Earlier this month, amidst the hubbub about Katie Couric's departure from CBS, word started to spread that Couric's Today show replacement, Meredith Vieira, was planning on leaving the morning juggernaut in the fall. But now The Hollywood Reporter is saying that the former View host could leave Todayas soon as June (three months before the end of her contract). She must really hate all that royal wedding coverage!
THR says a formal announcement of Vieira's departure is expected as soon as next week, and that she will be replaced by the show's long-running newsreader Ann Curry (who in turn will be replaced by NBC correspondent Natalie Morales).
Vieira joined Today in 2006 when Couric went on her ill-fated trip to CBS's Evening News. In addition to the morning cash cow—last year Todaymade half-a-billion for NBC News—Vieira also hosts the syndicated version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire and has recently dabbled in producing movies. Her decision to leave reportedly stems from the combination of her daughter preparing to start college in the fall and the poor health of her husband, who suffers from multiple sclerosis.
THR says a formal announcement of Vieira's departure is expected as soon as next week, and that she will be replaced by the show's long-running newsreader Ann Curry (who in turn will be replaced by NBC correspondent Natalie Morales).
