apologized — but also said some of the charges against him were untrue.

Reps for “Today” did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment on Lauer’s absence from the video.

But Al Roker, Hoda Kotb, Carson Daly, Savannah Guthrie, Craig Melvin and current members of morning show’s staff did appear in the video, which looked back on the warmest memories that have taken place in the famous plaza.

“When TODAY first moved to Studio 1A in 1994, it became a place where the team could try new things and connect with viewers,” read a tweet from the official “Today” Twitter account. “Take a look back on some of those special moments over the past 25 years.”

Longtime anchor Al Roker was the first to reflect on the last two-and-half decades.

“Things happen here, sometimes planned, sometimes not planned,” he said as footage rolled of icons like James Brown and Madonna visiting the show.

Guthrie seconded Roker’s sentiments. “Name an artist, name a huge star, they came to our plaza,” she said as footage aired of Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Sting, Carrie Underwood, Bruno Mars, Bruce Springsteen and others performing outside in front of the studio. “I remember thinking, ‘Is my job to attend a concert?’ This is incredible!”

Melvin described the “Today” show as “probably the largest early morning costume party in the history of America.”

The anchors also reflected on the vast crowds of people that have gathered in the plaza over the years for a chance to rub elbows with the talent and be on TV.

“People come, and when they come, they wanna celebrate,” Guthrie said, as footage rolled of “Today” show attendees lined up outside the studio celebrating engagements, pregnancy announcements, “prom-posals,” birthdays, and more.

The visitors who wait outside of the studio in the New York cold have also been known to receive gifts — like free puppies and Superbowl tickets.

“We’ve been lucky, we’ve made some people’s dreams come true,” Daly said.

That goes for charitable causes as well.

“Any number of causes that motivate people to action, for good, happens in our plaza,” Roker said.

“We are surrounded by dozens and dozens of incredible survivors,” Kotb added.

“Long live the plaza,” Melvin said. But perhaps Roker summed it up best: “The one thing that has really remained constant — it’s still the same window. People are still coming for the same reason, and they’re still having a good time.”

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