Matt Lauer Next in Line to Leave Today?

A day after rumors surfaced that Meredith Vieira was leaving the morning show, word is that the longtime host does not plan to return after his contract expires

By Natalie Finn Apr 06, 2011 11:30 PMTags
Matt LauerPeter Kramer/NBC

What's with the mass exodus at the Today show?

A day after word got out that Meredith Vieira will in all likelihood leave NBC's top-rated morning show when her contract expires in September, here comes the news that Today stalwart Matt Lauer plans to leave when his deal ends.

Don't start crying into your morning coffee just yet, however...

Lauer's contract doesn't expire until Dec. 31, 2012, so it's not exactly like he's here Today, gone tomorrow.

As it did with the Vieira speculation, NBC isn't batting an eye (in public, anyway).

"There seems to be an awful lot of speculation around news anchors these days, and it's not our practice to comment on any of it," a network rep tells E! News. "Matt Lauer has a long-term contract with NBC News and Today."

Lauer, who joined Today as a news anchor in 1994 and became Katie Couric's coanchor in 1997, also appears on Dateline NBC. Couric left in 2006 to head up the CBS Evening News and she is also reconsidering her options now that her contract is expiring this year.

Are you thinking what we're thinking? Matt and Katie reunion?!

Well, no matter what happens, at least we know where in the world Matt Lauer will be until the end of next year.