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New “Today” Show Future Looks Bright With Savannah And Matt

Mike Vulpo |
July 7, 2012 | 11:41 a.m. PDT

Senior Entertainment Editor At Large

Savannah Guthrie and Matt Lauer (NBC)
Savannah Guthrie and Matt Lauer (NBC)
It’s no secret the “Today” show has had a few bumpy moments in the past few months. ABC’s “Good Morning America” recently beat “Today” in the ratings for the first time in 16 years. In addition, Ann Curry’s exit from her position as co-anchor left many critics and fans upset over the way NBC chose to handle the change.

On Monday’s “Today,” the morning show will begin with what some might say a new beginning. Savannah Guthrie will join Matt Lauer, Natalie Morales and Al Roker between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. as co-anchor. Looking forward, NBC’s highly profitable morning show may have what it takes to remain on top in the competitive morning show race.

In less than 20 days, the “Today” team will travel to London to cover the Olympic Games every morning. Fan favorite Meredith Viera will return to help in the coverage while “American Idol” host Ryan Seacrest will contribute reports.

The show’s morning concert series, held every Friday in the 8:30 half hour, continues to bring bigger names than “Good Morning America.” The show has already featured exciting performers including Usher, Chris Brown, Maroon 5 and Justin Bieber. Shakira and Matchbox 20 are scheduled later this summer.

Finally, producers are continuing to create intriguing segments including Jill Martin’s “Steals and Deals,” which is reminiscent of Groupon for TV viewers.  In addition, “Today’s Professionals” with Dr. Nancy Synderman, Star Jones and Donny Deutsch explores controversial topics with a variety of strong opinions from the three-person panel.

No show is perfect but looking ahead, “Today” has a talented group of faces both in front of and behind the camera. Besides, for loyal Ann Curry fans, her new title is “Today” Anchor At Large. She isn’t going anywhere.

 

Reach Senior Entertainment Editor at Large Mike Vulpo herefollow him on Twitter here.

 

 



 

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Comments

Michael Madeline Johnson (not verified) on September 14, 2012 5:47 PM

Ann Curry was the classiest that ever happened to morning TV. I hope they get Matt out and make the situation right and get back to the what made them great. We can only speak for ourselves, but we'll come back when Lauer is gone and Curry is back!!!

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marsha (not verified) on July 10, 2012 6:51 AM

It was undoubtedly sad to witness the very public dismissal of Ann Curry. The Today show has been an essential part of my morning routine since I started my position at Dish years ago. They certainly mastered acting like a big family, which created a sense of attachment to the anchors amongst viewers like me. I felt such a strong connection that I would wholeheartedly defend the integrity of the show to my husband, a Good Morning America loyalist. The debate would have been much more heated if my household didn’t have the Hopper DVR system that is capable of watching and recording up to three things at once, so he could watch his news downstairs. The Ann Curry fiasco has given him a lot of fuel for his side of the argument, and it has given me an incentive to abandon Today for Good Morning America. It’s not Savannah’s fault. I’m sure she will do a wonderful job with that great smile of hers. It’s just hard to maintain loyalty to a show that doesn’t exemplify that same loyalty towards one of their own.

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Anonymous (not verified) on July 8, 2012 5:08 PM

NBC really burst my balloon when the ditched Ann Curry. I really bought into their morning family mentally for many years. Now that they booted their most personable hostess in such a classless way I am at a loss. Ann, I believe you must have been to good for this bunch. God bless you.

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Anonymous (not verified) on July 8, 2012 1:38 PM

NBC= Nothing but crap! Matt is such a jerk and anyone else who had anything to do with what they did to Anne. Ann Curry was the best thing that ever happened to morning TV and the rest of the hacks on NBC should feel like crap as a result. I hope NBC looses all of their viewers, I know that all of my family and friends have made the move other networks. GMA has been good so far.

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Cathy (not verified) on July 8, 2012 10:44 AM

Evidently this was written by NBC, The Today Show or Savannah Guthrie.

The Today show was seen for what it is the day they cut Ann Curry. That is why GMA will come out on top.

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Jeanette (not verified) on July 8, 2012 7:37 AM

Did you say upset? Are you kidding? That is putting it mildly. Ticked off, angry, disgusted to name a few sentiments on what NBC did to Ann Curry. Just wait and see what will happen to the ratings of that twosome. Giving Ann that ridiculous title was a bandaid. Why was Ann not pictured in the TV Ad showing the crew going to the Olympics? I cannot wait to see the Today Show go down the tubes and it will. GMA treats their people with respect and a much more entertaining show to watch. Let's see what cooking skills and enthusiasm Savannah has in the cooking segments. Oh, that is right. None.

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Anonymous (not verified) on July 8, 2012 6:20 AM

The ratings will continue to go down. Ann curry was the reason I watched today. How much did they pay u to write such nonsense.

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Leisha Meine (not verified) on July 8, 2012 6:14 AM

This article made me laugh and then throw up a little in my mouth. Booting Ann Curry was NBC's first mistake, 2nd mistake was booting Ann Curry in the horrid fashion that they did, 3rd mistake is not listening to the viewership about reversing these decisions quickly before we all migrated to another morning news show. Three strikes NBC is out - at least in my household.

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danimal362 (not verified) on July 7, 2012 4:04 PM

WOW, I only thought TMZ and the NY Post gave NBC this much love. Why didn't NBC post this propaganda on their own site? Explain how us formerly loyal viewers are supposed to trust the idiots at NBC when the plug an Amazonian bubble-head into Ann Curry's chair? Trust an loyalty are tough to earn and easy to lose. NBC lost the trust of me and hundreds of thousands of other viewer due to NBC's betrayal & corporate greed. I can only speak for myself, but I'll come back when Lauer, Capus, and Bell are fired.

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Anonymous (not verified) on July 7, 2012 4:35 PM

Bright future my foot! NBC lost over half a million viewers the day after they kicked Ann off - including this one! The future looks bright as they hell into the fires of morning TV hell! That's where they belong with Matt Lauer reigning as the Demon in Chief!

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