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Lauer is a School of Telecommunications graduate of Ohio University. He attended Ohio University, but left six credits short of graduating in 1979. In 1997, he received his degree from Ohio University. The university awarded him his remaining credits by counting his journalism experience as “independent study” towards his degree. He was also the guest speaker at the graduation ceremony. Lauer began his television career in 1978 as a producer of the 12 o’clock news for WOWK-TV in Huntington, West Virginia. By 1980, he had become an on-air reporter on the 6 and 11 o’clock newscasts. He then started to move around the country to further his career, hosting a number of weekly information and talk programs in Boston, Philadelphia, Providence and Richmond.3 He was also host of PM Magazine from 1980-19863 and worked for ESPN in the 1980s. He worked on the show “Talk of the Town” during 1988.

Excerpt Taken From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Lauer

TODAYMatt Lauer has been co-anchor of NBC News TODAY since January 6, 1997. He joined TODAY in January 1994 as news anchor. From September 1992 to September 1996, Lauer was at WNBC-TV, the NBC Television Station in New York. There he served as a co-anchor of the early morning newscast Today in New York from September 1992 until September 1994, and as a co-anchor of the early evening newscast News Channel 4/Live at Five from August 1993 until September 1996. He began substituting on TODAY as a news anchor in early 1993 before becoming the permanent news anchor in 1994. Since joining NBC News, Lauer has conducted a number of newsworthy interviews. In April 2009, he had the first interview with merchant mariner Capt. Richard Phillips since he was freed from captivity by Somali pirates by Navy SEALS. In February 2009, he sat down with President Barack Obama for an exclusive interview before the Super Bowl. In November 2008, he traveled to Wasilla, Alaska, to speak with then-Governor Sarah Palin just days after her failed run for the vice presidency.In June 2005, Lauer sat down with Tom Cruise for an interview that garnered a tremendous amount of attention for Cruises response to Lauers questions about Scientology and psychiatry. Other exclusive interviews included two individuals involved in the Scott Peterson investigation, Amber Frye and Anne Bird. In January 1998, he sat down for the first interview with First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton after the Monica Lewinsky scandal made headlines. Lauer also conducted a 20-minute interview and tour of the George Bush Library in College Station, Texas, with the former president himself. In April 2000, Lauer marked the 25th anniversary of the fall of Saigon with an interview with former P.O.W. and Arizona state senator John McCain, live from Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. In August 2005, Lauer co-anchored TODAY from Iraq, hosting the show from Baghdads Camp Liberty where he interviewed General Richard Myers and U.S. troops. Lauer co-anchored a special split show of TODAY in May of 2004 when TODAY became the first American television network to broadcast live from the border of North and South Korea. In November 2002, Lauer sat down with eleven crew members from Flight 63, the trans-Atlantic flight that Richard Reid, a.k.a. the shoebomber, targeted in December 2001. The interview aired in four parts on TODAY, and a full hour on Dateline NBC. When Operation Iraqi Freedom started in March 2003, Lauer contributed live reports from Qatar, the region that served as a staging area for American forces in the preparations for war. Lauer gave TODAY viewers first-person reports from this critical battleground. In August 2004, on the eve of the Republican National Convention in New York City, Lauer secured an exclusive interview with President George W. Bush. This newsmaking interview covered topics such as Bushs strategies for campaigning in key battleground states, the war against terror and the mindset of the Mid East. Lauer also contributed to coverage of live, special events and news stories such as coverage of the past six years of the Olympic Games, the passing of Pope John Paul II in April 2005, and broadcast network coverage of President Ronald Reagans funeral in June of 2004. For what became one of TODAYs trademark series, Lauer broadcast live from remote locations around the world for the Where in the World is Matt Lauer annual trip. His trips took him to dozens of different locations, logging nearly hundreds of thousands of miles. Just a few of his destinations: the Great Pyramids in Egypt the Parthenon in Athens Machu Pichu, Peru the temples of Angkor Wat Red Square in Moscow, and Easter Island. Prior to joining WNBC-TV, Lauer hosted a daily, live, three-hour interview program, 9 Broadcast Plaza, in New York from 1989 to 1991. Before that, his experience included hosting a number of weekly information and talk programs in Boston, Philadelphia, Providence and Richmond. Lauer began his career in 1979 as a producer of the noon news on WOWK-TV in Huntington, West Virginia. In 1980, he was a reporter on the stations 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts. Lauer is a graduate of Ohio University. He lives in New York with his wife, Annette Roque Lauer, their two sons, Jack and Thijs, and daughter, Romy.More about Matt LauerOh, deer Matts bicycle bang-upWho would play Matt Lauer in a movieWill Land of the Lost make Matt a film staradvertisement your ad here 2009 MSNBC Interactive. ReprintsDiscuss Story

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Matt was educated at Ohio University, Athens, Ohio where he majored in communications. He was hired for internship and quit school in 1979 – four credits shy of graduation. Matt later obtained the degree in 1997 by writing a paper on work experience and delivering the commencement address. Matt’s first wife was Nancy Alspaugh, born in 1955, a TV producer. Matt was briefly engaged to Kristen Gesswein, a newscaster. They were together from 1989-96. Matt’s current wife is Dutch born model Annette Roque aka Jade Roque. They have been together since the summer of 1997. They were married October 3, 1998. Matt’s father’s name is Robert Lauer. He was a retired bicycle-company executive who divorced from Lauer’s mother. He died of cancer in 1997 at age 74. Matt’s mother’s name is Marilyn Kolmer, who is a boutique owner and a former model. She remarried to Richard Kolmer who is Matt’s stepfather. Marilyn’s father, Matt’s grandfather, is Art Gentry, a singer. Matt has a sister whose name is April Lauer Stone. April was born in 1953 and is married with two children. In 1999 Matt won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Special Class Program, 1998 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Chosen by “People” magazine as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the World. 1997Has a fear of lightning which he has described as being a “concern.”.Has a mild case of color-blindness.Son Jack Matthew Lauer was born. Jack is Lauer’s first child with wife Annette Roque. His birth weight was 7 lb 3 oz. Matt had to leave "Today" 1952 in the middle of the broadcast to join his wife for the birth of their son. 26 June 2001He and his wife, Annette welcomed their second child, a girl named Romy Lauer on October 2, 2003. She weighed 7lbs.Communications major at Ohio University from 1975 to 1979 before leaving for an internship. Completed degree work in 1997 and returned as commencement speaker at his own graduation.When the war in Iraq began, Lauer was stationed in Qatar — along with many other newscasters from around the world — where he gave up-to-the-minute coverage on the event.In 1982, he had a walk on role as a Gallery patron on the soap opera Ȫnother World" 1964 while filming a behind-the-scenes look at the show for P.M. Magazine.Signed a contract on April 11, 2006, which will provide him a salary of 13 million for the next five years.He and his wife, Annette, welcomed their third child, a boy named Thijs pronounced “Tice” on November 28, 2006 in New York City. Thijs weighed in at 7 lbs. 4 oz.His grandfather, Art Gentry, was part of a popular vaudeville vocal quartet, Eton Boys ak The Four Eton Boys.Has Emetophobia which is an irrational fear of vomiting.

