Related: Matt Lauer feels he ‘owes an apology’ years after abuse scandal
Don Lemon has his friend Matt Lauers back after the former Today The show host was forced out of his high-profile gig in 2017.
While appearing on the Wednesday, Jan. 22, episode of “Hollywood Raw Podcast with Dax Holt and Adam Glyn,” Lemon, 58, said he believed Lauer, 67, could make a successful comeback — potentially on a podcast.
“I think if he could go back to digital, he can set his own course,” he explained, before adding, “But I only got to know Matt after, you know, the whole situation happened.”
The former CNN host said he’s seen Lauer receive positivity from fans firsthand during interactions while out in public.
Matt Lauer is “planning a comeback” years after he was fired from NBC amid sexual misconduct allegations. “He’s started talking to people,” a source tells Us Weekly exclusively of the morning show host. “He’s planning his next move, still very upset about how he was portrayed, and he still feels that he was […]
“When I see Matt out or, you know, even with us if we go out to dinner, my husband [Tim MaloneI] go out to dinner with him and his fiancee and people love him. Women love him. They say, ‘Man, oh my God, can I get a picture? i love you I miss you on TV.’ Right?” he recalled. “And then I think the public loves him. The public misses him, but it’s just… it’s people in the company who are afraid.”
He added: “Maybe there’s a way he’ll come back, but I think it’s more of the people inside the business who are concerned about, you know, what happened to Matt.”
Matt Lauer.
(Photo: Getty)Lemon said he believes that if it were up to the public rather than the networks and executives, Lauer would have a chance to return to the public eye.
“I think the public… I’ll put it this way. I think the general public would accept — just me — would accept Matt back. And I think people would see him, and I think , that the ratings would be amazing.”
It is not the first time that there have been proposals for a return to the industry. Whispers of Lauer’s return grew louder in April 2024 when a source said so Us Weekly exclusively that the anchor was “planning a comeback” years after he was fired from NBC amid sexual misconduct allegations.
Matt Lauer was the face of NBC before he left and nearly disappeared in disgrace. Once one of America’s most recognized and highly paid television journalists, he “believes the media can’t be trusted,” a source tells Us Weekly exclusively. “He was a guy who spent his whole life going after people professionally; his job was […]
“He’s started talking to people,” the insider shared with us at the time. “He’s planning his next act, still very upset about how he was portrayed and he still feels like he was the victim.”
Amid a number of other high-profile men involved in the #MeToo movement was the former Today host made headlines in November 2017 after a female colleague accused him of inappropriate behavior. He was ultimately fired the same month following the allegations. In 2019, journalist Ronan Farrow published details of the alleged assault in his book Catch and Kill. Lauer has denied all the charges against him.