Shocking Scandals That Shook 'The Today Show'

For over 70 years, 'Today' has been a popular morning show in the US. It debuted in 1952, making it the fifth longest-running show in the country. Despite its success and large fan base, the show has faced its fair share of scandals.

The First Host of The Today Show Was Paired with a Chimpanzee

In 1951, NBC brought on David Garroway as the first host of The Today Show. Garroway had previously found success as the host of the variety show Garroway at Large.

However, the show could have performed better, and the network wanted to attract more viewers. They decided to bring on a co-anchor named J. Fred Muggs to achieve this. The interesting twist was that Fred was a trained chimpanzee who caught the attention of a network executive when he dipped a donut into a cup of coffee.

The relationship between David Garroway and J. Fred Muggs was reportedly very turbulent. Adding a chimpanzee to 'The Today Show' boosted its ratings quickly. However, according to Robert Metz's book 'The Today Show: An Inside Look at 25 Tumultuous Years,' things could have been smoother between the two anchors. Robert accused David Garroway of actions like putting drugs in Fred's orange juice or hurting the chimp's hands when he thought Fred was stealing the spotlight. In 1957, Fred's contract ended, with a statement suggesting that the chimp wanted to explore new opportunities. However, some theories propose that David was done with the chimp.

Tamron Hall Leaves The Today Show Allegedly Due to Megyn Kelly

Tamron Hall joined NBC News in 2007 and became a part of ‘Today’s Take,’ the 9 am slot of ‘The Today Show,’ in 2014. Her presence as the first African-American woman anchor on the show was significant. However, in February 2017, things took a turn for the worse.

Rumors suggest that NBC wanted to change the show by bringing in Megyn Kelly from ‘Fox News.’ Some claim that Tamron decided to leave before being pushed out of ‘The Today Show.’ Ultimately, she departed from the network entirely, expressing excitement for what lies ahead in her future.

In 2018, Megyn Kelly made remarks about "blackface" during a segment on the Today show. She had joined the show in 2017 but was let go by NBC the following year. During the October 23, 2018 segment, Megyn discussed controversial Halloween costumes, specifically "blackface" costumes. She was speaking to an all-white panel and mentioned that it was acceptable to dress up this way as a child. Later in the show, Megyn attempted to clarify her comments by saying that she couldn't keep up with all the people who were being offended by what she considered normal behavior.

Megyn Kelly faced severe backlash and was fired immediately after her comments on 'The Today Show' received adverse solid reactions. NBC announced that she had been let go from her contract three days after the segment aired. Fans and colleagues expressed their outrage, leading Megyn to send an apology email to her staff and tearfully apologize to the nation on air. However, she was unaware that this would be her last live segment.

Kevin Bleyer, a former head writer for the Today show, was allegedly fired in January 2018 for reporting bullying from co-executive producers. According to an email obtained by the Daily Mail, Kevin stated that Christine Cataldi and Jackie Levin were bullying junior staff members. Christine called her assistant an "idiot," while Jackie blamed his staff for issues and called Kevin a "whiner." Kevin also pointed out the hypocrisy of covering high-profile harassment stories on the show.

Kanye West Expresses Disapproval of Videos Played During Today Show Interview

In November 2010, Kanye West appeared on The Today Show for an interview with Matt Lauer. Known for his controversial nature, Kanye was not pleased with the questions he was asked. He was explicitly questioned about his comments regarding former U.S. Presidents during a Hurricane Katrina telethon and his confrontation with Taylor Swift at the 2009 MTV VMAs. However, Kanye's main issue was not with the questions but with the fact that the show played video clips of these incidents in the background throughout the interview.

The rapper Kanye West expressed his dissatisfaction with his experience on the Today Show through social media. During the interview, Kanye stated that he didn't need to see the footage to have emotional reactions. The situation escalated when videos with audio were played while Kanye was trying to speak, leaving him frustrated and questioning how he could continue the conversation. Kanye took to social media to further express his frustrations, claiming he was trying to cooperate during the interview and warning others not to mess with Matt Lauer or the Today Show. He described Matt Lauer as someone who wanted to manipulate his answers and was brutal, contrasting himself as the only one with positive intentions.

