Rooting for the Underdog: Ann Curry Edition

I'll admit, the closest thing I watch to morning TV is when SNL does that skit with "Hoda and Kathy Lee." But I couldn't help but brush up on my awareness of happenings before 10am when I saw Ann Curry trending on Twitter a few weeks ago.

Along with her Emmy's, Curry was also voted "hottest news personality" a few times.

It's hard to get the entire story on what happened to Ann Curry, because...well who can get the entire story on anything these days. I mean, I live totally alone and half the time I can't remember who ate the last apple...it must have been me, but when was that? See? It's hard to know, really KNOW something. But from what I can gather, based on really snarky blogs I read, Ann Curry was fired from Today because Matt Lauer doesn't like her. Or NBC doesn't like her. Or maybe, her ratings were bad. But mostly because Matt Lauer doesn't like her. In fact, part of his contract renewal negotiations involved promises that NBC would get rid of her as his co-host on Today.

Remember when Matt Lauer was cool? He was like the young, hot, hip, counterpart to grumpy Katie Couric? He used to actually leave the studio...remember where in the world is Matt Lauer? Now what hair he has left is too short and he's actually a little...well...to quote Tom Cruise...glib. Also, he's 54 now and goes to bed by 9:30. Snooze fest. But Matt Lauer is NBC's golden boy. And so what Lauer wants, Lauer gets. He just renewed his contract for 25 million a year. 25 million to deliver the "news." Ridiculous. 

So...back to Ann. She's been the co-host for less than a year. Hardly enough time to perfect her chemistry or style in the position. But that became irrelevant for possible reasons stated above, and NBC dropped the bomb that her time was up. Except, they didn't drop it to her. Similar to the case of Dan Harmon, it seems that the most popular way to be fired in entertainment these days is through back handed and passive articles rather than a direct conversation with the person being fired. The New York Times released an article announcing that Ann would be let go, only unlike Dan Harmon who fled to L.A. upon hearing of his firing, Ann SHOWED UP TO WORK THE NEXT DAY!  

I love this woman. No hints taken here. She made them come out and say it to her face, enter negotiations with her, and give her a chance to make a public announcement. If you haven't seen the video of Ann's last few minutes, warning, it's really hard to watch.  

Matt Lauer makes a comment that I believe is probably very true about Ann Curry. He says that she has "the biggest heart in the business." Compared to his, I am sure it seems huge. But seriously, her resume of stories does point to that being true. While Ann is still working at NBC with some new "fancy titles" and a team of her choosing, I can't help but think of a few other possible ventures for Ann Curry as she moves on in her career.

Emcee of the Hunger Games: CEO Edition

Let's take all of those out of touch money hungry suits and put them in an arena together. Heck, let's just put them in the middle of South Dakota, it won't take much to get them uncomfortable. Forget competing with ratings. Let's watch a death match to see who can survive things that even just normal people do. Driving yourself somewhere. Or ordering food at a McDonald's. And let's see Ann Curry emcee the whole thing. I am sure with that big heart of hers, she will be very gracious. 

Host of 2016 Olympics

It's a little late to give her the responsibility for London at this stage in the game, but she will be there, as well as the rest of the NBC crew. Except, Ann has a knack for finding the heartwarming story behind the news. And there are few things that we like more than heartwarming stories combined with sports. With her emotional intelligence, her segment ratings will soar leaving Lauer and his psuedo-news summaries in the dust, and NBC will have no choice but to put her in as host for the next go round.

Jack's Love Interest on 30 Rock

Now THIS would be fun. Things are rocky with Jack and Avery. And even though my preference has been that he end the series back with Nancy (Julianne Moore), I think it could be fun to have Jack and Ann interact in light of her real life situation with NBC. Can't you just see the last episode, Jack retiring and packing his bags to go meet up with Ann in Iraq, setting out on his new quest to prove that Bush was right about weapons of mass destruction!

Friend to Rachel Maddow

Recently Maddow came clean about her own feelings of depression/failure due to low ratings from time to time. While I personally enjoy everything about Maddow's delivery and handling of guests, it's no secret that her show is consistently beaten by others on various channels. It seems to me that if nothing else, Ann and Rachel could go have a beer together and talk shop, you know, encourage each other.

Professor of Journalism at ANY University

I don't know where she should go to teach. But she should go teach journalism! And if we get down to brass tax, maybe this is really the problem with Ann Curry and NBC. She actually practices real JOURNALISM. Petty news stories about celebrities being pregnant and the world's fattest woman wanting to gain more weight are not her gig. But that's what Today often presents in an attempt to appeal to the dumbed down American audiences. It's no wonder that Ann couldn't hang with that. Because she actually wants to talk about news. So before we end up with another graduating class of ignorant pundits with unfounded opinions, let's get Ann Curry in there to teach students what journalism really is. After all, it's quite possible that she might be the last professional media personality out there who actually remembers.

Good Luck Ann Curry! We're rooting for you!