Is The Morning Show Based on Matt Lauer? Where is Matt Lauer Now 2023? What Does Matt Lauer Do Now?

Is The Morning Show based on Matt Lauer? We navigate the complex relationship between The Morning Show and Matt Lauer, and provide an update on his current whereabouts.

by Ushapriyanga

Updated May 30, 2023

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Is The Morning Show Based on Matt Lauer? Where is Matt Lauer Now 2023? What Does Matt Lauer Do Now?
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Is The Morning Show Based on Matt Lauer?

According to showrunner Kerry Ehrin in an interview with TV's Top 5 podcast, she stated that the character of Mitch Kessler in the show is not intended to depict Matt Lauer specifically. Ehrin clarified that she did not conduct any specific study on Matt Lauer for the character's development. The character was conceived as a portrayal of a morning news employee who is terminated due to allegations of misconduct.

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Ehrin highlighted that such incidents have occurred not only with Matt Lauer but also with individuals like Charlie Rose and someone associated with Fox. Therefore, the character of Mitch Kessler does not exclusively represent Matt Lauer.

Furthermore, Steve Carell, who portrays Mitch Kessler in the show, mentioned in an interview with Yahoo Entertainment that the character is a combination of various individuals. Carell emphasized that he drew inspiration from the script itself rather than basing his performance on any particular real-life person.

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Where is Matt Lauer Now 2023?

According to reports, he was said to have relocated to his farm situated in New Zealand, leaving the United States behind. The property in question is an extensive estate featuring eight miles of lakefront land, a five-bedroom house, and various farm structures and fishing huts.

Matt Lauer, a widely respected television presenter, faced a significant decline in his reputation following allegations of "inappropriate behavior" as described by NBC News chairman Andy Lack. Variety reported that a total of three women came forward with their accusations.

After his dismissal in October 2019, an excerpt from Ronan Farrow's book, "Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators," was published by Variety. In this excerpt, former NBC News employee Brooke Nevils claimed that Lauer assaulted her in his hotel room during the Sochi Olympics. Lauer responded to the allegations by denying any wrongdoing in a statement to Variety. He acknowledged engaging in an "extramarital, but consensual, encounter" with Brooke.

What Does Matt Lauer Do Now?

In 2021, Lauer sold his $44 million Hamptons estate and moved to New Zealand, where he owns a farm. He has also been spotted in New York City on several occasions, including a dinner date with Abas in December 2022. He has been spotted in New York City on several occasions.He has not publicly commented on his plans for the future. It is unclear what Matt Lauer will do next, but it is clear that he is trying to rebuild his life after his fall from grace.

Although the allegations leading to Matt Lauer's termination came as a surprise to many, an analysis of ratings indicated that the impact on the Today show was less severe than initially anticipated. 

Analyst and Senior Vice President at Horizon Media, Garth Tiedje, stated to USA Today that there were concerns that the Today show would suffer more significant consequences following Matt Lauer's exit, but those concerns were proven to be unfounded. The show's ability to retain its audience can be attributed, in part, to its longstanding history—Today was first launched in 1952—and the success of replacement host Hoda Kotb.

Kotb's popularity, particularly among female viewers who constitute a substantial portion of Today's audience, has played a vital role. Notably, according to Marketing Evaluations, Inc., her popularity score among older women is more than double the score Lauer achieved in his final assessment.

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On June 20, 2019, to commemorate 25 years on the air, the NBC morning show aired a celebratory video showcasing memorable moments from throughout its history. However, some fans noticed the absence of Matt Lauer from the footage, despite his 20-year tenure on the show. Opinions were divided regarding Lauer's inclusion in the anniversary video.

While some believed that Lauer's conduct disqualified him from being publicly acknowledged, with one Twitter user expressing gratitude for his exclusion, others argued that despite the allegations, his significant contribution to the show should not have been disregarded. Another Twitter user suggested that although Lauer's misconduct is condemnable, erasing him from the show's history overlooks the flawed nature inherent in all families.

Who is Matt Lauer Dating?

Following his departure from the public sphere, Matt Lauer's former wife, Annette Roque, initiated divorce proceedings. Subsequently, in 2019, the same year the divorce was finalized, Lauer commenced a relationship with his current girlfriend, Shamin Abas.

Although the couple prefers to maintain privacy regarding their relationship, there have been occasional sightings of them together in public. One notable instance was their appearance in New Zealand in 2020.

Shamin Abas is a publicist and businesswoman engaged in marketing and event-related activities in New York. The couple had known each other for two decades before their relationship evolved, initially having met through professional connections



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Is The Morning Show Based on Matt Lauer-FAQs

1. Who is Matt Lauer?

Matt Lauer is a former television presenter who gained prominence as the host of NBC's morning show, Today, for over 20 years. However, he was terminated in 2017 following allegations of inappropriate behavior.

2. What were the allegations against Matt Lauer?

Matt Lauer faced allegations of misconduct, including claims of inappropriate behavior and assault. Several women came forward with accusations against him, leading to his dismissal from the Today show.

3. How did the allegations impact the ratings of the Today show?

According to ratings analysis, the impact on the Today show's ratings was not as severe as initially anticipated. The show's viewership experienced a modest 3% decline following Lauer's exit, whereas other morning shows faced more significant decreases.

4. Is Matt Lauer currently married?

No, Matt Lauer is not currently married. His ex-wife, Annette Roque, filed for divorce after the allegations came to light, and their divorce was finalized in 2019.

5. What is Shamin Abas's profession?

Shamin Abas is a publicist and businesswoman who primarily works in marketing and event-related activities in New York.

 

 

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