Celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis has reportedly denied that Today bosses are going to give her the boot in the wake of disgraced anchor Matt Lauer’s departure.
The news comes just a day after Today’s top producer Don Nash announced he’ll be stepping down after 30 years.
Food Network’s De Laurentiis, who in 2015 denied an affair with Lauer after they were spotted together on the beach in Barbados in 2011, could also be sacked from NBC as part of a Lauer-linked talent purge.
Chef Giada De Laurentiis (pictured with Matt Lauer) has reportedly denied that Today bosses are going to give her the boot in the wake of disgraced anchor Matt Lauer’s departure
Food Network’s De Laurentiis (pictuerd), who in 2015 denied an affair with Lauer after they were spotted together in Barbados in 2011, could also be removed from NBC as part of a Lauer-linked talent purge
A rep for De Laurentiis rep said: ‘Giada will still be making her appearances on Today and we are currently working on her schedule to confirm’
A source told PageSix that ‘Matt always had the final say on show experts, but now they want new blood. They want more diversity’.
But a De Laurentiis rep said it’s ‘not true’.
‘Giada will still be making her appearances on Today and we are currently working on her schedule to confirm,’ the representative told the news site.
Nash announced his departure Wednesday morning, with NBC News Chairman Andy Lack informing staff of the executive producer’s departure in an email.
‘I relished every single moment of my time on the show. I still can’t believe I had the honor to work at this storied institution for so long,’ Nash said in a statement to the staff.
‘I will forever cherish the unbelievable experiences and incredible people I have had the privilege to work with. It was so much fun.’
Nash’s outster comes less than two months after Lauer was fired by the network in the wake of sexual assault allegations, and just hours after Ann Curry claimed in an interview on CBS This Morning that ‘there was a climate of verbal sexual harassment’ at NBC.
‘It’s really unfair that NBC had him announce this on the day that Ann Curry did her first TV interview, especially since Jim Bell made the decision to fire Ann and not Don,’ one NBC staffer told DailyMail.com.
‘He has mentored the team and been a great leader. He really will be missed.’
And another source noted: ‘He can leave with his head held high that the show is number one on his watch.’
The news comes just a day after Today’s top producer Don Nash (left, with Lauer) announced he’ll be stepping down after 30 years with NBC
New EP: Nash will be replaced by Libby Leist, who has been promoted to executive producer of the 7am and 8am hours (Leist second right next to Nash with Al Roker, Noah Oppenheim, Lauer and Carson Daily at the 2016 DNC)
Nash will be replaced by Libby Leist, who has been promoted to executive producer of the 7am and 8am hours.
Leist started her NBC career at the DC news desk and is close friends with Savannah Guthrie.
She will be the first female to serve in the role of executive producer of the show, though Alexandra Wallace did previously hold the role of executive-in-charge of Today back in 2012.
Nash’s outster comes less than two months after Lauer was fired by the network in the wake of sexual assault allegations
‘For many years, I have had two families: the one at home, and everyone at Today,’ Nash said in her email to staff.
‘The balance of my love for both of them has been out of whack for too long. The time has come for me to step away from Today and be a better dad to my two beautiful girls. They are what matter to me most.’
He later quoted Dr Seuss, writing: ‘Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened’
Nash then noted: ”I’m so happy that it happened.’
Savannah Guthrie posted to Twitter soon after the news, writing: ‘Huge thanks to @Syudio1ADon – the ultimate pro. And congrats to @LibbyLeist – our beloved show remains in great hands.’
Amd while there is much excitement for Leist to take on her new role, it is bittersweet for many employees.
‘Everyone is very upset. He’s beloved at the show and was a friend to everyone,’ an NBC staffer told DailyMail.com.
‘Over the decades, during good times and bad everyone could count on Don.’