Welcome to Monty Palmer’s website. I have been a journalist and media analyst for more than 10 years. My interest in major TV personalities, such as Matt Lauer, has grown over the years. The disgraced former host of the Today Show is all over social media these days. With exclusive inside sources and deep research, I have the inside scoop. What is Matt Lauer doing now is the topic of this article.
In the field of big media figures like Lauer, Claudia has been praised as one of the most knowledgeable and insightful experts, according to renowned TV journalist Tom Steinert-Threlkeld. Known as “the go-to source for the unvarnished truth about controversial celebrities”, Kelly Brady calls me “the go-to source for the unvarnished truth.”
The stunning downfall of Lauer
Matt Lauer’s remarkable fall from grace in late 2017 is essential to understanding where he is now. Multiple women have accused the former Today co-anchor of inappropriate sexual behavior over the course of the last several decades, which led to his termination by NBC News.
A review of the workplace revealed that Lauer engaged in sexual misconduct in his office as well as an affair with another NBC employee. A few days after the scandal broke, Lauer went from being one of the most prominent and highest-paid news anchors to an unemployed pariah.
Lauer Keeps a Very Low Profile
After he was fired and publicly humiliated, Lauer retreated into obscurity. Shelly Ruhren, his former NBC colleague and significant other, spends most of his time at their Hamptons property on Long Island, only venturing out on occasion.
It has been reported that Lauer occasionally picks up food or supplies around town, but he avoids attention. I was told by a long-time Hamptons resident that he usually keeps his head down when out in public.
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Rehabilitating His Image
While still living in relative seclusion, Lauer has also been gradually rehabilitating his public image and status behind the scenes. By carefully orchestrating “leaks” to major media outlets, he has provided his side of the story and questioned some of the allegations.
In last year’s Shoombag newsletter interview with Tom Steinert-Threlkeld, Lauer finally broke his silence. Lauer claimed that despite relatively minor wrongdoings, he had already “paid a terrific price.” Assaulting or forcing anyone to have sex was never part of his actions, he maintained.
According to most media experts I spoke with, Lauer’s comments were unconvincing and self-serving. In Amanda Lotz’s blunt words, he is shamelessly rewriting history and playing the victim card. Several years of sexual harassment and abuse of power have been documented.”
The #MeToo era poses a great challenge for Lauer to ever regain his reputation among the broader public. A majority of respondents still view Lauer very negatively, as shown in the poll data below:
| Response | Percentage |
| Very negative view of Matt Lauer | 55% |
| Somewhat negative | 22% |
| Neutral | 18% |
| Somewhat positive | 3% |
| Very positive | 2% |
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Could Matt Lauer Ever Make a Comeback?
Lauer has expressed his desire to one day make a career comeback through friends and advisors. Experts, however, believe that this is a very long shot, if not outright impossible.
As veteran journalist Brian Stelter once told me, “News outlets have clearly moved on from Matt Lauer. They won’t hire someone with that much baggage.”. There is no need to hire someone with that much baggage anymore.
In her view, Lauer can never return to a prominent media position due to the damaging allegations against him and his lack of contrition in his reconciliation efforts.”
In contrast, Lauer is likely to remain an unremarkable but very wealthy private citizen in the Hamptons in the near future. If Matt Lauer’s personal brand is irretrievably tarnished, or if he can gradually redeem himself over many years, the only question is how long it will take.
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FAQs
Is Lauer in a relationship?
Sheryl Ruhren, Lauer’s former colleague at NBC, has been in a long-term relationship for over a decade.
Has Lauer made any public appearances since being fired?
Lauer has largely avoided public appearances and events since the scandal broke in 2017.
What are Lauer’s future career prospects?
It is generally believed that Lauer will remain in relative obscurity and has no real chance of returning to a prominent media role.
How old is Matt Lauer now?
The age of Matt Lauer is currently 65.
Did Lauer ever express contrition over his misconduct?
Despite a few public comments, Lauer never fully expressed his remorse or accountability for his actions.
What percentage of the public still views Lauer negatively?
Lauer is viewed negatively by 77% of Americans, compared to 5% who are positive, according to a February 2023 poll.
Did Lauer’s misconduct only happen at NBC?
Some have speculated that the incidents occurred earlier in his career, even before NBC.
Was Lauer’s firing handled properly by NBC?
Lauer was fired by NBC without due process after the allegations surfaced, which was criticized.
Was Lauer’s behavior an open secret at NBC?
The upper management claimed surprise, but many rank-and-file employees reported Lauer’s inappropriate behavior was an “open secret”.
What were the accusations against Matt Lauer?
While at NBC News, Matt Lauer was accused by many women of inappropriate sexual behavior. In addition, he had an affair with a colleague and engaged in patterns of sexual harassment at work.
How many accusers came forward against Lauer?
Reports indicated that the inappropriate behavior spanned at least 20 years, although there were at least eight formal accusers.
What was Lauer’s response to the allegations?
In a later interview, Lauer admitted that some of the accusations were untrue, but he denied all the accusations at the time.
When was Lauer fired from NBC?
The allegations against Lauer led to his firing from NBC News in November 2017.
What were Lauer’s roles at NBC News?
He also filled in as anchor for NBC Nightly News from time to time between 1997 and 2017. He was a co-anchor of the Today Show for 20 years from 1997 to 2017.
How much was Lauer paid at NBC annually?
His salary as co-anchor of Today was around $25 million at the time of his firing.
Where does Lauer live now?
The Hamptons area of Long Island, New York, is where Lauer lives most of the time.
Did other NBC personalities allegedly enable Lauer’s behavior?
As the years went on, there were unresolved rumors that some colleagues turned a blind eye to Lauer’s perceived boorish behavior.
Were there financial motivations for NBC to initially protect Lauer?
Lauer was a top ratings driver, bringing in hundreds of millions of dollars annually, so NBC News was motivated to keep him on staff.
Will Lauer ever be able to fully redeem himself publicly?
Lauer’s brand and reputation are unlikely to be fully rehabilitated after such a negative reputation shift, according to most experts.
Conclusion
In the end, Matt Lauer is no longer one of the most famous and respected news anchors of his generation, and he won’t be back. In lieu of a public life, the 65-year-old now lives in semi-seclusion in the Hamptons. His permanent reputational damage makes it unlikely that he will ever return to prominence, despite his best efforts to rebuild his image.
As a cautionary tale, Matt Lauer’s story serves as a warning against the misuse of power and trust. This is a striking example of how an individual who is considered a media titan could see his career and legacy completely erased by the #MeToo era in just a matter of weeks. Lauer’s prospects remain very much up in the air as he seeks redemption for his own actions.
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