Who Will Meredith Vieira Miss Most on 'TODAY'?

By Rob Shuter Posted May 9th 2011 05:05PM

EXCLUSIVE: Hours after Meredith Vieira announced she would be leaving the 'TODAY' on June 8th, I asked her -- in front of her partners Matt, Ann, Al and Natalie -- who she would miss the most. "The scarecrow," she replied, like Dorothy leaving OZ, before adding that she would miss everyone, "It really is a family."

Meredith took time to answer questions about why she had decided to leave the top-rated morning show and made it clear that recent headlines suggesting it was due to her husband's failing health were not true. "My husband Richard is in good health and that is part of the reason I want to leave," she said. "I want to appreciate our time together."

And although the charming Matt Lauer wouldn't compare his three co-hosts (Katie, Meredith and Ann) he did make it clear he had mixed emotions.

"I have never enjoyed working with anyone more than Meredith," he said. "I'm sorry to see her go, but this is the way it's supposed to be."

Matt expressed how thrilled he was for Ann, whom he said, "has a heart as big as this room." (We were in the studio where NBC broadcasts 'SNL.')

Finally, Ann admitted that she doesn't like change in the morning, even this one, but was excited about her new role. Executive Producer, Jim Bell, who has now had the experience of losing Katie and Meredith, said it best, "yes, Meredith is that wonderful and special. We will miss her terribly," but pointed out that Ann "is one of the best storytellers in this family."

I can't wait for the next chapter!

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Tags: Meredith Vieira, Today Show

Comments

(15)

Monday 09 May

By RobRoy

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Im guessing TODAY she will miss her face being on tv, but yesterday and the day before she MISSED raising and spending time with her children, who were raised by NANNIES

By New York

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ALL women have to work these days to make ends meet. ALL children are being cared for by grandmas, daycare, babysitters, etc. What exactly IS your point??

By BIGRED

Will never watch now that Ann Curry will be on. Her bias is worse than Meredith's AND Matt's (which is pretty hard to match). I scream at my TV when she interviews she constantly interupts and asks and answers her own questions!
Why couldn't NBC find a moderate co-host?
Terrible choice NBC, She is very weak.

Will never watch Today again. ABC is out too, so I will be going to FOX. The liberal bias is just too much.

By Jana

I disagree. I think Ann is gonna be wonderful. She is carring, can carry a conversation and help a person who isn't speaking due to nervousness, and she is intelligent and easy to understand because she speaks clearly. I loved Meredith and will really miss her, but am happy with Ann as a replacement.

By lita

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You don't give one example of her bias; clearly, it is all in your otherwise vacant head. Please go back to Fux News which, I'm sure, you find "fair" and "balance." Yeah, right.

By help me

who cares all those morning shows blow

By stu

after getting dissed 2x by NBC ANN finally gets her desert!
she was paased over for meridith & kathy lee.
ann=no personality. good @ reading a telepromter.

By Kat2988

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i am sure she won't miss Curry, she is a wacko!

By Kathy

Why are they still debating this? They just don't want to give Ann the job because she is Asian. Ann deserves it she has been waiting patiently for years for the top spot so let her have it.

Tuesday 10 May

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r u illiterate kathy? ann has the job!

By john

why cant the job go to kate gosslin - she is beautiful-sexy-smart and a great mom - i would love to watch her every morning

By dee

GREAT CHOICE, I AGREE! :)

By Jerry Brown

Good bye Meridith you have too many irons in the entertainment worlds fire!

By Joyce

I hope she isn't sick!

By NAUGHTY BUT NICE ROB