Katie Couric vs. Matt Lauer

NewsMax ^

[Republican Red]

Katie Couric vs. Matt Lauer

A civil war between the stars of the Peacock network's Today show has been brewing for some time.

A major media insider with a whole bunch of friends at NBC gave NewsMax the real story about the Today program and some of the negative press Matt Lauer has been getting.

Recently, the National Enquirer splashed a cover story alleging Lauer had engaged in drug use almost two decades ago. The story had the corroboration of a house of cards and was based on a lie detector test given to an alleged drug dealer.

NewsMax didn't even bother to cover the story. Is it fair to report such things twenty years after the fact? With so little corroboration? And what importance does it have for the public? After all, we know Matt Lauer has not been an advocate for strict drug enforcement laws.

But the story itself, so out of place, had some scratching their heads as to who might be behind this negative press.

As the Romans might ask, "Cui bono?" -- who benefits by such disclosures about Lauer?

One media insider tells us that Katie Couric's entourage enjoyed the fact Lauer was smashed by the Enquirer. Our source noted Katie's friends were just a little "too gleeful" about Matt's PR problems.

As it turns out, things are not so happy at the morning show. Matt is said to be angry that Katie is the star and that Katie bags all the big interviews.

And Katie doesn't like Matt. Despite her TV persona, our source describes Katie as "Mean. This lady can be vicious and stomp you out like a bug

[Republican Red]

I don't know why, but this took me as a surprise. I always figured Lauer and Couric as allies.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Katie is like Hillary, she doesn't have allies, only serfs.

[farmfriend]

I don't know why, but this took me as a surprise. I always figured Lauer and Couric as allies.

I wouldn't think so. Matt is too conservative for her. Hence evil.

[Semper Paratus]

Ka-Ka-Katie better watch it, Matt has long nails.

[ClearCase_guy]

I know I shouldn't be surprised, but ... If you make $7M a year, if you are one of the most recognizable faces on TV, if you are considered one of the most likable people on TV (not my opinion, mind you), and if you dominate your timeslot ... why would you feel joy when a co-worker gets bad press? How competitive do you have to be???

Liberals are very small people.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

On Halloween, they were doing their costume show, Matt was Garfunkel and Katie was Mary Poppins, in the full get up, and she offered him a spoon full of sugar... HE WAS PISSED and said, "That will be in the tabloids, too!"... or, something like that. But, I got the hint.

Katie is catty, or have ya noticed?

[Lee Heggy]

Having worked network jobs let me assure you. NO ONE that sits in front of a camera got there by being a sweet person. It's a dirty, dog eat dog environment where those who rise to the top are in every sense of the word 'predator'. Katie is no different.

[Skooz]

But, Dari Alexander seems so............nice.

[PeteFromMontana]

" Despite her TV persona, our source describes Katie as "Mean. This lady can be vicious and stomp you out like a bug"


You mean the people on t.v. aren't real?

[Republican Red]

I guess my problem is that I don't have the stomach to watch the Today show anymore. I haven't watched Katie and Matt since at least 2000, when I got Fox News channel and found Fox & Friends. I just assumed those two were best of friends and comrades in arm out to defeat the evil VRWC.

Boy, am I naive.

[Timesink]

I don't know how well the two get along once the camera are turned off, but it's long been common knowledge amongst the NYC media scene that Katie Couric is one vicious little rhymes-with-witch. She is the Today show's Mommie Dearest, and as a result, the show is a pretty miserable place for most people to work.

Today is a house of cards waiting to collapse. The egos are getting too big all around, their current executive producer has allowed himself to become subordinate to his anchors (always a bad move) and has no fresh ideas to bring to the table, and the whole show has just become too shrill and formulaic. (If you ever get a chance to see a Today program from the mid-80s, watch it and marvel at how much better it was back then, even when Bryant Gumbel was cohosting. No screaming imbeciles lining the streets, no cheap gimmicks, just solid news and commentary and light features.) It is only a matter of time before GMA retakes the lead, and then all hell will break loose at 30 Rock.

---

Schadenfreude

This is the New York Times NBC News Schadenfreude Ping List. Freepmail me to be added or dropped.

[Political Junkie Too]

I caught a few minutes of Couric's interview with Hugh Grant last week. Katie said something like "maybe I should call you 'cheeky,' that's a British phrase, right?" and Grant retorted, "Yes, like 'perky'." After Grant said it a second time, Couric said "I'm going to have to beat you up, now."

-PJ

[CedarDave]

...comrades in arms out to defeat the evil VRWC.

They may not be comrades in arms, but they no doubt have the same goal regarding the VRWC.

[COUNTrecount]

A few weeks ago Matt and Katie were contestants in a "Name That Tune" segment.Katie was beyond-competitive and Matt said to her "Not only do you have to win, but everyone else has to loose."

That was a very telling remark.

[Cicero]

In a game like this, allies are always potential rivals. After all, they are both fighting for the same prize.

Maybe we should put them in a ring, tie their left hands together, give them each a sharp knife, and see who prevails.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Katie

My TV set is seldom on,
The place called NBC.
I seldom stop to listen to,
The lies they fling at me.
But every now and sometimes then,
I have to cruise on by.
To watch the little evil snit,
And laugh right in her eye.
She wrinkles up her face so tight,
It looks just like a fist.
If something good she must report,
You'll see that she is pissed.
She hates Bush and Arnold too,
America she loathes.
If I was network president,
She couldn’t buy her clothes.
So this I say for all to hear,
I think that she's a slob.
Ms Couric’s insignificant,
I’d love to take her job.

Flurry 10/8/3

[river rat]

WHAT!

You mean this is another Loving, Caring, Leftist Liberal --- all inclusive, lover of diversity - that is really just a power crazed bitch?

Nah, not pretty perky Katie....!!!!

You'd better belive it folks...or they will enslave you.
Semper Fi

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Yes... she is very competitive, and will step on the toes of everyone around her.

I feel badly for her children, with her as a role model. I know that sounds strange, but her sicky sweetness only barely disguises the fact that she is NOT a nice person.

[Republicus2001]

is this the same "cute" Katie who did Tee-Vee shows back in the 20th century?

[theDentist]

I guess Kewpie has decided that 2 co-hosts is 1 too many.