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June 27th, 2012
11:52 AM ET
Deborah Norville: I feel for Ann CurryNBC's "Today" was riding high in the ratings when a change was made at the anchor desk. A new woman took over as co-host, replacing an iconic predecessor. Ratings tumbled and, just over a year later, that woman lost her hosting job. It sounds a lot like the media reports that are speculating about what Ann Curry is rumored to be going through, but that scenario also happened more than two decades ago. Deborah Norville lost her "Today" hosting job in April 1991, just 15 months after replacing Jane Pauley. Now hosting the syndicated "Inside Edition," Norville spoke with CNN's Piers Morgan about the current reported crisis at "Today." Watch Norville talk about how the current media speculation compares to what she faced in '91, and, after watching the video, let us know what you think is ailing "Today." Is Ann Curry to blame for the show's woes, or is she a scapegoat?
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Its like you read my mind! You seem to understand a lot about this, such as you wrote the book in it or something. I feel that you just could do with a few p.c. to power the message house a bit, however other than that, that is magnificent blog. An excellent read. I will definitely be back.
Oh forgot one more thing, that will surely happen. Look out Guthrie for Jenna Bush, now she's a person that has it all for a youngwoman. When she speaks she is like her mother, serene, classic and brings all that she's reporting on interesting and alive. It's like what an Author does, oh what am I saying, she is an Author. I see Jenna moving up and very fast.
NBC has always been aggressive in their ratings, grant this much Ann Curry was just fine where she was, doing what she knows "BEST" NEWS abroad and at home. This is her field this is what she does, not comment on baking, recipe's, fashion and all that other junk! All these topics are readily available on line at any website we don't need a talk show to give us that info. Just do the talk and stop trying to venture out where it's already been conquered. Since Katie Couric left the Todays Show, that made the significant change. I feel for Ann Curry, she did do her job, until they bumped her up to a more focal position, and I have to say, they did it in a cowardly way, when they announced ahead of her knowing that she would be let go. That NBC was cowardly and disrespectful about. Whatthey did was uncaring and the lowest form of disrespect. Savanna Guthrie, is a joke! She's got a big mouth, always interrupting when others are speaking, she wears her clothes so tight, as if she's trying to announce something, and the type of wardrobe, and her colors loud just like her. She's so harsh on that show. Since the passing of Peter Jennings, NBC has lost a lot of their Pizzaz. No one could fill his shoes, and he was in our homes a legend. He had a personality that was not only captivating but unique. He was Sincere and absolutely Genuine. Talk about loss, NBC will loose more no matter what they do, because it's the way in which they display themselves as employers that say's it all. Ann had a certain persona, when she spoke, when she brought up topics in the news that went straight to your heart. And she like Jennings always displayed being "HUMBLE", of which NBC has none of. This term fits NBC so well, why because they keep doing it. What Goes Around Comes Around. KARMA and the Intent behind it can bring unreal justice. As for Ann Curry she will go on and prosper, she's a toughie. Her heart is broken, time will heal it, and make it stronger than ever. Just remember Ann, when faced with rejection and betrayal, it's God's Way of Protecting you. You may not see it, or feel it, but the purpose for you will be bountiful. Most certainly she is missed, but will never be forgotten, just like Jane Pauley, Connie Chung and so many other strong women in this business.
It's show biz not journalism. She should return to real news. That's how show biz works. One day in, next day old news. Guess the brass decided the chemistry was just not there.
What's with all this public crying because someone famous lost her job? She made millions on a TV show and I'm sure she'll continue on making more millions somewhere else. Can the media and the public focus on just a few situations that are not so trivial?
Ann Curry was professional, dependable, and responsible.
Although not rare in journalism, she most certainly did her time (and then some) to get there.
That's why, no matter what she made, she contributed more than she got rewarded.
Financially, or otherwise.
They should have kept Ann and let that arrogant creep Matt go.
YES! I agree!
I agree with Eric. They should have got rid of Matt.
GMA ..........from now on!
Amen.
ME TOO!!
I liked Ann Curry. A real professional.
