The soap opera drama on Today involving Ann Curry (seen with Arthur Chi’en, WPIX-TV. Photo by Lia Chang) and Matt Lauer is about to be played out on TV.
TV Line reports that Lifetime is developing a made for TV movie based on the book Top of the Morning: Inside the Cutthroat World of Morning TV by Brian Stelter.
It’s still early in development and no casting decisions have been made, but the project will be executive produced by Liz Gateley and Tony DiSantos.
The backstabbing and old boys network that many said took place on Today could make for some interesting television.
A former Today staffer told me a colleague who had applied for a position working with Ann Curry was told point blank, the move would not be good for his career.
Curry was openly mocked by staffers and the jokes said behind her back were seemingly encouraged by the executive producer at the time, Jim Bell, according to Stelter’s book.
No word on when the movie will air, but the timing will be interesting.
Both Lauer and Curry are rumored to be leaving the show this year, with Lauer’s contract expiring and Curry having an out.
Hopefully the part of Curry will go to an Asian American actress. One on line publication is already suggesting Rashida Jones for the part. I like Rashida, but not for the part of Curry.
Olivia Munn from HBO’s the Newsroom might be a possibility. Like Curry, Munn is HAPA. Who would you like to see play Curry?