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CategoriesU.S. newsWorld newsPoliticsBusinessSportsEntertainmentGossipCelebritiesTelevisionReality TVMusicMoviesArts, books, moreHoroscopeLotteryComics, SudokuHealthTech &amp scienceTravelLocal newsWeatherBrowseVideoPhotosDisable Fly-outNBC renews Lauer’s contract for TodayMorning host reportedly will receive 13 million a year through 2011Richard Drew / AP”Today’s” Matt Lauer, seen here with departing co-host Katie Couric, will stay with the program for at least another five years.Television videoTina Fey tells Letterman she “couldn’t give it away”Oct. 15: Emmy Award winner and 30 Rock star Tina Fey talked to David Letterman about losing her virginity at 24 years old.Smooch-smooch. Roker kisses Tina FeyMatt gives Lenos racetrack a whirlTina Fey, Al Roker kiss on TODAYMonty Python marks milestoneupdated 7:22 p.m. ET April 11, 2006NEW YORK – Where in the world is Matt Lauer Behind his desk at NBCs Today show for at least the next five years.While the television world was paying attention to Meredith Vieiras selection as Katie Courics successor on the Today show last week, Lauer quietly agreed to a contract extension to keep him on the show until 2011.NBC confirmed the deal Tuesday, after Lauer revealed it during an interview with The New York Times. The network released no details. Lauer, 48, would not comment on the extension of a contract that was due to expire in 2008, a spokeswoman said. His salary is expected to be in a similar 13 million to 15 million range a year that Courics was.Story continues below advertisement your ad hereMSNBC.com is a joint venture of NBC News and Microsoft.Lauer has been co-host with Couric on morning televisions most popular and profitable show since January 1997, when he replaced Bryant Gumbel.With the personnel situation settled at Today, attention will soon turn toward ABCs second-place Good Morning America, which would face changes if either co-host Charles Gibson or Diane Sawyer is tapped as a long-term substitute for the injured Bob Woodruff on World News Tonight.Youve got your team in place, we have continuity and it appears we have some chemistry, said Jim Bell, executive producer of Today. I couldnt feel any better than I do knowing Matt is going to be there. Hes now the guy. He has the seniority, he has the institutional knowledge and the contacts. He has a lot going on.Lauer has kept a relatively low profile, receiving much attention a couple of years ago when he showed up for work in a shockingly low haircut.But he did make news when scolded about Scientology by Tom Cruise in an interview last year, and he recently snagged a broadcast-exclusive interview with the survivor of the West Virginia mining disaster.Are as many articles written about him Is he as likely as his co-stars to grace the cover of a magazine Probably not, Bell said. But is he as likely to get the big interview Of course.Lauer has kept up an exhausting travel schedule the past few years as the focus of the periodic Where in the World is Matt Lauer features. Over the course of a week, hes sent to mystery spots across the globe with the audience guessing his destination.That series is taking a brief hiatus and may come back next fall, Bell said.Were going to see if we cant get him interested, he said. He loves it but it does take its toll.Vieira, 52, is expected to start as Lauers co-host in September.She displayed an easy camaraderie with Lauer during a news conference to announce her hiring last week. Bell hopes that will also be seen when the two are on live television for two hours each weekday morning.I dont feel any trepidation about it, Bell said. They already seem like they went to high school together. 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Discuss Story

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Former President Bill Clinton joined current President Barack Obama and journalists Barbara Walters, Matt Lauer, Andy Rooney and many others at a memorial service held for the late Walter Cronkite. Clinton spoke to those gathered, paying tribute to the former CBS newscaster. “He had an inquiring mind, a caring heart and a careful devotion to the facts,” Clinton said of Cronkite. As the CBS anchorman for almost 20 years, Cronkite’s dependability and everyman demeanor comforted audiences through such lows as the President Kennedy assassination and cheered them in such highs as America landing on the moon. “He was always looking for the story, not the storyline,” Clinton says. “He was a good man.” Cronkite passed away on July 17 at the age of 92. He is survived by his three children Nancy, Mary and Walter.

Paulina Chmielecka says her ex-fiancee and reality star Ryan Jenkins was a “good person.” This testimony of character comes after Jenkins was deemed a suspect in the murder of his ex-wife Jasmine Fiore and then found dead in a motel room in Hope, British Columbia. “Our friends are pretty much in shock,” Chmielecka tells the “Today” show host Matt Lauer after hearing the news of Jenkins. “I can picture him maybe having an argument with Fiore but to take it to the next level which is murder and then mutilation … I really can’t take myself there.” Chmielecka tells Lauer that she saw “no signs of violence” when she was in a relationship with Jenkins and refers to him as a “sweetheart.” She says they broke off their engagement because Jenkins wanted an open relationship but tells Lauer they ended on a “good note.” “I don’t know how all this happened with the person I know,” she said On Sunday, a hotel employee found Jenkins hanged in a motel room and contacted the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, a spokesperson for the Orange County, California, District Attorney&rsquos Office told ET. Canadian police are investigating the death. Jenkins was a contestant on VH1’s canceled reality show “Megan Wants a Millionaire.”

Olympic swimming champ Michael Phelps opens up to NBC News’ Matt Lauer in his first TV interview since the controversial photo surfaced of Phelps allegedly smoking from a bong. &ldquoIt was an awful judgment. And, really, the people I hurt is my family, clearly, my friends, the close people around me and most importantly, the fans. And I realize that that hurt a lot of people,&rdquo Phelps tells Lauer in the interview, which airs Friday morning on the &ldquoToday&rdquo show and Sunday on &ldquoDateline.&rdquo Lauer goes on to ask Phelps if he was smoking pot, and according to &ldquoToday,&rdquo Phelps says: &ldquoIt was a bad mistake. I mean, we all know what you and I are talking about. It’s a stupid mistake. You know, bad judgment. And it’s something that I have to, and I want to teach other people not to make that mistake.&rdquo A South Carolina sheriff says he will not charge Phelps after an investigation stemming from the controversial photo.