However. TV is about ratings. Curry was originally hired because someone at NBC thought she could contribute to the shows ratings. When she was moved to a more prominent role and ratings went down, someone at NBC had to choose a new team member who could help ratings.
Every person you see on TV is because management believes they drive ratings.
Deborah Norville has her current job because she appeals to that audience.
Conan has his current job on cable because that is the largest audience he can get.
Save your outrage for something significant. These people are paid millions. They don't need our sympathy.
Agreed, thanks for keeping that in perspective. The media is subjective and there are more objective stories with better content. I did like Anne Curry, and I doubt their ratings suffered solely because of her. It is easier to get the news you want from the internet rather than sitting through a 3 hour program bombarded with commercials.
I don't often watch the Today show, but the reason I do watch it occasionally is Ann Curry. I am touched by her warmth and authenticity. I'll wait to see what she does, and follow her in that way. The Today show itself holds no real interest for me.
Loved Ann Curry. She is a scapegoat and Today should be ashamed of treating her that way. Also, Matt Lauer needs to get over himself....he is not ALL THAT!
Ann Curry is a classy and intelligent woman who did not deserve to be treated that way. I have been a loyal Today Show viewer since 2000 – I will be watching GMA tomorrow morning.
Scapegoat or not, feel free to give me a huge bonus and lay me off!
NBC has a problem: it lets the wrong people go. Cut Matt Lauer and keep Ann Curry. Then I'll start to watch again. There is no good reason they could possibly come up with that would justify the network's behavior. Ann is serious, kind and respectful. Matt on the other hand is self-impressed and arrogant. I won't be watching any morning shows for the duration – it's a waste of time.
NBC needed to look at their format and length of segments before firing Ann. NBC rushes every topic, guest, segement on cooking, weather, everthing! People don't have time to respond. Ann was very nice about terminating a conversation and not being rude. Everyone improves in a job with some time behind them and she was one of the best reporters NBC had. I've watched 'Today' for over 35 years and this move has really made me mad. I will channel surf for awhile with other morning shows and NBC better hope Savanah can bring me back along with a format changes that doesn't cut topics and people off..
I totally agree with the rushing thing! I am always so annoyed when they rush people through and don't let them finish up properly. Also, if the anchors kept quiet, maybe the guests would actually be able to finish on time!
Yes Ann was disrepected. This had more with ageism, in my opinion than anything else. Women newscasters are not allowed to grow old, like their male counterparts! Balding fat, ugly white men always have a job...anyone else, not so much.
Ann Curry is a classy woman and a professional news reporter. How she was treated by NBC and the Today show was a discrace and I for one will not be watching the Today show because of it. Ms.Curry diserved beter.
Good Bye Today Show! Bull**** what NBC did to Ann Curry. She is amazing and awesome. So without her on the Today Show it is now time to watch GMA!
Would love to see the Today show without Matt!
CNN please...this article is so poorly written.
I don't care what Bill thinks about it. If she wants to wear that dress she should be able to, period! DO you have to say something about the salad every time. I love that salad! And just in case you need to know, Berry is talking to Silvia again. But Silvia can't stand him so she's been hanging out with Latrese when Berry is gone.
Hey folks this is the same network (NBC) that gave us the famous Leno/Letterman and Leno/Conan fiascos, So did you really expect anything to change when it came to the handling of Ann Curry?
At least Curry gets to walk away with $10 million dollars. As for her future with NBC; despite claims that she will be heading some sort of reporting team that deals with hard news, I am willing to bet that she will be religated to a desk and computer and eventually will leave NBC for another job. Or like Campbell Brown and a host of others, will just disappear from national television news.
Ann Curry was tossed under the bus by the brass at NBC just because Good Morning America's audience has surpassed The Today Show during the past several weeks. It sould be noted that for many years, The Today Show was # 1 in the mornings. But because of the decline in ratings, NBC had to blame someone so they blamed Curry.
As for Norville, she was put in the position of not only following a very popular host (Jane Pauley) but also it was no secret that co-host Bryant Gumbel did not like Norville and I'm pretty certain he let his feelings be known to anyone who would listen.
Ann Curry is the reason I could not stand the Today show!!! They're only hope was to toss her out and it should have been done last year.
