‘Today’ excluded Matt Lauer from anniversary montage, and Twitter had a lot to say about it
On Thursday morning, NBC’s “Today” aired an anniversary montage, but one former host was left out.
» RELATED: Matt Lauer breaks silence months after being accused of sexual harassment
The compilation celebrated the 25 years since the program moved to Rockefeller Center’s Studio 1A in New York. Throughout the five-minute clip, viewers saw old footage from past episodes, guests who’ve appeared on the show and many of the series’ television personalities — past and present.
Matt Lauder, who was a co-host for 20 years before being fired after multiple claims of sexual misconduct, was not included. And his absence sparked a debate on Twitter.
Many were upset about it, accusing the network of erasing its history.
Erasing history guys? There was a “Matt Lauer” there for a couple of years.
— Robin (@robinsnest390) June 20, 2019
Glad I'm not the only one disappointed that you left Matt Lauer out in your look back at 25 years on the Plaza. He deserved to lose his job BUT you can't erase the huge role he played on "Today" during his 20+ years doing the news then hosting. You can't rewrite history, @nbc.
— (((Stacey))) (@Fab4tune) June 20, 2019
@SavannahGuthrie While I understand this is a time for celebration it feels slightly insincere that Matt Lauer has been completely written out of the narrative. Denying or ignoring his presence feels insincere and possibly damaging to his victims who deserve to be remembered.
— Sarah Moran (@sarahfclif) June 20, 2019
@Today Wow ... there would be no Today show if it wasn’t for Matt Lauer... editing him out of your footage doesn’t change his huge contribution... and btw this is the United States of America where you are presumed innocent until proven guilty...
— Cheryl N Marty Leichtman (@CherylnMarty) June 20, 2019
Others felt differently and didn’t understand why people were more upset about his absence from the montage than the sexual assault accusations against him.
Matt Lauer was a sexual predator who had a button on his desk to trap women in his office with him.
— Sarah Burleton (@SarahBurleton) June 20, 2019
“But he wasn’t in the montage!” pic.twitter.com/gczfxUBI29
People are more angry that Matt Lauer was not in a Today Show tribute than they are about Matt Lauer sexually assaulting women. And you wonder why women are angry.
— Megan (@MeganInNoDak) June 20, 2019
If you are one of the people upset that Matt Lauer wasn’t recognized in the Today Show tribute video after he had a button on his desk to trap women in his office... pic.twitter.com/Tegyt7jZAx
— Ryan Fluence (@_TheFlu10) June 20, 2019
*Looks to see why Matt Lauer is trending* Yup humanity is still trash. Y’all are more upset by the fact that he was left out of a montage than the fact that he’s a sexual predator who had a button on his desk to lock women in his office. pic.twitter.com/44naMc9qJ0
— Beyoncé’s Beychella Bewts (@michellestanf) June 20, 2019
Some even applauded NBC for excluding Lauer.
Shout out to the @TODAYshow editors for putting together an impressive piece celebrating 25 Years of Studio 1A without any footage Matt Lauer. You all are the real MVPs
— Paulette Simone (@PSHowISeeIt) June 20, 2019
Matt Lauer had a button installed under his desk so that he could lock his door and sexually assualt women. Thank you NBC for not inlcuding him in your montage. Oh! ..and Congratulations!#MattLauer #TodayShow pic.twitter.com/tBnqXh2fEG
— Champagne Blvd 🍹🍸🍷🍾 (@ChampagneBlvd20) June 20, 2019
I have to say, the Today Show editing of their 25 years of ...something is a master class in the removal of Matt Lauer. I actually forgot he was part of the show.
— Beth B. (@BethBinDC) June 20, 2019
About the Author
Najja Parker is a multimedia journalist covering Black culture for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She is an engaging on-air talent, who has served as a host for the newsroom’s special projects and events, such as the movie premiere of “The South Got Something To Say,” a documentary chronicling the rise of Atlanta hip-hop.