The Today Show made a mistake in captioning Amy Winehouse's music video. On July 23, 2011, the news of Amy Winehouse's death shocked her millions of fans worldwide. Throughout her life, the talented musician had struggled with addiction and personal battles, which often made headlines. Unfortunately, when covering the news, Today Show made an error. The show intended to show a clip of Amy's music video for the song "You Know I'm No Good." However, they only captioned it as "You Know I'm," leaving out the crucial part "No Good." Instead, they focused on the news of the singer's passing. This error might have been unintentional, but it did not reflect well on the show.

Kathie Lee Gifford, the host of the morning show 'Today,' revealed that she experienced a period of "crippling loneliness." Despite her cheerful personality on the show, things were not all sunshine and roses for her behind the scenes. In 2015, Kathie lost her husband, Frank, and two years later, her mother passed away. Speaking to AARP The Magazine in 2019, she confessed that this was her "darkest time" as she not only lost her loved ones but also experienced loneliness as her children had moved out.

NBC reportedly asked Al Roker to change his style of commentary

Al Roker, a weather forecaster for 'The Today Show,' is known for his unique and sometimes controversial stories. However, NBC has supposedly expressed concerns about his persona and its potential impact on the show.

According to Page Six, in 2014, NBC went from amusing Al's jokes to worrying about their effect on 'Today.' As a result, they requested that Al "act more like a traditional weatherman." An insider claimed that NBC believed Al was becoming too eccentric and saying strange things.

The weatherman, Al Roker, has been part of Today's show for almost 30 years. Despite criticism, he pushes the limits and defends others' mistakes. In 2015, he apologized for taking a selfie with his coworkers before a car accident. He also defended Jeremy Kappel when he used an offensive slur by accident. Despite these incidents, Al Roker takes the comments to heart and tries to improve.

Fans Accuse Megyn Kelly of Fat-Shaming on 'The Today Show'

Megyn Kelly joined 'The Today Show' to appeal to adult females, but some fans believe she missed the mark. In January 2018, she started fat-shaming people on the show, which caused backlash. During that episode, Megyn was joined by Maria Kang, also known as "FitMom."

Megyn admitted that she used to ask her stepfather to insult her based on her weight when she was in law school. She also revealed that she struggled with an eating disorder when she was younger, restricting her calorie intake to only 500 calories per day. Although she later tried to backtrack and advocate for support and kindness towards overweight people, it was too late.

Bryant Gumbel and Katie Couric's Relationship on 'Today'

The popular morning show 'Today' had a successful run in the 90s, and one of the highlights was the on-screen chemistry between Bryant Gumbel and Katie Couric. However, reports suggest their relationship may not have been as friendly as it appeared.

After leaving 'Today,' Bryant Gumbel hinted in an interview with the New York Times Magazine that Katie Couric received too much credit for the show's success. He also mentioned in an interview with George magazine that they were not as close as people thought and that there was a lot of tension between them. Sources even claimed that they didn't want to spend time together.

The Today Show Mixes Up Michael Vick with Jerrod Johnson

Many sports stars, including Michael Vick, have appeared on morning shows over the years. In July 2012, Matt Lauer scheduled the NFL star to be interviewed on 'The Today Show' about his book, 'Finally Free.' However, things didn't go as planned.

During the interview, the show mistakenly played footage of Jerrod Johnson instead of Michael Vick. The video was supposed to show Vick playing for the Philadelphia Eagles, but it featured Johnson instead. To add insult to injury, Johnson had only been on the team for one month the previous year.

Kathie Lee Gifford's awkward question about Martin Short's marriage

In May 2012, Kathie Lee Gifford made a cringe-worthy mistake during an interview with actor Martin Short. Unaware that Martin's wife, Nancy, had passed away in 2010, Kathie asked about their relationship and praised their marriage, calling it "one of the greatest in show business."

