Director's Cut Blog with Frank Macek

Today Show in London The London Olympics are a huge boon to NBC's struggling "Today" show. The Nielsen ratings company says the NBC morning show eclipsed ABC's "Good Morning America" by more than 1.6 million viewers last week. "Today" broadcast from London all last week, taking advantage of NBC's status as holder of the rights to the very popular Olympics. "Good Morning America" had beaten "Today" in the ratings for five weeks prior to the London trip. NBC has sought to use the trip to get morning viewers used to its new co-anchor, Savannah Guthrie. Source: The Associated Press

By Frank Macek The rumor mills are a buzzin' this evening as the New York Times is reporting that "Today" show co-host Ann Curry will likely announce her departure from the show on Thursday morning. Sources says NBC has been in talks with Curry about vacating her chair beside Matt Lauer who recently signed a new contract to continue with the show. Ratings are likely to blame as "Today" has seen the gap tighten between NBC's morning cash cow and ABC's "Good Morning America." However Nielsen ratings show ratings have improved for "Today" since the news first got out about NBC's intentions to dump Curry. NBC is said to have its eyes set on Savannah Guthrie, who is widely expected to replace Curry. Guthrie has been serving as co-host of the 9am hour of "Today" with Natalie Morales and Al Roker, as well as the show's Chief Legal Editor. Stay tuned on this one.

Special to the Director's Cut Blog David Bauder, AP Television Writer Only a year after becoming Matt Lauer's co-host on NBC's "Today" show, Ann Curry may soon be losing that job. A source with knowledge of the show who spoke on condition of anonymity because the source was not authorized to speak on the matter said Wednesday that NBC is discussing a plan to ease Curry out of the co-hosting role. The New York Times first reported these discussions on Wednesday. Savannah Guthrie, who co-hosts the show's third hour, is at the top of the list of Curry's possible replacements. NBC News executives did not immediately return requests for comment. Today" lost in the ratings this spring for the first time since 1995 after a string of 852 consecutive weeks. Since then, "Today" and ABC's "Good Morning America" have been trading wins

Meredith Vieira Next week marks a major milestone for NBC's "Today Show". Co-host Meredith Vieira is stepping down when she hosts her final show on Wednesday, June 8th. Saying good-bye as co-host of "Today" hasn't been easy. "I know my decision was the right one, but there are moments when it hits me, I'm going to be leaving," she says. Leaving after five years of what she calls a whirlwind dream job. There are the countless interviews with celebrities and politicians and major global events like the royal wedding and olympics. It is her co-workers Vieira says she will miss the most. "It's the people that make the show," she says. Veteran "Today Show" member Ann Curry is trading the news desk for a chair next to Matt Lauer, as Natalie Morales takes Curry's spot. Curry will still cover major news stories, but says she is also looking forward to showing viewers another side. "It's going to be fun,...

 Getty Images: Scott Gries NEW YORK -- Meredith Vieira said Monday that she will leave NBC's "Today" show next month to spend more time with her family, and Ann Curry will replace her as host. The turnover at television's top-rated morning show was anticipated. Vieira replaced Katie Couric five years ago, and has talked about wanting more free time. Vieira, 57, has three children and her husband, author Richard M. Cohen, wrote a best-selling book about coping with multiple sclerosis and colon cancer. "Even as I say this and I know that it's the right thing, I'm really sad," she said, fighting back emotion as she made the announcement on the air Monday. Her co-host, Matt Lauer, said that Vieira "has brought class and dignity and talent and a joy of life to this show for the last five years." Transitions are unusual for "Today," as Vieira was still the newbie among the show's core four that included Lauer, Curry an...

Gene Shalit NEW YORK - Gene Shalit has panned or praised his last movie for the "Today" show. The critic who's known for his bushy hair and mustache said Tuesday that he's leaving the show where he's reviewed movies for 40 years. The last time his "Critic's Corner" appeared on themorning show was in May, when he reviewed "Shrek Forever After." The "Today" show said it would air a salute to the 84-year-old Shalit on Thursday. Executive Producer Jim Bell says 40 years on the same show is "a feat unlikely to ever be matched." In a news release, Shalit says he wasn't retiring, and that he'll do work on the Internet and in commercials. --- Source: The Associated Press

