At the close of her lead story on NBC Nightly News, Stephanie Gosk reported that two more accusers have come forward to NBC News executives with complaints that Matt Lauer sexually harassed them. (Late this afternoon Variety reported the accounts of three Lauer accusers).
For the second time in 9 days the three evening newscasts led with a story about the dismissal of a high-profile TV news anchor. Last Tuesday it was Charlie Rose. Tonight it was Matt Lauer’s firing.
“We begin with a story that has stunned millions of morning television viewers and that has certainly struck to the core here at NBC News,” said Lester Holt at the start of NBC Nightly News. “Our longtime colleague Matt Lauer fired over allegations made on Monday by another of our colleagues of inappropriate sexual behavior.”
“For millions of Americans, it was a stunning headline to wake up to,” said David Muir at the start of World News Tonight. Linsey Davis reported the lead story.
“Another powerful man has been brought down by accusations he sexually abused women,” is how Anthony Mason began the CBS Evening News. Bianna Golodryga reported the lead story while White House correspondent Margaret Brennan reported a follow-up on the status of harassment complaints against President. Trump.
Lauer was to have co-hosted tonight’s Christmas in Rockefeller Center special on NBC. Instead, Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Al Roker are hosting the show, with no mention of their missing former co-worker. Lester Holt joined the trio about 35 minutes into the broadcast and returned later to help light the tree.
