In name, Deborah Norville was co-host of "Today" from January 8, 1990 until early April 1991 (April 4th?) when Katherine Couric was designated her successor mid-week. However, Norville last appeared on the program in February 1991, when she left for maternity leave. The way that NBC handled the succession was very, very tacky. NBC effectively fired a woman on maternity leave. I could see that happening in the 1950s or '60s and maybe the '70s--but in the 1990's? Have a baby and we'll fire you.
That's EXACTLY what happened to her, however, on the up side of it, she was reportedly paid a cool $4 million to effectively "stay home" for the duration of her contract. It was good for her personally because she was able to stay home with her baby but, even with the money, NBC, by paying her out, nearly destroyed her mainstream news career because the clause said that even though she would no longer be on NBC, the money kept her under their contract, which meant she couldn't work AT ALL
they also fired her cause she wasn't doing well in her job, fair enough. same thing happened here with one of our Today Show anchors. she was shit so she didn't come back after maternity leave, and the show has been better off because of it.
She moved on to anchor Inside Edition, where she picked up where Bill O'Reilly left off.
O'Reilly left Inside Edition to anchor at the brand-new FOX News Channel, where he does the popular O'Reilly Factor weeknights.
Norville took O'Reilly's place when he left for FOX News.
newscaster13 1 year ago
In name, Deborah Norville was co-host of "Today" from January 8, 1990 until early April 1991 (April 4th?) when Katherine Couric was designated her successor mid-week. However, Norville last appeared on the program in February 1991, when she left for maternity leave. The way that NBC handled the succession was very, very tacky. NBC effectively fired a woman on maternity leave. I could see that happening in the 1950s or '60s and maybe the '70s--but in the 1990's? Have a baby and we'll fire you.
jaybee1973jaybee 2 years ago
That's EXACTLY what happened to her, however, on the up side of it, she was reportedly paid a cool $4 million to effectively "stay home" for the duration of her contract. It was good for her personally because she was able to stay home with her baby but, even with the money, NBC, by paying her out, nearly destroyed her mainstream news career because the clause said that even though she would no longer be on NBC, the money kept her under their contract, which meant she couldn't work AT ALL
Crusin4444 2 years ago
@jaybee1973jaybee You failed to mention that she was very unpopular and Today's ratings suffered dramatically while she co hosted.
grahambrunk 2 years ago
@jaybee1973jaybee
they also fired her cause she wasn't doing well in her job, fair enough. same thing happened here with one of our Today Show anchors. she was shit so she didn't come back after maternity leave, and the show has been better off because of it.
anchorman87 1 year ago
Deborah Norville was host of Today before Katie Couric took over a couple of years later.
dgendvil 2 years ago