Special to the Director's Cut Blog By Olivia Barker, USA Today NEW YORK - Amid the whir of hair dryers huddle a half-dozen women chatting about Lindsay Lohan and Jersey Shore. Cases of makeup litter a counter, behind which sits Kathie Lee Gifford, wearing a Flashdance-friendly gray tunic and a crown of rollers, and Hoda Kotb, clad in black and fuchsia workout gear and expertly applied mascara. No matter that it's 8:35 a.m. on a Wednesday. "It's Winesday," Gifford reminds the ladies. One, a Today show producer, produces a tiny foam flip-flop that hugs the foot of a wine glass and lets an imbiber know whose stem is theirs amid a glut of goblets. Gifford studies the spongy pink-and-purple Chardonnay cozy, considering whether she and Kotb should discuss it during their on-air chat. "How truly elegant," she deadpans. "I never put mine down - that's the thing." Kotb's assessment is slightly more generous: "Oh, that is cute." ...

Last week, NBC News' "Today" reached another unprecedented milestone: 700 weeks as America's number one morning program. No other morning news program has come close to a winning streak like "Today's." Moreover, the win marks the longest current winning streak in all of broadcast television, by any show, in any daypart. The winning streak began December 11, 1995, and season-to-date, "Today" holds its largest advantage over GMA in five years - since 2004. And, to keep with what's become a morning news tradition, NBC News' "Today" aced the week, attracting 5.6 million viewers for the week of May 4 – a 1.1 million (24 percent) lead over GMA and a 2.7 million (93 percent) lead over CBS' "The Early Show." Season-to-date, "Today's" advantages over GMA have increased across the board versus the same period last season. For the week, "Today" led with a 4.2 household rating/15 share and 5.6 million...

The Director's Cut Blog has learned that Kathie Lee Gifford has been named co-host of the fourth hour NBC News' "Today." The announcement was made today by "Today" executive producer Jim Bell. Gifford will make her debut alongside Hoda Kotb on April 7, 2008. She will be seen from 11 a.m. until noon on WKYC which airs the 4th hour on tape delay. "I am excited to welcome Kathie Lee to 'Today,'" said Bell. "She is a morning television icon and is on a short list of personalities known by her first name alone. We are looking forward to her signature warmth and sense of humor in the fourth hour. Her addition to the 'Today' family makes us stronger than ever, and she and Hoda will continue the 'Today' tradition of smart, topical and fun morning television." "I am truly honored to join the 'Today' show family, many of whom have been friends and colleagues of mine for years," said Gifford. "And I...

The "Toyota Concert Series on Today" will continue its tradition of bringing "Today" viewers the hottest artists in the industry continuing all the way into the fall. America's favorite morning program will also feature some surprise guests and blasts-from-the-past performances, which will be announced throughout the series. Following is a list of the concerts scheduled to date. All are Friday performances unless otherwise noted. APRIL 25 - Paula Abdul MAY 2 - Neil Diamond 9 - Mary J Blige 16 - Surprise Reunion concert 23 - Alanis Morissette 26 - B-52s (Special Memorial Day Concert) 30 - Donna Summer JUNE 6 - Chris Brown 13 - Kenny Chesney 20 - Rihanna 27 - Coldplay JULY 4 - Ashlee Simpson 11 - Rascal Flatts 18 - Natasha Bedingfield 25 - Miley Cyrus AUGUST 1 - Sheryl Crow 15 - TODAY at the Beijing Olympics 22 - TODAY at the Beijing Olympics The "Today Show" airs weekday mornings on WKYC from 7 to 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. to noon; Saturday morning from 7 to ...

Update: 8/14/07 @ 6:45 PM As we reported yesterday, NBC has indeed made the official announcement regarding the new hour of "Today" confirming what we first reported yesterday. Read more details at WKYC.COM: CLICK HERE ------------- The Director's Cut Blog has learned that Ann Curry, Natalie Morales and Hoda Kotb (all pictured) will be named hosts of the fourth hour of NBC's "Today" Show beginning September 10th on WKYC. The network is expected to make an official announcement tomorrow, August 14th. Sources also say that a rotating list of guest hosts include the Food Network's Giada De Laurentiis and New York Giant running back Tiki Barber, who became a "Today" correspondent in April. Regular "Today" Show co-hosts Meredith Vieira and Matt Lauer will NOT be part of the 4th hour. Vieira contractually can not appear past 10 AM because of her work on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire." Therefore, the new fall lineup on WKYC wi...