Overcompensating Much? Resilient Matt Lauer Glowingly Praises Co-Workers As New NBC Contract Is Announced

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Matt Lauer can’t be kept down.

The buoyant TODAY show host, whose image took a beating when details of his political plays in Ann Curry’s dismissal leaked publicly, has re-upped with NBC on a new, multi-year contract to remain as host of the Peacock Network’s morning staple.

"I consider this the best job in broadcasting," Lauer said, spilling out praise for his colleagues, in spite of a stream of reports the past few years detailing the behind-the-scenes turmoil swirling around the calculating, well-compensated journalist.

"I love people I work with every day, and I have such respect and gratitude for the people I work for,” he said. “I couldn't be happier to be staying."

As we previously reported, in the wake of the beating his image took following the Curry fiasco, Lauer had been doing his best to reach out to colleagues and keep morale high on the set of the morning news juggernaut.

Deborah Turness, NBC News President, told the New York Times that the network “couldn't be more thrilled with Matt's decision” to remain the face of their mornings.

"As I've said many times before, he's the best in the business, and there is nobody I would rather have in the Today anchor chair than Matt,” she said.

Despite the lovefest, Lauer & co. have yet to regain the longtime lead they lost to Good Morning America in 2012, though continue to command decent ratings.