Video appears to show Matt Lauer telling Meredith Vieira: ‘Keep bending over like that’
As allegations of sexual misconduct have surfaced about recently fired “Today Show” host Matt Lauer, many have wondered how his coworkers and co-hosts feel about the allegations.
Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb were the two tasked with announcing the news of Lauer’s termination on Wednesday. Both appeared to be emotional while addressing it.
Guthrie said she was “heartbroken” for the person who came forward and that she and Kotb were still struggling with processing the news. Guthrie said it was "hard to reconcile what we are hearing with the man who we know."
Weatherman Al Roker was also visibly upset on-air, saying he was "still trying to process the news" while giving his report.
Kathie Lee Gifford said she texted Lauer.
She said, “I texted him this morning and I said ‘I adore you’… And no person is perfect in this world … We’ve all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God ... .”
Meredith Vieira, who was Lauer’s co-host in 2006, hasn’t made a public statement about his firing but video of past encounters have come to light once again.
showing a behind the scenes look at a comment Lauer appears to make to Vieira off camera in 2006. Initially TMZ reported the comments were made towards Katie Couric, who was Lauer's co-host from 1997 to 2006, but later clarified the article saying, "The video never shows a clear view of Meredith's face -- and we initially thought it was Katie Couric -- however the timing makes sense. Meredith took over for Katie in Sept. 2006."
Lauer can be heard saying, “Pretty sweater. Keep bending over like that. It’s a nice view.”
In 2012, Katie Couric was interviewed by Andy Cohen and confessed to him that Matt Lauer “pinched her on the a** a lot.”
Couric has yet to comment on Lauer's firing as of Wednesday evening.
Another coworker from Lauer’s past, Ann Curry, told People that she was “still processing” the news.
Natalie Morales said she was shocked when she woke up Wednesday to learn that her former "Today" show co-anchor Matt Lauer had been fired, reported the Associated Press.
She said the "Today" show has been her family for 16 years and learning about the allegations against Lauer is very difficult. Morales made her comments while hosting "Access Hollywood."
Morales said she has already addressed rumors that an affair between her and Lauer led to her departure from "Today." She called them hurtful to her and her family and said they should not be the story at the moment. Instead, she said the focus should be on the unnamed woman whose accusation led to his dismissal.
Willie Geist has commended the NBC employee who stepped forward to allege "inappropriate sexual behavior" by Matt Lauer.
Geist, a co-anchor at MSNBC and anchor of Sunday "Today," said on MSNBC that bringing up the allegations to NBC managers "took some real courage." He called Lauer "the most powerful person at NBC News."
addressed the news saying that Matt Lauer is a friend, but her concern is for any woman he may have sexually abused.
NBC said the misconduct started when Lauer and the employee were stationed at the Sochi Olympics in 2014 and continued beyond that assignment. It has not said whether Lauer admitted or denied any wrongdoing.
This story is developing and will continue to be updated.
The Associated Press has contributed to this report