When a new report surfaced this week in People that former “Today” host Matt Lauer was eyeing a media comeback, it had a familiar ring to it.
“He has talked to some people about it,” an alleged insider told the celeb-friendly mag.
It’s just the latest report of a Lauer revival floated by alleged friends and sources almost annually since he was infamously canned in 2017.
Page Six has written about whispers that the fallen newsman — who’s been holed up in the Hamptons ever since his ignominious exit — could try to make a move back into the spotlight in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2023, with declarations such as, “ ‘More humble’ Matt Lauer considering a media comeback attempt,” “Matt Lauer reportedly eyeing ‘big TV interview’ as next step in comeback” and “Matt Lauer tells fans he’ll be ‘back on TV.’ ”
One media source speculated Lauer’s own camp could be leaking info annually as the story always comes out at the same time — on the anniversary of his ouster.
Another source familiar with NBC tells us: “He has enough money for the rest of his life that he does not have to work,” and, “No one will hire him. This story comes out once a year — the anniversary of when he was sacked. He raped a woman . . . You can’t come back from that.”
Lauer, 67, was axed from NBC after several women accused him of sexual harassment, and rape. Lauer called the rape allegation “categorically false.”
He labeled the accusations against him as “untrue,” but issued an apology at the time that said, “There are no words to express my sorrow and regret for the pain I have caused others by words and actions.”
Even if Lauer did want to make a media comeback, it’s unclear who would take the chance. (Unless he went the indie route a la Megyn Kelly or Tucker Carlson.)
But while former CNN journalist Don Lemon predicted Lauer’s comeback, and claimed “the public misses him,” others say Lauer’s skill set is “classic morning TV” that would “never work in today’s market.”
A rep for Lauer did not get back to us.
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