Kathie asked about the number of years they had been married and even commented on their enduring love. However, it wasn't until a commercial break that someone informed her about Nancy's death from ovarian cancer. On social media, Kathie later apologized to Martin and his family for her insensitive question.

Megyn Kelly's ratings on 'The Today Show' declined, causing problems with other anchors. Her segment was unsuccessful regarding ratings, which reportedly upset other anchors on the show.

Tickets to Megyn Kelly Today Were Apparently Unwanted

Megyn Kelly faced difficulties attracting an audience when she joined ‘The Today Show.’ According to rumors, the anchor struggled to fill the studio for her live shows. Radar Online reported that the show had to give away tickets for free, but even then, people did not want to attend. Camera tricks had to be used to create the illusion of a total audience. Megyn jokingly referred to her premiere week as “educational.

Bryant Gumbel's Personal Memo Leaked to the Media

Bryant Gumbel's true thoughts about his co-anchors on 'The Today Show' were exposed when a leaked email emerged. In 1988, executive producer Marty Ryan asked Bryant to provide an assessment of the show, asking what was working and what wasn't.

Bryant didn't hold back and wrote a four-page memo expressing his genuine opinions. Unfortunately, the memo was leaked to the media the following year, allowing everyone, including Bryant's coworkers, to read his thoughts.

Bryant Gumbel's Dislike for Willard Scott

Bryant Gumbel expressed his intense dislike for weatherman Willard Scott in a memo. Gumbel believed Scott took too much time on the show and criticized his approach. While Scott was known for his cheerful personality and birthday shoutouts, Gumbel did not appreciate it.

In the memo, Gumbel accused Scott of "holding the show hostage" with his various segments and suggested that 'Today' should ban him for the first hour. Despite his negative feelings towards Scott, Gumbel acknowledged that Scott was unlikely to leave because he couldn't find a better job.

The anchor criticized other anchors, but the situation quickly settled down. Willard Scott and reporter David Horowitz were both mentioned in the memo, with Bryant Gumbel calling David a "walking cliché" and criticizing Gene Shalit's celebrity interviews. The memo could have ended Bryant's career, but nothing significant happened. There were some changes behind the scenes, but the memo was forgotten until Bryant left in 1997.

Tom Cruise criticized Brooke Shields for talking about her postpartum depression. Shields has made occasional appearances on 'The Today Show' since 2013. However, in 2005, Tom Cruise mentioned her name. She wrote about the birth of her daughter in her 2005 memoir, 'Down Came the Rain.' Shields admitted to suffering from postpartum depression and sought medical treatment. Unfortunately, Tom was not supportive. He dismissed the treatment's effectiveness and claimed there was no scientific evidence for it. Instead, he suggested that Shields rely on vitamins and exercise, following the teachings of the Church of Scientology.

The actor had a tense argument with Matt Lauer during his interview on the Today show. Tom Cruise appeared on the show shortly after making controversial statements and wanted to promote his latest movie, War of the Worlds. However, Matt had different intentions and continuously questioned Tom about his thoughts on Brooke Shields. At first, Tom played along and referred to psychiatry as a "pseudoscience." While the actor mentioned that he liked Brooke, the situation escalated when Matt continued to push him. Tom became frustrated and began to rant about Brooke's medication, claiming that he had thoroughly researched the topic, unlike Matt. When Matt pointed out that Brooke was not forced to take the medication, Tom insultingly called him "glib."

Ann Curry's Journey to 'The Today Show'

Ann Curry had a long road to success. She spent nearly 20 years working towards becoming an anchor on 'The Today Show.' Finally, in June 2011, her dream came true, and she was praised for her efforts.

However, just one year later, Ann was unexpectedly gone from the show, leaving fans confused and wanting answers. Many viewed her departure as a "public-relations debacle," but the reasons behind it remained unclear.

