With his position on NBC’s “Today” show increasingly under scrutiny and the focus of criticism, Matt Lauer’s name has come up in connection with another high-profile TV job.
Executives behind the thriving syndicated game show "Jeopardy!" are looking at Lauer as a potential replacement for longtime host Alex Trebek, reports the New York Post.
The increasingly unpopular host of "Today" is at the top of the list to take over from Trebek when he’s expected to step down in 2016, the story says. Some think that Lauer won’t be sticking around "Today" much longer, given that the NBC morning show has stumbled in the ratings.
Trebek has said he’s thinking about retiring, although he has signed a three-year contract that will take him to age 76, the story says. He suffered his second heart attack last summer.
Sony Pictures Television, which owns “Jeopardy!,” is reportedly also considering Anderson Cooper for the hugely popular show, the story says.
Seems to me NBC needs to look beyond individual personalities as to why they are losing in ratings .. as Barbara Walters commented the other day — Good Morning America is more fun and it’s obvious they all like each other. (I think much more upbeat as well) NBC should look at the format and structure of the Today show in 2013 — the old way isn’t working — and it wasn’t Ann Curry’s fault, nor is it Matt Lauer’s. If they keep changing hosts rather than format, good talent will eventually be fearful of signing on! (and then their ratings will be even worse!!!)