NBC: Matt Lauer Not Being Replaced on Today

He's "the best in the business," exec says amid speculation that Anderson Cooper is in the running to take Lauer's place

By Natalie Finn Mar 27, 2013 9:06 PMTags
Matt Lauer, Today ShowAndrew Eccles/NBC

There are many tomorrows ahead for Matt Lauer's run on Today.

Amid a new batch of reports that Anderson Cooper has been approached about replacing Lauer, NBC set out today to debunk the rumor that the longtime face of the network's flagship morning show is on his way out.

"Matt Lauer is the best in the business," Alexandra Wallace, senior VP of NBC News, said in a statement. "We want him in the Today show anchor chair for many years to come."

Lauer joined Today as its full-time news anchor in 1994 and has been cohosting since 1996.

He helmed the show with Katie Couric for 10 years; Couric was succeeded by Meredith Vieira, Ann Curry and, most recently, Savannah Guthrie.

Coincidentally, the rumored pending shake-up at Today has mirrored the news circling around NBC's late-night lineup, where Jimmy Fallon is considered the frontrunner to replace Jay Leno as host of The Tonight Show when Leno's contract expires.

(E! and Today are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)