According to a new report from TV Guide NBC’s Today’s show Meredith Vieira is stepping down as co-anchor when her contract expired in September.
Vieira is apparently “beloved” by the ‘Today’ cast and crew, but a combination of long, tiring hours and personal struggles (her husband is battling multiple sclerosis and cancer) are likely the reason why she’d leave. Vieira would only sign a one-year deal when her contract expired last year, and has been open about her husband’s health problems.
However, NBC doesn’t want to see her go. “NBC is doing everything they can to convince her to stay,” an insider told TV Guide.The former ‘View’ panelist joined Matt Lauer on ‘Today’ after Katie Couric left to anchor the CBS Evening News. Just yesterday, word came that Couric would step down from her post to host a daytime talk show when her contract is up in June.
NBC responded to TV Guide via statement, saying “The ‘Today’ show anchors are currently under contract and firmly in place.” When Vieira does leave ‘Today’ — whether that’s in September or a year after that — Ann Curry, the show’s current news anchor, will likely replace her.
