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"Today" host Matt Lauer confronted "E! News" host Ryan Seacrest about some major rumors that NBC has been eyeing Seacrest to succeed Lauer at the "Today" show.
Lauer said he was going to treat this interview the way he would treat any other, despite the fact that he was personally involved.
"What kind of conversations have you had with NBC about joining the "Today" show?" Lauer asked. "They didn't tell you?!" Seacrest joked, implying that he was replacing Lauer.
"The idea is for me to join the NBC family while still having a role at E!" he continued. Seacrest announced that he will participate in the network's prime time coverage of the the 2012 Olympics.
Lauer asked Seacrest if he saw himself hosting the "Today" show. Seacrest smiled and responded, "I see you doing this job for as long as you want to. So maybe the question is how long do you plan to do the 'Today' show?" Lauer did not answer Seacrest's question but told audiences that he and Seacrest were friendly and that there was "no tension" between them. He also said that he thought Seacrest would be great in his "Today" show role.
"Matter of fact," Seacrest said, "when the story came out [about Seacrest replacing Lauer], we had dinner together."
"Yes, I bought dinner which I thought was completely inappropriate," Lauer joked. He then ended the interview on an intentionally vague note.
"In terms of other announcements, watch this space. Not this space," he said, pointing to his chair, "but this space."
Lauer is reportedly close to signing a new $25 million-a-year contract to remain in his role at "Today." His current contract expires in December.
In addition to his role on "E! News," Seacrest also hosts the network's red carpet coverage and produces some of the network's most important reality show franchises, including "Keeping Up With The Kardashians." Seacrest also hosts his own morning radio show on Los Angeles' KISSFM, Fox's "American Idol," and runs his own production company. The Hollywood Reporter named Seacrest the most powerful man in reality television.
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