Ann Curry is a true class act, possessing an understanding of humility that I really wish we could see on public display far more often.
Matt Lauer referred to her as having the biggest heart in the business. And that proverbial heart was on display as she bid a fond farewell to her Today Show “family,” as well as fans who have become accustomed to her face in their living rooms, at their offices or on their computers on a daily basis.
In terms of the NBC move, it certainly wasn’t a “firing.” It seems that the brass may have learned a lesson from the Conan O’Brien debacle. This one seems more like a forced hand renegotiation–a question of “Is this really working out?” Though, perhaps that’s what they tried to do with Conan, too. And Team Coco told them to get bent. Without a doubt, Curry is also being wronged in this renegotiation, but she will remain with the network.
This really isn’t that big of a surprise. This is the same network and show that allows Kathie Lee Gifford to garble for an hour daily.
Bottom line, Curry was never allowed to sink into her new role at Today–find that comfortable stride in dealing with the day to day. While she has performed interviews, she has heavily been used as a correspondent and news desk anchor on the Today Show in years past. It’s a big adjustment.
Curry was quite frank in an interview with USA Today, speaking of her new role at NBC, and also stating that she was being cycled out of the co-hosting role at Today against her own will and desire. She offered the following humble quote:
I just finished my freshman year as co-host. In every single co-host’s first year, there have been kinks to be worked out, and perhaps I deserve as much blame for that as anyone.
When asked if she thought she was given a real opportunity to work out those kinks, she said no.
Curry will be transitioning into the role of Anchor-at-Large for the network, meaning that she’ll be able to report on the stories that she wants to report on, and she’ll be seen in the various network programs–from Dateline to Today to Nightly News, where she’ll fill in time to time for Brian Williams.
