According to a new report, NBC is treating Matt Lauer like Matt Lauer allegedly treated many former NBC staffers.
That is, the network is showing the disgraced ex-anchor no respect.
The New York Post writes that executives are doing all they possibly can to pretend as though Lauer never worked for their company.
This seems like quite a challenge, considering Lauer was co-host of Today since 1997 and considering his firing last week is maybe the biggest entertainment story of the year.
But props to the network for giving it a shot!
“NBC News is bulldozing and erasing all memory of Matt Lauer,” Page Six reports, claiming the department is “demolishing his office, ripping off his name plate from the building and destroying all pictures of the shamed anchor.”
What about the button underneath Lauer’s desk that automatically locked his office door?
The one he allegedly used when a former employee was inside, after which he bent her over a chair and reportedly assaulted her?
Sources say it is also getting destroyed.
Indeed, this was the most disturbing aspect of the Lauer story that broke several days ago.
Prior to details of the alleged rape even being made public, NBC fired Lauer as co-anchor of Today due to a troubling report by a different former staff member.
Saying the complaint represented “a clear violation of company standards,” NBC News Chairman Andrew Lack explained that he had no choice but to “terminate” Lauer’s employment immediately.
He also said he had reasons to believe there were incidents aside from the one that got Lauer fired.
And, in the days since, those alleged other incidents have been brought to life; with reports claiming Lauer dropped his pants in front of at least one woman and demanded a sex act.
“They are so sickened by his behavior it is almost like they want to pretend he never existed,” Page Six also writes of NBC higher-ups.
Lauer, however, is trying to remind his former colleagues that he’s still around.
And he’s very ashamed.
The embattled journalist is supposedly “offering groveling apologies to…former colleagues by sending personal emails saying, ‘I am truly sorry,” claims an insider, who adds:
“Many of the Today staffers are so shocked and outraged by Lauer’s behavior they have been unable to find the words to write back.”
Or perhaps they simply want nothing to do with this predatory goon.
Al Roker has said that trying to understand the allegations against Lauer is a “process,” while Savannah Guthrie admitted on air that she’s “heartbroken” over the turn of events.
Lauer, meanwhile, has expressed regret and sorrow for his actions in a statement.
“Repairing the damage will take a lot of time and soul searching and I’m committed to beginning that effort,” he said last week, concluding:
“It is now my full time job. The last two days have forced me to take a very hard look at my own troubling flaws.
“It’s been humbling. I am blessed to be surrounded by the people I love. I thank them for their patience and grace.”
Whatever.
He sucks.