Bob Costas’s eye infection, most likely pink eye, is getting worse. So much so, that Matt Lauer will be filling in for him on NBC’s primetime coverage tonight.
The infection, which began on the first day of NBC’s Sochi coverage, has spread from Costas’ left eye to his right eye. Last night, Costas’ reddened eyes lit up Twitter. This morning on “Today” Lauer and Al Roker talked about how they saw Costas having breakfast in the hotel. “You gotta feel for the guy,” said Lauer. Costas then called in to the show and broke the news to Lauer that he’ll be filling in. Costas used a baseball metaphor to pitch the news.
“I was trying to throw a complete game here,” said Costas. “But I think we’re going to have to go to the bullpen. And I don’t know if you’re aware of this, or not, but you’re Mariano Rivera at least tonight.”
Lauer groaned: “So I’m going to step in for you tonight? The master of Olympic prime time?”
“I believe that’s it. And let’s hope it’s only tonight. Because right now I’m walking around — I might as well be playing Marco Polo. I have no idea where I am.”
During NBC’s late night show last night, Costas took a sip of Russian vodka adding, “My eyes can’t get any redder.” After he heard the news this morning, Lauer said, “I’ll be doing the shots of vodka starting in about 15 minutes.”
Lauer’s turn in prime time will pair him with his old “Today” show EP Jim Bell who is heading up NBC’s Olympics coverage.
Video from the “Today” show after the jump…