While discontent with Matt Lauer has quieted over the past few months, problems at The Today Show still exist, according to a report in The New York Post.
And Natalie Morales is right at the center of them.
The veteran co-host of this NBC morning program has been locked in a “power struggle” with network News President Debroah Turness, an insider tells Page Six, which explains why Morales is yet to land the show’s top anchor spot.
She’s been with Today since 2006 and was most recently passed over as Ann Curry’s replacement when that job went to Savannah Guthrie.
“There’s a lot of tension,” a source tells Page Six. Natalie and [Tamron Hall] are competitive, and there was a big blowup in October between the two. Deborah has an issue with Natalie and has sided with Tamron.
“There has been zero communication between Deborah and Natalie for a long period of time. It’s the talk of NBC staff.”
Does Morales have a future on Today?
She allegedly had lunch with executive producer Don Nash last week to clear the air, but did NOT receive reassurances about her long-term prospects on the show.
Morales has two years remaining on her Today contract and Nash told the newspaper that any talk of her leaving is “total nonsense,” adding:
“As the Today show continues to gain momentum, it sounds like someone is trying to stir up trouble that doesn’t exist. Natalie Morales is valued by everyone at the news division from the top down, and her future is with the Today show and NBC News.”
