KATIE USES LAUER AS HUMAN SHIELD!
Deflects criticism of tell-all by hanging Matt out to dry
FLIP-FLOPPING Katie Couric threw former “Today” co-host Matt Lauer under the bus after being blasted for being “soft” on the sex pest’s past in her toxic tell-all!
In her memoir “Going There,” Katie gushed serial sleaze
Matt “exude[d] decency and kindness!”
But after being bashed in the media, the failed “CBS Evening News” anchor did a complete about-face and branded Lauer “abusive” and “disgusting!”
“Katie is despised in the news and entertainment industry for this book — and didn’t expect the kind of backlash she’s received,” dished a TV insider.
“She’s obviously trying to change the conversation and make Matt her scapegoat!”
Perky Katie, 64, hosted NBC’s morning jewel with Lauer for nine years. He was fired in November 2017 amid a barrage of allegations of sexual misconduct. In her book, Katie claimed she’d only heard “whispers” about Lauer’s predatory antics and even drooled he “could charm the pants off any celebrity.” But insiders said she had to know about the creep’s dark side. “Heck, her office was right next to his!” one source snitched.
To prove the point, critics noted Katie wrote Lauer once invited a producer to his office, insisting she wear a
“skirt that came off easily.” With pundits pounding her, Katie rushed to change her tune about Matt during an awkward “Today” interview with Savannah Guthrie on Oct. 19. “As I got more information and learned what was going on behind the scenes, it was really upsetting and disturbing,” she backpedaled. “And it was really devastating, but also disgusting!”
In her book, catty Katie
also revealed she refused to mentor younger female colleagues, such as former MSNBC anchor Ashleigh Banfield, because it would have been “self-sabotage!” “Someone younger and cuter was always around the corner,” said Katie, whining she had to “protect her turf.” She also blamed the culture at NBC for not protecting or promoting other women.
“The general rule at the time was, ‘It’s none of your business,’ ” she wrote. “A don’t-ask-don’t-tell culture where anything goes.”
But insiders insisted her fallback song and dance about Lauer is falling flat. “Katie’s new comments ring hollow and come way too late!” a source snapped.