BLIND GOSSIP

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Younger And Fresher

SOLVED!

[Blind Gossip] When a television personality leaves their long-time job, it must be because they want to retire. Or because they have grown bored with their job. Or because they’ve been made a better offer elsewhere. Or because their ratings are poor. Right?

None of the above.

If it was up to her, she would do this job forever! She is being forced out. No one will say it in public, but it is because of her age. Her audience keeps aging with her. They want a younger, fresher demographic and that means a younger, fresher host.

How much younger? We hear at least twenty years.

Similar: Firing Target

TV Personality:

[Optional] Is it fair?

SOLVED!

TV Personality: Kathie Lee Gifford

Kathie Lee Gifford, 65, is leaving her job as the cohost of the fourth hour of Today. She claims that the move is voluntary, citing an interest in pursuing “other projects.”

Gifford has cohosted the show with Hoda Kotb, 54, for the past ten years.

Gifford previously cohosted Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee from 1988 to 2000.

As Blind Gossip told you in December 2018, the plan was to replace Gifford with someone who is at least twenty years younger so that the show could attract a younger demographic.

It was just announced today that Jenna Bush Hager, 37, will be replacing Gifford. From FOX News:

Jenna Bush Hager named permanent replacement for Kathie Lee Gifford on NBC’s ‘Today’

Jenna Bush Hager will replace Kathie Lee Gifford alongside Hoda Kotb during the 10 a.m. ET hour of NBC’s “Today.”

Gifford and Kotb made the big announcement on Tuesday’s show, when Bush Hager was formally introduced and quickly given a glass of wine — which has become a signature of the show’s fourth hour.

Bush Hager, the daughter of former President George W. Bush, joined “Today” in 2009 and has worked her way up the ranks.

“It feels humbling and I can’t believe it,” Bush Hager said. “My dad just wrote me three words, which made me weep. He said, ‘Very proud dad.’”

Bush Hager has filled in during the fourth hour of “Today” on a regular basis and now her seat will become permanent after Gifford’s last day, which is scheduled for April 5.

Last year, Gifford announced that she would exit the show after 11 years. She joined the NBC cash cow in 2008, hosting a newly minted fourth hour with Kotb. Gifford – the former longtime co-host of “Live with Regis & Kathie Lee” – quickly became a “Today” fan favorite when she returned to television.

NBC News chief Noah Oppenheim told staffers in an email that Bush Hager’s “compassion and curiosity come through in all of her stories, along with her Texas-sized sense of humor.”

None of the formal announcements have mentioned the age of the hosts. That is a purposeful move by NBC.

Congratulations to NewHampshirite for being first with the correct answer!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  4. spoofbyrd says

    Kathie Lee Gifford has come a long way since her training days and if the ratings are still up there this is a bad move for NBC ! She is now a seasoned Pro and she has nowhere near peaked. Of course we know how NBC brass is and for a stuffed shirt Network with kind of stuffed shirt packaging,, they sure know how to act like Burlesque Drama Queen. Remember that Jay Leno /Conan O’Brien debacle ?

  5. bec215d says

    Fair? It’s just the nature of business. Morning shows have seen consistently declining ratings of -3% (2014-2015), -5% (2015-2016), and -6% (2016-2017). In real numbers, in just 2 years the 3 top morning shows lost 1.8m viewers. (stats: AdWeek) With that lens, consider Today show ratings have declined 10% YoY among 25-54 yr old viewers. The real problem is much bigger: 25-34 yr old viewers spend 1/2 the hours watching network TV of those age 50-65. (NYTimes), for all programming.

  10. Justmy2cents says

    Kathie Lee Gifford
    No, it is not fair, it is business.
    Things are not fair in the workplace, and it is never really a level playing field.

  12. Dana5570 says

    TV Personality: Kathi Lee Gifford
    Optional: She annoys me so I’m ambivalent at her being ousted. However networks are stupid. It’s older people who watch the Today show. Younger people probably have no idea it’s even on or watch it, even with younger personalities. Just like with advertisers trying to get the 18-30 year olds on board with their products. It’s the older among us who have the money to buy the products!

    • bec215d says

      Agree, she annoys me too. And you’re right – people under 34 watch 1/2 as much TV per week as those 50-65… the networks have a bigger issue long-term.

