Matt Lauer Fired from 'Today' Show Over Low Ratings? Rumors Spread on Twitter, NBC Executive Alexandra Wallace Denies 'Irresponsible' Claims

Recent gossip reports allege that popular broadcaster Matt Lauer may be fired from his position as host on the "Today" show due to overall low ratings - and such rumors set the Twitter world abuzz. But on Friday (Nov. 30), NBC News publicly denied such claims, insisting that reports of Lauer's imminent "Today" show demise are "completely outrageous" rumors spread by "wrong and irresponsible sources." Apparently Lauer is going nowhere soon despite dropped ratings, and NBC urges that people should not fall for such disreputable internet buzz.

It all started when popular social media gossip sites (including Radar) reported that the new executive at the "Today" show Alexandra Wallace recently informed her bosses that she might have to fire Lauer if ratings for the struggling morning show continue to drag behind "Good Morning America." While such reports wouldn't make much sense considering Lauer just signed a very lucrative contract earlier this year, it started trending on Twitter that Lauer would be booted from the show in February if his popularity and viewer numbers didn't improve over the next few weeks. Due to all the rumor hoopla over Lauer joining Ann Curry in the "fired from the 'Today' show" filing cabinet, Wallace recently released a public statement:

"There is absolutely no truth to this. There have been some recent outrageous claims regarding Matt and the 'Today' show, and an awful lot of piling on from nameless, faceless sources. These stories are wrong and irresponsible."

So yes, the "Today" show is experiencing dropped ratings... but no, the producers at NBC are not placing the blame on longtime host Lauer (yet).