NBC, looking to import a new star, has reached out to CNN’s Anderson Cooper, which can only mean Matt Lauer’s (with co-anchor Savannah Guthrie) glow is dimming. (Landov)
NBC is working on a backup plan for embattled “Today” show host Matt Lauer.
NBC News Chairwoman Patricia Fili-Krushel is trying to line up a replacement in case Lauer exits before his $25 million contract ends next year — or the show falls even further behind arch rival “Good Morning America.”
“They’re looking into a transition,” said an exec familiar with NBC’s plans.
Another source said that while the Peacock is making contingency plans, it is not looking to replace Lauer right away.
“They can’t replace Matt now — maybe next year,” the source said. “But they have no plans in place for a successor.”
Clearly, network execs are hoping for a much smoother transition than the abrupt and painful exit of “Today” co-host Ann Curry.
NBC played down speculation that it is working on a successor for Lauer after Deadline.com reported it had reached out to CNN’s Anderson Cooper.
“We are not considering replacing Matt Lauer,” Alex Wallace, the exec in charge of “Today,” said in a statement. “As we’ve said before, Matt is the best in the business. We want him in the ‘Today’ show anchor chair for many years to come.”
But sources confirmed that NBC contacted Cooper to see if he would be interested in a “Today” show gig, among other opportunities at the network, although the early indications are that he’s not interested. Wallace first raised Cooper’s name in late 2011, when Lauer was weighing whether to renew his contract, a source said.
ABC’s “GMA” topped “Today” for the first time in 16 years last April. NBC bosses booted Curry from the anchor chair, along with the executive who oversaw the show, Jim Bell, who was reassigned to Olympics coverage.
Lauer’s nice-guy persona also has taken a beating. His lack of chemistry with Curry, coupled with her tearful on-air departure, has led to the widely held belief that he helped push her out.
This time, NBC is working on a Plan B in the event of another “Today” shake-up involving Lauer.
Among the possible internal replacements: Willie Geist, a relatively new addition to “Today”; “Meet the Press” host David Gregory; or even “Nightly News” anchor Brian Williams.
“GMA’s” Josh Elliott, “American Idol” host Ryan Seacrest and ESPN’s Dan Patrick have also been floated as possible successors.
Meanwhile, Lauer — who has been hosting “Today” since 1996 — might be ready for a change of scenery.
“He’s got more money than he can spend,” said a network veteran. “When he leaves, there will be plenty of offers that won’t entail waking up every morning at 4 a.m.”
Final ratings depict a bleaker picture for “Today” than yesterday’s preliminary data showed.
ABC’s “GMA” is winning in total viewers and among the 25- to 54-year-old viewing group that is key to advertisers.
ABC attracted 5 million viewers last week compared to NBC’s 4.72 million, according to Nielsen figures.
“Today” also lost to “GMA” in the 25-54 demo, with 1.9 million viewers versus “GMA’s” 1.91 million.
With reporting by Stephanie Smith and Richard Johnson