What Happened to Matt Lauer? What is Matt Lauer Doing these Days? Who Replaced Matt Lauer on the Today Show?
by Abinaya | Updated Jun 16, 2023
What Happened to Matt Lauer?
In November 2017, Matt Lauer, a prominent figure at NBC, was fired from his position after a former network employee, later identified as Brooke Nevils, came forward with allegations of harassment. This incident triggered a series of similar accusations from several other women that surfaced shortly after the initial report.
Brooke Nevils went public with her allegations in Ronan Farrow's 2019 book titled "Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators." In her account to Farrow, Nevils claimed that Lauer had raped her in his hotel room during the 2014 Sochi Olympics, where she was working for NBC's Meredith Vieira.
Lauer, in response to these allegations, has consistently maintained that all of his encounters were consensual. The situation surrounding Lauer's dismissal from NBC and the subsequent revelations has had a significant impact on his reputation and career. It's important to note that allegations of harassment and assault are serious matters that require thorough investigation and consideration of all parties involved.
The incident involving Matt Lauer has sparked broader conversations about workplace misconduct and the need for a safe and respectful environment for all individuals.
What is Matt Lauer doing these Days?
As of the present time, Matt Lauer continues to maintain a relatively low profile following his dismissal from NBC in 2017 due to allegations of misconduct. He resides in the Hamptons with his girlfriend, Shamin Abas, and occasionally makes public appearances. However, he has not made a return to television or radio, leaving his future in the media industry uncertain.
In 2020, Lauer released a book titled "Catch and Kill," in which he refuted the allegations against him and criticized NBC for alleged attempts to silence him. The book received mixed reviews, and its impact on Lauer's reputation remains unclear. In 2022, there were reports indicating Lauer's discussions with a production company regarding the development of a podcast.
However, it is uncertain whether this project came to fruition or what its current status is. As of June 2023, Lauer's future plans remain undisclosed. While there is a possibility that he may endeavor to stage a comeback in the media, it is equally plausible that he will continue to maintain a low profile and remain out of the public eye for the foreseeable future.
Who Replaced Matt Lauer on the Today Show?
Matt Lauer was replaced by Hoda Kotb on the Today Show. Following the dismissal of Matt Lauer in late November due to allegations of misconduct, Hoda Kotb has officially been appointed as the co-anchor of NBC's Today Show. This decision marks a significant milestone for Today, as it establishes the program's first-ever all-female anchor team.
Joining Savannah Guthrie at the anchor desk, Kotb will not only co-anchor the first two hours of Today but will also continue to co-host the fourth hour alongside Kathie Lee Gifford. The third hour of the show is currently hosted by Megyn Kelly. The announcement of Kotb's new role was made on Tuesday morning during the morning news show.
Guthrie expressed her excitement, beaming as she proclaimed, "Let's give her a round of applause. This has to be the most popular decision NBC News has ever made." Kotb assumes the position previously held by Lauer, who served as the co-anchor of Today for an impressive 20 years. At the time of his termination, Lauer was reported to be the highest-paid individual at NBC News, according to NPR's David Folkenflik.
With Kotb's appointment, NBC News aims to bring a fresh and inclusive perspective to the Today show, while acknowledging the need for a respectful and supportive workplace environment. The decision reflects a commitment to fostering diversity and ensuring that the program continues to deliver informative and engaging content to its viewers.
Tom Cruise Interview with Matt Lauer
Tom Cruise's interview with Matt Lauer on The Today Show in 2005 remains one of the most notable and contentious interviews in recent history. The purpose of the interview was to promote Cruise's new film, War of the Worlds. However, the conversation quickly shifted toward Cruise's personal life and his controversial opinions on psychiatry and medication.
Lauer questioned Cruise about his remarks regarding Brooke Shields, who had openly discussed using antidepressants to manage her postpartum depression. Cruise had criticized Shields, labeling her use of medication as "irresponsible" and suggesting that she should discontinue its use. As Lauer continued to probe, Cruise grew increasingly agitated.
He accused Lauer of endorsing the use of Ritalin, a drug prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Cruise also voiced his belief that psychiatry was a "pseudoscience" and claimed that medication constituted a form of "mind control." The interview rapidly gained widespread attention, becoming a major news story. Cruise faced significant backlash for his behavior, with many criticizing him for his perceived instability.
The interview's impact extended to the box office performance of War of the Worlds, which suffered as a result. In the years following the interview, Cruise expressed remorse for his conduct. He attributed his behavior to exhaustion and feeling overwhelmed during that period. Cruise clarified that he holds a respect for the work of psychiatrists and acknowledged that medication can be beneficial in certain circumstances, retracting his earlier assertions.
The Tom Cruise-Matt Lauer interview serves as a reminder of the media's influence and the potential for a single controversial moment to tarnish a celebrity's reputation. It also underscores the importance of thoughtful and measured dialogue when discussing sensitive topics in the public eye.
What Happened to Matt Lauer - FAQ
Matt Lauer was terminated from NBC in November 2017 following allegations of sexual misconduct made by a former network employee, Brooke Nevils, which led to additional accusations from other women.
In Ronan Farrow's book, Brooke Nevils alleged that Matt Lauer raped her in his hotel room during the 2014 Sochi Olympics, where she was working for NBC's Meredith Vieira.
Matt Lauer has consistently maintained that all of his encounters were consensual, denying the allegations made against him.
As of now, Matt Lauer has been living a low-profile life in the Hamptons with his girlfriend, Shamin Abas. His future plans in the media industry remain uncertain.
Yes, Matt Lauer released a book called "Catch and Kill" in 2020. The book received mixed reviews, and its impact on Lauer's reputation is still unclear.