It is rumored that some people created a toxic work environment for Ann Curry because they did not like her. Many people were interested in knowing what was happening behind the scenes, as some believed Ann Curry was unhappy about discussing gossip stories instead of more important news. As a result, NBC decided to remove her from her daily hosting duties and assign her as a "global anchor." This change meant Ann would have more time to focus on serious topics, but she soon encountered more issues. Ann alleged that Matt Lauer and other executives did not like her, which created an uncomfortable work environment. According to Ann, it felt like a "boys' club atmosphere," and she described it as "professional torture" before changing roles.

Megyn Kelly had difficulty booking guests for her show, Megyn Kelly Today, after making controversial comments about "blackface." The cast of the series House of Cards decided to cancel their appearance on her show. This wasn't the first time Megyn upset a guest, as during her first week on Today, she continuously asked Jane Fonda about her cosmetic procedures, causing tension between the two. Another guest, Debra Messing, later admitted regret for going on the show, especially when Megyn asked a fan if they became LGBTQ because of a character on Debra's sitcom Will & Grace. According to a source, the controversy surrounding Megyn became too much, and the show revolved solely around her.

Al Rocker's reaction to the truth about Ryan Lochte

Ryan Lochte, an Olympic swimmer, faced a controversy during the Rio Olympics when he claimed to have been held at gunpoint in an attempted robbery. However, Brazilian law enforcement said that Ryan and his companions had vandalized a bathroom and paid a fine for their actions. This led to a heated discussion between Al Rocker, Matt Lauer, and Billy Bush. Al Rocker repeatedly stated that Ryan had lied, while Billy Bush suggested that Ryan had exaggerated the facts. Despite the disagreement, Al Rocker stood his ground, and Natalie Morales eventually came to his defense.

Jenna Bush Hager Mistakenly Thought a Gift was for Her Instead of Hoda Kotb

Jenna Bush Hager had an embarrassing moment while on 'The Today Show' with Hoda Kotb. She discovered an engraved bracelet in her dressing room and mistakenly believed it was a gift from former host Kathie Lee Gifford. The bracelet had Kathie's mantra, "My joy is non-negotiable," engraved on it, and Jenna was touched by the gesture, thanking Kathie for her kindness. However, she soon realized the bracelet was meant for Hoda, as it was engraved with Hoda's daughter's name. Oops!

On September 11, 2012, while other TV networks were broadcasting a national memorial event, 'Today' chose to air an interview with Kris Jenner and Savannah Guthrie. During the interview, Kris discussed topics such as Kanye West, cosmetic surgery, and exercise. This decision by the network puzzled many, as 'Good Morning America' and 'This Morning' both showed a particular moment of silence led by the President of the United States. Except for the New York studios, all NBC stations in the US aired the same interview instead of covering the memorial.

Initially, NBC showed no remorse for their decision to air an interview with Kris Jenner instead of the memorial service. This was evident from their official statement, which claimed that "Today" had already given significant coverage to the event. However, the network faced backlash for their choice and statement. As a result, the then-president of NBC News, Steve Capus, backtracked and referred to it as an "editorial call" that upset many viewers. Ultimately, he issued an apology, although some felt it was insincere and only made due to public outrage.

Anne Hathaway was visibly uncomfortable when asked about photos of her in the media. In 2012, she attended the premiere of the movie 'Les Misérables' in New York City, and unfortunately, the paparazzi could take shots up her skirt. During an interview with Matt Lauer in December 2012, he made a quip about seeing a lot of her lately, referring to the incident. Anne wanted to talk about the movie and not the incident, stating that it was a sad incident that she was unwillingly a part of.

Tom Brokaw Apologizes for Offending the Latino Community

Tom Brokaw, an anchor on 'The Today Show' from 1976 to 1981, was a prominent figure in NBC News. In 2019, he made a controversial statement suggesting that "the Hispanics" should make more effort to assimilate, speak English, and feel comfortable in other communities. As a result, he faced severe backlash and later issued a public apology on social media, expressing his sincere regret for his words.