President Barack Obama reveals who he thinks will win the 2009 Super Bowl — will it be the Arizona Cardinals or the Pittsburgh Steelers Obama says in an interview with Matt Lauer that he’s routing for the Steelers though he likes the story of the Cardinals. The president says the owner of the Steelers, Dan Rooney, didn’t just endorse him, he campaigned for him. So what’s Obama’s prediction for the game “Its tough to predict but I think the Steelers are going to eek it out in a close one,” he says. “Last year you predicted the New England Patriots over my New York Giants. I don’t have a question here, I just wanted to rub it in a little bit,” Lauer jokes. “I’m still wondering how that guy made that catch,” the president responds. Obama says for this game, he has his Steeler’s terrible towel in the next room.

Angelina Jolie told “Today Show” anchor Matt Lauer that she and husband Brad Pitt would very much like to add children to their growing family and are already planning for another adoption. When asked whether Jolie had something specific in mind for a new adoption, she told Lauer simply, “yeah.” The actress did not elaborate on the adoption plans and said there are restrictions anyway on beginning a new process until at least six months after new children come into a family to provide appropriate time to adjust. The latest addition, twins Vivienne and Knox, were born three-and-a-half months ago. “We have so many children that they’re not really stunned anymore when kids come home,” Jolie said. Together with Pitt and now the mother six, Jolie told Lauer she does not miss the days in the past when she preferred to be alone. “I don’t like being without him Pitt, I don’t love being alone like I used to be.” Speaking about the celebrity couple’s jet set lifestyle, she said there might come a day when her children want to stay in one place for a very long time. “So far we’ve just moved them a lot and they like moving. They like packing their bag before the next adventure, and they like making new friends wherever we go.” On her new dark drama ‘Changeling,’ to be released in theaters October 31, Jolie said she was inspired by the story about a “heroic” single mother who fights back after her son is kidnapped by battling the system and getting laws changed. She also said she felt a special connection to her “captivating” character, who reminded her very much of her own mother, Marcheline Bertrand, who died of cancer in January 2007. “She reminds me of my mom,” Jolie told Lauer. “There was something about my mother’s face and the kindness and the warmth and the openness and the frailty, where she wasn’t this modern woman that I am.” She said there is “something so beautiful” about qualities such as shyness and feminity that are sometimes not seen positively in today’s modern society.

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CategoriesU.S. newsWorld newsPoliticsBusinessSportsEntertainmentHealthTech &amp scienceTravelLocal newsWeatherBrowseVideoPhotosDateline NBCThe Hansen FilesInternationalHealthPhoto galleriesCrime reportsNewsmakers’Catch a Predator’Quick CutsDisable Fly-outA defiant Britney Spears takes on the tabloidsIn an interview with NBC’s Matt Lauer, the pop star says her safety, privacy, and respect are being taken away by the paparazziDatelineSlide showThe Spears yearsBritneys life, from Mickey Mouse to motherhood, divorce drama and more.more photosMost popular Dateline pages 1. The Mysterious Death of a Titan 2. Disappearance Before Dawn3. In the Bedroom4. The Man Behind The Mask 5. A Dose of ControversySign up for the newsletterYour E-mail Address:Windows LiveTM ID Required More NewslettersFriday, Oct. 16: Secrets of ‘The Lost Symbol’Friday, Oct. 9: The long hunt for a masked rapistFriday, Oct. 2: Jaycee Dugard’s kidnappingFriday, Sept. 25, 9 p.m. ET: ‘The Michael Jackson Tapes’This Friday, Sept. 18: Dateline’s two-hour season premiereBy Matt LauerNBC Newsupdated 9:40 a.m. ET June 20, 2006This interview re-airs on NBC Friday, June 16, 8 p.m.Britney Spears: Im very, very blessed. But my safety, my privacy, and my respect are three things that I feel like are trying to be taken away from me right now. As a mother I have to speak up and say something. I have to speak up.Matt Lauer ProfileOne of Britney Spears songs is called Do Something, and that s just what a defiant Britney Spears set out to do in a Dateline interview broadcast Thursday and shes taking on the tabloids.After a year of screaming headlines scrutinizing her husband, their marriage, and most stinging of all, her abilities as a mother, shes not just dealing with some bad press but an image implosion.Story continues below advertisement your ad hereMatt Lauer, NBC News: Oftentimes in my end of the business, we have to beg people to do interviews. And yet it seem as if youre anxious to talk at this particular state in you life. You’ve got some things youd like to address.Spears: I think because I was pregnant with my son, I didnt want to do interviews. I wanted it to be a little private. But I think 90 percent of the world would agree that the tabloids have kind of gone a little far with me lately. You try not to respond to trash because thats what it is. But you know, I think theyve crossed the line a little bit.So Britney is drawing her own line in the sand taking on what she sees as an overly intrusive and downright dangerous tabloid press.Its just one of many things we discuss in a refreshingly honest no holds-barred interview.A pregnant Britney invited us to her California home to talk about it all: her career, her past loves, the state of her marriage, and those now infamous mommy mistakes.Lauer: Youve got this incredible place that you call home that you and Kevin built together. Is it a sanctuary or at times does this feel a little like a prisonSpears: No, its a sanctuary totally. My dad comes here and hes like Oh my god, I feel like Im at a resort. Its awesome here. I love it.Although she seems to still be a sweet Southern girl, dressed down in casual clothes, chewing gum firmly planted in her mouth, it may surprise you that Britney Spears has become one tough cookie. Spears: I dont allow anybody to change me. I still walk out of my house in rollers when I take walks. I do not care what people think and I think thats why they keep on talking is because I know they cant touch me.Lauer: So you have a little bit of a blank you attitude about it now.Spears: Yeah, basically. I mean you have to. I mean, I have to live my life. I have a family now and I just think its absurd to let other people influence the way you live. Britney is of course no stranger to being under the media microscope. The 24-year-old has been in front of the cameras more than half of her young life. We first got to know her as a pre-teen Mouseketeer along with future boyfriend Justin Timberlake and fellow singing sensation Christina Aguilerra on “The New Mickey Mouse Club.”And then, just six years later, she hit the big time. Clad in that now famous school girl uniform, a then 17-year-old Spears became a sensation with Baby One More Time, her first number one hit. She was not just a pop star but a phenomenon, selling millions of records and attracting worldwide media attention. But she says the scrutiny shes living with now is a completely different ballgame.Spears: Its not just like how it used to be where they would just like take your picture, give you respect and then youd walk by. Its like scary. They just come out of nowhere. And youre like oh my gosh.Lauer: Without giving anything away, you live in a house thats surrounded by a fence. You have a gate. Youve got security, youve got a detail people who are here all the time. Without that you would feel vulnerable…Spears: And I still have helicopters hovering over my house that come twice a day.Lauer: Just trying to get a picture of you at the pool Spears: Just anything. And they put the captions on their magazines, Baby in danger and stuff like thatwhich is really silly. But I wouldnt be in danger if I didnt have like this impactful thing around me all the time. I just feel like the editors they dont realize that theres not just one magazinetheres other magazines and theyre all paying to get a story. And I think that’s where the energy from the people is coming from. Its kind of scary. I cant really leave my home right now.And also scary, in a world built on image, is how all those headlines that Britney has a lousy marriage, that her husband plays around, that she is a bad mother no matter how untrue are affecting just how the public sees Britney Spears.Message boardsSound off: What did you think of the interviewNot that shes hasnt been down the bumpy road of damage control before. As she transformed herself from the idol of little girls everywhere to a sexier version the boys could like as well, people began to question whether she was an appropriate role model for their kids.And she only added to the controversy by vowing to remain a virgin until marriage a pledge that was questioned every time a new sexy video was released.Lauer: Let me ask you if there was a turning point. It seems to me as an outsider looking in, it seemed for awhile you lived a charmed life. You were that blonde little girl that everyone loved, the squeaky clean imageeven if every once in a while you kinda sexed it up a little bit and caught people by surprise. And everybody said great things about you. They wanted you to be a role model for their daughter. And then all of a sudden it seemed that the press turned. And they decided that maybe you were someone they wanted to take some shots at.Spears: They like to have the person they pick on. I feel like Im a target and I feel like other girls are. At a certain point in everybodys career, theyll get it.Lauer: But when did it happen in your career Was there something you did that brought it onSpears: Usually breakups in personal lives. It starts to happen. Look at Jessica Simpson for instance. Theyre being so rude to her right now her split with Nick.Dave Hogan / Getty ImagesJustin Timberlake and Britney Spears attend the MTV Music Video Awards together on September 7, 2000.Britney says her own breakup with first love Justin Timberlake four years ago was the beginning of the end of not only their love affair, but the press love affair with her.By the time a wounded Justin alluded to a betrayal by Britney in his song Cry Me a River, it was clear Britney spears was no longer Americas sweetheart.Lauer: So do you think perhaps the breakup with Justin was when you started to sense the tide turning a little bit in your life There were allegations about infidelity. Did that put the spotlight on you in a negative senseSpears: Yes, I do. There was a little shift there definitely.And then, she gave the tabloids a present wrapped in a big bow: a quickie Vegas wedding to her childhood friend Jason Alexander in January 2004 and almost as quick was the annulment that followed.Spears: Oh that was just silly.Lauer: But do you think that gave the press something to talk aboutSpears: Yeah, definitely.She says she understands now that the marriage was an act of rebellion on her part.Spears: I was on the road for awhile and again I was doing a lot of what I was told instead of what I wanted to really do. And I didnt know how to break out of that. So in my young mind Im like, Im gonna just get married to someone of my home friends. You know what I mean. It was just like something. But I have no regrets with anything Ive ever done. And that includes her relationship with her present husband Kevin Federline, father of their 9- month-old son Sean Preston.When Britney met Kevin in a Los Angeles club two years ago, he was a back up dancer and already a young dad, having fathered a child with actress Shar Jackson and another baby on the way.Lauer: So much was written and said about the way the relationship began between you and Kevin. Not so much about the way it began, but the time of it’s beginning that he left his girlfriend when she was pregnant.Spears: Uh-huh.Lauer: I think six months pregnant, Shar was at the time, Britney. Did that bother you Did you stop and think, Wait a second. Thats a very delicate situation.Spears: Actually, I didnt know. I didnt know until two months later. But I dont blame him because him and his friendsIve talked to his friends about this. They werent technically together when he came to me anyways. But that happened with Julia Roberts too. But its more talked about and more of an issue with me. Her husband was married. But for some reason its like, “boom, in your face” when it happens with me and its really none of anybodys business.Britney is referring to Julia Roberts relationship with husband Danny Moderwho was married when they met but did not have any children.Lauer: You said a couple of times to me already you believe in karma. And as someone who is now several months pregnant, do you ever stop and think, You know, he left someone else when she was a couple of months pregnant. Does that ever cross your mindSpears: No. Cause were very happy together right now.

