Anthony Behar

Katie Couric on Matt Lauer: 'We have no relationship'

Katie Couric returned to Today, where she served as a co-host for 15 years before her 2006 departure, to discuss her forthcoming memoir Going There on Tuesday.

Of course, the 64-year-old journalist was asked about her former Today co-host of nine years, Matt Lauer, who was fired in November 2017 after NBC producer Brooke Nevils alleged he raped her during the 2014 Sochi Olympics and several other sexual harassment allegations followed shortly thereafter. 

"That was really, really hard, and it took me a long time to process what was going on because the side of Matt I knew was the side of Matt, I think, you all knew," Couric said. "He was kind and generous and considerate, a good colleague. And as I got more information and learned what was going on behind the scenes, it was really upsetting and disturbing. And then I did some of my own reporting."

"It was really devastating but also disgusting," she continued. "I think what I realized is there was a side of Matt I never really knew, and I tried to understand why he behaved the way he did and why he was so reckless and callous, and honestly, abusive to other women."

Savannah Guthrie pointed out that Couric included in Going There text messages between her and Lauer in the aftermath of the scandal and asked Couric where their relationship stands at present. 

"We have no relationship," Couric responded. "I think I used those text messages because I thought they were very illustrative of how our relationship devolved and ultimately deteriorated."

Couric additionally opened up about Lauer's "grossly inappropriate" behavior as the cover star of People last week. She previously addressed it in January 2018 and November 2019.

Going There arrives Oct. 26.

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