NBC News co-hosts Willie Geist and Natalie Morales are reportedly being dropped from the “Today” show.
Except, maybe they’re not.
An NBC source told Us Weekly that the two were “fired,” and that Ms. Morales is now being wooed by ABC and Mr. Geist has a job lined up at CBS.
The New York Post reported last week that Ms. Morales was planning to leave the show due to clashes with co-host Tamron Hall and NBC News President Deborah Turness.
But the New York Daily News is reporting that the duo weren’t actually fired — but were placed on the chopping block by “Today” General Manager Jamie Horowitz.
Then Mr. Horowitz got sacked Monday.
“Willie and Natalie were never told they were fired,” an NBC source told the Daily News. “These plans were a part of a memo, a proposal — a potential future for the show that never came about.”
A rep for the “Today” show denied any shakeup and told US magazine: “We have a strong anchor team we want here for a long time.”
The NBC insider said other ideas “floating around” included demoting fellow co-host, Ms. Hall, back to MSNBC.
The moves are reportedly part of NBC’s ongoing attempts to beat ABC’s ratings for “Good Morning America.”
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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