Rate Story:ViewpopularLowHighEmailInstant MessagePrintMORE FROM DATELINE Dateline Section FrontThrough The Pouring RainIn Plain Sight: Jaycee DugardTimeline: Jaycee Dugard’s kidnappingThe Michael Jackson TapesMichael Jackson: I am scared of my fatherBad ChemistryBad Chemistry: Photos in the caseThe Mystery in the Master BedroomSlideshow: Photos in the bathtub murder caseSecond Chances: The King brothersDateline Section FrontAdd Dateline headlines to your news reader:Top msnbc.com storiesBoy safe after runaway balloon scareLittle-known Egyptian key in al-QaidaObama defends New Orleans effort3 hikers missing in Calif. park foundInterracial La. couple denied licenseNBC News highlightsHappy ending for balloon boyBalloon boy ‘disappearance’ begs questionsNOLA gives Obama mixed reviews’Grave offenses’ at ArlingtonAfghanistan: Bidens breaking point

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Lauer began his television career in 1979 as a producer of the noon news for WOWK-TV in Huntington, West Virginia. By 1980, he had become an on-air reporter on the 6 and 11 o’clock newscasts. He eventually began moving around the country to further his career, hosting a number of weekly information and talk programs in Boston, Philadelphia, Providence, and Richmond. He was also host of PM Magazine from 1980-1986. He also worked for ESPN in the 1980s. Lauer got his first job in the New York area when he was tapped to host a three-hour live interview program, WWOR-TV’s 9 Broadcast Plaza, from 1989-1991. He moved to WNBC-TV in 1992, where he became co-anchor on the early weekday news show Today In New York, alongside Jane Hanson. After a year, he also filled the role of Live at Five co-anchor with Sue Simmons, and held that role until 1996. Lauer’s on-camera presence provided him with many opportunities with NBC’s national news organization while working in their New York affiliate. Lauer filled in as the newsreader on The Today Show for Margaret Larson when needed from 1992 to 1993. This &quotaudition&quot allowed him to join The Today Show full-time in January 1994 as news anchor, while still co-anchoring Today in New York and Live at Five. Lauer pinch-hit for NBC newscasters Scott Simon, Mike Schnieder, and Jack Ford as the co-host of Weekend Today, and for Ann Curry as anchor of the former NBC News program NBC News at Sunrise from 1992 to 1997. Lauer had also filled in for Tom Brokaw on NBC Nightly News. As the Today Show news anchor, he also stepped in for Bryant Gumbel and Katie Couric in the Today Show’s hosting chair when required before being named the official co-anchor on January 6, 1997 after Gumbel stepped down. In addition to his duties on the Today Show, Lauer has also hosted programming on the Discovery Channel and MSNBC. Career Highlights Over the past several years, Lauer has embarked on a once-yearly five-day logistical nightmare called &quotWhere In The World is Matt Lauer&quot This segment of the Today Show has Matt sent to the far reaches of the Earth, where he does segments on the importance of the location from where he is broadcasting. In recent years, he has broadcasted from locations such as Easter Island, the Panama Canal, and the Great Wall of China. In a June 2005 interview with Matt Lauer, Tom Cruise got into an argument with Lauer about psychiatry and called Lauer &quotglib.&quot That same month, he hosted The Greatest American on the Discovery Channel, which used Internet and phone voting by viewers to select the winner. Lauer was rather critical of his own program, since it tended to favor well-known figures over others who had less influence in pop culture. Lauer will most likely step down as co-host of Today at the end of 2007 when his contract with NBC News expires and also when he turns 50. Lauer said that instead of seeking an evening news position he plans on working part-time once he leaves the Today show.

