In an unfortunately and poignantly timed interview, portions of which were released on Thursday, Ann Curry told Ladies Home Journal that she hoped to log at least another five years as a "Today" co-host -- and she candidly discussed the hurt she felt over the show's falling ratings and her perceived role in bringing them about.
The interview landed just as the air is thick with rumors about Curry's imminent departure as a "Today" host. The New York Times reported that she has entered negotiations with NBC News about transitioning out of her role, just a year after finally getting what she has called her "dream job."
Long before that news, though, Curry sat down with Lee Woodruff for a Ladies' Home Journal cover story. She was painfully frank about the toll that the ending of the 16-year "Today" winning streak had taken on her -- especially since she has been the subject of harsh, even vicious press throughout the ordeal:
"It's hard not to take it personally. You worry, Am I not good enough? Am I not what people need? Am I asking the right questions? When people say negative things or speculate, you can't help but feel hurt. I know NBC pays my salary but I have never doubted who I work for. I think about the people who watch. They're the ones who matter to me. I want to feel I haven't dropped the ball when it comes to them."
She also told the magazine, "I've been at 'Today' for 15 years and I'd love to make it to 20." It now seems all but inevitable that Curry, who waited patiently for her turn even after being passed over once for the top slot, will not make it that far.
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Matt Lauer
Lauer co-hosts NBC's "Today" from 7-9 a.m. "Today" ranks number one as the morning show leader. The show provides viewers with a mix of hard and soft news.
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Ann Curry
Curry co-hosts NBC's "Today" from 7-9 a.m.
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Robin Roberts
Roberts co-hosts ABC's "Good Morning America" from 7-9 a.m. "GMA" trails behind "Today" in the number two spot. However, it significantly tightened the ratings gap in 2011. The show provides viewers with a mix of hard and soft news.
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George Stephanopoulos
Stephanopoulos co-hosts ABC's "Good Morning America" from 7-9 a.m.
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Charlie Rose
Rose will co-host CBS' "The Early Show" with Erica Hill from 7-8 a.m. CBS recently announced the addition of Rose and Gayle King and a decidedly focused hard news program. "The Early Show" has consistently trailed its network show competitors, "GMA" and "Today."
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Gayle King
King will co-host CBS' "The Early Show" from 8-9 a.m.
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Erica Hill
Hill currently co-hosts CBS' "The Early Show." She will co-host the program with Charlie Rose from 7-8 a.m.
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Steve Doocy
Doocy co-hosts Fox News' "Fox and Friends" from 6-9 a.m. "Fox and Friends" dominates cable news morning shows.
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Gretchen Carlson
Carlson co-hosts Fox News' "Fox and Friends" from 6-9 a.m.
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Brian Kilmeade
Kilmeade co-hosts Fox News' "Fox and Friends" from 6-9 a.m.
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Joe Scarborough
Scarborough co-hosts MSNBC's "Morning Joe" from 6-9 a.m. "Morning Joe" focuses solely on hard news and political commentary.
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Mika Brzezinski
Brzezinski co-hosts MSNBC's "Morning Joe" from 6-9 a.m.
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Soledad O'Brien
O'Brien will co-host CNN's 7-9 a.m. morning news program. CNN's "American Morning" fell behind MSNBC and even its own HLN. The network recently announced the return of O'Brien and the replacement of "Amerian Morning" with two new morning programs.
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Ashleigh Banfield
Banfield will co-host CNN's 5-7 a.m. morning news program.
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Zoraida Sambolin
Sambolin will co-host CNN's 5-7 a.m. morning news program.
The Huffington Post | By Jack Mirkinson Posted: 06/21/2012 9:17 pm Updated: 06/21/2012 9:35 pm