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Threat Eliminated

man in bushes 2SOLVED!

UPDATED!

[Blind Gossip] While some of this TV Guy’s colleagues are voicing their sadness about his being forced out of his job, this one is definitely happy about him leaving!

You might think that it must be a woman who didn’t like TV Guy’s misogynistic remarks.

No.

It is actually a man who was convinced that TV Guy was watching him, waiting in the wings, ready to take his on-air job.

TV Guy was a threat that he wanted eliminated, one way or another.

Well, TV Guy has now been trimmed from the show.

And our man is happy today because of it!

Similar: Shocking Affair On A Television Show

TV Guy:

Man:

Clues:

[Optional] Is there someone at your job you would be happy to see fired?

SOLVED!

matt-lauer-billy-bush

TV Guy: Billy Bush

Man: Matt Lauer

Clues: Man in the bush, trimmed, today

See that man in the bush? That’s Billy Bush.

Billy Bush just got trimmed from the Today show for his part in the Donald Trump hot mic scandal.

Know who’s NOT sad that Billy Bush is leaving?

Matt Lauer, who got to make the public announcement on the show that Bush had been given the old heave ho left.

Matt Lauer managed to keep a straight face throughout.

The man’s a pro, I tell you!

While Billy Bush had just joined Today a couple of short months ago, his fat paycheck ($3.5 million/year), vibrant personality, full head of hair, and youthful good looks made him a top competitor to replace an aging and overpaid ($25 million/year) Matt Lauer.

That’s a threat, people!

While Matt Lauer can’t be blamed (as far as we know) for the leak of the Donald Trump tape, he certainly wasn’t unhappy to see Bush go.

Frankly, Matt Lauer is so powerful at Today that if he wants you gone, you’d better just start packing. The man is ruthless.

Right, Ann Curry? Right Jamie Horowitz? Right Josh Elliott? Right Natalie Morales?

Yes, they are all gone, thank to Matt Lauer.

Hey, Willie Geist: Watch your back!

From USA Today:

Billy Bush is out at ‘Today’

Billy Bush has been cut from NBC’s Today show for his role in Donald Trump’s lewd talk about women in a 2005 hot-mic tape. Settlement details were not immediately disclosed.

The end came Monday afternoon after the network spent over a week negotiating the terms of departure with Bush and his crisis lawyer, which followed internal discussion about whether to punish him and how.

A note went out to NBC staff from executive producer Noah Oppenheim on Monday, announcing that “Billy Bush will be leaving the TODAY show’s 9am hour, effective today. While he was a new member of the TODAY team, he was a valued colleague and longtime member of the broader NBC family.  We wish him success as he goes forward.”

billy-bush-3Thus ends Bush’s abbreviated time at Today, NBC’s beleaguered morning show, where Bush was promoted to co-host the third hour only this summer, after 12 years as an anchor on NBC’s entertainment-news show, Access Hollywood.Bush’s fate hinged on what he knew about Trump’s toxic tape, when he knew it and whether and when he told his new bosses at NBC News about it as soon as Trump declared he was running for the GOP nomination for president.

Bush, 45, could not have been indifferent to the ground-changing impact of the tape in presidential politics: He’s the nephew of former President George H.W. Bush and cousin to former President George W. Bush and his brother, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who was trashed and then trounced by Trump in the GOP primary.

For 11 years, the recording remained unseen and unheard in an Access vault, until someone at the show unearthed it and Access and NBC News began preparing a report on it. When that report didn’t air immediately, someone leaked the tape to The Washington Post on Oct. 7.

It caused instant turmoil in Trump’s already struggling campaign: He at first dismissed it as mere “locker-room talk,” then apologized, then returned to discounting it as insignificant and irrelevant “words.”

Meanwhile, the tape turned out to be catastrophic for Bush, previously known for his genial demeanor, goofy antics and often superficial interviews with multiple A-list stars over the years on Access.

He issued a contrite statement hours after the tape leaked, saying he was ashamed and embarrassed, blaming his youth and immaturity at the time (he was 33, married and the father of daughters).

Journalists mocked Bush for his lack of news judgment: Why didn’t he say something about the tape? Did he just forget about it?

(In fact, Bush was heard bragging about the existence of the tape while he was in Rio covering the Olympics for his debut Today assignment.)

As derision and outrage against Bush flooded social media, he and NBC began negotiating his exit.

