Tamron Hall’s decision to leave NBC News after her show was axed to make way for new star Megyn Kelly sent shockwaves through the TV world — and a 30 Rock insider told Page Six Hall walked away leaving “multiple millions” on the table.
“Tamron was offered a multi-year, multi-million dollar deal to stay at the ‘Today’ show and she turned it down,” the insider said. “People inside NBC were shocked. They expected her to stay,” a source said.
From Page Six
Hall’s relationship with NBC soured when the network canceled her top-rated morning show “Today’s Take,” which she co-hosted with Al Roker, to create a slot for Kelly. Hall found out she was being ousted minutes before she went on-air last Friday. “She was devastated to get the news. It was almost an Ann Curry moment live again on TV. It was surreal,” another insider told us.
Staffers have been buzzing about Andy Lack’s decision to replace “Today’s” first black female anchor with Kelly.
“Tamron doesn’t know Megyn, but of course it’s insulting. Her show was beating Kelly Ripa and ‘Nightly News’ would rate well when she would fill in for Lester Holt. It was a very tense few days for everyone. There was a lot of crying,” the source added. “Tamron never wanted this fight, but she was ready for it. No deal would stop her from standing up after Roker posted their successful ratings [on Twitter].”
Kelly will either take over Hall’s 9 a.m. slot or appear at 10 a.m. when she starts in September.
Roker will continue his duties as “Today” weatherman. And he doesn’t appear too happy either. He exclusively told Page Six, “I’ve been part of the Today family for over 20 years, and will be for many years to come. I enjoy hosting the 9 a.m., and while there’s some disappointment, it’s been a lot of fun and change is part of the business.”
Meanwhile Hall, who was denied a farewell on ‘Today” and is leaving immediately, said in a statement, “The last ten years have been beyond anything I could have imagined, and I’m grateful. I’m also very excited about the next chapter.”
She will continue to host “Deadline: Crime” on Investigation Discovery.
