• Anchors praise Ann Curry as next TODAY co-anchor

    TODAY

    The TODAY anchors praised Ann Curry and her selection as the next TODAY co-anchor who will sit alongside Matt Lauer after Meredith leaves in June.

    Read some of their quotes from the TODAY broadcast this morning and an NBC News press conference announcing the changes. And congratulate Ann in the comments below.

    Meredith:
    "I feel so good about the fact that Ann's taking over because it will be entirely seamless," she said in the press conference. "It's really Ann's day." 

    Matt:
    "To be able to have Ann, who's been on this program for more than 15 years and is such an incredible part of our success during that time -- be able to leapfrog and come over into this position is exactly the way that this is set up to work. And I'm thrilled for Ann. She's a great storyteller, has a heart that's as big as this room," Matt said at the press conference. "We don't even have to predict that Ann will be great -- Ann and I have hosted the show together probably 200 times in 15 years. It feels natural." 

    Al:
    "I've known Ann it seems like forever. I mean she is in my wedding -- she was part of my wedding party. She is literally our birth mother. And I don't think any journalist has had as good a five-year run doing stories that count, and that matter and that make a difference,” Al said during the press conference. “And I would posit that Ann is the conscious of our show, and I might even make the argument of NBC News. I think there is no better person to be taking over for Meredith than Ann Curry." 


    Natalie:
    "We know that with Ann Curry at the helm here we're in good hands here," she said.

    Hoda:
    "Ann has been here at the TODAY show for 15 years. She's been such an incredible person on the show. She’s traveled the world and hugged everybody in the studio at least 100 times," she said during TODAY's Talk. 

    Kathie Lee:
    "We're happy for Ann," she said during TODAY'S talk. "She so deserves this." 

    Jim Bell, executive producer of TODAY:
    "I'm thrilled for the show because we know we didn't have to go too far -- just about 10 feet over to the news desk -- for the great Ann Curry, who I think is really one of the best storytellers and reporters and beloved members of this family. And I can't wait to get her in there." 

    Leave your congratulations for Ann in the comments below. 

    More from TODAY: 
    Meredith Vieira to leave TODAY in June; Ann Curry named co-anchor
    Slideshow: Ann Curry’s distinguished career at TODAY 
    Anchors react to Meredith's news she's leaving TODAY 

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  • Anchors react to Meredith's news she's leaving TODAY

    NBC News

    TODAY's anchors expressed love, admiration and support for Meredith and her decision to leave TODAY to spend more time with her husband and children.

    Here are a few quotes from TODAY and a press conference NBC News held hours after the announcement. Leave your thoughts in the comments below!

    Matt:
    "You should know at home that Meredith is universally adored here at TODAY. Not just by those of us on the couch, but all of the people behind the scenes. She has brought class, and dignity and talent and a joy of life to this show over these last five years. And we will miss you like crazy," Matt said on TODAY. "I will say unequivocally I've never enjoyed working with anyone more than Meredith," Matt said at the NBC press conference. 

    Ann:
    "You've been a gift to this broadcast. You have been generous and a great girlfriend. And I know that I've said this to you and I think I need to say it publicly, which is to say if I could choose, you would not go. You would stay here. And let us wake up with you every morning," Ann said on TODAY. 

    TODAY's Meredith Vieira chokes up as she announces her departure from "the best show" in June.

    Al:
    "I don't think I've ever worked with a more selfless broadcaster than Meredith Vieira. She is about the program, and as long as we look good, she knows that we all look good," Al said at the press conference. "It is going to be a real hole when she leaves. I mean I never thought I would be able to run a marathon, and I did because of Meredith. That's who she is. She makes you better."

    Natalie:
    "Meredith, you have been an incredible mentor, an incredible friend. I think you've shown us all from day one how to make it yours in a way that also is not forgetting who you are as a person and what's most important to you and the responsibilities you have at home. And it's great that you're doing this. As we said, it's your way. It's what you want now. And we're so happy for you. And we're going to miss you terribly," Natalie said at the press conference. 


    Kathie Lee:
    "That's Meredith in encapsulated form. She's speaking truth at the same time she's expressing her heart. And everyone knows that her husband deals with  very serious illness, multiple sclerosis and other things, and you do start to realize that time is the most previous, precious gift god gives us," Kathie Lee said during TODAY's Talk. "We're going to miss her so much." 

    Hoda:
    "Meredith is so real. What I love about her so much is that she has lived her life on her own terms. Nobody tells her what to do. When she feels like it's time, it is," Hoda said during TODAY's Talk. 

    Jim Bell, executive producer of TODAY:
    "It's a question we get asked a lot outside of these halls. And the answer is always yes, Meredith really is that wonderful. She really is that special. And there is no one else like her. And I'm going to miss her terribly, but I'm thrilled for her," Jim said at the press conference.

    Now it's your turn! Let us know how you feel about Meredith leaving TODAY.

    More on TODAY:
    Meredith tests out TODAY fan experience, hangs with Linny
    Fans on plaza react to news of Meredith's June departure
    Slideshow: The many sides of Meredith 

  • TODAY's Talk: Week of May 9

    Kathie Lee and Hoda spend their first few minutes of each day catching up on their lives and current topics. Read below for more information about their chats. And come back every day this week to learn more about what they said.

    Wednesday, May 11

    Watch below for Kathie Lee dancing for Vito and more details on all these stories.

    TODAY's Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb chat about last night's "battle rounds" on NBC's new hit singing competition "The Voice."

    Tuesday, May 10

    Watch below for The Fan of the Week and more details on all these stories.

    TODAY's Kathie Lee and Hoda discuss Shriver's amazing character and how it's gotten her through her father's death and being a first lady, and now will get her through her recent separation.

    Monday, May 9 

    • TODAY is a bittersweet day as Meredith Vieira announces her departure from TODAY.  Watch the announcement on TODAY.com.
    • A Deliveryman recently went public about bad tippers.  Kathie Lee and Hoda think tipping can vary depending on service and weather.  Let us know what you think on our Facebook Page or vote in our poll.
    • A new study shows that Chocolate and Wine eaten together can make you smarter, and Hoda thinks it is pretty delicious too!

    Watch below for Favorite Things and more details on all these stories.

    With news that Meredith Vieira will be leaving TODAY in June, co-hosts Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb wish her well.