  13. SleuthingForFun says

    TV Personality: Kathy Lee Gifford

    [Optional] Is it fair? No, if the ratings are good and she’s getting along and not causing problems then that sucks. I had a friend who at age 50 she and 4 others also the same age group were all let go at the same time. They received severance pay but consulted an attorney to file an age discrimination lawsuit but would have to return the severance pay so they chose to keep the $ and walk away.

  19. Marvella says

    Kathie Lee Gifford of course. It’s not only that she’s 65, it’s that she’s perceived as, if not a Trump supporter, at least not as vitriolic of a Trump hater to work in MSM “news” shows, even as a fluff host.

  23. ILUVCA4evr says

    TV Personality: Kathie Lee Gifford (who I personally think is the greatest)

    [Optional] Is it fair? Nope, but she’ll get the last laugh when whoever takes her place BOMBS and the network crawls back to her. Then Kathie will be able to name her price!

  28. TeacherKat says

    Kayhy Lee Gifford

    Optional: no. In LA a few years back the local Fox news affiliate dropped all of the women for younger women anchors, while keeping the much older men on board. I stopped watching that day and I haven’t watched it since. Unless a person is unable to fulfill their job description, getting older is not something to be looked down upon.

  30. Tallie says

    Kathy Lee Gifford being forced out.

    No it isn’t fair. Personally, the only hour I watch any NBC program is the 3rd hour of the Today show. The replacement of KLG will be more of the same strident nonsense that fills the Today show.

  33. EastlakeGirl says

    Kathie Lee Gifford

    I’m not necessarily a Kathie Lee fan, but she seems to have a solid following in her role. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Look what happened with Megan Kelly.

  34. BornToRun says

    Kathie Lee G, leaving her show
    No, she has her own audience, they should expand the clan to attract the younger gens

  39. lovefifteen says

    I just knew when I heard that Kathy Lee Gifford was leaving the Today show that she was definitely being forced out because there’s no way she would ever just decide to give up that gig.

  42. GooglyMoogly says

    Kathie Lee Gifford…

    I’m sorry she’s being sent packing. I dont watch morning tv but i did happen upon the channel the other day and she looked very frail and ill. I thought perhaps she had a health issue. But to oust her because of age is unfortunate. I dont like it, but its TV and its all about how you look, not what you do.

  47. CanaryCry says

    Kathie MEEEE!! Gifford. Nothing is forever, dearie … bring on Jenna Bush Hager, who really is more loveable.

    Maybe it’s not fair for her & her fans, but that’s their problem.

  50. NativeAtlantaGirl says

    Kathi Lee – i like Jenna & Hoda. KL is old – enjoy her retirement and her wine and her music stuff.

  53. Lindasu says

    Kathie Lee Gifford
    Does that mean Hoda should be looking into other gigs?
    No it isn’t fair, but seriously it’s the way it is for women in that industry. I mean Johnny Carson was never kicked out. Neither was Jay Leno.

  54. gailpow says

    TV gal is Kathie Lee Gifford.
    She’s had a good run. Time to move on. It’s all about the ratings, baby.

  64. Squirrelnutkin says

    Kathie Lee on the today show.

    No, not fair… but it’s TV, it’s how it works. Honestly I don’t watch the show, but I’d much rather watch Jenna Bush Hager than Kathie Lee.

  65. WorkHardBeNice says

    Poor Kathie Lee Gifford.

    I don’t think it’s at all fair. People live longer than ever these days and I bet they’ll want to see more television personalities they can relate to.

  68. KCeagle says

    I want to say Megan Kelly or Julie Chen

    It’s kind of sexist and misogynistic.. but that’s the entertainment industry for you. This lady realized that going into her TV gig. Men do have a slightly longer shelf life.. esp. in the news media.

  69. Babs806 says

    Kathie Lee Gifford

    No, not fair at all. They wouldn’t do it to a man. Now if they wanted to get rid of her for being an annoying drunk, that’s another matter.

  71. melrose71 says

    Kathie Lee Gifford. I enjoy her and Hoda together on the show, but I’m also in my late 40s so I’m on the older end of their target audience. I like Today Show a lot, however, the powers that be at NBC seem to prefer younger women while it’s ok if the men are still on in their 70s and 80s and yes I’m thinking of Willard Scott. If Kathie Lee is truly leaving on her own then good for her. If this blind is true then shame on NBC. That said, I like Jenna Bush Hager for her replacement.

