Matt Lauer has come out of hiding and is desperate to return to TV — even if it means bankrolling the comeback himself and poaching top “Today” talent in a shocking act of revenge! After months of laying low in his $33-million Hamptons hideaway, the disgraced newsman — who was canned last November for allegedly preying on female staffers — was spotted by The National ENQUIRER socializing at his old New York City stomping grounds amidst news he’s in secret talks to return to the struggling morning show! Read on for more about Matt’s comeback plans, or click here for the latest on Hollywood’s casting-couch sex scandals….
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“Matt is desperate to get his career back and knows there might be a real opportunity now,” an industry insider dished.
Hoda Kotb just “
isn’t cutting it” as a replacement host and add-on anchor
Megyn Kelly is a “complete disaster!”
Photo credit: InStar/Getty Images
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According to the source, the fallen franchise has been regularly bested in the ratings by ABC’s "
Good Morning America," which topped "Today" by 347,000 total viewers in June — the largest victory margin in 13 months.
Photo credit: Mega
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Earlier this month, Matt was caught having a chatty dinner with "Today" producer Deborah Kosofsky at the posh Manhattan eatery East Pole, which insiders see as Lauer’s last-ditch effort to get back in the Peacock Network’s good graces — and possibly score a hefty $4 million contract!
Photo credit: Mega
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“Matt’s likely hoping if enough time passes, he’ll be forgiven and viewers will return,” spills the source. While a TV-industry source said, “The idea of the network entering negotiations with Lauer is laughable” — other media types aren’t so sure that
Matt is pure poison.
Photo credit: Mega
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If fear of public backlash does cause NBC execs to steer clear of Lauer, moneybags
Matt — who’s worth a reported $60 million — is ready to foot the bill for his own syndicated show and won’t hesitate to poach "Today" staffers, according to the insider.
Photo credit: Mega
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“He has scheduled several meetings with producers,” squealed the tipster, who says Lauer — whose career fail could be seen as worse than Humpty Dumpty's — believes they’d leave to join him on a new venture. Either way, claimed the source, “Matt is confident he’ll be back on TV before the end of the year!”
Photo credit: Mega
“Matt is desperate to get his career back and knows there might be a real opportunity now,” an industry insider dished.
Hoda Kotb just “
isn’t cutting it” as a replacement host and add-on anchor
Megyn Kelly is a “complete disaster!”
Photo credit: InStar/Getty Images
According to the source, the fallen franchise has been regularly bested in the ratings by ABC’s "
Good Morning America," which topped "Today" by 347,000 total viewers in June — the largest victory margin in 13 months.
Earlier this month, Matt was caught having a chatty dinner with "Today" producer Deborah Kosofsky at the posh Manhattan eatery East Pole, which insiders see as Lauer’s last-ditch effort to get back in the Peacock Network’s good graces — and possibly score a hefty $4 million contract!
“Matt’s likely hoping if enough time passes, he’ll be forgiven and viewers will return,” spills the source. While a TV-industry source said, “The idea of the network entering negotiations with Lauer is laughable” — other media types aren’t so sure that
Matt is pure poison.
If fear of public backlash does cause NBC execs to steer clear of Lauer, moneybags
Matt — who’s worth a reported $60 million — is ready to foot the bill for his own syndicated show and won’t hesitate to poach "Today" staffers, according to the insider.
“He has scheduled several meetings with producers,” squealed the tipster, who says Lauer — whose career fail could be seen as worse than Humpty Dumpty's — believes they’d leave to join him on a new venture. Either way, claimed the source, “Matt is confident he’ll be back on TV before the end of the year!”
