Up until Ann Curry's tearful goodbye from the "Today" show in August, the morning show had taken pride in executing smooth handoffs: from Bryant Gumbel to Lauer in 1997; Couric to Meredith Vieira in 2006; and Vieira to Curry in 2011.But apparently, Curry was disliked by some in the "Today" show family — even Katie Couric, at times — long before the Matt Lauer drama.
Before she even arrived at Studio 1A, Curry’s ambition was legendary. In 1993, while anchoring an early-morning show called “NBC News at Sunrise,” Curry made a play for the weekend “Nightly News” slot. When it went to Brian Williams instead, she called the president of NBC News, Andrew Lack, at his home to express her frustration. When she eventually replaced Lauer as the “Today” news reader four years later, Curry jockeyed to fill in for Katie Couric every time Couric was away. According to several well-placed producers, Couric didn’t appreciate Curry’s eagerness. Producers said Couric thought Curry was melodramatic and, in a word that one used, “fake.”
When Couric left the network in 2006, Executive Producer Jeff Zucker decided to quietly pursue Meredith Vieira as co-host — despite it being Curry's "turn" as co-host.
"When Vieira agreed to take the job, in April 2006, Zucker called Curry to his office for what he said was a 'very uncomfortable conversation,'” writes Stelter. "As soon as Curry saw the direction of the talk, her tears started welling up. Curry told Zucker that she believed she had earned the chance to co-host. She said that she might leave the network."
But with the promise of one day getting the gig, Curry stayed with the intention of succeeding Vieira — which she did, for a short period of time before saying a tearful on-air goodbye amidst drama behind-the-scenes at the "Today" show.
Not exactly the image the show that sold itself as a family — “America’s First Family” — wanted to portray.
And while the "Today" ratings have suffered ever since Curry's departure, it hasn't been easy on the 56-year-old journalist, either.
"On particularly bad days 'Good Morning America' beat 'Today' by a million viewers. Some of this was attributed to Curry’s fans exacting revenge," Writes Stelter. "She was overwhelmed by condolences. 'It feels like I died,' she told colleagues afterward, 'and I’ve seen my own wake.'"
Read the full excerpt from Stelter's upcoming book on the morning show wars here >
SEE ALSO: The plot to oust Ann Curry at the "Today" show was called "Operation Bambi" >
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