Wow, she is really emotional, but still managed to remain strong and professional. Very bad PR on NBC's part. I suspect she is rather angry at this point in time.
I thought it was a shame they didn't give her a bigger send off. Regardless of why she's leaving, she's been a key part of the Today show for fifteen years and that five minute segment seemed like a poor way of ending it.
I also happen to think they're making a mistake. It'll be interesting to see if a new team (presumably Matt, Savannah, Al and Natalie) is able to generate the kind of warmth and chemistry of previous years - my suspicion is it won't.
How very sad to see someone that gave such service to a programme at those hours of the day to leave like that. Very sad indeed. NBC just keep dropping the ball with their rush decisions...Conan and now Ann. Poor.
Wow, I never saw someone break down like that in one of these farewell speeches. Just shows how hurt she is and how much she didn't want it. It's a cruel business.
Sorry if I'm being a pain, but could someone just sum up the saga for me please? For instance, what has led to Ann Curry's departure? Why have NBC given her the push? I watch the Nightly News regularly so I know all the individuals concerned, but I just can't fathom out how it all fits together.
Sorry if I'm being a pain, but could someone just sum up the saga for me please? For instance,
what has led to Ann Curry's departure?
Why have NBC given her the push? I watch the Nightly News regularly so I know all the individuals concerned, but I just can't fathom out how it all fits together.
A few months ago ABC's Good Morning America ended the Today show's 16 year run as the number 1 morning show .Since then the lead has see sawed between both shows.
Today is down about 10% in total viewers and in the key demo year on year. Ann took over as main female anchor last year.
I personally think the ratings fall has very little to do with Ann Curry and more to do with the producers becoming lazy and complacent. GMA has had a big revamp over the last 16 months and the producers have assembled a great team of on screen talent which jel well together. If you look back at the ratings the gap started to close when Meredith Viera was still host.
Sorry if I'm being a pain, but could someone just sum up the saga for me please? For instance,
what has led to Ann Curry's departure?
Why have NBC given her the push? I watch the Nightly News regularly so I know all the individuals concerned, but I just can't fathom out how it all fits together.
A few months ago ABC's Good Morning America ended the Today show's 16 year run as the number 1 morning show .Since then the lead has see sawed between both shows.
Today is down about 10% in total viewers and in the key demo year on year. Ann took over as main female anchor last year.
I personally think the ratings fall has very little to do with Ann Curry and more to do with the producers becoming lazy and complacent. GMA has had a big revamp over the last 16 months and the producers have assembled a great team of on screen talent which jel well together. If you look back at the ratings the gap started to close when Meredith Viera was still host.
Thanks, Cando. I see now why Ann's not exactly happy. Is there any particular reason as to why the NBC executives don't think she suits Today? Is it something to do with her style, or is it purely a kneejerk reaction to the ratings? If it's the latter, then that stinks. Judging by comments online it seems Ann is quite well-liked in the USA. I've only ever seen her on the Nightly News and I've always thought she's fantastic. She reminds me so much of the BBC's Lyse Doucet - a true journalist.
The whole situation sounds rather like the GMTV/BBC Breakfast battle over here. Like Today, GMTV dominated for years but the BBC got its act together and made Breakfast more appealing, hence the whole GMTV/Daybreak panic-driven mess over on ITV.