Al Roker comment hits close to home for "Today" show

From left, Al Roker, Savannah Guthrie and Matt Lauer on NBC's "Today."

/ NBC

(CBS/AP) An on-air crack by Al Roker may tell you as much about the crack in the facade of happiness among members of the "Today'" show crew in the wake of Ann Curry's firing as co-host.

During Thursday's show, Roker, Matt Lauer and newcomer co-host Savannah Guthrie were chatting with members of the U.S. women's rowing team. During the interview, they mentioned the tradition of a winning team throwing their coxswain into the water.

Pictures: Ann Curry
Pictures: Savannah Guthrie

Lauer mentioned how the tradition in New York is to throw her into the Hudson River. Then Roker quipped, "Which is different than our tradition, which is you throw one of us under the bus, but that's another story.'' The co-hosts laughed, then playfully scolded Roker for his remark, saying "Mr. Roker."

Sources told TMZ that Curry didn't mind Roker's remarks on Thursday.

Two months ago "Today'' dumped Ann Curry amid reports that she and Lauer lacked on-air chemistry. She remains a correspondent for NBC.

Curry recently made her first appearance on "Today" since her departure as co-host. She was in London, introducing a segment for the London Games. During the live portion of the segment, Lauer made an effort at small talk, but Curry didn't engage him.

[Bill_Shakespeare]

Wow, saw on Yahoo News that Al Roker crapped his pants while visiting the White House for some soiree. I wonder if it was the chitlins, ribs or the chicken which did it.

[chwick]

Al are you hinting that you ain't happy with NBC ?
plenty of buses on the road to fame.....careful....
i think NBC is happy with you but don't push the suits in NYC.

[bbarnes5557]

Oh poor Ann, now she will have to live on only a million $ a year instead of 5 mil....Im sure most Americans can relate!!!!!!

[MissCissi]

I would LOVE to see Ann on CBS with coffee and Charlie Rose.

[jgnv]

I agree. After CBS This Morning essentially did the same thing to Erica Hill, I would love to see Ann fill her vacant seat. Quite frankly, I'm sick of the musical chairs game that all the major networks are playing in an effort to boost ratings.

[raccman1]

Good for Al Roker ! I enjoyed their show because of Curry. I tolerated Lauer. With Curry gone, poor Al is left in a lurch with the "ho-hum Yuckey Poo" Lauer - and I have switched channels !

[ctantiques]

Great comment Al. Matt is a ...what do the kids call it.....tool.

[jgnv]

Exactly. There is NO TV personality worth the big bucks they are paying Matt Lauer. Ann Curry is a class act!

[RobertTaylor2]

I didn't like that to much. As a viewer, it just makes me uncomfortable and I immediately want to change the channel (which I did do). Now I feel like - I hope this doesn't happen again...I don't want to watch that.... should I watch another morning show from now on? Everyone is perhaps bitter or sad about the Curry thing, but this is real life... people get fired. Lawyers, doctors, hedge fund managers, exec. and yes...minority tv women get fired too. You want equality, and then when it happens, you cry wolf? Not sure how that works. Not surprised Roker is taking sucker punches at Matt. He seems the type. But my point is still that it makes me the viewer uncomfortable and I don't think I am going to watch Today for a while.

[Rickticky]

Wow, by all means Robert, we would NOT want you to be uncomfortable. Perhaps you should lie down.

[ssporleder]

I think his comment was classic and glad he got it out there.