NBC has reached out to Anderson Cooper as a potential replacement for Matt Lauer on the ratings-troubled “Today” show before the end of the year — but Lauer is fighting back.
Deadline’s Nellie Andreeva reports that the news execs even want Lauer’s blessing of their choice. But it is no surprise that the $25-million-a-year anchor reportedly wants to keep his job and reportedly called Cooper to warn him off.
Andreeva writes, “I hear NBC reached out to Lauer to get his blessing about the changeover. But I heard they got pushback from the ‘Today’ veteran, who contacted Cooper to express his disapproval. I also hear that call caught Cooper by surprise, as he had assumed Lauer had been brought on board before NBC began making overtures.”
Lauer is widely reported to be on his way out at the morning show, which has tumbled to No. 2 in the ratings in the last year. He is being blamed for the show’s fall from grace after 16 years on top.
TMZ claims, to the contrary, that Lauer is on board with the idea of Anderson replacing him, but not immediately.
A top NBC executive says the network is not considering replacing Lauer as anchor of the “Today” show.
NBC News executive Alex Wallace, who oversees the troubled morning show, made the comment today in response to reports that the network had approached the CNN anchor for the “Today” job.
The Deadline report was confirmed to The Associated Press by a source who spoke on condition of anonymity because the discussions were private.
Wallace says Lauer is “the best in the business” and that NBC wants him on “Today” for many years to come.
WITH AP