Your grammar is the reason I can't stand your comment.
If NBC was upset about their ratings falling, just wait and see what happens now...best of luck, Ann! I'm cheering for you.
What an awfully written, disjointed article.
More like a long tweet.
Awful.
Wow!! I'm so Shocked..I am a loyal Today show viewer but what just happened to Ann makes me question if I will watch again. If I decide to watch another network, I will miss Al Roker.
I am so sorry to hear of the lousy treatment NBC is bestowing on Ann Curry. She is a wonderful journalist and brought some truly unique characteristics to Today. Who else went to far away places to report on a wide variety of subjects? Who else was as gracious as she? I think she was too articulate for the executives at NBC. She will land on her feet; I wish her nothing but the very best.
Ann Curry never deserved the horrible treatment she received today. I will not be watching any more. Maybe they will check their ratings next week and find out what they have lost-many viewers. I am DONE with NBC TODAY Show and hope others will support Ann by not watching. All of the best to Ann.
The way this was handles by NBA with the leaks and having such a graceful person as Ann twisting in the wind publicly like this has to be one of the clumsiest and most humiliating in news history.
Hmmm the NBA got into this too...wow! 😉
This is pastor needs to shut up! He is out of touch and he's parishners are a fool if they are listening to him.
Oops! I posted on the wrong topic!! It happens to the best of us!
Reminds me why I hate morning shows. Lauer looked so insincere and that's crap that things will be largely the same. Other than the almighty dollar, don't understand why any remotely serious journalist would go near these shows, much less stay and risk the embarrassment of getting fired. Surely she knew things were not working out and that the today show will always trump cute, youngish and celeb friendly over her old school style.
Hang your head in shame for your insensitive, stupid, uncaring treatment of Ann and for not...repeat not... Understanding the real reason for your failing ratings. Goodbye NBC, you're TOAST!
Curry has confirmed with USA TODAY she is leaving the show, so this blog has just been rendered moot
Stopped watching long ago.....Matt Lauer just doesn't trip my trigger and Ann Curry I liked until her interview of Sarah Palin, and I lost all respect for her and completely turned my TV off from the Today Show......Went to NYC with the girls and I refused to go to the Studio. Karma bites Ann, and you're finding that out, but I still don't wish it on her.
I think Ann Curry is a scapegoat.Give her the 20 mil due her.
She's no Matt Lauer
Oh yeah they need two of him? Cancel the show now.
I only watch the Today show because of Ann Curry. I just don't get what NBC is thinking.
Scapegoat for sure! Ann Curry is great – way better than Meredith!
They should all retire. She should be happy with 10 mil.
I haven't watched Today since Katie Couric left. I love Robin Roberts, so I started to watch GMA. Now that I've watched it for a few years, I realize it's the superior news show. The whole group is excellent and much less annoying than the Today folks. In my opinion, that show went downhill when they let Hoda and Kathie Lee swill wine and spew about nonsense for an hour every morning. The CMA cast is likable and cordial, but they are still giving me real news every morning. (Although I did shut off the Rielle Hunter interview this week. Who cares what she has to say?!?)
I'm really disappointed, she is/was one of my favorites. A very professional lady in my opinion and I'm not sure I'll be watching anymore. But, they need someone to blame don't they?
Today show has been Entertainment Today for several years, and Ann Curry deserves better...hope she gets a job on CNN....good luck to Ludicrous Lauer and the Today Show Laugh Group...I think Rielle Hunter will do another interview, maybe Jenny McCarthy too, this is the type of tawdry Today show that exists today
Ann Curry is fine. It's all the depressing stories that air. Gee, if it was the anchor person thats at issue, why did it's long time beloved former host Katie Curic fail over at ABC? It's the producers that set anchors up to fail with garbage. Lets see them go can we...
CBS
I find it appalling the way NBC is treating Ann. I have been a fan of that show for years but I hope they really see a drop in their ratings. I will not be watching any longer
I stopped watching the Today show and went to ABC because everyday was started with talking about politics. No matter what was going on in the world. ABC does not do that. I love Ann Curry on anything except the Today show.
