Lauer accuses author Farrow of bias
Matt Lauer accused author Ronan Farrow on Tuesday of shoddy and biased journalism in his book “Catch and Kill” that included what Lauer says is a false accusation that the former “Today” show host raped a co-worker.
Farrow, a Pulitzer Prizewinning staff writer at The New Yorker, said Lauer “is just wrong.”
Lauer wrote an article published on the Mediaite website a day after an investigation in The New York Times suggested that Farrow, who won a Pulitzer for his work on the accusations against Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein, was less than thorough in vetting his work. Lauer, similarly, said Farrow had not corroborated several specific accusations against him in the 2019 book, “Catch and Kill.”
NBC fired Lauer in 2017 for an inappropriate relationship with a co-worker. In Farrow’s book, that former co-worker, Brooke Nevils, said Lauer raped her in a Sochi hotel room during the 2014 Winter Olympics. Lauer denies the rape charges, and both he and Nevils said they had a subsequent consensual relationship.
Farrow’s publisher, Little, Brown and Co., said it fully supported the author. Mediaite said that its editors checked with four people that Lauer spoke to for his article, and they all independently backed up the conversations they had with him.
Ruby Rose exits superhero series: “Batwoman” star Ruby Rose has left the show after one season playing its titular vigilante. The freshman CW superhero series had already been renewed for a second season. Warner Bros. has announced that the role will be recast. “I have made the very difficult decision to not return to ‘Batwoman’ next season,” Rose said in a statement. “This was not a decision I made lightly as I have the utmost respect for the cast, crew and everyone involved with the show in both Vancouver and in Los Angeles . ... Thank you to everyone who made season one a success — I am truly grateful.”
Joe Rogan’s podcast heads to Spotify: Host and comedian Joe Rogan announced Tuesday that “The Joe Rogan Experience” will be available on Spotify starting Sept. 1. Then “somewhere around the end of the year,” the streaming service will become the podcast’s exclusive home. “It will remain free, and it will be the exact same show,” Rogan said in an Instagram post. “It’s just a licensing deal, so Spotify won’t have any creative control over the show . ... We will still have clips up on YouTube, but full versions of the show will only be on Spotify after the end of the year.” Rogan launched his podcast in 2009 and has boasted an intellectually diverse array of guests.
Tribute planned for Andre Harrell: A tribute to Andre Harrell, the influential music executive who discovered Sean “Diddy” Combs and died earlier this month, will air Sunday. The memorial will feature tributes from Chris Rock, Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx, Babyface and more, and air on BET, BET Jams, BET Soul and REVOLT TV.
May 21 birthdays: Singer Ron Isley is 79. Guitarist Hilton Valentine is 77. Keyboardist Bill Champlin is 73. Singer Leo Sayer is 72. Comedian Al Franken is 69. Actor Mr. T is 68. Actor Judge Reinhold is 63. Actress Lisa Edelstein is 54. Singer-guitarist Mikel Jollet is 46. Actor Sunkrish Bala is 36. Actress Sarah Ramos is 29.