Carson Daly, the features anchor on 'The Today Show,' recently revealed that he has been dealing with severe panic attacks. Although he joined the show in 2013, it took him five years to open up about his struggles with mental health. During an episode of 'Today,' Carson bravely shared that he has been living with generalized anxiety disorder and frequently experiences panic attacks. His first panic attack occurred while he was hosting an episode of 'Total Request Live' on MTV. Carson admitted that when panic attacks happen, he feels frightened and as if he is losing control of his life. However, he has been seeking help from therapists to manage them more effectively.

Al Roker shared a personal and embarrassing moment during a visit to the White House in 2002. After his gastric bypass surgery, he had a mini emergency where he thought he had eaten something wrong and needed to pass gas. However, he ended up having an accident and had to throw out his underwear.

Megyn Kelly Faces Hostile Environment at The Today Show

Megyn Kelly's time at 'Today' was marked by tension and dislike from her fellow anchors. She seemed to bring unnecessary drama to the show, which didn't sit well with the fans or her colleagues. One incident that caused further animosity was when Megyn made insensitive comments about Hoda Kotb's battle with breast cancer in January 2018.

The remarks were seen as "awkward" and "mean-spirited" by those who heard them, causing hurt and resentment. To add insult to injury, Megyn was omitted in the other "NBC family" members invited to watch Al Roker's Broadway debut in October 2018.

Controversial Leaked Tape Involving Billy Bush and a Former President

Once a popular TV host and entertainment journalist, Billy Bush found himself in hot water when a tape of him and a former US President was leaked in 2016. The tape captured a conversation between the journalist and President before Billy's show, 'Access Hollywood.' During the conversation, the President made inappropriate comments about women, dismissing them as "locker room banter."

Billy Bush lost his job on The Today Show after being initially suspended. He later spoke about the incident, stating that he understands the consequences of his actions but believes that he was unfairly punished for a single moment. Despite this, he acknowledges his mistake and takes responsibility for it.

Jane Pauley's Unexpected Departure from Today in 1989

The popular morning show 'Today' gained significant popularity during the 1970s, attracting big-name hosts such as Jane Pauley. Joining the show in 1976, Pauley's presence helped 'The Today Show' become a rating leader. However, everything changed in 1989.

Despite having two more years left on her contract, Jane Pauley shocked everyone by abruptly resigning from 'Today.' In an interview with Life magazine, Pauley stated that "choosing to go was surely better than being told to go," leaving many curious about her sudden decision.

In 1989, Deborah Norville joined 'The Today Show' alongside Bryant Gumbel and Jane Pauley. There were rumors that NBC planned to replace Jane Pauley with Deborah, who was younger and had a different on-air role. Deborah was paid less than Jane, which fueled the speculation even more. NBC was concerned that Jane might leave the network, so they offered her a show called 'Real Life.'

The Today Show faces a decline in ratings after Deborah Norville takes over

During the 90s, The Today Show, which had enjoyed success for decades, experienced a significant shift. The show needed help to maintain stability with hosts coming and going rapidly. Unfortunately, Deborah Norville's presence did not appeal to viewers as much as NBC had anticipated.

Many viewers were disappointed to see Jane Pauley replaced and subsequently chose to disengage from the show. Within the first year of Deborah's tenure, The Today Show went from being the top-rated program to consistently needing to catch up in the ratings.

Fans were unhappy with the way the media portrayed Deborah Norville. There is still a debate about whether people disliked her or preferred Jane Pauley. However, it was clear that NBC allowed the media gossip to affect Deborah's reputation. As a result, she lost favor with fans. The show 'Today' started to fall behind its competitor, 'Good Morning America.' Deborah admitted to feeling hurt by the situation and criticized her media friends for not fact-checking false stories. In 1991, she went on maternity leave and was replaced by Katie Couric.

