More than a year after Ann Curry's controversial exit from NBC's Today show, Matt Lauer says he's still disappointed by the media's coverage of what happened with his former co-host.
"I was disappointed by the laziness of the media, the willingness to read a rumor, repeat that rumor and treat it as a fact," Lauer tells Esquire.
But Lauer says he didn't think he should complain about it.
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"Does anyone want to see a person who’s making the money that the newspapers say I’m making complaining, 'Woe is me, my life is terrible, and people are being unfair?' No one would’ve had any patience for that. I wouldn’t have any patience for that. So you just shut up and go about doing your job and hope that people who know you well — your friends and your family — know what’s true," he says.
Lauer doesn't reveal the rumor that upset him or what the true story is, but several outlets reported that Lauer was the one who forced Curry to leave the show.
But he does say that the media has never correctly reported the amount of money he makes either. For the record, shortly before Curry left the show, The Hollywood Reporter said he re-signed with Today for $25 million a year for four years.
