NEW YORK — Where in the world is Matt Lauer? Staying in the USA this year. In a nod to the economy, the “Today” show is putting off its annual mystery trip where Lauer is sent to exotic spots from Monte Carlo to Mount Everest. Instead, NBC’s morning team will spend a week in May exploring affordable vacation spots in the United States.
“Today” executive producer Jim Bell said he had solicited suggestions from viewers for this year’s “Where in the World Is Matt Lauer” trip. Instead, many told him that in bad economic times, the extravagant trip sent the wrong message.
“Going from Paris to the Pyramids began to feel potentially out of touch,” Bell said Friday.
The segments have become Lauer’s signature, and one of the most popular features on television’s most popular morning show. For a week, Lauer is in a different location every day, giving clues to see whether his colleagues and viewers can guess in advance where he is going. Lauer has been sent on nine of the trips, logging more than 200,000 miles in the air.
