Matt Lauer Wants NBC to Let Ann Curry Out Of Contract For CNN Gig?
Two weeks after former "TODAY" co-anchor Ann Curry has asked NBC to let her out of her contract so she can begin a new position at CNN, her former colleague Matt Lauer is defending her request and has asked NBC executives to sever her agreement.
"Matt thinks that NBC should let Ann out of her contract so that she can take the CNN gig," a source told Radar Online. "He can't imagine why the bosses are dragging their feet and are at a stalemate."
Lauer understands that it would allow Curry to "get back on the air on a regular basis" so "everyone can move on from the debacle," said the source.
To the surprise of some, the source added that Lauer "wishes Ann the best. (Lauer) thinks it's for the best if she were to take a job at another network."
Enstars reported that Curry had asked to be let out of her contract so she can begin a new anchor job at CNN. She hopes to join the cable network in February to begin working for her former "TODAY" boss Jeff Zucker, who now helms the news channel. Zucker would like Curry to replace Anderson Cooper's current 8 pm EST time slot.
To Curry's disappointment, there's been "radio silence from the (NBC) suits of her desire to be let out of her contract," another source told Radar Online.
Curry is "ready to move on," said the source, but she feels that she has been getting "the short end of the stick."
The insider revealed that while Curry and her attorney remain positive that the outcome will turn out in her favor, they are prepared to pursue legal action if NBC does not agree.
"Ann's lawyer is continuing to hope that NBC will do the right thing, but, if necessary, she will pursue a breach of contract lawsuit against NBC, and she would have an excellent case," the source shared.
Lauer, meanwhile has been taking the blame for Curry's exit, since her disastrous departure from "TODAY" last year.
According to TMZ, complete strangers that are Curry supporters have yelled at Lauer in the street, saying, "You're a bad guy," and the treatment has left Lauer "freaked out."
Lauer has been "miserable" because Curry fans have made hurtful statements such as, "You got Ann fired. Does that make you happy?"
"It's driving him crazy," an NBC source told TMZ. "He's so unhappy."
