Ann Curry is leaving the “Today” show anchor desk.
In an interview with USA Today’s Susan Page Curry confirms she is leaving the show and will remain with NBC News as the head of a 7-person team with the title of “Today” show anchor-at-large and NBC News national/international correspondent. After a week of stories and rumors, and months of speculation about her departure, Curry recounts how her move off “Today” occurred which began with a meeting with NBC News president Steve Capus, whose relationship with Curry goes back more than 15 years, when he was producer of “NBC News at Sunrise” and Curry was the anchor.
“I walked into his office expecting to say goodbye,” she says of Capus, describing herself as “deeply sad” about the turn of events. “Steve sat me down and told me I’m not done, and he convinced me there is far more to do.” He offered to create a unit for her that would do the sort of reporting she likes best.
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On her chemistry with Matt Lauer:
“You know, Matt and I have had great on-air chemistry for 14 years, been part of the No. 1 winning team for a history-making number of years,” she says. “That said, I just finished my freshman year as co-host. In every single co-host’s first year, there have been kinks to be worked out, and perhaps I deserve as much blame for that as anyone.” Does she think she was given enough time to work out those kinks? “No, I do not,” she says flatly. Would she have liked more time? “Oh, sure I would have,” she says.
On the ratings:
“I know I am not to blame for the ratings worries,” Curry says. “And my bosses have said to me there are many factors involved. There is no doubt that the rating wars have become meaner and less focused on our responsibilities as journalists,” though she says some at Today do “brilliant work.”
On becoming the story:
“Whether [the reporting] comes to how much I’m making or whether I’m (being) paid to leave or whether I’m hated by my colleagues when I know I’m not. And I have never felt like a stepsister at the Today Show family, as some have described me. I’ve always felt close to the people here.”