It’s a sad day for morning television.

‘The Today Show’ co-host Meredith Vieira is leaving after five years. As her voice quivered and as she fought back tears, Vieira made the announcement today, saying “I’ve decided to leave ‘Today’ in June.”

Vieira took the co-host seat next to Matt Lauer five years ago, replacing Katie Couric.

Meredith says she made the decision “after months of personal reflection and private conversations with my family and friends.”

She added, “I’m really sad because … for the past 10 years this has been my second home.”

Vieira says she wanted to spend more time with her husband, Richard, and her kids. The famous television personality, who also hosts ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,’  noted “I really hope to stay with the NBC family … that is my goal.”

Lauer said Vieira “has brought class and dignity and talent and a joy of life to this show for the last five years.”

Vieira will be replaced by Ann Curry.

All the women of ‘Today’ keep leaving, yet Lauer remains. I wonder if he’s the problem. Or maybe he just really loves his job. I would, if I was in his position! I wish Vieira the best in whatever she decides to take on next.

Read more at andPOP. andPOP - POP Culture with Substance

NBC’s Today has been the number one morning newscast in the United States for over 15 years and has apparently brought NBC floods of revenue. Now, Matt Lauer, one of the shows most recognizable anchors, wants his piece of the peacock.

TMZ is reporting that Lauer is asking for $25 million a year. He currently squeaks by with $17 million a year, thus Lauer feels an $8 million raise is in order.

Reports have surfaced that Lauer is looking to leave The Today Show to perhaps man his own talk-show, however reps are insisting Lauer’s moves are simply a well-timed negotiation for more money, as co-host Meredith Viera has announced she will be leaving in September and the show could not afford to lose both.

Lauer is one of the best in the business. I understand he’s asking for a lot of money, but in relative terms, he deserves it. He handles all controversy like a composed professional (like when Tom Cruise called him “glib” on-air) and never shies away from important questions.

I doubt I am the only one who thinks NBC should, in the words of Deion Sanders, “pay da man!”

Read more at andPOP. andPOP - POP Culture with Substance

Yes we are calling the “Today’s” show Halloween effort a “skit.” Why? Because it’s so pathetic and corny, you think it was made by junior high students.

However, in their defense, they did have a fairly impressive cast participating. But wait, shouldn’t that mean this performance should have been impressive? Nevertheless judge for yourself. The clip below includes Meredith Vieira as Lady Gaga, Al Roker as ‘Superman,’ Ann Curry as Amelia Earhart and Natalie Morales as Justin Bieber.

Also stopping by to join in on the fun: Will Ferrell and Tina Fey in their outfits for the film, “Megamind.”

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Read more at andPOP. andPOP - POP Culture with Substance

Sandra Bullock appeared with Matt Lauer this morning on NBC’s “Today” to discuss her new charitable initiative of rebuilding a school in New Orleans, and also to talk about her new son Louis.

“No one understands the shift in priorities about having a child in your life that you are responsible for, until you have a child in your life,” she said. “It naturally shifts. It just shifted the first day I met him. It was like he’d been there the whole time, yet everything was different.”

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Read more at andPOP. andPOP - POP Culture with Substance

Matt Lauer really gave Dina Lohan the gears this morning on “Today,” and the celebrity Mom didn’t like it one bit! The conversation was blatantly awkward and tense throughout the 11 minutes.

“Dina felt ambushed by Matt,” a family friend told PopEater after speaking with Lohan. “She was surprised how many tough questions he asked.”

Apparently Dina thought the conversation would be focused on Judge Marsha Revel’s alleged mishandling of her daughter’s case. Instead the conversation was focused on the public image of Lindsay, and Dina’s parenting skills.

“She didn’t understand why [Lauer] kept asking her those other questions — she knows she’s a great mother and Lindsay will get out of rehab soon,” the friend insists. “Everyone makes mistake, it’s just that Lindsay makes it into the papers.”

Read more at andPOP. andPOP - POP Culture with Substance

Matt Lauer says he has no intention of following in his former “Today” show partner Katie Couric’s footsteps by making a foray into evening news.

Couric has been making headlines this week as she began her stint as the new anchor of the CBS Evening News, after 15 years at “Today.”

Lauer, meanwhile, said he is happy where he is. “At the moment, I don’t have another dream job,” Lauer said in a meeting with reporters on Thursday. He added that the format of the morning news show fits his talents better.

Lauer’s new “Today” show partner, Meredith Viera (former co-host on “The View”) will be making her debut on the NBC show next week.

Last spring, Lauer renewed his contract with NBC News to remain at “Today” until 2011. His salary is estimated at between $13 million and $15 million a year.

Read more at andPOP. andPOP - POP Culture with Substance

In the latest installment of the Tom Cruise saga, Matt Lauer, host of the “Today” show, was the latest recipient of Tommy’s wrath.

Tom Cruise criticized NBC “Today” show host Matt Lauer on Friday when Lauer mentioned Cruise’s earlier criticism of Brooke Shields for taking anti-depressants. Cruise told Lauer he didn’t know what he was talking about. “You don’t know the history of psychiatry. I do,” Cruise said.

The interview became more heated when Lauer, who said he knew people who had been helped by the attention-deficit disorder drug Ritalin, asked Cruise about the effects of the drug.

“Matt, Matt, you don’t even ? you’re glib,” Cruise responded. “You don’t even know what Ritalin is. If you start talking about chemical imbalance, you have to evaluate and read the research papers on how they came up with these theories, Matt, OK. That’s what I’ve done.”

Earlier this week, Cruise lashed out at a British man who was posing as a repoter when he sprayed Cruise with water.

Initially, Cruise appeared to laugh but then asked the prankster: “Why would you do that?”

The man mumbled an excuse, but Cruise persisted: “Do you like thinking less of people, is that it?” The man then tried to walk away but Cruise reached across the barrier, grabbed his arm and said: “Don’t run away. That’s incredibly rude. I’m here giving you an interview and you do that … it’s incredibly rude … You’re a jerk.”

Four men connected to the incident were arrested but Cruise decided not to press charges.

Read more at andPOP. andPOP - POP Culture with Substance