Matt Lauer Facing "Harassment" By Viewers Over Ann Curry's Today Departure

When celebrities walk around New York City, it's commonplace for regular folks to shout out greetings. Unfortunately for Matt Lauer, the messages aren't always positive.

More than a few strangers have berated the Today host on the streets of Manhattan, sources at NBC tell TMZ, "screaming at him" and "calling him names" because they blame Lauer for Ann Curry's departure from the morning news show this past summer.

"Matt is 'miserable' over what he believes are hateful and unfair tirades," the source reportedly told TMZ. "Matt says the harassment is constant, with people screaming things like 'You're a bad guy,' and 'You got Ann fired. Does that make you happy?'"

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When Lauer renegotiated his contract earlier this year, one of his stipulations was that Curry be removed as his co-anchor, several outlets, including TMZ, reported. Under the new contract, Lauer is reportedly paid a $25 million salary.

But money can't buy love. Lauer feels "abused" by the viewer backlash and says it's "driving him crazy," according to TMZ.

To make matters worse, Today has steadily slipped in the ratings and fell behind Good Morning America back in April for the first time in 16 years.