Matt Lauer Had Nothing to do with Ann Curry's Reassignment; Criticism 'Out of proportion'

The Matt Lauer saga just won't seem to end.

NBC executives have told The Daily Beast's Howard Kurtz why it's unfair to blame Lauer for the program's slide and former co-host Ann Curry's reassignment.

"Matt had nothing to do with Ann's reassignment," NBC News President Steve Capus told Kurtz. "He does not make those types of decisions. There has been an incredible amount of misplaced blame on Matt. If Matt is to blame for the ratings slippage then, is he the only one who gets credit for the two months of steady ratings gains we've enjoyed? It's always a team effort. As I have said repeatedly, he is one of, if not the best, morning show hosts in the history of that genre. We are lucky to have him."

Lauer came under heavy criticism because of his reporting of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and The Baltimore Sun's David Zurawik calls the backlash "out of proportion."

"There seems to be a kind of widespread enmity toward him right now, and I think that is connected to his perceived role in Ann Curry's firing and all that has followed with Today's loss of ratings and change in leadership," Zurawik wrote in Thanksgiving Day blogpost. "Many of the most savage tweet-reviews of his parade performance mention the belief that Lauer, who signed a huge contract this year, used his clout to push Curry out."

Zurawik believes that NBC News has let Lauer, like Brian Williams at "NBC Nightly News", "get too much power."

"That's easy to do with the front-men of top-rated shows, but Lauer is now seen as a bully by some, especially women, I think, and people are out to tear him down in any way they can," he said.

Kurtz said NBC's morning show "seems a bit tired."

"GMA, even with Robin Roberts recuperating from surgery, has gotten a jolt of energy from Josh Elliott and Lara Spencer, and from its emphasis on lighter and tabloid-style fare (not exactly neglected by Today, either)," Kurtz said. "It's not like Today's ratings have collapsed. For the week of Nov. 5, GMA averaged 5.49 million viewers and Today 5.18 million."

The TODAY show co-host has been getting some backlash for the firing of Curry, with rumors circulating that his job is on the chopping block.

"It's just desserts. Matt is finally getting what he deserves!" a Studio 1-A set insider told The ENQUIRER. "His years-long feuds with former co-hosts Katie Couric, Meredith Vie­ira and Ann Curry have taken their toll. Everyone has turned against him, and Matt is going to be ousted because he's being blamed for the show's collapse."

Curry was rehired by NBC as a News National and International Correspondent/Anchor and "Today" Anchor at Large. Curry reports for all platforms of NBC News including "Today," "NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams," "Rock Center with Brian Williams," "Dateline," MSNBC, and all digital properties. Curry also serves as anchor for multiple NBC News primetime specials, regularly substitute anchors for "NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams" and reports for "Rock Center with Brian Williams."