The Top Of The Morning

“Premature”

“The No. 1 priority is Matt on the ‘Today’ show.”

That’s what the NBC Entertainment chairman Robert Greenblatt told reporters Friday in Los Angeles, where he was answering questions about the twice-a-year TV press tour.

Bill Carter of The New York Times reports:

Mr. Greenblatt called Ryan Seacrest, the “American Idol” host, a crucial “piece of talent” for the Comcast owners of NBC (because of his work for the E! Channel), and he will be talking to NBC about projects for both himself and his production company. Mr. Greenblatt said he would love to have Mr. Seacrest do a series of interview specials in the style of Barbara Walters.

As for the rumored opening for him on the “Today” show, Mr. Greenblatt said he believed suggestions that Mr. Seacrest might replace Matt Lauer as host were premature and that it remains the company’s “hope and belief” that Mr. Lauer will be back as host.

Here’s the Dec. 8 scene-setter for this story: “To Keep Seacrest, Comcast May Set Its Crown Jewel at His Feet”