Not such a shocker.
On Monday morning, Meredith Vieira finally confirmed one of the worst-kept secrets in TV: After five years, she's leaving her post as co-anchor of NBC's The Today Show next month. Taking Vieira's spot alongside Matt Lauer will be Ann Curry, the blockbuster show's news anchor for the past 14 years.
PHOTOS: LOL! The Today Show crew as you've never seen them
"This is a difficult day for me," an emotional Vieira, 57, admitted during Monday's live broadcast. "I'm trying hard to hold it together," she added, explaining she wanted to spend more time with her three kids and husband, TV news producer Richard Cohen. The TV vet said it took a great deal of "personal reflect and private conversation' with friends to reach the momentous decision.
As the New York Times reported last Sunday, Curry's ascent to the co-anchor chair also means a promotion for Natalie Morales. Curry, 54, confirmed Monday that Morales, the 9 a.m. anchor, will take over the news chair. (Not yet confirmed: Savannah Guthrie of MSNBC is reportedly the rumored replacement for Morales as the 9 a.m. anchor.
Still not confirmed is Matt Lauer's job future. It was reported that Lauer, 53, is also mulling a departure from the show when his contract expires at the end of 2012. His former Today Show cohort Katie Couric recently left her post as co-anchor of CBS Evening News.
"If I were to leave at the end of next year because it's time for me, I wouldn't jump into another show," Vieira told Ladies Home Journal last year.
"I would look forward to not working, to traveling with Richard and carving out time for us," she said.
Tell Us: Are you sad to see Vieira go?
