By Zanub Saeed
After a year of being cohost on NBC's "Today" show, Ann Curry has been released of the job, and now the network is already looking into finding a new replacement.
Rumors had surfaced for months, according to The New York Times, that NBC officials were not happy with Curry's work on "Today" when she replaced Meredith Vieira last year. Despite announcements that Curry was fired from the position, she returned to the show on Thursday morning as though nothing had happened, NBC showed. Other stories behind Curry's departure had to do with the ratings decline once she took a cohosting position, and the rumors that Matt Lauer did not like working alongside her.
A new report surfaced on Thursday that prior host Vieira was offered a contract in secret to take her position back again, after Curry had been told to leave, said TMZ, but Vieira had turned them down. The offer, said TMZ, was made two weeks ago, but the anchor had no interest in returning to the position she held for six years at NBC.
TMZ stated that when Lauer resigned his contract for "Today," he explicitly wanted to make sure Curry would not be with him, though NBC delayed in making a decision regarding who would take on the cohosting duties for the morning news program. The news website is stating sources told them that Savanna Guthrie, who hosted the third hour of "Today," is the current front-runner.
Those with knowledge of the situation have told The New York Times that the time is sensitive as the London Olympic summer games are set to start in a little more than a month, and that "Today" will be taking part in the events from the English venue in July.
"They feel real pressure to get it done by the Olympics," one of the people with knowledge of the negotiations told The New York Times.
There is no official announcement or date on when Curry will be leaving the show, and no replacement has been confirmed.
