Ryan Seacrest to Replace Matt Lauer on The Today Show?

Entertainment December 8, 2011 AT 8:50AM
Ryan Seacrest to Replace Matt Lauer on The Today Show? Credit: Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic.com; Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for UNICEF

Ready to see Ryan Seacrest bright and early every morning at 7 a.m. on NBC?

It could happen.

The American Idol host is in talks to replace Matt Lauer on The Today Show if Lauer opts not to renew his contract, the Wall Street Journal reports.

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Sources told the paper that Seacrest, 36, is a "possible successor" for Lauer, 53, and met with executives behind the show on Tuesday.

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Although the talks are "preliminary" and "could fall apart any time," Seacrest -- who also co-hosts E! News, his own radio show and produces the Kardashian clan's reality shows, among other gigs -- is "one of NBC's top replacement choices," sources told the Journal.

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Lauer's contract with The Today Show expires in December 2012; he remained on the smash series after co-host Meredith Vieira departed in June, replaced by former news reader Ann Curry.

Tell Us: Would Seacrest make a good Today Show host?

Tell Us What You Think

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  • December 09, 2011 - 11:03pm Diana Renee Waldrep

    Kelly...Merideth Viera did a wonderful job!! I'm 33 and I've been watching the Today Show since I was a kid. She was a phenomenal addition to the show!! You are obviously one of the few that disagrees. Her husband has late stages of MS, so not only did it work better for her and her family...she brought back a lighter tone to the show. I think Ryan Seacrest would also be a great addition!! The audience is much younger now, and we like the fact that it's not like watching a nightly show like Dateline. In the morning, it is much more refreshing to see people who love reporting the news, and who actually keep our interest. Obviously Ryan doesn't have the same knowledge as Lauer, but Matt is probably done with getting up so early. I say, Bravo!!

  • December 09, 2011 - 6:03pm Kelly Williams

    i stopped watching when they brought on meredith viera. she was annoying. i was mad they did not give it to ann curry. viera did not fit the tone of the show and neither does seacrest.

  • December 09, 2011 - 3:33pm Gerri Page

    Stay with Matt because he has the experience and I don't want to see Ryan Seacrest who does not have the knowledge Matt has.

  • December 09, 2011 - 12:45pm Darlene Wittkofske

    i love matt nobody can take his place rynn needs to stay with idol

  • December 09, 2011 - 10:30am Valerie Rosciano

    GMA all the way!

  • December 09, 2011 - 8:55am Loni Elana Rockman

    this is stupid! Matt said he has no intention of leaving. Ryan would be great but Matt is only like 50 give him time, please!

  • December 08, 2011 - 8:03pm Lauren Wilson

    How can he do both the Today show & his radio show? Given they are both in the morning. Unless of course his radio show is moving to a different timeslot... but then I wouldn't know, I'm not American and therefore can't listen to the radio show cos of stupid county codes, I used to be able to listen till they put that on.

  • December 08, 2011 - 5:35pm Lillieth Peterson

    HELL NO TODAY SHOW IN NOT IDOL, I JUST DONT SEE SEACREST HOSTING THE TODAY SHOW PLEASE PEOPLE GIVE ME REASON TO SWITCH BACK TO GMA.OF COURSE I DO NOT LIKE GMA MALE HOST EITHER,MAYBE I WILL GO TO THE EARLY SHOW.

  • December 08, 2011 - 5:01pm Maria Vandersleen

    Matt Lauer would also ask what are you wearing on the red carpet. So that has nothing to do with journalism. I like Matt but I think Ryan would make a good replacement

  • December 08, 2011 - 4:58pm Maria Vandersleen

    Yes he would and he is alway upbeat. I liked him on Idol, never flubed his lines ans is a lively guy to watch. I hope he will take the job, if it is offered to him.

  • December 08, 2011 - 2:13pm AnneMarie Turley Burns

    I'm pretty much already "Seacrest(ed)-out!" You need someone in there who can be serious when needed, not an entertainment guy. I'd vote for Lester Holt. Good newsman and has a good sense of humor.

  • December 08, 2011 - 1:54pm Lauren Marino

    No way! This would be a terrible mistake. NBC would lose so much credibility. They need to hire a serious journalist. I'd switch over to GMA right away if Ryan gets the job.

  • December 08, 2011 - 1:19pm Denine Rankin-Miller

    I don't even think I would watch the Today Show anymore without Matt Lauer.

  • December 08, 2011 - 12:56pm Romelia Martinez Edwards

    I'll be sad to see Matt go but hiring Ryan to take his place would be a huge mistake! It would change the entire feel of the show having an entertainment guy come in. Just doesn't seem like an appropriate replacement.

  • December 08, 2011 - 12:02pm Marlene Gillespie Hamilton

    That is a Terrible idea, I'll stop watching the Today Show for good.

  • December 08, 2011 - 11:55am Fawn M. Candelmo

    Amen Felicia!

  • December 08, 2011 - 11:47am Felicia Adair

    Terrible idea. The Today show would lose all credibility if they hired Ryan Seacrest. Ryan is a TV and radio show host, he is not a journalist. The man who asks "who are you wearing?" on red carpets, reports on celeb gossip on E! News, and is responsible for low-brow programming like the Kardashians is not someone you can take seriously, or is someone qualified to report on matters such as the conflict in the Middle East.

  • December 08, 2011 - 11:38am Felicia Adair

    Terrible idea. The Today show would lose all credibility if they hired Ryan Seacrest. Ryan is a TV and radio show host, he is not a journalist. The man who asks "who are you wearing?" on red carpets, reports on celeb gossip on E! News, and is responsible for low-brow programming like the Kardashians is not someone you can take seriously, or is someone qualified to report on matters such as the conflict in the Middle East.

  • December 08, 2011 - 11:38am Angie Smith Holloway

    God no! No one will be able to replace Matt, certainly not Ryan Seacrest. He's more of an entertainment reporter, not a news anchor. Sorry Ryan.

  • December 08, 2011 - 11:37am Fawn M. Candelmo

    Please Lord, no. I have had enough of his hosting and shows on E!.

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