Matt Lauer Allegedly Told Fans He’ll Be “Back On TV” After ‘Today’ Firing

Since Matt Lauer‘s abrupt Today firing in November 2017, not many people have thought he’ll be able to make a TV comeback — except him, for that is. According to a new report from Page Six, the disgraced journalist recently said he’ll be back to the small screen someday.

“A group of older ladies came over to Lauer, saying, ‘We miss you!'” the insider shared with the news outlet. Matt’s response? “I’ve been busy being a dad. But don’t worry, I’ll be back on TV.” Interesting!

And apparently, he’s felt this way for a while. “Matt seems to be under the impression that if he waits this news cycle out, this will go away and he can have a comeback,” a source told Entertainment Tonight in a March interview. “He has seen a lot of people come back and hopes he will too. For right now, his friends feel that isn’t realistic. His team has discussed a public apology, but agreed disappearing right now seems to be for the best.”

However, his former co-anchors, Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb, think otherwise. When speaking with Entertainment Tonight in mid-April, Savannah said she had “no idea” if the estranged journalist will return to the spotlight. “I just know that he’s really focused on his family right now and I think that’s right,” she said. And Hoda agreed. “Yeah, I think that is really where his heart is at this moment — his children and just working on that. So, I think that work probably isn’t in the forefront of his mind,” she added.

Matt first apologized for his sexual harassment allegations following the news he was fired from the morning talk show after 20 years with the program. “There are no words to express my sorrow and regret for the pain I have caused others by words and actions. To the people I have hurt, I am truly sorry,” the statement read at the time. “As I am writing this I realize the depth of the damage and disappointment I have left behind at home and at NBC. Some of what is being said about me is untrue or mischaracterized, but there is enough truth in these stories to make me feel embarrassed and ashamed.”

He added, “I regret that my shame is now shared by the people I cherish dearly. Repairing the damage will take a lot of time and soul searching and I’m committed to beginning that effort. It is now my full-time job. The last two days have forced me to take a very hard look at my own troubling flaws. It’s been humbling. I am blessed to be surrounded by the people I love. I thank them for their patience and grace.”

For the past couple of months, Matt was hiding out in the Hamptons to cope with the unfortunate situation before he moved out amid his reported divorce from wife Annette Roque. The insider shared, “The Hamptons has been a good place for him to hide, but he isn’t sure he will stay. Matt definitely regrets his behavior. He lost not only his family, but his career and many of his closest friends. The Today Show was his life.”

However, Savannah and Hoda are still in touch with Matt today despite his firing. “Yeah, we keep in touch with him. I mean look, this is one of those complex situations,” Hoda shared in a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “I’ve known him since I started working at NBC [in 1998]. When I was sick with breast cancer, he was the first to call. He helps and helped in ways that… you know, he was incredible in that way. There is that Matt and then there’s the Matt that the accusers speak of. And those accusers’ voices matter and that story matters.” She then looked to Savannah and said,”It’s still tough though, right?” to which Savannah replied, “Yes.” We’re not sure what’s in store for Matt — but we hope everything works out for him.

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