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It seems former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin is on a mission with the media these days or is it the other way around. Fresh from her extensive interview with Fox News’ Greta Van Susteren last night, she was on television again this morning. This time it was with Matt Lauer of the Today Show doing the interview in Alaska. But that’s not all, reports say she will be doing another interview later on with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer and Larry King. Tight schedule, isn’t it Looks like she’s making herself more available to the media after a campaign where she was accused of doing the exact opposite.Sarah Palin’s critics and detractors aren’t happy with this development. From the many comments I have read since yesterday’s Greta van Susteren interview up to the few about her Matt Lauer stint, they were one in asking “Why”. For them, a losing candidate such as Sarah Palin should just keep quiet at this point, fade into the background like her predecessors. Unfortunately for them, it looks like Palin plans to be very visible in the days and weeks to come.Though she has denied any definite plans for 2012, action speaks louder than words. These interviews are obviously geared towards enhancing her image for a possible repeat run in the next elections or, according to Greta Van Susteren, “at least burnishing her status as a party leader.” Sarah Palin, despite all the negative issues from the campaign that still hound her, is trying to take advantage of the limelight to sell herself, erase the negative, and leave a lasting positive impression while she hibernates.Sarah Palin – Matt Lauer Interview Video 1 Today Show 11/11/2008Sarah Palin – Matt Lauer Interview Video 2 Today Show 11/11/2008Sarah Palin – Matt Lauer ‘Today Show’ Interview TranscriptI began my interview with Governor Sarah Palin by asking her if she was surprised by the margin of the Obama victory.BEGIN VIDEOTAPEPalin: You know, it did. I thought that it would be closer. But then, taking a step back and being able to consider why it was that the margin was as great as it was, it — it makes sense. We didn’t get the Hispanic vote and that was very significant. And when you consider that we were outspent so tremendously, it makes sense there, also, that, perhaps, the margin was going to be larger than we anticipated. And then just that anti-incumbency sentiment, really, that spread across the land and our ticket representing the incumbency — it’s really no — it’s not so much a surprise, after all, that the margin was as great as it was.Lauer: One thing you didn’t mention in that laundry list, was you didn’t talk about the strength of Senator Obama. I mean, it — it turned out that he was a remarkable candidate in these times.Palin: He — he did a great job in articulating his — his ability to usher in change — the change that American voters certainly have been seeking. And perhaps, again, our ticket represented too much of the status quo because, you know, we’ve got the “R” by our name, by our ticket.Lauer: When you did know it wouldn’t go well for youPalin: I — you know, I didn’t know until the — the…Lauer: Right up through election nightPalin: Absolutely. I had great faith that, you know, perhaps when that voter entered that voting booth and closed that curtain that what would kick in for them was, perhaps, a bold step that would have to be taken in casting a vote for us, but having to put a lot of faith in that commitment we tried to articulate, that we were the true change that would progress this nation. So again, the margin was pretty surprising to me.Lauer: There is this feeling — and some of this comes from leaks and other just perception, people getting a gut — that there was increasing tension between you and Senator McCain in the final stretch of this campaign. Tell me what the relationship was like.S. PALIN: We have a great relationship. Had from day one. Had the first time that I met him last year, he and his wife. I just have been great admirers of them, of their family, of all that Senator McCain has accomplished. Never once was there any inkling of tension between the two of us. Perhaps within the campaign there were campaign staffers who…Lauer: Well, describe that for me. Who was butting headsS. PALIN: You know, I don’t even know. That inside baseball stuff regarding the way a campaign works on that level — I certainly didn’t get bogged down in any of the potential skirmishes or perceived problems.Lauer: Have you listened to some of the leaks that have come out since the election where — where they’re saying that the McCain people leaked anonymously — are saying, “We couldn’t control her, she was a rogue, she didn’t want our consultants around her and it became tense.”Where did stories like that come fromS. PALIN: I honestly do not know, because it’s not true, Matt. And Senator McCain and I, we have a great relationship. I have nothing but honor and admiration and love for him and for his family, and I think that is mutual. In fact, I talked to him just today, again, and we — touching base nearly every day.Lauer: So, it’s a warm and friendly relationship even to to this dayS. PALIN: Very warm and friendly and professional. And I — I — again, I have nothing but honor and admiration and love that I will show for this great American hero.Lauer: According to a recent article in Newsweek and some other reports, on election night, you showed up at the Biltmore in Phoenix…S. PALIN: Yes.Lauer: … and things weren’t going well. And you had some copy in your hands. You had some remarks that you would have liked to have given to that audience, and, in effect, to the nation, prior to Senator McCain giving his concession speech. And you were told, “No”.S. PALIN: Well, I had a speech that, you know, I was going to give that we’d worked on about a week. And the speech was…Lauer: Had you cleared with anyone Had anyone — anyone said it might be an opportunity for you to speakS. PALIN: Oh, certainly, the — the speech was written in — in cooperation and conjunction with a couple of the speech writers in the campaign — and had written that as an introduction to this great American hero. And of course, we had two speeches in our back pocket.Lauer: Right.S. PALIN: One was a concession speech that would introduce him, and it would do what John McCain just can’t seem to do for himself — bless his heart, because he’s not that kind of man — where I was going to brag him up and say, “You know, truly he’s an American hero, has faced great adversity, knows how challenges are overcome. And let us — let us be thankful for this man, who with a servant’s heart had offered himself up to…Lauer: So that sounds like a good idea. Why weren’t you allowed to do itS. PALIN: I don’t know. It was a great speech because it also then, also said, “OK, but American voters have spoken, so now, let’s all come together. I know Senator McCain wants to lead in an effort of unity here in our nation, and let’s work with President-elect Obama and let’s go forward.”Lauer: So you walked up and you said to somebody in the campaign, “Look, I’ve got these comments I’d like to make. I want to,” as you say, “brag on him a little bit”S. PALIN: Yes.Lauer: Who said noS. PALIN: Somebody said no, they said that it would be unprecedented, that a V.P. candidates wouldn’t introduce someone in a concession speech. And you know, all I could say was…Lauer: Were you disappointedS. PALIN: A little bit because again — not — not for me personally to get to be up there on the stage and give one last speech, but to be able to say, “This is an American hero. Let us be thankful for what he just offered our nation. Now, let’s all work together to support the new president.Lauer: Did you ever consider going to Senator McCain that night and saying, “Look, you know, I’d like to say this about you, would it be OKS. PALIN: By that time it was, you know, literally walking — walking down…Lauer: So this happened in the last