Today’s last high-profile ouster came in 2012, when the network paid Ann Curry $10 million to vacate her host chair in 2012 after a year in the top job. She then shifted to a new role as anchor-at-large and international correspondent before leaving NBC in 2015. But the move, calculated to regain Today’s lead over ABC’s Good Morning America, not only failed to achieve that but gave the show and hosts Matt Lauer and Savannah Guthrie a PR black eye.

Billy Bush is reported to have walked away with anywhere from $5-10 million. Not bad for three months work.

It will be interesting to see if any of the other NBC properties pick him up, or if the contract termination also signals an end to his working for any Comcast/GE/NBCUniversal/whatever property.

Lots of you got this one right.

Huntyplz was first and Virgo826 did a good job with the clues!

UPDATE!

As we told you earlier, Today’s dismissal of Billy Bush made Matt Lauer really happy!

Billy Bush (former salary $3.5 million) was being groomed by NBC to replace the overpaid Matt Lauer (salary $25 million) as the top host on Today.

The changeover looked inevitable until Billy Bush bragged about his vulgar interview with Donald Trump eleven years ago. NBC fired Billy Bush for his inappropriate conduct both during and after the interview.

With Billy Bush out of the picture, there was no replacement in the bullpen, and NBC was forced to pony up $20 million per year for the next two years just to keep Lauer.

Yes, $20 million a year represents a bit of a haircut from $25 million, but we somehow think that Matt Lauer will find a way to survive on it.

From The National Enquirer:

Matt Lauer Cashes In On Billy Bush’s Blues

Donald Trump has saved another American job — with Matt Lauer signing a $40 million contract after his “Today Show” replacement was sent packing! The National ENQUIRER had the bombshell scoop on how NBC executives had given up on Matt after the newsman flubbed his gig moderating a presidential forum. But that was before Billy Bush trashed his own career over the 2016 election!

billy-bush-matt-lauerA top source told The ENQUIRER in September that Matt “could be gone by the end of 2016” after the newsman was panned by both Republicans and Democrats after sitting down with Hillary Clinton and Trump. “To be so ill-prepared for a major news event is being viewed as inexcusable, and his head could roll,” added the insider — with Billy Bush all set to take over hosting duties!

But that was before shocking audio was leaked of Billy talking about women with Trump. NBC executives were both furious over Billy getting caught in a sex scandal — and reports that he’d actually given away the bombshell exclusive of the secret tapes!

Sources claimed that Billy had bragged about the footage of “Trump being a real dog” to his old co-workers at “Access Hollywood,” allowing the syndicated show to get the scoop!

Billy was promptly booted from ‘Today” in a move that insiders say saved Matt’s career. When Billy first joined the morning show’s 9 a.m. slot, sources told The ENQUIRER that it was “a case of when — not if — Matt’s divorce from the show is finally going to happen!”

But now the network has held on to the longtime “Today” host, with Matt reportedly making $20 million a year through 2018!

Bragging about the Donald Trump interview from many years ago cost Billy Bush more than his $3.5 million/year job.

It cost him the lead host job at Today, which would have likely paid him around $7 million/year to start.

Ouch!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Idontknowanything1 says

    Matt Lauer as the happy I want all the spotlight on me coworker and Billy Bush who likes to steal the spotlight but everyone got tired of his fakeness interviews and I think
    I am better than everyone else attitude ………

  2. KCeagle says

    Billy Bush got trimmed.

    Everyone else is guessing Matt Lauer, but I think Matt is too secure in his position at NBC for an upstart like Billy to swoop in and unseat him from his anchor’s chair.

    So I’m going with Willie Geist as the relieved guy that Billy Bush go bye-bye. Look for Billy to be on next season of Dancing With the Stars. And to land over at FOX NEWS…just guessing here.

  8. badmoodchick says

    Tv guy: Billy Bob Bush
    Man: Matt “petty” Lauer
    Clues: The “Today” show clue in the last sentence

  9. LAJuice says

    Billy Bush

    Matt Lauer

    clues: bushy photo, reference to misogyny

    GOD- both suck. NBC needs a complete overhaul

  11. Monysmom says

    Matt Lauer
    Billy Bush
    clues – bushes in the picture, “happy TODAY”
    Optional – yeah, I guess so!

  14. susied says

    Billy Bush for the TV guy.
    Matt Lauer for the Man.

    Clues: Isn’t Matt Lauer at war with his neighbor in the Hamptons over some bushes he planted along his property line that are blocking the neighbors view ?

