Admitting that it's 'going to be a bit of a tough day' when she bids farewell to 'Today' viewers, Curry reveals she'll next cover stories for NBC's various programs.
- Jun 28, 2012
AceShowbiz - Ann Curry has confirmed her impending departure from "Today". Following wild speculations about her future on the show, the co-host, who was tapped to replace Meredith Vieira a year ago, revealed that she will bid goodbye Thursday, June 28 morning during the morning program.
It's "going to be a bit of a tough day," so she told USA Today in a phone interview. "I'm going to have to tell our viewers. That's what makes me more emotional than anything. I don't want to leave them. I love them. And I will really miss them."
Asked if her exit has something to do with the show's ratings slip, Curry denied it as saying, "I know I am not to blame for the ratings worries... And my bosses have said to me there are many factors involved."
"There is no doubt that the rating wars have become meaner and less focused on our responsibilities as journalists," she admitted, but quickly added that some at "Today" do "brilliant work." She further insisted, "And the show is still No. 1 in terms of ratings."
The 55-year-old journalist additionally brushed off rumors that she lacks chemistry with co-host Matt Lauer. "You know, Matt and I have had great on-air chemistry for 14 years, been part of the No. 1 winning team for a history-making number of years," she claimed. "We've had a terrific relationship for all these years."
On what she wished to have more time to work it out, Curry shared, "That said, I just finished my freshman year as co-host. In every single co-host's first year, there have been kinks to be worked out, and perhaps I deserve as much blame for that as anyone."
Curry, who admitted that she's deeply hurt by all premature reports about her exit, will next lead a seven-person unit to cover big stories from around the world under a new multi-year contract with NBC. According to USA Today, she'll produce network specials and pieces for "NBC Nightly News", "Dateline", "Rock Center" and "Today", and occasionally fill in as anchor on "Nightly News".
"I would be trying to give voice to the citizens of Syria," she dished on the stories that she would highlight. "I would be trying to understand and report what the women in Egypt are thinking and worrying about after the elections there. I would be spending time with the new poor in America, trying to understand how families will be making that shift with the economy we're facing."
Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb have been rumored as top candidates to replace Curry, but NBC has yet to make the official announcement.
