Meredith Vieira Leaving 'Today' Show In June: THR

Meredith Vieira will leave the "Today" show in June and be replaced by Ann Curry, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Natalie Morales will reportedly take Curry's place as the show's newsreader. The move will shake up NBC News' most lucrative show, which has been the top rated morning program for over 800 weeks. There have also been rumors that Matt Lauer is considering leaving when his contract is up in 2012, though it is seen to be unlikely.

Vieira was widely expected to leave by at least September, when her contract with NBC is up, but she has apparently decided to accelerate her departure. She has not been shy about her desire to spend more time with her husband, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, and her children. She told a magazine in October, "I'll know when it's time to go, and I'm not afraid to go."

Curry is the natural choice to succeed Vieira. A member of the "Today" team since 1997, she was a leading contender to replace Katie Couric when she went to CBS in 2006; Vieira wound up getting the job instead. Curry admitted in a 2010 article that "I would've loved" the anchor job.

Read the full THR report here.

Comments

[IMeMine]

11:04 PM on 05/10/2011

Thank you Meredith. I've enjoyed your interviews -- hard hitting, yet respectful -- and your humor. It's nice to see that you have your priorities in order. I wish you and your husband the very best.

[rotorhead1871]

12:02 AM on 05/03/2011

steal Couric back....the Ann/Matt mix will be a little thin on entertainment and personality, maybe she and Natale can share duties?

[skeeter212]

02:54 PM on 05/02/2011

Done. As of June whatever, I am leaving the Today Show myself. Ann is disingenuous, shallow, boring and pitiful. I really don't want to hang out with her while I'm getting dressed.

[nah415]

08:42 PM on 05/01/2011

Ann Curry seems like a very nice person and I'm sure she deserves the promotion. But Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...

[Marvin Hadley Jr]

07:41 PM on 05/01/2011

She is dull as dishwater and seems to fancy herself as an intellect. Ratings will plunge.

[TYRANNASAURUS]

09:44 PM on 05/01/2011

And I thought I was the only one feeling that way......ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.

[ny2va]

06:19 PM on 05/01/2011

Good Morning America.

[mrmikes]

03:19 PM on 05/02/2011

George is looking good.

[mrmikes]

05:49 PM on 05/01/2011

Ann is cool. Period.

[ny2va]

06:19 PM on 05/01/2011

Ann sucks!

[mrmikes]

06:42 PM on 05/01/2011

I'm going to pass on the obvious reply, sigh.

[beinghuman2]

01:29 PM on 05/01/2011

Meredith is on every channel. I'm sure its time for a vacation. Money only goes so far.
oh yea, Barbara Walters- retire already. We need a vacation.

[TJustice]

09:32 PM on 04/30/2011

Finally! How long has she been working faithfully in the background?

[Linderella49]

09:21 PM on 04/30/2011

I'm going to really miss Meredith. I really believe she gave the Today Show some heart. First there was obnoxious Bryant Gumbel and then Katie Couric, who started out great but slowly began to read her own publicity. Best wishes to Ann - she has what is much appreciated at 7 AM, a pleasant smile and an interest in the people she interviews. She'll be a nice counterpoint to Matt Lauer who I hope sticks around beyond 2012.

[Untitled]

06:47 PM on 04/30/2011

Ann Curry kinda looks like that chick from "Bones."

[Beth 12]

06:06 PM on 04/30/2011

Family first. Good for her.

[logic-a-go-go]

09:52 PM on 05/01/2011

Or perhaps her little vino add iction has gotten a bit out of control?

[gernger]

06:03 PM on 04/30/2011

When Ann 1st started doing the news, she wasn't as poised or comfortable as she is now. In an early brodcast, she mistakenly called someone by the wrong name. Matt corrected her. The camera flashed back to her and she had her face in her hands, shaking her head and whispering oh no. The camera quickly left her.

[JustJoy7]

06:03 PM on 04/30/2011

Love Ann Curry!!!

[Dr Confuso]

05:47 PM on 04/30/2011

Color me impressed...NOT!