NBC immediately investigated allegations against Matt Lauer. He was a popular TV anchor, primarily known for his role on 'Today.' However, in November 2017, accusations were made against him for alleged inappropriate behavior. An anonymous NBC employee filed a complaint and provided a detailed interview with the legal and human resource departments. Consequently, NBC initiated an investigation into Matt's conduct. Unfortunately, the situation worsened for Matt as 'The Today Show' decided to terminate his employment while NBC looked into the allegations further.

The anchors of The Today Show found out about Matt Lauer's firing just hours before the general public did. When they were informed, Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie were getting ready to start the show at 7 am on November 29, 2017. They appeared visibly shaken as they read a statement from NBC News saying that they had received a complaint and had decided to terminate Matt's employment. The statement also mentioned that it was the first complaint about his behavior, but the network had reason to believe it may not have been an isolated incident.

Sources initially claimed that Matt Lauer was unaware of the accusations. However, it was only a short time before sources reached out to publications with new information. One source told People magazine that a woman named Brooke Nevils claimed that Matt Lauer made inappropriate advances towards her while they were working together at the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia in 2014. The severity of the accusations led to his termination. Another source told People magazine that Matt believed the relationship with Brooke was consensual and long-term. This news came as a shock to him, leaving him completely bewildered.

Accusations Against Matt Lauer Continue to Surface

Following Matt Lauer's termination from 'The Today Show,' multiple women have come forward with accusations against him. One woman spoke to The New York Times, recounting an alleged incident from 2001 where she claims to have been assaulted by Lauer after being given substances. She never reported the incident to the network, feeling that she could have done more to prevent it. In addition, three anonymous women have shared stories of inappropriate behavior, comments, and gifts from Lauer during their time working with him on 'The Today Show.'

Confusing Statement from Matt Lauer

Matt Lauer, a well-known face on the show 'Today' since 1997, released a statement addressing the accusations against him the day after he was fired. The statement, while unclear, expressed his sorrow and regret. Matt also admitted that some of the accusations were untrue or mischaracterized but acknowledged that there was enough truth in the stories to make him feel ashamed and embarrassed. He vowed to repair the damage and reflect on his flaws, admitting that the accusations had been humbling for him.

Addie Zinone accused Matt Lauer of abusing his power during their alleged affair. Matt Lauer, a popular TV anchor at the time, faced accusations of using his position at NBC to his advantage. Addie Zinone, a former staff member at 'The Today Show,' opened up about their month-long affair in 2000. While she described the affair as "consensual," she felt like a victim due to the power dynamic. Zinone claimed that Lauer targeted those who were less powerful and vulnerable.

Ann Curry Allegedly Attempted to Stop Matt Lauer but was Unsuccessful

Ann Curry supported the women who spoke out against Matt Lauer, but questions arose about whether she had more knowledge about the situation than she revealed. An inside source disclosed that Ann remained silent while many confided in her.

Currently, Ann has not directly addressed the allegations against Matt. However, journalist Ronan Farrow stated that Ann tried to inform NBC executives about the situation. According to Ronan, a coworker confided in Ann in 2010, but despite her report to NBC, no formal complaint was filed.

Matt Lauer's Wife Files for Divorce Two Years After Allegations

No formal criminal charges have been brought against Matt Lauer at this time. There may be various reasons, such as the accusers choosing not to press charges. However, things have been challenging for Matt moving forward. In July 2019, his wife, Annette Roque, filed for a divorce.

According to the documents, the divorce was "uncontested," Annette was informed that it could take a few months to finalize. Her attorney later confirmed that the divorce had been settled, and the finalization was announced two months later in September. Sources close to Matt have stated that he and Annette are focused on their children during this time.

Former Today Show anchor Matt Lauer has reportedly become reclusive since being fired from the show. It has been six years since he was let go, and news of the allegations against him shocked the nation. According to sources close to him, Matt has lost many friends due to the scandal. People used to check up on him, but most have moved on. He now keeps to himself and doesn't reach out to people much. Matt is said to be upset about Katie Couric's release of their private text messages in her book, 'Going There.'