Look who's embracing the spirit of giving this season! Matt Lauer reportedly picked up the check at the Today show's holiday party in NYC on Thursday, Dec. 12.
According to Page Six, the show co-host made a dent in his $25 million annual salary by picking up the bar tab for approximately 500 cast and crew members at the Dream Downtown Hotel in Manhattan's Chelsea nabe. The packed room celebrated the year-end occasion with Savannah Guthrie, Al Roker, Willie Geist, Natalie Morales, Kathie Lee Gifford, and Hoda Kotb.
"It was really nice [with] all of the talent," an insider told Us Weekly. "The party was during the day because the Today show team can't stay out late — from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m."
The NY Daily News reports that staffers noshed on truffle mac 'n' cheese, sliders and cupcakes arranged in the design of a big Today show logo.
Page Six also reported that the Today show's executive producer Don Nash thanked Lauer and the NBC staff's efforts to catch up to ABC rival program Good Morning America, which took the top ratings slot in 2013.
"During the speech, [Nash] thanked Matt for his generosity in making the party happen," the eyewitness told Us. "He also joked that Matt was there early in the morning, setting things up."
The insider also revealed that party organizers played a "super cute" year in review video.
There was one memorable segment in which the Today show topped GMA in its ratings recently: On Halloween, Lauer channeled Pam Anderson wearing a long, blonde wig and red bikini, as he reenacted the opening credits scene of Baywatch.