In a surprising move, NBC News anchor Hoda Kotb is reportedly standing by her former "Today" show colleague Matt Lauer as he faces renewed scrutiny over sexual assault allegations in a new tell-all book. The revelation comes as Lauer, who was fired from NBC in 2017 over misconduct claims, had been making quiet efforts to stage a career comeback.
Lauer "Caught Off Guard" by Accuser's Memoir
Lauer, 68, was terminated from his high-profile post at the NBC morning show after former network talent assistant Brooke Nevils accused him of sexually assaulting her during the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Nevils' upcoming memoir, "Unspeakable Things: Silence, Shame, and the Stories We Choose to Believe," provides graphic details of the alleged attack, which Lauer has adamantly denied.
What this really means is that Lauer's hopes of engineering a comeback have been dealt a major blow, just as he was making strides to revive his TV career. As the National Enquirer reported, Lauer was "caught totally off guard" by Nevils' tell-all, with the "timing" proving "terrible" as he had been "bragging" about his comeback efforts.
Kotb's Quiet Support for Lauer
Despite the damning allegations, Kotb has apparently been quietly supporting her former co-host. People magazine reports that Kotb has been "privately standing by" Lauer, even as the rest of the NBC News team has distanced themselves from the disgraced anchor.
The bigger picture here is that Kotb's stance represents a surprising act of loyalty, given the serious nature of the claims against Lauer. It suggests that there may still be lingering personal connections and sympathies within the insular world of morning television, even in the face of high-profile scandals.
Uncertain Future for Lauer's Comeback
As for Lauer's future, his prospects for a TV return appear increasingly bleak. The National Enquirer reports that the latest revelations have left Lauer "frantically doing damage control" and "begging people to take no notice" of Nevils' account, which he continues to dispute.
With his reputation still reeling from the original misconduct allegations, this new tell-all seems to have dashed any realistic hopes Lauer had of resurrecting his once-stellar career. The road ahead looks increasingly uncertain for the former "Today" show host.