  72. FiyahHotFlashy says

    TV Personality: Kathie Lee Gifford…not a fan and should have been put out to pasture a long time ago. She overstayed her welcome

  74. LeeLee12345 says

    Kathie Lee Gifford, gettin’ a little long in tooth for Ho-wood standards.

    Is life fair? No.

  76. allurbasebelongstome says

    Kathie Lee Gifford
    Optional: It is not fair. Women have such a limited shelf life in the world – period – and are continuously pushed out, ignored and replaced with younger models as they age, while men gain respect and dignity with their age. If it is the aging audience members who are making the decisions then why exactly is the demographics so skewed towards a younger audience? This does not make sense. It seems that executives are using the audience as an excuse.

  80. nikkimermaid says

    Sounds like Kathie Lee. No I don’t think it is fair. Curious as to why they are not replacing Hoda too. Isn’t she around the same age?

  82. ivy3499 says

    Kathy Lee Gifford
    Totally unfair- look at the men that work/have worked there. Old, overweight… Women are constantly held to a ridiculous standards compared to men.

  83. amagod121 says

    Kathie Lee Gifford.

    Optional: Of course it isn’t fair! They let Matt Lauer go and go and go on at the show loooong after his audience was done with him. I called it this morning; KLG was forced out due to her salary (need to pay Miss Megyn her buku bucks, after all) and her age. You could see it all over her face and in her eyes, how upset she was. No one ever gets rid of the aging Mr. Lack-luster, though, do they?? Hope this moves bites NBC in the @r$e x 100!

  85. nowyoutellme says

    Kathie Lee. It’s hard to imagine this type of age discrimination against women is still going on in Hollywood.

    • SouthJerseyGirl says

      Just read that Kathie Lee Gifford is leaving the Today show, so this is obviously about her.

  93. badgerette85 says

    Kathy Lee Gifford.
    If ratings are steady, I’d leave her. Most young people don’t watch the Today Show for news/entertainment nor will they, is my guess.

  96. marykatez says

    Kathie Lee Gifford. Ridiculous! She’s one year older than Al Roker.

    Who’s sitting at home at 9am during the weekday anyway? Maybe your grandmother. Maybe a bored housewife who hates her life–but she’s streaming Netflix–not watching The Today Show.

    P.S. Al used to be my neighbor on the UES and he is an angry man. My interactions weren’t pleasant. Like the day I was super hungover and ran to AT&T on 86th & Lex…lost my phone in cab. He yelled at me and ran his scooter over my foot.

  101. stephyod says

    Obviously this is Kathy Lee Gifford on the Today Show. To be honest, I’m glad. She’s the one I dislike most on the show…. I’m a 38yo stay at home mom who is a devoted Today show watcher. I turn off when KLG is on… she’s just too old school for me, a little judgey and it’s like having my mom on the 4th hour. I loved it when Hoda and Willie would cohost together.

  102. gingercat says

    Has to be Kathie Lee Gifford from the Today show. I think that sucks, honestly. The show does really well in the ratings, why mess with a good thing?

  110. Mandajo says

    Kathie Lee. They do realize younger people don’t have cable to watch their show no matter who they have host right?

  114. bertwheeler says

    Kathie Lee Gifford
    I don’t care for her, but if her ratings are good, you’re only going to alienate your audience.

    • NoseyNana2008 says

      Show biz – the only business where age discrimination is allowed. Remember when flight attendants won their law suit for the exact same thing?

  119. nycmadam says

    Kathy Lee Gifford

    No, it’s not fair, especially as the ratings have not declined. This is going to blow up in the network’s faces.

  120. lahteb says

    Kathie Lee Gifford

    Showbusiness isn’t exactly known for fairness, and NBC News isn’t exactly known for making smart staffing decisions.

  122. NormaDesperate says

    Gotta be Kathie Lee, but really, what’s the point of leaving Hoda and bringing in Jenna Hager? She’s not going to completely change the demographic – another bad move NBC…

  131. redstilettos says

    Kathy Lee. Not fair. If she was well liked, professional, and brought in viewers, who cares about her age?