  18. aweeks062 says

    TV GUY: Billy Bush
    Man: Matt Laura
    Clues: Trimmed like a BUSH, Mysogynistic remarks…obviously the Leaked Trump Audia

  20. keela26 says

    Billy Bush & Matt Lauer

    Optional: Absolutely. There are several slackers who need their walking papers.

  24. CyndiTx123 says

    Billy Bush & Matt Lauer from Today…. of course he is happy today… He is watched by millions anyway 5 days a week. 🙂

  26. Martini says

    Matt Lauer being happy Billy Bush is possibly getting the ax.

    Clues: the pic is of a man who’s hiding in a “Bush” and the last line of the blind reads “and our man is happy TODAY because of it.” (Show is the Today show)..

  32. Veralynn says

    TV Guy – Matt Lauer

    Man – Billy Bush

    Clues – Saying nothing about Billy being great for the job, and should not be dismissed from the Today Show. Others have come to Billy’s defense, but Matt felt threatened by anyone waiting in the wings.

    Matt has got to go! He is a pretentious jerk.

  34. lissabeans says

    TV Guy: Billy Bush

    Man: Matt Lauer

    Clues: “trimmed” (trimming a bush), happy “today” (Today Show), and general knowledge of current events

  38. Keeping Honest says

    I hope billy rights a tell all then I hope he sues. Fine trump is running for president. Billy isn’t. He said some stupid five years ago. Did he talk about raping? No! Killing? No! As far as Clinton and trump. Do remember it was trump that sent a plane to retrieve over 200 marines. It was Clinton that got men raped .. beat … and killed. Clinton’s husband wasn’t talking locker room crap. HE WAS LIVING. Jayz talks worse in his songs. AND he claims he’s powerful and rich. You guys are…

    • Keeping Honest says

      Writes* it was 11yrs ago…not five*
      I was playing with my dog while writing. Sorry for mistakes.

  40. wmariah says

    TV Guy: Billy Bush

    Man: Matt Lauer

    Clues: our man is happy “today” Today Show

    Current job: No…everyone is nice…. don’t want anyone fired.

  41. TeacherKat says

    Matt L.
    Billy B.

    Clues: trimmed, happy today, voiced

    Optional: Yes. All of the incompetent teachers that don’t actually teach, while youngsters that love teaching and are naturals at it can’t manage to break in. It’s very frustrating to watch.

  43. Captain Tragedy says

    TV Guy is obviously Billy Bush.

    I’m assuming the man is Matt Lauer, because he’s top dog at the Today Show.

    clues: “Trimmed” referring to a Bush, I suppose. Also the header image.

    I feel like “watching him, waiting in the wings,” and “a threat that he wanted eliminated, one way or another” are also clues, but I don’t know how.

  44. blinkandyoumight says

    MATT LAUER
    BILLY BUSH

    any vocal misogynist deserves to be fired.
    it creates a hostile work environment for both genders.

  45. Dree2003 says

    TV Guy: Billy Bush

    Man: Carson Daly

    Clues: Bush in the picture. “voicing their opinions” – Carson is a host on The Voice.

  46. brjjrb says

    Carson Daly landing Billy Bush’s spot on today.

    Clues: Bush, ‘voicing’ Daly hosted The Voice. trimmed and Happy Today.

  47. CelebrityGirl says

    TV Guy: Billy Bush

    Man: Carson Daly

    Clues: “voicing their sadness” – Carson Daly on The Voice

  48. stillmb says

    Billy Bush & I can’t stand him. Or anyone at the Today Show. I want news, not kissing ass to every celebrity selling something.
    Matt Laur probably felt threatened, but he’s no different than an older BB.

    I knew this was about BB just from the pic. Didn’t have to read a word!

  50. shayjay says

    TV Guy: Billy Bush

    Man: Matt Lauer

    Clues: TV Guy has now been trimmed (trim a bush), our man is happy today because of it (Matt is on the Today show). Matt Lauer is an insecure, overrated, egomanical pshcyopath. just my opinion….

  56. Realistic says

    Billy Bush
    Matt Lauer
    Trimmed (like how you trim bushes, “Bush”), today (name of their morning show)

  57. happiedazie says

    TV Guy: Matt Lauer

    Man: Billy Bush

    Clues: The picture of the man in a bush=Billy Bush, waiting in the wings=NBC’s mascot is a peacock, happy today=The Today Show

  60. Tequila Mama says

    TV Guy: Billy Bush

    Man: Matt L

    Clues:

    [Optional] Is there someone at your job you would be happy to see fired? YES, There are several people!!

