Ann Curry's Firing from "Today" Not Matt Lauer's Fault; Executive Producer Jim Bell Accepts Blame for Her Departure

Someone has come forth to take the blame for Ann Curry's departure from the NBC morning show Today.

According to a report from The New York Times, Today executive producer Jim Bell said the decision to replace Curry "was absolutely my call."

It was widely rumored that co-anchor Matt Lauer was to blame for her departure following a new contract extension and declining ratings.

"It was definitely not Matt's call," said Bell.  "He is the host and does not have management responsibility. It was not his call. That was my call."

The producer said the stories that have painted Lauer "in a negative light are just preposterous."

"Matt is the heart and soul of the broadcast. He has a heart of gold. This stuff about him has been very irresponsible and in a lot of cases flat-out wrong," said Bell.

Bell doesn't consider the decision to promote Curry to the anchors desk as a mistake, stating, "Ann had earned it."

However, he believes Curry's new role as anchor-at-large and national and international correspondent is naturally suited for her.

Bell is defending the decision to add Savannah Guthrie to the main show, noting she is part of a "long view" plan for the morning show in hopes to increase viewership.

Today has been losing more viewers since the addition of Guthrie, not including the coverage of the 2012 London Summer Olympics. Rival Good Morning America (GMA) on ABC has seen an increase in the last six weeks from 255,000 to 883,000 viewers.

Bell said the difference between the NBC and ABC morning shows is that Today is a "more serious show," while GMA is "doing something else."

ABC News spokesperson Julie Townsend responded to Bell's claim, "I think the audience has spoken loud and clear about its preference in the morning."

The New York Post is reporting that Bell is purposely taking the blame for Lauer. A source told The Post, "Matt wanted Jim to do it. Matt was sick of being the punching bag...So Lauer forced Jim to stand in the firing line. Matt wanted Jim to take responsibility."