Anderson Cooper Considered as Matt Lauer Replacement: Report >>Hollywood

How would you like to wake up to the bluest eyes on television?

With Matt Lauer receiving more criticism than ever this week for the firing of Ann Curry - a New York article states their personal feud led to Curry's ousting - Deadline reports that Anderson Cooper was recently approached to replace Lauer as lead anchor of Today.

HOWEVER, Cooper balked when he learned Lauer was never contacted about his meeting with the network.

Sources say the CNN reporter was asked about taking over for Lauer when the host's contract expires in 2014 and that Cooper presumed he had Lauer's blessing to consider the job.

But Lauer only heard about this after NBC discussed it with Cooper, which led to an awkward call between current host and potential future host... and which caused Cooper to take his name out of the running.

So, yes, NBC pretty much blew it again.

Along with Cooper, Ryan Seacrest, Willie Geist and David Gregory are considered the leading contenders for the top Today seat if/when Lauer leaves.

And where will Lauer go after his contentious time at NBC is over? Rumors connect him with Jeopardy! once Alex Trebek retires.

Would you want to see Anderson Cooper as host of Today?

 

Yes, Team Silver Fox!No, Team Lauer!