Matt Lauer's On Air Reporting For TODAY Show Is Going To Be Cut Back

By Jen Heger - RadarOnline.com Assistant Managing Editor

Embattled TODAY co-anchor Matt Lauer's on air reporting is going to be cut back as Alexandra Wallace, the executive in charge of the show's staff, recognizes that viewers are tuning out in droves because of him, RadarOnline.com is exclusively reporting.

"Matt's on air reporting and interviews for the TODAY show are going to be cut back because Alexandra recognizes that he is widely unpopular and many view him to be responsible for Ann Curry being fired from the co-host spot," a show insider told RadarOnline.com exclusively.

"This isn't personal, but Alexandra will be doing whatever is necessary to get the show back in first place, even if that means ruffling Lauer's feathers. Look for Willie Geist, one of the co-hosts of the third hour, to be featured more during the first two hours of the show because viewers absolutely love him. Willie comes across as genuine and warm, unlike Matt Lauer."

As previously reported, Lauer is already unhappy that Jim Bell was replaced Monday night as TODAY's executive producer, and he's not a fan of Wallace.

"Matt doesn't like the fact that Alexandra is a big advocate of Ann Curry's," a source previously told RadarOnline.com.

Curry hasn't been seen on TODAY in more than a month, although when she was unceremoniously bumped from her cohost seat last summer, it was said she'd be frequently seen, covering all the major news stories.

Meanwhile, Good Morning America continues to beat TODAY in the ratings.

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