"Today" Show Grounded By Swine Flu

The "Today" show has postponed its upcoming vacation series over the swine flu outbreak.

The morning show opted not to send Matt Lauer on his annual globetrotting "Where in the World Is Matt Lauer?" series due to the recession, opting instead to explore affordable vacation destinations within the United States. The show was set to tape from Key West, San Antonio, and a surprise location next week.

But due to fears of swine flu, and the anchors' need to cover the developing story from New York, the show has delayed the trip.

"Because of the developing swine flu story, we have decided to postpone our 'Today Takes A Vacation' trip to San Antonio and Key West," a "Today" show rep said in a statement. "Given the uncertain direction of this story, we are in a better position to cover it fully with all of our anchors, staff and crew at our home base in New York. We have not yet set a new date for the trip, but we look forward to visiting these great cities soon."

Comments

[Imzadi]

Wrong title. The Today Show hasn''t gotten off the ground in a long time. What a snoozefest.

[Ryan Scott]

Irresponsible title. It wasn't 'grounded' and it wasn't because of swine flu.

"Because of the developing swine flu story, we have decided to postpone our 'Today Takes A Vacation' trip to San Antonio and Key West,"

It was due to the developing swine flu story.

Really irresponsible.

[maxfax]

What a bunch of wusses.

[MANK]

I think they should donate to some charity every time they say the words "you guys" . Ann Curry would be broke!

[Tinkeraw]

I live in KW. No one is even sick in the here or in the whole county, there are reportedly 24 unconfirmed cases on the mainland. They won't know for five days because of testing backlog.

KW is beautiful and ready to welcome them back anytime.

[tlgeiger62]

What a rotten SHAME!

These people do NOT live in the world I currently live in.

[iceman1980]

anyone read the medical scare of this flu at http://thenoz.wordpress.com/2009/04/30/noz-swine-flu-update/

[goddess1871]

Aw, poor Matt, not being able to do really point-less spots from tropical locales and engage in endless insipid "dialogue." That is truly a shame!

[Ed Lozano]

not to mention ths waste of fuel it takes to drag a full production crew along.....

[AGarcia]

The Today Show doesn't need to go anywhere to be insipid or pointless. They are right at home in New York City.

[nellie]

I thought "grounded" meant the show was off the air. I think the headline is a little overblown.

The problem with the flu coverage is that it's all scare and no help. And very manipulative. People are of course going to be worried about their health. So this is just preying on a natural concern for self, family, and friends. But all this panic isn't helping. It's like the terror threat colors. All it does is frighten people without giving them any resources for addressing the problem.

This scare scare scare business is very bad for the country. I wish the media would show a little responsibility.

[gratonite]

I know. I was kind of hoping they were off the air. That Matt Lauer is a smug one.

[Srkdqltr]

This whole thing is over done hype.. the newsies are getting all hot about it and being stupid.
On the View this AM I think Whoppie was disiponted that her cold wasn't the swine flu.
Get a grip

[mamala4]

No pun intended?

[Hank10303]

DON'T GET ON A PLANE - common sense

[SouthernBlueBelle]

And yet all those media types are criticizing Joe Biden for wanting his family to stay out of mass transit. Heaven knows TV personalities are more important than the Veeps family.

[Glenn Manning]

We hve finally found our silverlining in this whole thing.

[Imzadi]

Thanks for the chuckle - good one!

[chipsaunders]

Who cares. It's fluff entertainment. These people think the world revolves around them.

[lochnessmonster]

What you talkin' 'bout? These are NEWS reporters. You can't figure out where to go on vacation by yourself! They offer us a valuable service that is unparrallelled and priceless. If one of them got the flu and could not read us the "news" each day, what would we do? Open a newspaper? Paleese!

[Imzadi]

LMAO - Are you going to be able to get that tongue out of the cheek? It was so far back, I think it might even be coming out the ear.

Thanks for the laugh!

[itolduso]

Great marketing move...instead of advertising your program, make it a 'victim'.