Matt Lauer is reopening old wounds as he talks to Esquire about what he learned from the firing of his former TODAY Show cohost Ann Curry, calling the media lazy for reporting "rumors as fact."
In Esquire's October 2013 issue, Lauer speaks candidly about the bond and chemistry her shared with Kate Couric and his broadcasting career.
"The way the media treated what happened with Ann Curry was a disappointing learning experience. I was disappointed by the laziness of the media, the willingness to read a rumor, repeat that rumor, and treat it as a fact. And yet, what were my options," Lauer said.
"Does anyone want to see a person who's making the money that the newspapers say I'm making complaining, 'Woe is me, my life is terrible, and people are being unfair'? No one would've had any patience for that. I wouldn't have any patience for that. So you just shut up and go about doing your job and hope that people who know you well - your friends and your family - know what's true."
Though no one really knows what happened that caused TODAY Show executives to fire Curry, rumors hit the Internet saying Lauer didn't like Curry and wanted her off the show.
Whether the rumors are true or not, the damage was already done. The TODAY Show dropped from the number 1 morning show spot to number 2 due to Curry's departure.
Still, the firing hasn't fazed Lauer and he continues to focus on his career with the hosts he shares the TODAY show spotlight, ignoring the critics.
"There's a difference between good chemistry and a bond. Chemistry is something you have with somebody you meet - or you don't. It's an intangible," Lauer told the men's magazine. "It may be superficial. It's much harder to put your finger on than a bond. Broadcasting through 9/11 together, like Katie Couric and I did, creates a bond."
