NBC has released the trailer for “The Michael J. Fox Show,” slated to premiere this fall. Michael J. Fox plays Mike Henry, a former anchor suffering from Parkinson’s disease who returns to the WNBC anchor desk (video above).

The trailer features cameos from “Today” hosts Matt Lauer and Savannah Guthrie.

Former KFYR anchor A.J. Clemente, who was fired from the Bismarck NBC affiliate after anchoring just one newscast for saying “fucking shit” on the air, made the rounds on the morning shows Wednesday.

On “Today,” Clemente told Matt Lauer and Savannah Guthrie that his language was “inexcusable.” He said he didn’t even know his foul language had been on the air until the third break:

On “Morning Joe,” Tom Brokaw shared an encouraging story about a gaffe early in his career with Clemente: Read more

The now famous KFYR anchor, A.J. Clemente, who was fired on his first day on-air when his first words were “fucking shit,” might find his career still has some life in it after all.

After the Bismarck, ND NBC affiliate posted an apology for Clemente’s outburst on its facebook page, a majority of commenters asked the station not to fire him.  One wrote, “I think we’re all adults and are quite capable of getting over it. It’s a non-issue.” While another said, “This kid is probably torturing himself over what happened. Go easy on him, as we all make mistakes.”

Clemente was also a hot topic on the network morning news show circuit, which seemed to see the funnier side of the profanity issue.

On NBC’s “Today” show, Matt Lauer asked the assembled anchor team if Clemente should be given a second chance. Ryan Seacrest, who was on set said, “I think we could relate to possibly being in a situation close to this.  So, maybe he deserves a second chance.” Al Roker, who told mediabistroTV in February his philosophy is “don’t be a jerk” and credited his first big break to a similar situation, agreed saying, “I think he should (get a second chance).  You know, (he’s) a young guy. Obviously, he didn’t mean anything by it. It was an accident.” Read more

Brian Stelter, who launched TVNewser almost 10 years ago, is now a published author. “Top of the Morning,” out today, lays bare a tumultuous year for network morning news shows which saw one anchor pack her bags, another face a serious health issue, a ratings leader fall — and lose a quarter of its audience — and an entirely new show launch.

In his first interview for the book, Stelter tells us about the secrecy behind “Top of the Morning,” the access he got, and what he thinks about being called Matt Lauer‘s nemesis.

• Part II, tomorrow: What happens when Brian Stelter Tweets something he shouldn’t?

For more videos, check out our YouTube channel and follow us on Twitter: @mediabistroTV

As our sister site TVNewser has been reporting, there has been a media pile-on about the future of NBC’s “Today” — and specifically co-host Matt Lauer — this week. On Tuesday, an executive producer at Cleveland Fox affiliate WJW asked weekend anchor Mark Zinni, who interned at “Today” in 1997, for his take on the situation.

Zinni responded that Lauer was “not so nice” to him while he was there. The producer, Darren Sweeney, tweeted the quote, using Lauer’s twitter handle. And that’s where the snowball effect began. On Wednesday, Lauer responded:

@markzinni huh? Always tried to be nice Mark. Sorry you didn’tthink so. Hope you’re doing well.Matt

— Matt Lauer (@MLauer) March 27, 2013

Thursday, Zinni appeared on WJW to address the situation (video here). Zinni also set the record straight on WJW’s website, saying he’s not disgruntled:

If you know me, you probably know that I don’t take myself too seriously. So, my answer was more of a joke about being young and naive during my time at Today, but I added that he wasn’t nice to me.

I didn’t slam the guy, I just made an honest comment.

[...] Bottom line, I was shocked Matt Lauer even bothered with me and, really, he remembers me? I’m flattered.

I’m not disgruntled (thanks, BuzzFeed!) but I am someone who’s happy to be working at the best station in my hometown with wonderful people. By the way, Katie [Couric] and Ann [Curry] were great, but now I start my day with FOX 8 News in the Morning.

Matt Lauer and Natalie Morales tricked WNBC anchor Darlene Rodriguez into looking at an “exorcism” mirror Friday morning on NBC’s “Today” show (video above)

The mirrors are a viral stunt to promote the upcoming “The Last Exorcism Part II.” Lauer and Morales lured Rodriguez to Studio 1A under the guise that she would be looking into a mirror that made her look 10 years younger.

“My hands are shaking!” Rodriguez said after she recovered. “Have you guys nothing better to do?”

As NBC News prepares a shift in the executive ranks at “Today,” Broadcasting & Cable‘s Michael Malone talks to the NBC affiliates (subscription required) about the program, which has been dethroned by ABC’s “Good Morning America” this year.

“My news director would prefer it to be more heavy news than fluffier—he and I have had that conversation,” says Derek Rogers, general manager at WMGT Macon (Ga.), who adds that he has not seen a difference.

Most feel it’s a personnel issue — that Ann Curry’s Today promotion, and subsequent departure, was mishandled; that Matt Lauer was dinged up in the imbroglio; and that Savannah Guthrie hasn’t yet won her way into America’s bedrooms and family rooms. “I believe they simply went through transition/growing pains after Meredith’s departure that exposed weaknesses in their legacy dominance,” says Evan Pappas, president/ general manager at KOAA Colorado Springs, who expresses “great confidence” in the Today brain trust getting things moving.

Savannah Guthrie, an alum of KMIZ in Columbia, MO and KVOA in Tucson, made her official debut as co-host of NBC’s “Today” show Monday morning.

“It truly is a new day around here,’” Matt Lauer said, welcoming Guthrie to the host desk (video above). Read more at TVNewser

NBC made it official today: Savannah Guthrie has been named co-host of the “Today” show, one day after Ann Curry ended her year-long tenure as Matt Lauer‘s sidekick.

Guthrie, a native of Tucson, spent the early part of her career moving up the local market ladder.  She worked as a reporter at KMIZ in Columbia, MO and later at KVOA in Tucson, before attending law school.

“As soon as Savannah joined NBC News she was a standout,” “Today” executive producer Jim Bell said.  “She has a one-of-a-kind combination of sharp wit and approachability, and our viewers value her journalistic skills and legal background just as much as her humor and charm.”  Read more at TVNewser

The rumor mill about talent changes on NBC’s “Today” continues to churn. The latest news, from The Hollywood Reporter, is that Ann Curry will remain at NBC in a “substantial” role after her exit from the program, a move which is supported by the NBC affiliates, Broadcasting & Cable‘s Michael Malone reports:

The NBC affiliates have heard nothing from the network about changes to frontline talent at the venerable franchise, and several station chiefs were reluctant to speak on the record, including affiliates board chairman Jordan Wertlieb, until things are official. But several say the problems at Today, which has famously seen its lead over ABC’s Good Morning America shrink in recent months, will continue until a change is made. They echo the oft-uttered charge that Curry and Matt Lauer lack chemistry, believe she does not successfully connect with female viewers, and say Curry is too rigid on the show’s frilly bits.

“The thing we look for in television is chemistry, chemistry, chemistry,” says one East Coast GM at an NBC station who asked to not be named.  Read more