TODAY SHOW SHOCKER: Viera Out; Curry In; GMA Rejoices*

*Okay, I don’t know if the staff of GMA is really rejoicing, but I have to imagine they are.

The Hollywood Reporter says TODAY anchor Meredith Viera will leave the #1 morning show in June, some three months before her contract expires.  It also says TODAY news reader and Dateline anchor Ann Curry will replace her with Natalie Morales replacing Curry as news reader.

This, I believe, is the start of the downfall of TODAY.

I get why Meredith Viera wants to leave.  It’s a grueling schedule with crazy hours.  After a while, the money doesn’t matter.  You want quality of life.  Meredith’s husband, Richard, has been ill for years and she wants to spend time with him.  Good for you, Mrs. Viera!

Without a doubt, I love Ann Curry.  I know her personally, I have worked with her professionally and she is as warm and genuine as you would hope she would be.  I have also worked with Matt Lauer on a couple of occasions and he is always professional and a pleasure to work with.  Separately, they are wonderful and have great qualities.  Together…eeeehhhh, not so much.  The chemistry between the two just isn’t there.  When Ann co-anchors with Matt something is just off kilter. The cohesive group is out of whack.

It was a miracle among miracles that former NBC CEO Jeff Zucker was able to find someone to replace Katie Couric who could so seamlessly slide in and become a natural fit.  Meredith did that.  If Ann could have done that, she would have been the choice four years ago.  I think Meredith’s departure will majorly upset the morning show apple cart.  I would also suspect that the rumors of Matt Lauer telling NBC execs he has no plans to renew his contract at the end of 2012 are true.  No one wants to be the reason a #1 show drops to #2.

Meanwhile, over at Good Morning, America, you can hear the champagne corks popping.  This is surely a great opportunity for GMA to pounce and take the reigns as the number one morning show in America.  It won’t be easy, but NBC’s latest decision just made it a little bit easier.