Former NBC Today show host Matt Lauer was allegedly caught on a hot mic whispering inappropriate comments to former co-anchor Meredith Vieira on a Today show broadcast, video footage shows.
“Keep bending over like that. It’s a nice view,” Lauer reportedly told Vieira on the set of the Today show in October 2006, according to TMZ.
Lauer allegedly made the comments after the morning show went to commercial, but a local affiliate continued to broadcast the show’s live in-studio camera feed instead.
Lauer’s other Today show co-hosts have spoken about his tendency to harass colleagues sexually. Katie Couric told Andy Cohen on the Bravo show Watch What Happens Live in 2012 that her former co-host “pinches [her] on the ass a lot.”
NBC News fired Lauer Wednesday morning after receiving a complaint alleging that Lauer engaged in sexual misconduct at work.
The complaint alleges Lauer engaged in sexual misconduct with the female colleague at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
Several women told Variety that the former Today show host could lock his office door from the inside at the push of a button under his desk to hide his sexual encounters.
Lauer issued a statement Thursday saying he was “truly sorry.”
“There are no words to express my sorrow and regret for the pain I have caused others by words and actions. To the people I have hurt, I am truly sorry,” Lauer said. “As I am writing this I realize the depth of the damage and disappointment I have left behind at home and at NBC.”
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