Times Square Gossip

Hoda Kotb Angela Bassett Angela Bassett and Hoda Kotb looked stunning at the 16th Annual Woman's Day Red Dress Awards at the Appel Room in New York City the other evening. Photos By: Diego Corredor/MediaPunch

Hoda Kotb E! NEWS -- No one is happier for Hoda Kotb's career advancement than Matt Lauer. Hours ago, Kotb was named Lauer's successor as co-anchor of Today. She will join Savannah Guthrie for two hours a day, starting at 7 a.m., and will continue to clink wine glasses with Kathie Lee Gifford in the fourth hour. E! News spoke to Kotb in between segments Tuesday, where she revealed Lauer was among those who privately congratulated her on the promotion. "He was sweet this morning. Certain texts popped up, and there was one from Matt: 'Congratulations!'" said Kotb, who joined Today a decade ago. "And he said some nice words." Lauer has stayed out of the public eye since he was fired from NBC News in November amid allegations of sexual misconduct. A staple on Today since the '90s, he was "embarrassed" after coming clean. "There are no words to express my sorrow and regret for the pain I have caused other...

Gayle King Hoda Kotb Hoda Kotb And Gayle King were photogrpahed at L'Oreal Paris Women of Worth Celebration at The Pierre Hotel in New York City last night. Photos By: Diego Corredor/MediaPunch

**** NBC TODAY **** Megyn Kelly And Hoda Kotb Ed Sheeran Megyn Kelly and Hoda Kotb were snapped at The Ed Sheeran concert @ NBC's "Today" at Rockefeller Plaza this morning in New York City. Photos By: Diego Corredor/MediaPunch

Hoda Kotb Hoda Kotb looked stunning at The NASCAR Foundation Celebrates 10 Years Of Giving At First-Ever Nascar Foundation Honors Gala at Marriot Marquis last night in New York City. Photo By: Diego Corredor/Media Punch

Hoda Kotb The Band Perry Neil Perry, Kimberly Perry and Reid Perry of The Band Perry, were photographed at the Woman's Day 13th Annual Red Dress Awards at Appel Room last night in New York City. Hoda Kotb was also there in style and beautiful fashion. Photos By: Diego Corredor/Media Punch

**** THE GLORIOUS CORNER Story By: G.H. Harding **** Matt Lauer Has Powers At NBC TODAY SHOW MADNESS --- What’s in the water over at NBC/Universal? Having just gotten somewhat over the Ann Curry-debacle, there’s been a flurry of stories about the morning show crew; with Natalie Morales and Willie Geist suddenly being fired and Hoda Kotb replacing Savannah Guthrie. Yesterday, on their 9:00-AM hour, the so-named Today’s Take, Geist and Morales addressed it directly. A big rumor was that Matt Lauer went to the powers that be and instructed them NOT to do this, which resulted in the immediate firing of a NBC exec.  The once untouchable Today Show, which is limping to the end of its 63rd year amid backbiting, talent anxiety, lurid headlines, and for the past two years, second-place ratings, have cost the network news division tens of millions of dollars in advertising revenue. This latest embarrassment—Monday night’s very public dismissal of ...

Hoda Kotb Maria Shriver Gloria Steinem Nick Doob And Shari Cookson Katrina Gilbert New York City hosted 'Paycheck To Paycheck: The Life And Times Of Katrina Gilbert' Premiere at HBO Theater, in New York City. Photos By:  Corredor99/MediaPunch