Former “Today” host Katie Couric hasn’t said anything about the allegations against former host Matt Lauer, but according to a recent statement, she might speak out.
Couric worked with Lauer for years on “Today.” Lauer, 59, was fired last week from his job of 20 years for alleged sexual harassment and misconduct. He later released an apology statement, but he hasn’t said anything since then.
“It’s incredibly upsetting and I will say something when I’m ready to. Thanks for your interest,” she responded.
The Instagram user who criticized her wrote: “Nothing to say on Matt?? Huh- y‘all would have been all over the story years ago.” The person added, “I watched y’all for YEARS. My childhood. Just goes to show you really can’t trust people.”
Since Lauer’s firing, NBC’s “Today” ratings rose last week. The show on Comcast Corp’s NBC pulled in an average of 4.9 million viewers for the week, well above its typical audience of 4.1 million, and beat rival “Good Morning America” on Walt Disney Co’s ABC network. “GMA” attracted an audience of 4.4 million, Reuters reported.
“Today” co-anchors Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb announced Lauer’s firing during the “Today” broadcast on Wednesday.
Lauer was let go after a female colleague complained to NBC officials about a pattern of inappropriate sexual behavior that began while they were on assignment at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics in Russia, according to NBC statements on Wednesday.
On Thursday, Guthrie read a statement from Lauer on the air in which he apologized for “troubling flaws.” The “Today” show also reported on Thursday that at least two more women have gone to NBC with similar complaints against Lauer.
Lauer said in his statement that some of the accusations against him were “untrue or mischaracterized,” without explaining further, but said that “there is enough truth in these stories to make me feel embarrassed and ashamed.”
Reuters contributed to this report.
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