minute.S. PALIN: … the aisle, almost going up to the stairs, yes.S. PALIN: And all I could think of was, well, even if it were unprecedented — and I haven’t done research to see if other V.P. candidates had done such an introduction of their presidential candidate.Lauer: Right.S. PALIN: But, you know, I thought even if it was unprecedented, so what, you know. Geez, let’s do something a little bit out of the box there.But those were the type of shots that were called that I didn’t have control over. And in the end, though, that’s — that’s somebody else’s problem or business.Lauer: But you bring up a good point, because there have been some people who said that you never were used to having these political consultants around you, these other people calling the shots, that that’s just not in your DNA. Did you have a hard time with thatS. PALIN: Well, I, like Senator McCain, we’re both quite independent. And that, too, is, I think, why we got along so well, also. In fact, my husband said, we’re so much alike it scared him. That we, we’re both independent. We both call it like we see it. We speak from the heart. And once in a while to have somebody tell you what you should or should not say, it…Lauer: Were they trying to make you something that you’re notS. PALIN: You know, I don’t — I don’t know.Lauer: Can I bring up the wardrobe, Governor Do you mind Again, some of these reports that have come out post-election.S. PALIN: All anonymous, though, so far, rightLauer: Exactly.S. PALIN: Yes.Lauer: Said that — anonymous leak that some top McCain advisers were, quote — and this is from Newsweek — “flabbergasted by the amount of money you spent on clothing and accessories for yourself and your family.” S. PALIN: Well, I’m flabbergasted that anybody would say that I spent any money on clothes for me or my family. When I arrived at the Republican National Convention, there were stylists there, there was a wardrobe there. Receipts show that the wardrobe was being purchased before I even arrived at the convention for me and for eight members of my family. So I’m flabbergasted that anybody would still say that I purchased clothing from these…Lauer: So the leaks that say you were told buy a certain number — you had a clothing allowance almost — but you were told buy a certain number of suits and then you exceeded that and that other people go out on their credit cards and buy things, patently falseS. PALIN: What is patently false is that I ever asked anybody at this convention to go out and buy me anything. Certainly, I arrived with an overnight bag. I mean, that wasn’t much. But if I would have had two minutes out of the day, I could have gone to a store myself and purchased these things.Also, though, it’s been reported that, you know, I insisted on going to Neiman Marcus and to Sachs.Lauer: Right, designer duds.S. PALIN: I’ve never been in these stores, you know…Lauer: But did you have other people go to those stores for youS. PALIN: No, I did not order up these clothes. The New York stylists who were already there and already orchestrating what the wardrobe should look like. Just like they have people to figure out what the staging and the lighting and everything else, the wardrobe, I guess, was a part of that.But, no — and here they say that it was 150,000 worth of clothes. I haven’t seen 150,000 worth of clothes. What I understood now is that about a third of those clothes got sent back right away because they weren’t going fit or weren’t — you know, that didn’t fit what they wanted the family to look like. Another third did follow me along the trail, and those have all been sent back. And then another third stayed in the belly of the airplane the whole time.Lauer: I understand — and I think your father made this comment today — that you actually spent some time this last weekend at home…S. PALIN: Yes.Lauer: … going through things.S. PALIN: Yes. Yes.Lauer: … preparing because the story is that there is a lawyer either on his way — or I don’t know if that person’s been here, he or she — coming to Alaska to kind of do a wardrobe audit on you.S. PALIN: That’s absolutely false, unless they’re doing that without telling me that. But, no, we don’t have any of the campaign’s clothes in our possession. And it was never anybody’s intention to keep these borrowed clothes from the RNC.When staffers traveled with us from the lower 48 up to Alaska and we had boxes of campaign stuff — which include, like, stickers and campaign buttons and hats and T-shirts — loading all that stuff back up after emptying the belly of the plane of all this stuff. And that took place in our living room…Lauer: Right.S. PALIN: … over the past couple days. We put it all in boxes, put it in the FedEx plane and sent it back to the headquarters.Lauer: This got so much attention, and I think because it flew in the face of the image that was portrayed of you when were you first introduced to the American people. At least people in Alaska knew who were you were.S. PALIN: Yes.Lauer: … but when you were introduced to Americans it was the hockey mom.S. PALIN: Yes.Lauer: It was the woman who was going to appeal to the blue- collar folks in this country. And all of a sudden we’re hearing about this expensive wardrobe and Neiman Marcus and designers, and words like “diva” are coming out.S. PALIN: Yes.Lauer: How did that make you feelS. PALIN: Well, it made me feel like people — unless they’re going to put their — their name and face to a false allegation like that, any allegation, then they’re cowards.END VIDEOTAPELauer: Meredith, in our next half hour we’re going to have much more of our conversation with Governor Sarah Palin , including a trip to her home in Wasilla, Alaska. She’ll take us there.She prepares dinner for us and her family. We’ll get to talk to Todd and four of her five children. And she’ll also talk about some of the rumors that circulated during the campaign that were particularly painful for her, including one that her infant son Trig was not in fact her own child, that it was someone else’s baby.The governor will address that in our next half hour, Meredith.COMMERCIAL BREAKBEGIN VIDEO CLIPLauer: Todd, are you more or less likely to scream the next time your wife says, “Hey, there’s another campaign in our future Are you — you know, you have more in you for that I mean, if…T. PALIN: Those are…Lauer: … been talk about the Senate and even 2012, the presidency. How do you feel about thatT. PALIN: Those are questions that maybe I should have asked when she told me she was going to join the PTA…… so it’s a little late for that.Lauer: You’re along for the ride, rightEND VIDEO CLIPLauer: That is Governor Sarah Palin and her family her husband, Todd, of 20 years at home in Wasilla, Alaska.As we spoke yesterday, the governor was gracious enough to invite me and some of my producers to her home for dinner. On the menu, halibut and salmon casserole. And you know what It was really good.While we were there, we had a chance to talk to Governor Palin about the highs and lows of the campaign and what the future holds for her.Meanwhile, it is now 7:30 on a Tuesday morning, the 11th day of November 2008. I’m Matt Lauer reporting live from Anchorage, Alaska. Meredith is back in Studio 1A in New York City.And, Meredith, do you think the producers would let me get away with calling this my ends of the earth tripVIEIRA: I don’t think so. Nice try, Matt. But, uh-uh. I don’t think so. You’re coming back and then going out again.But I’m actually looking forward to dinner with the Palins.What was your biggest surprise when you met the familyLauer: You know what, this is a very down-to-earth family. You know, over the last couple of months we got used to watching Sarah Palin on the road with the Secret Service around here and state troopers everywhere. None of the trappings of the campaign remain. She is someone who drives the 45 miles between Wasilla and Anchorage every day herself — no driver. And when she’s home, she is a working mom, cooking dinner, as I mentioned, for her family