  63. MsGossip says

    TV Guy: Billy Bush

    Man: Matt Lauer

    Clues: The one big one I picked up on was “our man is happy today. . .” because of the The Today Show reference.

  64. cheezhead says

    Billy Bush
    Carson Daly
    Clues: voicing, he’s the announcer for the voice. Waiting in the wings, he’s always in the wings with the performer or their family.
    I always thought somebody at NBC leaked this video ( Matt or al ). Why not kill two birds with one stone. Get rid of your rival and destroy trump presidential run.

  67. PinkCrayon says

    Billy Bush
    Matt Lauer

    Clues: The photo is a guy peeping out of a bush. Ha! “trimmed from the show” – again bush. As in trimming a bush. “our man is happy today because of it!”- Billy was on the The Today Show with Matt.

  73. gailpow says

    Happy TODAY? Gotta be Matt Lauer who is jubilant that Billy Bush has been TRIMMED from the Today Show.

  81. ashanean says

    TV Guy: Billy Bush
    Man: of course Matt Lauer, he is threatened by any younger attractive guy. At least Willie got a new show.
    Clues Mat does not like most of the men that the Today show hires.
    When I heard bills was goi g to the Today showIwas like why would he leave a good job at Access to go where Amat lure rules? Oh and look at how Matt took his scoop at Rio. Now I know why Billy stood up for Lochte. Too dumb dumbs of the same cloth. And I used to like Billy.

    • ashanean says

      I didn’t even notice the guy in bush. I just knew who this at once. Matt is threatned by anyone. Willie had about two shows anyway. Carson has two other shows. Billy just a jerk and hungry. I meant to say in my earlier post is that Billy did a Strahan, went from hosting s show where he was a top dog and people liked him to the TODAY show where Matt Lauer rules. Didn’t he know that? Matt has gotten rid of everyone who is a threat to him or is annoying to him. Also he got rid of Natalie.

  82. Jen813 says

    Tv guy: Billy Bush
    Man: Carson Daly
    Clues: man in a BUSH and VOICING their sadness and is happy TODAY

    • SammynSophie says

      Yes! This. Matt’s not worried about that twit. If anyone was, it was Carson. They both fill an entertainment roll, as opposed to journalistic, and with Carson so often absent to film The Voice, I imagine having a full-time stand-in waiting in the wings might have been a little unsettling.

  83. blossipguesser says

    This is Matt Lauer, serial philanderer. What a hypocrite.

    Can’t say Billy Bush is deserving of his job, so sorry to feel sorry for anyone except for the targets of Billy’s/Donalds’s remarks.

  86. TexasHeat says

    TV Guy: Billy Bush

    Man: Matt Lauer

    Clue: The photo shows a man in a bush. Billy goats head butt things and people. “Trim” as in bush.

    Optional: Not really as we all need each other, now at my last company…..

  88. ghostrider44 says

    Obviously Billy Bush and backstabber, hypocrite and serial cheater Matt Lauer.

    Ace lol at that photo of the guy with a bush on his head!! Just love this site.

    • boyzmom says

      You got it! I’m so surprised that no one else saw the “voicing” clue. They all think it’s Matt Lauer

  91. jenndt says

    TV guy: billy bush
    Man: Matt Lauer

    The whole vile Trump video and his female colleagues sticking up for him.

  93. lepidoteran says

    Ugh, that * Matt Laurr was worried about dumb, snazzy, and creepy Billy Bush taking his job.

  95. carnivoro says

    Matt Lauer
    Billy Bush
    Misogynistic comments, obviously the Trump scandal
    Optional : yes , just one person who doesn’t pull their weight. All jobs have at least one

  96. waysouthofheaven says

    TV Guy: Billy Bush

    Man: Matt Lauer (??)

    clues: Trimmed from the show, picture of guy in Bushes

  97. Valfunde says

    TV Guy: Billy Bush

    Man: Matt Lauer (Although, I don’t think Al Roker will shed a tear when he’s gone!)

    Clues- The man is in an actual bush! Plus the reference to him being trimmed away, like again, a bush. Ha! Good one, Ace!

  99. Tralee says

    TV Guy – Billy Bush
    Man – Matt Lauer
    Clues – Bush in photo, ‘trimmed’, use of the word ‘today’

  102. ricwash says

    TV Guy: Billy Bush

    Man: Matt Lauer

    Clues: “trimmed” ( I see what you did there!)

    [Optional] Is there someone at your job you would be happy to see fired? Too many to say without getting myself in trouble!