Tampa Bay Times TV critic Eric Deggans writes about NBC’s “Today,” and highlights four problems that he argues are facing the program. Among them: Matt Lauer has become the face of the show, even at the expense of his colleagues

When Curry was forced off the show amid a tearful goodbye, I cautioned that NBC couldn’t let new female co-anchor Savannah Guthrie become the hated replacement the way Deborah Norville was back when Jane Pauley left back in the late ’80s.

But now, it seems Lauer has become the new Norville, taking hits from some fans for Curry’s ouster even after executive producer Bell insisted the decision was entirely his.

As Tyndall notes, with Meredith Vieira gone, Lauer has become the most dominant presence on the show; a contrast to rival GMA, which has developed a team of likable hosts, including ex-ESPN anchor Josh Elliott and Lara Spencer from The Insider.