As someone who has spent the majority of my career in the media, I can tell you first-hand that what happened to Ann Curry is NOT shocking nor surprising.
Ann Curry is the latest older woman to fall victim to the media’s image of what they believe the viewers want. The 55-year-old former Today Show co-anchor is also the victim of male bias in the industry. Reports, to the contrary, indicate she didn’t gel with Matt Lauer, which resulted in a ratings slide. I beg to differ. Ann Curry had nothing to do with the dip in ratings on The Today Show. Come on now. Anyone who has watched them in the last couple of years could see the demise coming. The set was dull and boring. They brought on Jenna Bush as a reporter—who was also dull and boring—and Matt came across as a pompous know-it-all.
On the other hand, Good Morning America added Laura Spencer and Josh Elliott to the Robin Roberts and George Stephanopoulos team and all of a sudden you had a lively crew mixing youth and experience and FUN. GMA made a wise investment in creating the kind of atmosphere—complete with colorful graphics and set designs—to draw in viewers. I admit I used to be an avid Today Show watcher but Matt (who I might add I went to college with) became more than I could bear and when they added Jenna Bush, that was the LAST straw.
Ann Curry represents what’s wrong with the broadcasting industry. The newsroom shot-callers are still full of middle-aged white men who believe only their way is the RIGHT way and the value of a male talent outweighs that of his female counterpart.
So is Matt Lauer really worth $25 million dollars?
My daughter is 30 with 2 children. I'm searching for ways to help her. She is so emotionally abusive to her 8 year old daughter, breaks my heart. I've run out of advice to offer the granddaughter, that's why I'm on here searching for answers. The
Shirley - what a breath of fresh air. It sounds like you are quite the extraordinary person. I'm going to take your advice and ask myself what would I like to do on this long holiday weekend! Who knows...I just might have some fun. The loneliness is 
It is the same here in the Uk – yet just today I read in the UK Financial Times that 76m baby boomers in the US approach retirement age – so talk bout not talking to the very people who watch TV – plus the baby boomer generation represents $3.2tn in annual spending power- so with TV companies dependent on ad revenue they are losing viewers and potential ad revenue ……. stupid all round
I think she was the fall person for someone who needed a scapegoat for the ratings.
Hawk Lady,
You could be right about that. Often times, the top brass will make others the “fall guy or gal” in an effort to save their own jobs. But as I understand it, Ann’s replacement did nothing to boost ratings the day she started. GMA still beat them.
I am not sure that Ann Curry was out because of her age. She is a remarkable woman as well as dedicated journalist. I don’t see her as a TV personality that can be defined by age. I am a regular morning viewer of the Today show and honestly, the fit with her and Matt Lauer was not a good one. But I am a big fan of Ann Curry. The Today show was looking for a good fit with Lauer. It doesn’t mean Ann isn’t good at what she does. It would not have been right to demote her so not sure there was another option. I think she would be a better fit with a news show like Rock Center or 20/20. She is outstanding in her field reporting and I hope this gives her an opportunity to move into that realm, rather than play sidekick to Lauer. She is better than that!
I believe the cream always rises to the top – and this setback may end up being a blessing in disguise for Ann Curry. I am not a fan of Matt Lauer, either – something about him just doesn’t work for me, and never has. Maybe I’m not the only one who feels that way, judging by the ratings. But a bunch of network execs have invested major moolah in Mr. Lauer, so their future may be intertwined with his, and they are motivated to “make it work”.
People vote with their feet on such matters. I will likely watch for Ms. Curry, and enjoy her talents on a show that plays more to them.