I love ANN CURRY! Matt Lauer has to go. Haven't watched in years because he is so pompous and condescending. Give me the good ole boys on ABC anyday- kind, gentle, warm and fun! would love to hang with them.
if the world was fair then the NBC executives would be fire. Obviously they are as clueless as the executives at JP Morgan. Not that they ever reported on that story. Do you know why they interrupt celebrites, because they are sooooooooooooooo not entertaining unless someone else puts words in their mouths. Seriously, i think they interrupt because they are constantly talked to in their earphones telling them to "wrap it up".
I have watched the Today Show for years and was happy when Ann curry took over for Merideth. But then when she started the hosting duties I stopped liking her. She has no chemistry at all with Matt Lauer and it seems like she is trying too hard to fit in.
I'm suprised it has taken this long for NBC to figure out that Ann was not the right person for this job. I still love Ann Curry when she is doing news segments but that's it.
I agree. She has no chemistry at all with Matt and no personality. You need a strong personality, and not the other two that are their either, Meridith was the best. Matt should have a say. Hoda is a strong personality.
I love to watch Ann. I think she is funny and sweet but also very intelligent. I agree with other posters, I quit watching the today show because it was no fun. Too much sadness that early in the morning. Dont blame Ann, blame producers.
I liked and curry at the news desk but she and matt had no chemisry as co hosts....im sure she will go on and do great......its the nature of the beast!!
Yeah, Ann was great at the news desk but did not sparkle as a host. She's very attractive, though, and intelligent. But I agree somehow the chemistry was not there with Lauer. I never thought Lauer was anything special. Katie Couric was special.
I love Ann Curry. I was hoping she got the job when Meredith did, and then was thrilled when she finally did after Meredith left. Its certainely not Ann that has anything to do with the ratings. I have watched the today show since I was 12 (at the time being bribed by a parent so I would know what was going on in the world) and have continued to watch it almost everyday since (I am now 31). I think the reason for the drop in ratings is because of the type of stories they are doing. More and more its just depressing and that's not how I want to start my day. They used to have a lot more uplifting stories. Now the first hour is just bad news after bad news. I'll admit, while I am a loyal Today's show watcher, in the last year I have turned it off just because of the content. I think Ann is the PERFECT person for a lot of those tough or heartbreaking interviews because she has so much compassion and warmth. I would be really be upset and have to really decide if I would keep watching if she left.
Clarification: WHen I say "turned it off" I mean occasionally turned it off because of the story that is on. I think it is the producers that have more to do with the ratings rather than the anchors. And why is Matt so safe? I'd probably watch more if they brought in Channing Tatum, but that's not in the cards is it?
And btw, her reaction this morning to the Magic Mike flash mob was fantastic!! I literally laughed out loud, rewound it and watched it again, just to show my husband her reaction. It was priceless. Actually came to work and told my coworker about it too.
The Today show lost me when they had Sarah Palin on during sweeps week. Anything for ratings.
I can't believe the Today Show is even considering getting rid of Ann Curry
I stopped watching Today because of Lauer...he always interrupts people....he's rude.
No she's not a scapegoat. She is disrepectful and rude in her interviewing style and it is why I switched to Good Morning America.
Ann Curry is being used as a scapegoat. The Today Show has become stale and has many problems that need to be addressed. NBC's treatment of Ann Curry is horrible. To treat a valued employee of 15 years in this fashion is shameful. She has shown class and grace showing up for work each day to do her job even though the "news" of her departure has been leaked and the entire process is playing out in the press. I have been a loyal viewer of The Today Show for 25 years. If Ann Curry goes, they have lost this viewer - and I am sure hundreds of thousands of others. NBC will learn too late the error of its ways. I am sure that lost ad revenue will far exceed the amount NBC is paying Ann Curry to exit the co-anchor chair. SHAME ON YOU NBC.
I agree with you world traveler everything that you have written. Ann Curry did not deserve to be treated that way. I don't think they will find a replacement for her. She is kind , caring and a professional at what she does. I don't think I will be watching Today anymore.
Ann Curry is nothing more than a scapegoat for "Today"s ratings fall.