Matt Lauer and Savannah Guthrie grew close throughout their five-year tenure as “Today” co-hosts.
However, everything changed when Lauer was axed by the network for “inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace” in November 2017.
Before the slew of bombshell allegations came to light — which resulted in Lauer’s infamous firing — the duo weren’t shy about highlighting their friendly professional dynamic.
Despite their ups and downs, the two seemed amicable while reuniting for a mutual pal’s wedding in December 2023. Now, Pvnew is taking a look back at Lauer and Guthrie’s complicated relationship over the years.
On-air support
When they weren’t keeping viewers updated on the latest news headlines, the pair would often chat candidly on camera.
“I think Savannah is one of the most well-rounded people-slash-personalities on the program,” Lauer gushed in a July 2017 “Today” feature about Guthrie’s five years with the team.
The since-disgraced anchor was also on hand to celebrate the birth of Guthrie’s two children: Vale and Charley.
“Vale Guthrie Feldman is here! Savannah and Mike [Feldman] have a beautiful (and smart!) little girl!” Lauer tweeted in 2014, when Guthrie’s daughter was born.
“So much joy and excitement. We love her already!” he added.
Lauer’s firing
Lauer, who was the highest-paid talent in television news at the time he was axed, disappeared from the small screen overnight.
News of his dismissal was relayed to Guthrie and fellow “Today” star Hoda Kotb on Nov. 29, 2017, when they were already in their cars en route to work.
“They were shocked, there were tears, but they had time to work on their opening remarks [to the TV audience] about Matt,” an insider told Pvnew at the time.
When she got on air, Guthrie broke down in tears as she relayed the news to viewers.
“I’m heartbroken for Matt. He is my dear, dear friend and my partner, and he has been loved by many people here,” she said of Lauer, who helmed the NBC morning show for two decades.
A source told “Entertainment Tonight” at the time that the former political correspondent was “affected the most” by the news.
“She’s not herself. She’s visibly shaken,” the insider said, noting that she appeared “sad, in deep thought and preoccupied” off-camera.
“She is doing her best to stay upbeat and jolly on-air.”
Trying to keep in touch
In September 2018, Guthrie revealed she hadn’t seen Lauer since his termination, but tried to stay in touch with him via text.
“I haven’t [seen him] … I always try to keep in touch on text,” she told People at the time.
“I think, as far as I can tell, he’s really focused on his kids and his family.”
Guthrie clarifies her stance
In 2019, Guthrie and Kotb solemnly addressed the scandal when additional, graphic details about Lauer’s alleged behavior came to light.
“I feel like we owe it to our viewers to pause for a moment. This is shocking and appalling,” Guthrie said in part on-air. “I know it wasn’t easy for our colleague Brooke [Nevils] to come forward then, it’s not easy now. And we support her and any women who come forward with claims. It’s just very painful for all of us at NBC and who are at the ‘Today’ show.”
Former NBC producer Brooke Nevils claimed in Ronan Farrow’s book “Catch and Kill” that Lauer anally raped her in a Sochi hotel room during the network’s 2014 Olympics coverage.
Lauer claimed he had an “extramarital, but consensual, sexual encounter” with Nevils, who was a junior staffer at the time.
“I think I speak for all of us — we’re disturbed to our core,” Guthrie added. “And we have a commitment to keeping you informed and we will continue to do that.”
Lauer throws some shade
The disgraced journalist made an apparent dig at Guthrie — and Kotb — for “rushing to judge” him after he was accused of rape.
In his response to Farrow’s book, Lauer slammed the author for “flawed reporting and factual errors.”
“I was shaken, but not surprised, that few in the media were willing to thoroughly challenge the accusations against me, or the person making them,” he went on.
“The rush to judgment was swift. In fact, on the morning I was falsely accused of rape, and before I could even issue a statement, some journalists were already calling my accuser ‘brave’ and ‘courageous.’ While the presumption of innocence is only guaranteed in a court of law, I felt journalists should have, at the very least, recognized and considered it.”
Lauer erased from Guthrie’s milestone celebration
When Guthrie celebrated 10 years at the helm of “Today,” her former co-host was nowhere to be seen in a tribute package to her.
The “Savannah-versary” featured co-stars Kotb and Roker but Lauer was edited out of the montage.
Lauer changes his social circle
Years after his firing – and following his divorce from Annette Roque – Lauer moved on with girlfriend Shamin Abas. The two have been dating since 2019.
People reported in November 2023 that the father of three began spending most of his time on a farm in New Zealand, after having “iced out” many of his old friends.
Lauer has “drastically changed his social circle and iced out many old friends, even people who stuck by him after the ‘Today’ show,” one insider dished.
“He still held on to the huge horse farm he shared with [ex-wife] Annette on Long Island and they manage it together. They’ve navigated that fairly well,” the source added. “Matt still gets trash talked and he doesn’t want to give people any added options for it, so he and Shamin keep a very low profile.”
An amicable reunion
Guthrie and Lauer reunited for the first time in years in December 2023 — more than six years after he was fired.
The pair both attended longtime “Today” producer Jennifer Long’s wedding where we were told “Lauer kept busy introducing his girlfriend to the guests at the party,” including his former co-host.
“Savannah walked up to Matt before the ceremony and gave him a hug. The two had a friendly conversation for a few minutes. Both were cordial and warm,” an insider explained.
Guthrie, for her part, was all smiles as she entered the venue beside her husband and was “the last ‘Today’ show host” to leave the bash.
“She stayed late dancing and taking pics with wedding guests,” one insider shared.
