Today's Stealth Switcheroo: Savannah Guthrie Replaces Ann Curry With Nary a Peep
It was Savannah Guthrie replacing Ann Curry at Matt Lauer’s side for the opening stretch of NBC’s Today on Friday — a fact you’d only glean from watching, as there was zero mention of a new cohost combo.
The morning program opened with Guthrie and Lauer behind the desk, yet the typical voiceover announcing the cohosts was missing, nor were the news personalities ID’d on-screen. Instead, they simply launched into the first story, on the Colorado wildfires (watch video here).
RELATED | NBC’s Today Wins Outstanding Morning Program at 2012 Daytime Emmys
Even when Today segued into the 9 o’clock hour typically hosted by Guthrie, there was not even the tiniest of aside made. Instead, she, Lauer and Al Roker led out of a Maroon 5 outdoor concert performance, then after local news and weather, Guthrie was alone leading the first segment of the 9 o’clock run. She later was joined by cohosts Roker and Natalie Morales.
Though Guthrie has been presumed to be Curry’s successor, NBC has yet to make an official announcement. UPDATE: NBC issued a press release on Friday afternoon confirming Guthrie’s new gig. In a statement, Today boss Jim Bell said:
“As soon as Savannah joined NBC News she was a standout, reporting for every franchise in the news division and rising through the ranks. She has a one-of-a-kind combination of sharp wit and approachability, and our viewers value her journalistic skills and legal background just as much as her humor and charm. She can effortlessly go from interviewing the Secretary of State to jumping Olympic-sized hurdles on the Plaza. I’m thrilled to welcome Savannah as our newest co-anchor, and along with Matt, Al and Natalie, we’ve got the best morning team in the business.”
RELATED | Today Host Ann Curry Tearfully Says Good-Bye — Watch It Here
A tearful Curry closed her 15-year run with the morning program on Thursday by saying, “For all of you who saw me as a groundbreaker, I’m sorry I couldn’t carry the ball to the finish line, but man I did try.”
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