Friday: Savannah Guthrie To Replace Ann Curry On 'Today'

Ann Curry's butt imprint has barely faded from her "Today" co-host's chair beside Matt Lauer, but her successor is about to start making herself comfortable.

Following Curry's tearful exit from "Today" Thursday morning that capped almost a week of rumors she wasn't long for continuing to co-host, TMZ reports that Savannah Guthrie is set to step in starting with Friday morning's broadcast. What's more, it's rumored that Guthrie may be announced during the show as Curry's permanent replacement.

TMZ also alleges that, despite Curry's denials to the contrary, she was cast out because Lauer told NBC executives and producers that he didn't enjoy working with her. Curry has repeatedly denied all week that there were issues with Lauer or that she was removed because ABC's "Good Morning America" notched its first morning-show ratings win in 16 years this past spring. Curry took over the spot about a year ago following the exit of predecessor Meredith Vieira.

"I know I am not to blame for the ratings worries," she said to The Wrap recently. "And my bosses have said to me there are many factors involved. There is no doubt that the rating wars have become meaner and less focused on our responsibilities as journalists.

"You know, Matt and I have had great on-air chemistry for 14 years, been part of the Number-One winning team for a history-making number of years," Curry added. "That said, I just finished my freshman year as co-host. In every single co-host's first year, there have been kinks to be worked out, and perhaps I deserve as much blame for that as anyone."

Curry has a fresh multi-year NBC deal that puts her at the head of a seven-person team designated to the world's biggest news stories. It also includes lines on special pieces to be produced for the likes of "NBC Nightly News," "Dateline," "Rock Center" and even "Today," as well as the odd fill-in anchor duties.

A former White House correspondent and co-host of MSNBC's "The Daily Rundown," Guthrie joined "Today" in 2011 and co-hosted the show's third hour alongside Natalie Morales and Al Roker. She also serves as chief legal editor.

As reported by TMZ, Curry kept quietly to herself in the studio following her announcement of her departure. She'd reportedly requested that NBC pay out her co-hosting contract's remaining $20-million balance, but NBC reportedly balked and offered her half that amount.