Katie Couric Returns To NBC To Host The 2018 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony
NBC is bringing back a very familiar face to start their coverage of the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea.
Welcome Back (Again), Katie
The television network turned to former Today anchor Katie Couric to assist with the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony coverage.
Millennials fondly remember Couric as a co-host for the NBC morning newscast, who co-anchored the program with Bryant Gumbel, Matt Lauer, Willard Scott, Al Roker, and Ann Curry from 1991 to 2006 before leaving the popular morning newscast to become the first female solo anchor and managing editor of CBS Evening News.
Since her departure, Couric has returned to the program for cameo appearances and to celebrate milestones. Several milestones that Couric came back to celebrate include in the show's 60th anniversary in 2012 and to mark longtime partner-in-crime Matt Lauer's 20th anniversary with the NBC newscast in 2017.
Couric's Take On Lauer
In addition to covering the 2018 Winter Olympics for NBC, Couric has been in the news lately as she broke her silence regarding Lauer's shocking departure from Today on Nov. 29, 2017.
Couric was shocked to hear about her longtime friend and colleague's appalling behavior.
"The accounts I've read and heard have been disturbing, distressing and disorienting and it's completely unacceptable that any woman at the Today show experienced this kind of treatment," said Couric.
However, Couric stated that she did not know of any sexual misconduct misdeeds that took place at Today while was there or after she left the program. She also added that the Lauer that was reported on was not the same Lauer she knew for countless years.
Curry Breaks Her Silence
NBC's announcement of bringing back Couric to the network came hours after former Today anchor Ann Curry's high profile interview with CBS This Morning. Curry, who served as both the news anchor and the show's co-anchor from 1997 to 2012, stated that she was not surprised by the allegations against her former co-worker.
"I would be surprised if many women did not understand that there was a climate of verbal harassment that existed. I think it would be surprising if someone said that they didn't see that," said Curry.
When show host Gayle King asked Curry if Lauer had a role in her departure from Today, she stated that she did not know who targeted her and basically stated that she has moved on to the next chapter in her career.
Lauer issued a public apology that he was "embarrassed and ashamed" by his actions.
Couric's Return To The Olympics
The PyeongChang Games will be Couric's fourth Olympics that the television news veteran will co-anchor for NBC. She previously broad-casted NBC telecasts at Sydney, Australia, Salt Lake City, and Athens, Greece.
Couric is expected to be joined by NBC Sports anchor Mike Tirico. The former ESPN anchor is replacing broadcast television luminary Bob Costas as NBC's primary Olympics anchor.
The duo will broadcast the PyeongChang Opening Ceremony on Friday, Feb. 9.
