Kathie Lee Defends Matt Lauer: 'If He Goes, I'm Going Too'

According to the New York Daily News, NBC's Kathie Lee Gifford has composed a letter in which she sticks up for her collegue Matt Lauer. The 'Today' show co-host is defending Lauer due to the recent onslaught of negative publicity he has received in the dismissal of former morning show co-anchor Ann Curry.

The News reports that Gifford was set to use the letter, along with hundreds of signatures from cast and crew members of the Today show, in an ad she planned to place in USA Today. However she reversed her decision after Lauer requested that she "keep it in the family."

"We the people of the 'Today' show who work side by side, day by day, year in and year out with Matt Lauer are tired of unfounded and unrelenting stories by faceless characters regarding his character and reputation," Gifford's letter read. "No one has coerced us to sign this. With our signatures we stand in support of our colleague and friend."

Today, Gifford told ETonline at the American Mothers National Convention in New York City, "We are tired of the truth not coming forward and we have watched this man we respect and admire be vilified. He is a good guy and if he goes, I'm going too."

The drama began with the recent release of New York Times reporter Brian Stelter's new book 'Top of the Morning' which focuses on the recent controversies surrounding Today, specifically the firing of Curry, which the reporter alleges "was planned well in advance."