Matt Lauer left the Today Show on November 29, 2017, when NBC News terminated his employment following allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior uncovered during an internal review. His exit ended a 20-year run as co-anchor that began in 1997, concluding a prominent era for the program during the MeToo era scrutiny. In the immediate aftermath, Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and Al Roker anchored extended live editions, while NBC committed to revising workplace standards and conducting a comprehensive review of on- and off-camera conduct.
Key dates in Matt Lauer’s Today Show tenure and exit
| Date or Period | Event | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Began as Today Show co-anchor | Established a long-profile role that defined morning television for two decades |
| November 21, 2017 | NBC pauses Lauer following complaint | Internal investigation initiated after a credible misconduct allegation surfaced |
| November 29, 2017 | Employment terminated by NBC News | Formal separation; anchors announced his departure on air |
| December 2017 | On-air transition to rotating anchors | Shift to multi-anchor model while search for permanent co-anchor proceeded |
| 2018 | NBC settlements and policy reforms | Financial resolutions with accusers and updated workplace conduct rules |
Immediate show response
Within hours of the November 29 announcement, Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and Al Roker took extended live segments, reassuring viewers and maintaining continuity. The team framed the change as necessary while affirming commitment to journalistic standards and a respectful workplace.
Long-term changes at Today
- Shift from a single male co-anchor model to a multi-anchor format, improving resilience and on-air diversity
- Enhanced HR protocols, including third-party hotlines and clearer escalation paths for misconduct concerns
- Ongoing emphasis on respectful behavior, codified in network training and executive expectations
By design, the departure minimized viewer disruption while accelerating broader reforms across NBC News. The Today Show stabilized with rotating primary anchors, and Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie gradually assumed more prominent, familiar roles in the years that followed.
Understanding when Matt Lauer leave the Today Show helps contextualize a pivotal moment in broadcast history tied to accountability, transitions, and enduring operational adaptation in morning television.