"Today" weatherman Al Roker spoke about the recent events that have shrouded over the NBC morning show.
"Today" has been on the headlines of many news and gossip sites during the departure of Ann Curry, the status of Matt Lauer, and the decline of its ratings.
Roker spoke to "Extra" about the headlines.
AJ Calloway asked Roker if Lauer has been mistreated by the public following Curry's firing.
"If there's been anything, the two things that have been the most painful about this is not seeing Ann every day and the unfair attacks on Matt, just are not warranted, just lies, out-and-out lies," said Roker. "It's this culture of if a website says it so, nobody ever calls, nobody checks, nobody asks for verification. They just say 'well, such and such.com said oh we hear he killed a guy,' well, next thing you know Matt Lauer killed a guy."
Roker added, "We are lucky to have [Lauer] on our show, and I think as time goes on, people will realize what a crock this all is."
Lauer has been at the center of criticism with TMZ reporting people have been yelling at him on the streets on Manhattan due to Curry's departure. Furthermore, speculation on a possible departure for Lauer was reported by Radar Online with a source stating Willie Geist is "being groomed" to become Lauer's replacement if "Today" ratings don't improve.
"Today" Executive Producer Alexandra Wallace spoke out last month against the firing rumors, stating, "There is absolutely no truth to this. There have been some recent outrageous claims regarding Matt and the "Today" show, and an awful lot of piling on from nameless, faceless sources. These stories are wrong and irresponsible."
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