Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb Express Their 'Hopes' for Matt Lauer (Exclusive)
Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb hope Matt Lauer is prioritizing his family.
ET's Nischelle Turner spoke with the Today show co-anchors at the Time 100 Gala on Tuesday in New York City, where they talked about what their former co-worker has been up to since his abrupt firing last November due to "sexually inappropriate behavior in the workplace." Though Lauer has been living a very private life in the Hamptons, Guthrie and Kotb have kept in touch.
"My hopes for Matt are what they always are, which is that he just feels good, is connected to his family," Guthrie told ET. "He knows what's important and he's focused on it, and, you know, he's our friend and he always will be. And that's where we are."
Kotb added that Lauer is taking the time to recuperate when it comes to his personal life.
"Yeah, he has some healing that he's working on, and I think that's just part of his process," she explained. "I mean, what you want in your life is your family to love you, and I think that would be the hope for him."
Guthrie, 46, and Kotb, 53, who both made Time 100's Most Influential People list this year, say they're closer than ever since Lauer's scandal.
"Well, we thought we were bonded before because we've worked together for a lot of years, but there's nothing like the last six months and just getting to be together every day, and just getting closer in every way," Guthrie says about their friendship. "I mean, we already thought we were close, but there's just something about doing this show together, and I just think there's just so much love and respect, and also we just laugh all the time. It's actually ridiculous."
"Yeah, it's funny, the show is actually the extra part, like, I feel like we're in the makeup room, we're talking nonstop and they're like, 'Go downstairs now,'" Kotb adds. "It really is a time we're sharing."
On Tuesday, a source told ET that Lauer is in "bad shape" as divorce proceedings from his wife, Annette Roque, continue.
"Matt cut himself off from the life he knew in Manhattan and has remained for the most part isolated," the source said. "He looks exhausted. Matt is finally coming to terms with the reality that his marriage is over and he is in bad shape. He feels he lost everything important in his life overnight. He is embarrassed and ashamed."
Here's more on Lauer's life following his Today show ousting:
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