and for visitors. And so I think that it’s just that how down to earth she appears to be is what really surprised me most.VIEIRA: And her kids — those kids are so cute. Looking forward to it, Matt.COMMERCIAL BREAKVIEIRA: Now let’s go back to Matt in Anchorage.Lauer: All right, Meredith. Thanks very much.Campaigns can be grueling for the candidates and their families. They’re filled with highs and lows.And in this section of our interview with Sarah Palin , I start by talking to her about what was probably the highest moment of her run for the vice presidency: her speech before the Republican National Convention.S. PALIN: It was a wonderful night because I had my family there with me — my parents, my siblings, Todd and the kids. And, you know, I knew that it was an opportunity to be there representing the middle class, hard-working American families facing challenges that certainly my family faces.Lauer: Nerve-rackingS. PALIN: Not nerve-racking, not at all. Because, again, you know, I knew that the message was right and I knew that people were there because they actually wanted to hear what John McCain and I had to say in that convention.Lauer: And when you sensed the excitement in that room as you concluded that speech, did you go into the wings of the stage and say, “Yes, this is going to go great” And did you have any idea that about a month later, people would have the knives out for youS. PALIN: I did not know that it would be as brutal a ride as it turned out to be, in terms of some of the shots taken against my kids and the false allegations.Lauer: What was the biggest misconception that you would have loved to have corrected at the timeS. PALIN: It started off with the rumors, the speculation, even in mainstream media, that Trig wasn’t actually my child, that Trig was somebody else’s child and I faked a pregnancy. That was absolutely ridiculous. And it took days for that false allegation inaudible be corrected.And then rumors right off the bat, too, that, you know, I was some — some wacko. That as city manager I tried to ban the books in our local library, and they listed the books that supposedly I tried to ban, books like “Harry Potter” that hadn’t even been written when I was the mayor and the manager. And things like that, that so easily could have been corrected if — if reporters would have done their job.Lauer: Governor, there were whispers when it was revealed that Bristol was pregnant that she and Levi were going to get married because of political reasons.S. PALIN: See, that…Lauer: That this was the politically correct thing to have happen.S. PALIN: Well, you know, there — there, again, lots of rumor, lots of speculation. But, at the same time, you know, when those — when those darts and those arrows started flying, I knew still, though, that we were on the right path in terms of offering ourselves up — me, my family — in the name of service to our country.Lauer: Did you read some of the comments I mean, in the late days of the campaign, Governor, it was — it seemed as if people had taken one of two sides: Either that they maintained were you the best thing that ever happened to John McCain ’s campaign, or, in the last week, some people have said you cost him the election.S. PALIN: Well, I think the economic collapse had a heck of a lot more to do with a collapsed campaign effort than me, personally.Lauer:voice-over: Our conversation continued in Wasilla, Alaska, the governor’s home, where we were joined by her husband of 20 years, Todd.on camera: You know, I was thinking that you really kind of got the incredible overnight schooling of what it’s like to be in the center of the storm like this. I mean, how would you — how would you kind of sum of the experienceT. PALIN: Our family’s very adaptable. With the slope schedule — week on, week off…Lauer: Right.T. PALIN: … and then our commercial fishing activities in the summertime.So we’re always juggling schedules.Lauer: This is a lay-up there. I should probably go get my hockey helmet for this one.LAUGHTERBut how did you feel, Todd, that the — Sarah likes to say the mainstream media covered her campaignT. PALIN: Well, to be honest, we were so busy with the campaign that there wasn’t much TV time. So — but the untruth about her record and — you know, once there’s a headline and then two or three days later when you try to correct it, the story’s already out, so.Lauer: Yes.Were there things you wanted to say but simply weren’t in the position to sayT. PALIN: We’ve been in this long enough to understand that it’s just part of the business.S. PALIN: There were plenty of times I wanted to shout out, “Hey, wait a minute, that’s not true.”But, yes, like Todd says, too, and as I explained, you know what you’re getting into, though, as a candidate. And if your skin isn’t thick enough to take it as a candidate, really you’ve got no business running for public office. Because it is pretty brutal, you know. And you take the good with the bad. And day by day in a campaign you take the victories with the defeats. And it is, like Todd says, all a part of this — this beast called politics in America.LAUGHTERLAUER: Governor, you said to me earlier, I said if you had a do- over, and you said, well inaudible I just wanted to spend more time with people and perhaps do more interviews. Much was made over the number of interviews you did versus Senator Biden.S. PALIN: Yes.LAUER: I’m curious, was there someone saying to you, “No, no let’s not do a lot of interviews”S. PALIN: You know, I’m not going to get into that inside baseball strategy that was used with those who were calling the shots in the campaign. I’m going to let them answer that.But suffice it to say, I’m comfortable doing interviews. I love being able to express what my positions are, where it is that I would like to see, in this case here in Alaska, where I would like to see me state go and where I feel that I’m capable of leading it.And there in the campaign, I would have loved more opportunities to speak to the American people about what I’d like to see of…CROSSTALKLAUER: I think you answered my question without answering it, though. So it is something you would have liked to have more opportunity to doS. PALIN: You have to be able to do that. I mean, you can’t just assume that the voters are going to be able to just guess what is going on, and, you know, just be able to guess and assume what a candidate’s positions are or what their plans are. You have to be able to — you have to be able to speak with them. And you do that through the media. That’s the way this system works.LAUER: Right.S. PALIN: So you can’t be afraid of being able to seize opportunities, every opportunity you can to talk to Americans.S. PALIN: Let’s ask Piper.What did you think of the trail, PipeLAUER: What’d you thinkWas it fun, or was it hardP. PALIN: It was hard and fun.LAUER: What was the hard partP. PALIN: All the rallies.LAUER: Yes Going there every time and…P. PALIN: YesLAUER: … listening to the speeches and things like thatP. PALIN: Yes.LAUER: Did you — when you were traveling, did you miss your friends back homeP. PALIN: Yes.LAUER: That’s a hard part, isn’t itP. PALIN: Yes.LAUER: Did you miss much schoolP. PALIN: A lot of school.LAUER: Yes, and how’s that now, is it hard to catch upP. PALIN: Yes. It’s really hard.LAUER: So you’re seven now. So if your mom comes in four years, you’ll be 11, and she says, “Piper, kids, here we go again, another campaign, how would you feel about itP. PALIN: I don’t know.LAUER: You don’t know S. PALIN: Would you want to do it again, sisterP. PIPER: Yes.S. PALIN: inaudible that was fun.END VIDEOTAPELAUER: So that is what Piper has to say about her mom’s political future. But what does the governor herself have to say There have been rumors she may end up in the U.S. Senate or run for president in 2012.Sarah Palin – Matt Lauer Interview Video YouTubeIf you like this post, then please consider subscribing to my RSS feed. You can also subscribe by email and have new posts sent directly to your inbox.

