According to “radaronline” Matt Lauer is ‘Very Close’ To TV Comeback Deal With CNN.
In 2017, NBC announced that Matt Lauer’s employment had been terminated after an unidentified female NBC employee reported that Lauer had sexually harassed her during the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia and that the harassment continued after they returned to New York.
Chairman of NBC News, Andrew Lack, sent a memorandum to all of his staff that said: “On Monday night, we received a detailed complaint from a colleague about inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace by Matt Lauer. … While it is the first complaint about his behavior in the over 20 years he’s been at NBC News, we were also presented with reason to believe this may not have been an isolated incident.”[42] A network executive said Lauer would not receive any form of monetary settlement because he was fired “for cause”.
Lauer’s contract had been scheduled to run through the end of 2018.
Variety reported allegations by at least ten of Lauer’s current and former colleagues. Additional accusations went public in the ensuing days. NBC acknowledged three additional cases from 2000 to 2007.
In a statement, Matt Lauer apologized for his actions, saying, “Some of what is being said about me are untrue or mischaracterized, but there is enough truth in these stories to make me feel embarrassed and ashamed.”
Two weeks later, former Today production assistant Addie Zinone made an additional accusation, saying a consensual sexual relationship with Lauer in June 2000 was an “abuse of power” on his part. Zinone said she felt that turning down Lauer’s advances would have hurt her career.
IS MATT LAUER RETURNING TO TV?
According to a source, 61-year-old Matt Lauer may get a second chance at a TV career on cable thanks to his personal relationship with Jeff Zucker, the president of CNN Worldwide.
“Jeff Zucker was once Matt’s boss at Today and the two are still very close,” the insider told Radar. “Matt is one of the most talented broadcasters of all time and he knows he made mistakes, but he doesn’t really think it’s such a big deal.”
“Matt hopes to be back on TV by the end of the year Opens a New Window. , and it looks like CNN will be his new home,” continued the insider. “He can’t wait to start a new chapter and will remember those that stood by him.”
Lauer left his hideout in the Hamptons to make a rare appearance at Zucker’s 54th birthday Opens a New Window. celebration in New York City on Apr. 7.
But is it true?
FRIENDS SAY MATT LAUER HAS NO PLANS TO RETURN TO TV
Matt Lauer’s friends apparently told “PageSix” that he has no plans to return to TV after the fallout of his exit from NBC.
Page Six claim the friend said: “There is no way that he’s thinking about returning to work at all. How could he? He knows there’s no TV role for him now. And to be honest, it’s the furthest thing from his mind.”
Lauer is currently in the middle of a multimillion-dollar divorce from his second wife, Annette Roque, whom he admitted he cheated on, but the pair has not yet signed any deal.
Reports say the couple is close to ironing out an agreement after both changed legal reps mid-divorce.
CAN MATT LAUER MAKE A COMEBACK AT CNN?
It’s not entirely impossible for Matt Lauer to make a comeback to TV as Brian Williams, whose credibility was in doubt in 2015 after he lied about the facts about getting hit with enemy fire while covering the war in Iraq, was able to survive the controversy and go on to thrive as host of The 11th Hour With Brian Williams.
“People said disgraced Brian Williams could never make a comeback, but his show is a big hit at 11 p.m. on MSNBC Opens a New Window. ,” a source told Radar, insisting, “Matt could do the same for CNN.”
And when you look at who CNN already have on over there, it’s not crazy to think they would hire a disgraced TV anchor surrounded in sexual misconduct allegations.
After all, this is CNN.
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