CNN boss Jeff Zucker was forced to deny rumors that he is bringing Matt Lauer into the cable news network after the disgraced former host of NBC’s “Today” was seen at Zucker’s Manhattan birthday party last month, according to reports.
A CNN insider told Page Six that employees were starting to “freak out” after hearing the rumors.
“Some staff were starting to freak out that Matt Lauer was suddenly about to come back from the dead and show up at CNN’s shiny new Manhattan office at Hudson Yards,“ the insider said. ”In many ways the Matt rumors seemed to make sense, ratings on CNN’s morning show and across prime time have been flagging, and perhaps Matt could be brought back to revive the numbers, and his own career at the same time.”
Moreover, the insider continued, “The internal talk about Matt was that—if it turned out to be true—some senior female employees would refuse to work with him. There was palpable relief in the office after Jeff confirmed Matt isn’t happening.”
Lauer has kept a low profile after he was fired from the top-rated “Today” morning show in November 2017 due to a slew of sexual misconduct allegations. He was fired after a female colleague complained about a pattern of inappropriate sexual behavior that started while they were on assignment at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics in Russia, according to NBC. Since then, several other women have come forward with similar complaints against the anchor.
“His office was in a secluded space, and he had a button under his desk that allowed him to lock his door from the inside without getting up. This afforded him the assurance of privacy,” Variety wrote.
Lauer has apologized for what he called his “troubling flaws” during a broadcast of the “Today” show. In his statement, he said that some of the accusations against him were “untrue or mischaracterized,” but that “there is enough truth in these stories to make me feel embarrassed and ashamed.”
“Matt is completely aware he has not been forgiven for his sexual misconduct, and certainly all has not been forgotten. He has kept a very low profile not only for himself but for the sake of his family,” the source said. “He realizes the utter embarrassment he has caused everyone involved.”
“He also knows he might never be completely pardoned for his behavior, so he’s finally come to terms with the fact he needs to start stepping out in public,” the source added. “He is beginning to inch his way back into society. He still fears the endless backlash, but also knows he can’t hide forever.”
