- Giada De Laurentiis' representative claims she will not be axed by Today show
- Her representative said: 'Giada will still be making her appearances on Today'
- News comes a day after Today producer, Don Nash, said he'll be leaving NBC
- His exit was announced on the same day that Ann Curry claimed there was a culture of verbal sexual harassment at NBC
- Nash became executive producer after Curry was ousted by Jim Bell, with a talent shift often bring in a new EP on morning shows
- There's speculation that all Lauer-linked talent are being axed from Today
By Valerie Edwards For Dailymail.com
Published: 16:54 EST, 18 January 2018 | Updated: 16:59 EST, 18 January 2018
Celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis has reportedly denied that Today bosses are going to give her the boot in the wake of disgraced anchor Matt Lauer's departure.
The news comes just a day after Today's top producer Don Nash announced he'll be stepping down after 30 years.
Food Network's De Laurentiis, who in 2015 denied an affair with Lauer after they were spotted together on the beach in Barbados in 2011, could also be sacked from NBC as part of a Lauer-linked talent purge.
Chef Giada De Laurentiis (pictured with Matt Lauer) has reportedly denied that Today bosses are going to give her the boot in the wake of disgraced anchor Matt Lauer's departure
Food Network's De Laurentiis (pictuerd), who in 2015 denied an affair with Lauer after they were spotted together in Barbados in 2011, could also be removed from NBC as part of a Lauer-linked talent purge
A rep for De Laurentiis rep said: 'Giada will still be making her appearances on Today and we are currently working on her schedule to confirm'
A source told PageSix that 'Matt always had the final say on show experts, but now they want new blood. They want more diversity'.
But a De Laurentiis rep said it's 'not true'.
'Giada will still be making her appearances on Today and we are currently working on her schedule to confirm,' the representative told the news site.
Nash announced his departure Wednesday morning, with NBC News Chairman Andy Lack informing staff of the executive producer's departure in an email.
'I relished every single moment of my time on the show. I still can't believe I had the honor to work at this storied institution for so long,' Nash said in a statement to the staff.
'I will forever cherish the unbelievable experiences and incredible people I have had the privilege to work with. It was so much fun.'
Nash's outster comes less than two months after Lauer was fired by the network in the wake of sexual assault allegations, and just hours after Ann Curry claimed in an interview on CBS This Morning that 'there was a climate of verbal sexual harassment' at NBC.
'It's really unfair that NBC had him announce this on the day that Ann Curry did her first TV interview, especially since Jim Bell made the decision to fire Ann and not Don,' one NBC staffer told DailyMail.com.
'He has mentored the team and been a great leader. He really will be missed.'
And another source noted: 'He can leave with his head held high that the show is number one on his watch.'
The news comes just a day after Today's top producer Don Nash (left, with Lauer) announced he'll be stepping down after 30 years with NBC
New EP: Nash will be replaced by Libby Leist, who has been promoted to executive producer of the 7am and 8am hours (Leist second right next to Nash with Al Roker, Noah Oppenheim, Lauer and Carson Daily at the 2016 DNC)
Nash will be replaced by Libby Leist, who has been promoted to executive producer of the 7am and 8am hours.
Leist started her NBC career at the DC news desk and is close friends with Savannah Guthrie.
She will be the first female to serve in the role of executive producer of the show, though Alexandra Wallace did previously hold the role of executive-in-charge of Today back in 2012.
Nash's outster comes less than two months after Lauer was fired by the network in the wake of sexual assault allegations
'For many years, I have had two families: the one at home, and everyone at Today,' Nash said in her email to staff.
'The balance of my love for both of them has been out of whack for too long. The time has come for me to step away from Today and be a better dad to my two beautiful girls. They are what matter to me most.'
He later quoted Dr Seuss, writing: 'Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened'
Nash then noted: ''I'm so happy that it happened.'
Savannah Guthrie posted to Twitter soon after the news, writing: 'Huge thanks to @Syudio1ADon – the ultimate pro. And congrats to @LibbyLeist – our beloved show remains in great hands.'
Amd while there is much excitement for Leist to take on her new role, it is bittersweet for many employees.
'Everyone is very upset. He's beloved at the show and was a friend to everyone,' an NBC staffer told DailyMail.com.
'Over the decades, during good times and bad everyone could count on Don.'
ANDY LACK ANNOUNCING DON NASH DEPARTURE FROM TODAY
Colleagues,
The TODAY show couldn’t be in a stronger position. Savannah and Hoda have seamlessly taken their seats and we’re off to a fantastic start in 2018. This is a tribute to them and the whole team at TODAY.
With this change in anchors, and having rethought some of his priorities, Don Nash has decided to step away from his Executive Producer role at TODAY.
I cannot thank Don enough for everything he contributed in nearly 30 years at TODAY – almost half of the show’s 66-year history. He led the TODAY team through many transitions and got the show back to number one. He leaves with every aspect of the show on top and with a legacy he should be proud of. As you all know so well, among many other skills Don is one of the best live control room producers in the business. We’ve offered him a number of roles within NBC News and NBCUniversal, and we hope he’ll stay in the family.
Don leaves a big hole at TODAY, but we are so fortunate to have extraordinary producers who can step up.
We are pleased to announce that Libby Leist is being promoted to EP of TODAY’s 7am and 8am hours. Libby brings tremendous talent and experience to this role, having served as senior producer of the 7am hour for the last 5 years. She has led the show’s political coverage and special events, including candidate town halls and TODAY’s historic broadcast from inside the White House. Libby has spent her career at NBC News, starting as a desk assistant in DC in 2001, and later rising to become Andrea Mitchell’s State Department producer – a role for which she traveled the world – and then several senior producer roles in the bureau, including MSNBC’s The Daily Rundown and Capitol Hill producer.
Libby will report to Noah, and will work closely with Tom Mazzarelli who will continue in his pivotal role for the show; as well as with Jackie Levin, EP of the 9am, Tammy Filler, EP of the 10am and Matt Carluccio, EP of weekends.
Please join me in wishing Don every success in his next endeavor and congratulating Libby on her promotion.
Andy
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