Former Today co-host Meredith Vieira told it straight when she was asked recently about Matt Lauer‘s rumored “testing the waters” of a TV comeback, as reported by Page Six. “It would probably be very difficult for him,” Meredith exclusively told Closer Weekly (in the magazine’s latest issue, on newsstands now!) at the July 30 Summer Television Critics Association Press Tour event for PBS’ The Great American Read. 

“Time tends to heal situations and people evolve,” she added of Matt, who was fired from Today last November for inappropriate sexual behavior. “I don’t want to be an unforgiving person, but I think [his comeback] would be a tough road. I don’t want to wish ill of anybody, but I tend to support the women.”

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As an avid supporter of the #MeToo movement, Meredith previously opened up to People about why it is important for women to talk openly about sexual misconduct. “I really appreciate the #MeToo Movement. I think it’s long overdue,” she said. “Clearly, there’s been a problem that has been ignored, and a lot of people have been hurt, and I think they deserve to have their truth told.” She added, “what I hope happens from all of this is that we create a workplace where women and men will feel safe.”

Since Matt was fired from Today, he has reportedly kept a low profile and stayed mostly out of the spotlight. The former TV anchor was last photographed participating in a three-mile paddleboarding race at Hamptons’ Havens Beach in Sag Harbor on Saturday, Aug. 2. 

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“He just looks very, very sad. He used to be so friendly and chatty, just like he was on TV. Now he keeps his head down. You can tell he’s not really in the best place,” a source previously told In Touch. “He doesn’t look like he did when he was on TV. He’s skinny… It looks like he’s aged 10 years.”

For more on Meredith Vieira, pick up the latest issue of Closer Weekly, on newsstands now — and be sure to sign up for our newsletter for more exclusive news!