TVSquad

I may be way off here, but is the Today Show doing way more fluff pieces than they used to? It seems like they used to do longer, more in depth segments to cover certain topics & news stories as opposed to a 5-minute story on complicated issues like other AM shows do.

Now instead of taking a decent amount of time to cover stories that really matter, I feel like every time I turn it on they're giving me hints on how to reorganize my closet or giving advice on what to wear this spring (which, for me personally, will be exactly what I wore LAST spring anyway!). There was a ridiculous segment on this morning about how to decorate for a small space, and the furniture they featured was outrageously priced! If you could afford to spend that kind of money on furniture, you can probably afford a bigger house!

I kinda went off on a tangent, but anyway, I like Meredith a lot, even more than I thought I would, and I now have respect for Lauer since the Tom Cruise interview, and I haven't noticed any animosity - conscious or otherwise - between Matt & Mere. What I have noticed is a lack of decent reporting and coverage on important stories.

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I generally like Tom Shales, but he's absolutely wrong about "GMA." First, he singles out Robin Roberts as having an awkward rapport with diva Diane Sawyer, which is not even true. Robin/Diane is the only thing about "GMA" that works right now, which brings me to...

Second, he says someone like Anderson Cooper would be half of a Cooper/Sawyer super-couple. And he's right. But guess what he didn't say? Chris Cuomo is a doufus. (And so is the new weather/Ken doll, but I digress.)

The problem isn't Robin Roberts. It's Chris Cuomo's lack of charisma in general or chemistry with anyone else on the show.

I would much rather see Charlie Gibson come back to "GMA" and have three co-anchors like it was before he when to the evening news, but I suspect Charlie is enjoying getting up sometime after 3 a.m. and having his own show.

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Did Tom Shales ever watch the Today Show before Meredith? That's Matt's thing, he teases and he does his little zingers. If he was really paying attention he should have noticed the way he pretty much hates Ann, he never fails to put her down. (Sometimes for good reason as she's the weakest point of the show.) Matt and Meredith have only worked together a short while, it takes time to get the polish right. I watch every day and to me, it's a good combo. Meredith is a good fit for the show and they are just finding their groove.

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Matt is pissed off he finally got rid of the old host and thought he would step up to the hosting plate, he was wrong, so now he's pissed.

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I think Matt and Meredith have a geniune brother-sister like chemistry. They poke fun at each other often but I think it's all in good fun. I think the reason for the decline has less to do with the addition of Meredith and more to do with content and/or low ratings for the tv genre (news morning show) across the board.

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He does it to the guests too. The very few times I've caught a Today segment, Matt has struck me as an egotistical, smarmy attention hog. He seems fake, he interrupts and puts down guests and co-hosts alike. Hes an equal opportunity asshole.

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Matt Lauer is the best anchor in all of the 3 network morning shows. He is classy, smart and funny. Meredith is getting better, but sometimes she tries to be funny at the expense of Matt. And her interview with Madonna was bizarre. It was as if the Queen of England was in the studio. Granted the show is live, but the interview went way too long and it was just weird. The person I would love to see a lot less of is Ann Curry. She never knows what she's talking about and constantly interrupts guests and co-workers. It seems like the rest of the gang just put up with her. She appears to be a genuinely caring and nice person, but lays it on so thick it's embarrassing to watch her.

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I guess all Today anchors get that "bryant gumble' syndrome after a while.

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I think the Today Show is great with Meredith & Matt; they have connected and seem genuinely kind and considerate with each other, no hint of difficulty or negativity. Al is of course always fantastic to listen to and watch. Ann is really lovely and has a keen connection with people but I do think she is less interesting and I am not sure why that is other than to say sometimes she comes off a bit monatone and her body language seems a bit overbearing?

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I really do love Meredith; she's grown on me a lot since she took over for Katie - and I was the type of person who couldn't imagine the Today show without Katie Couric. I generally like Matt as well, but I do think that Matt & Katie had a bit more chemisty together than Matt & Meredith do. Like one poster said, Matt & Mere seem to be brother-sister, always poking and digging at one another. Some mornings I feel rather like a mother hen, wanting to send them both for a time-out! Matt & Katie had more of a spark, like two adults sparring and volleying intellectually, with the occassional goof-off just for laughs. I still watch the Today show every morning as I get ready for work, but every once in a while, I'll miss hearing the announcer say Katie's name.

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I have no clue as to what in H*LL is going with the TODAY show but anymore it SUCKS. Everytime I turn the show on wala....Merideth is in hiding again. I very rarely see her. Matt Lauer to me is a self centered jerk. Maybe his going bald is affecting his thinking...hmmmmm hair transplant Matt. I miss Katie.

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Matt, Matt, Matt, Matt - you're still glib!

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The stats may be down a bit for The Today Show. But, we have not seen any decline in activity on The Today Show forum. There have been some controversial speculations on Matt lately.
http://www-todayshow.com/

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I could not disagree more --- Meredith has consistantly looked in over her head. I used to think that Ann's oooey gooey interview style was over the top, but Meredith should not be allowed to interview anyone of substance, especially the politicos. It is obvious she is being fed her questions and they come off sophmoric and as if she has a chip on her shoulder. It is one thing to play off Star Jones and Elizabeth H and seem like the smart one - she is the little fish in a big pond. Please let Matt do more -- as opposed to Ann and Meredith he does not insult my intelligence.

Meredith is not used to being the one in the learning curve and it shows in her inability to bantor with Matt. I do not think this is sabotage by Matt - this is the Today Show. If I wanted fluff or three people introducing segments, I'd watch GMA.

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I think it is Ann Curry who is annoying and frankly does not have a clue as to how to interact or do interviews. She is constantly interrupting her co hosts and as well as guests. Doesn't she ever watch herself on tv?

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Is Lauer plotting against Vieira??? Are you kidding me? Why do we care about this pettiness? I spend a frustrating half hour each morning while drinking my coffee flipping up and down the channels of these a.m. news programs, just trying to find out what's happening in the world (and if I'll need an umbrella). All I seem to be able to find is a group of "journalists" who believe that the news is no longer about NEWS -- it's about the idiots who READ the news. So, between the inane banter of these folks and the constant commercial breaks, I don't know if there's anyone out there who knows or even cares what's happening in the world.

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Enough Already!!! - Get Katie back where she belongs on Today, - bring her spunky personality back to Today - inject life back into this morning program -frankly I'm bored, next Meridith back to The View (she is too sleepy on Today and not as much fun or as take charge as she was on The View and finally give Rosie her own show where she can call the shots like she wants to already!!!! Please Katie renegotiate!

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Finally someone else mentions what I have noticed! Lauers subtle cuts arente quite so subtle you can hear the intended malice and poor Meredith sucking it up! She will be the loser here...who knew Lauer loved Katie "the gums" Couric so damn much!!

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Matt strikes me as a consummate professional and his relationships with the rest of the team appear genuine and good. The producers, however, seem to be adding lots more tabloid trivia causing me to begin to experiment with watching other morning shows. I like what I have seen of the competition. The Today show's attempt to revitalize itself is not working for me.

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Regarding Meredith, I think she's trying too hard ..I am warming up to her so if she lightens up a little more I think she will be fine...Matt.. is still Matt w/ or w/o Katie...the chemistry is not the same, but that takes time...I am more concerned about the content of the show. The interviews with interesting topics are too short...they seem to be rushing through the stories...some stories are just bizarre and of no particular interest @ 7am in the morning...

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