‘Today’ EP Jim Bell: Rumors of Matt Lauer Departure ‘Ludicrous’

The Hollywood Reporter‘s Marisa Guthrie talks to “Today” executive producer Jim Bell about being #1 for 800 weeks… as well as the rumored departures of Meredith Vieira and Matt Lauer.

Bell says that NBC and Vieira are “still talking” and that “We think she’s fantastic and hope we’ll have her with us.”

As for the Lauer rumors:

THR: And it has also been reported that Lauer has informed NBC News executives that he will leave the show when his contract is up at the end of 2012. So has he told you that?

Bell: Absolutely not. I think that one is more ludicrous. When we’re talking about something that is almost two years away, it’s silly speculation. I think it’s great that the show can generate this much attention and passion out there but we’re fortunate that so much of it has been wrong and misguided.

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