Lauer, Vieira set to leave ‘Today’ by ’12
By 2012, Matt Lauer and Meredith Vieira will both have departed the “Today” show, leaving no big stars on NBC’s top-rated morning show, according to reports from Entertainment Tonight and TV Guide.
Lauer reportedly plans to resign when his contract expires in December 2012, while Vieira’s contract could free her in September of this year.
NBC had not responded to requests for comment as of late Thursday.
Lauer’s former “Today” co-anchor Katie Couric is also said to be preparing her exit from “CBS Evening News” later this year and has been in discussions with various networks, as well as former “Today” show producer Jeff Zucker.
Some are already speculating that Lauer is considering reuniting with Couric and Zucker on a new project.
TV Guide reports that Vieira is getting tired of the early morning hours and wants to move on. She has said that she wants to focus on the health of her husband, who has battled multiple sclerosis and cancer.
More ‘Shore’ things
Three “Jersey Shore” cast members are set to appear in MTV spinoffs.
The network said Thursday that Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi and Jenni “JWoww” Farley have been paired in a new reality series that will follow their adventures when their summer share is over.
Meanwhile, Paul “DJ Pauly D” Delvecchio has scored his own 12-episode reality series that chronicles his life as a disc jockey.
Both series begin production later this year and are slated to air in 2012.
Netflix nabs ‘Mad Men’
Netflix, in a sign of its growing importance in television, will become Don Draper’s second home.
The home entertainment company has bought the rerun rights to the TV series “Mad Men,” making its online streaming service the next place to watch episodes after the show’s initial airing on cable network AMC.
The first-of-its-kind deal means that reruns for the critically acclaimed program won’t air on a broadcast or cable network, as typically is the case.
‘Glee’ goes Gaga
Lady Gaga is getting the royal treatment on “Glee.”
The hit Fox series will expand by a half-hour for the April 26 episode paying tribute to the pop star.
In the 90-minute episode, members of the New Directions high school glee club perform her hit “Born This Way” – and learn a lesson about self-acceptance.