Curry bids farewell to 'Today' audience on Thursday, June 28 morning, tearfully saying, 'I'm sorry I couldn't carry the ball over the finish line, but man I did try.'
- Jun 29, 2012
AceShowbiz - Ann Curry had a sad morning on Thursday, June 28 as she announced her departure from "Today". Some celebrities, from fellow host Giuliana Rancic to journalist Piers Morgan, have since tweeted their support to the 55-year-old journalist.
"Sending lots of love to an incredible woman," so the co-anchor of "E! News", Rancic, wrote. CNN's host Morgan tweeted, "Just watched the @AnnCurry farewell on @todayshow- great lady, really feel for her. But don't blame @MLauer - he's one of the good guys."
Actress and former "The Talk" co-host Holly Robinson Peete, who had previously wished luck for Curry, reacted to the official exit by writing, "Dear @AnnCurry: Thank U for your integrity and candor and honesty. Every wall is a door. You got this..." Soap opera star Lisa Rinna said a similar thing, "Wishing @AnnCurry all the Joy and success she deserves! Such a class act and one of my favorites! Thanks Ann for always being so lovely!"
Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford, who both co-host "Today", also took to Twitter to express their feelings about their colleague's departure. The former said, "@AnnCurry i'll miss your daily hugs in the hallway...but i know where you sit ;) ... looking forward to what's next xo," and the latter added, "Wishing @AnnCurry all the joy she deserves. What a classy lady."
Katie Couric, who once joined the NBC morning program for 15 years before leaving the show in 2006, said she could understand Curry's feelings. "It really broke my heart this morning to see Ann, because I know she's suffering and is feeling a lot of pain with this transition. And I know that it's really hard for everyone on the show," she told reporters during an event to promote her new syndicated talk show.
"This kind of tumult is really hard for everyone," she added. "But I do think Ann is a great reporter and loves covering those important international stories, as she said this morning - what's going on in Syria and the face of the new poor in this country. And I think she cares deeply about those issues, and I think that she'll do a great job in that venue."
Curry fought back tears when announcing her last day on "Today", where she had served as a news reader from 1997 before becoming a co-anchor in 2011. "This is not easy to say but today is going to be my last morning as a regular co-host of Today," she said while sitting with co-hosts Matt Lauer, Natalie Morales and Al Roker.
"I never expected to leave this couch after 15 years, but I am so grateful, especially to all of you who watch," she continued her emotional speech. "Matt and I and everyone who sits on this couch we often call ourselves a family. But you are the real Today show family."
"I have loved you and have wanted to give you the world. I'm sorry I couldn't carry the ball over the finish line, but man I did try," she tearfully said. "So sorry I turned into a sob sister. I hope you'll wish me well."
Speaking of her new role on NBC News, Curry shared, "They're giving me some fancy new title which essentially means I'm going to get tickets to every big story we want to cover with a terrific new team of my choosing... We're going to go all over the world. We're going to do great work I hope." She will report for all platforms of NBC News, including "Today" and "Rock Center with Brian Williams".
NBC has not announced Curry's replacement, but Savannah Guthrie and Kotb have been rumored as the top candidates to take the job.