Excerpt Taken From http://www.monacome.com/2008/11/palin-matt-lauer-interview-video.html

‘I’m passionate about life’Actor Tom Cruise talks with ‘Today’ host Matt Lauer about his new love, new movie and his recent controversial commentsArchival video’Matt, Matt, Matt …’June 23, 2005: The movie star discusses his new film, his new relationship and Scientology with the “Today” show’s Matt Lauer.Today showLatest news from People.comBoy in Balloon Mystery is Alive and at HomeBalloon Family: Reality Stars, Thrill SeekersDid Jon Gosselin Hack Into Kate’s EmailsSlideshowBest and worst celebrity fashions of 2009From glamorous gowns to stylish suits to complete fashion failures, a look at the year so far.more photosSlideshowCeleb sightingsFerrell and Reilly shake n bake again, Miley sings in the city and more.more photosMost popular videoTina Fey, Al Roker kiss on TODAYOct. 15: Comedian and television star Tina Fey gets up-close-and-personal with the TODAY hosts and chats about her show 30 Rock, which premieres its fourth season tonight.Boy wonder One-legged child is sports phenomBoy fights disease that turns muscle into boneBoys charged for setting teen on fireModel: I was fired for being too large

TODAYupdated 2:44 a.m. ET June 25, 2005The past few weeks have been full of excitement for Tom Cruise. Today host Matt Lauer sat down with the actor and talked about his new love, his new movie, War of the Worlds, and the recent firestorm he caused when he commented on Brooke Shields use of therapy and drugs to cure her postpartum depression.Matt Lauer: Anything at all interesting happening in your life these daysTom Cruise: Well, you know, same old, same old.Story continues below advertisement your ad hereLauer: Same old you know whatCruise: Same old you know what.Lauer: How are you handling this I mean every magazine, every newspaper, and every entertainment show. What’s it like for you to be living through this right nowCruise: I have to tell you. It’s just a great time in my life. I’m really happy. And, you know, I’m engaged. I’m going to be married. I can’t restrain myself. Lauer: It’s like you’ve got two little cords on your mouth and you can’t stop smiling. I was thinking about it. On the one hand, it’s got to be a little hard to see yourself everywhere, splashed across the pages. Another aspect of this, though, is, how many actors 20-something years into a career can generate this kind of interest stillCruise: You know, I just do what I do. I love making movies. And I feel privileged to be able to do that, always. And it’s something that I’m just living my life, you know.Lauer: We talk about life in a second. Let’s talk about the movie, though. Okay, War of the Worlds. I mean, I’ve always been fascinated by this whole concept, the “we are not alone in a big way,” concept. Do you remember your first exposure to it, to the storyCruise: I remember, I was a kid. And I heard about the Orson Wells radio play. It was my first exposure to this story. Lauer: This is not just an alien movie. The story breaks down on a lot of different levels. And on one of the levels, your character is a fatherCruise: Mm-hmm. Lauer: Not the best father in the world.Cruise: Mm-hmm.Lauer: Tell me how that plays into this whole scenario.Cruise: When we were working on this story three years ago, director Steven Spielberg and I came up with this idea of making it about a family. And so now, he is forced in these circumstances to rise to the occasion. Will he rise to the occasion And I just think it’s very human. I think the you know, you’re a father.Lauer: Sure.Cruise: I’m a father, you know. I always wanted to be a father. Remember when you first held your child It’s like wow, tremendous sense of responsibility.Lauer: Life-changing.Cruise: Yeah. And we talk about it. But not until you experience it can you really know it. We wanted to imbue the story with that journey.Lauer: Is this a scary movie in the traditional sense of Hollywood scaryCruise: I think it’s Spielbergian scary. Lauer: Is that a wordCruise: It now is. I think, you know, I tease him. ‘Cause I say, I know your movies better than you do. You know, I studied his edits so many times. I’ve studied his movies. And having worked with him, it’s not analytical. He’s just creating. And he has tremendous power because he understands the medium. And he’s just that great, great, great storyteller. I think he’s the greatest storyteller cinema has ever known.Lauer: Lets talk about selling this movie. You’ve just toured around the world, getting the story of War of the Worlds out there. And at the same time, you’ve got this great thing happening in your personal life that has become the subject of so many headlines and stories.Cruise: ReallyLauer: Yeah. From what I’ve seen. You want to count Three thousand, four hundred and four.Cruise: Are you seriousLauer: No. Made that up. Is there any fear in your part that what happens personally overshadows the movieCruise: Nah, it never does.Lauer: Has it helped the movieCruise: I don’t know. You know what It comes down to the movie. It always comes down to the movie. Lauer: You are being so much more open. You’ve been on this show in the past at times where you were in other relationships. And I’d kind of broach the subject of a personal life. And you would very gingerly steer it away. That was how we came to know Tom Cruise. And now, you’re saying, “You know what I’m okay with it.” So, it does seem like a different guy.Cruise: Yeah. But they’re still writing it. You got to understand. All that stuff, they’d still write it. They’d still talk about it. And the thing is, I still feel I will talk about what I feel, what I want to talk about.Lauer: Right.Cruise: And I won’t talk about what I don’t want to talk about. And it just doesn’t matter. It comes down to the movie, you know. And I also feel, Matt, I’m living my life. And I feel fortunate, you know. I feel really fortunate. And I’m excited.

Excerpt Taken From http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8343367

Topic – Matt Lauer