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?”

After  a week of public speculation about her future on “Today,” co-host Ann Curry tearfully bid farewell to the NBC program at the close of this morning’s broadcast.

Curry has been on “Today” for 15 years, spending 14 years as newsreader and the last year as co-host.

“After all of these years, I don’t even know if I can sleep in anymore. I don’t even know if I can, but I know that whatever time I wake up, I know I’ll be missing you,” Curry said. “For all of you who saw me as a groundbreaker, I’m sorry I couldn’t carry the ball over the finish line, but I sure did try.”

TVNewser has details of Curry’s new role at NBC, as well as video of her goodbye.

With Ann Curry‘s exiting “Today,” viewers nationwide have seen some changes on local NBC stations.

“Today” show news reader Natalie Morales has handled the teases for the NBC affiliates for the past two weeks, according to a search of TVEyes. It was first reported last Thursday that NBC executives were preparing a plan to replace Curry before the Olympics, which begin next month.

Several NBC-affiliates reported on their early newscasts that Curry would be saying goodbye to “Today” this morning. Read more

Natalie Morales is the preferred pick to replace Ann Curry on NBC’s “Today” show, at least among TVSpy readers.

According to a recent TVSpy poll, posted last week amid reports that Curry was leaving “Today,” Morales is the top choice, followed very closely by Savannah Guthrie, who many believe will ultimately replace Curry.

The poll listed five choices as Curry’s replacement.  In addition to Morales and Guthrie, there was Hoda Kotb, Robin Roberts, and Sue Simmons.  Simmons, who recently left WNBC after more than three decades at the anchor desk there, was the sentimental favorite, coming in third place with 20.29% of the votes. Read more

In New York City, news of rape accusations against Greg Kelly, the morning show anchor at Fox O&O WNYW, broke this morning.

Two of WNYW’s rival stations, ABC O&O WABC and CBS O&O WCBS, reported the Kelly news this morning. WABC’s Josh Einiger reported live from NYPD headquarters in lower Manhattan, where Kelly’s father, Ray Kelly, is the police commissioner. Read more

“It is a pleasure–and we mean that–to welcome back our good friend, Len Berman,” Matt Lauer announced this morning, welcoming Berman back to the “Today” show.

“Today” has brought back Berman’s signature “Spanning the World” segment, a rundown of highlights and bloopers from the world of sports that the veteran New York sportscaster contributed to the show for 20 years before his WNBC contract was not renewed in 2009.

“I’m thrilled to reconnect with my good buddies Matt, Al, Ann, and Natalie,” Berman told FishbowlNY recently about his return to “Today.” “A great crew on and off camera. It was always one of my highlights.”

WNBC sent Berman packing in the spring of 2009 after 24 years with the station. Read more