Matt Lauer: 'Today' Show Ratings Sink as Host Is Called 'Anchor Animal'
Matt Lauer doesn't take losing well.
ABC's "Good Morning America" is set to beat NBC's "Today" show in ratings for the third consecutive week after 16 years of "Today" being on top, and Lauer is allegedly so sensitive he doesn't want anyone uttering the rival show's name around him.
"He has gone so crazy about ratings that staff on 'Today' are not even allowed to mention 'GMA' to him," a source told The New York Post's Page Six. "In the past, they'd discuss great segments other shows do. Matt's berating the staff, telling them to work harder."
Sources claim Lauer has taken up responsibilities that his position does not warrant him to do.
"Matt's turned into an anchor animal," a network source told the newspaper. "He's making all editorial decisions, he's running the show and he's not listening to anyone . . . it's a huge problem."
Not only has he been involved in all of the "Today" show's key decisions, but he also criticises the staff, telling them they don't work hard enough, according to sources.
"Matt's telling the staff they don't work hard enough, which is hard to take from a guy working four days a week, making millions," an insider said.
But not everyone is fed up with Lauer. Once source claimed the host has been supportive and has requested that staffers come to him and share their ideas.
"Matt is the biggest advocate for the 'Today' show staff, and we feel comfortable talking to him about anything," the source said.
Suppossedly, Lauer and executive producer Jim Bell have been "meeting to discuss issues with the show and how to fix it."
When asked to comment on The New York Post's Page Six story, Lauer said, "Please print this story - it's the most interesting and dangerous I've ever sounded!"
Bell added, "By the way, I'm the producer of the 'Today' show."
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