"I'm Ann Curry, and I'm in for...I guess, nobody."
With that, the 14 year "Today" veteran began her new role as co-host alongside Matt Lauer. "I feel like Cinderella," she joked, squeezing Lauer's hand. "It's going to be fun."
After yesterday's grand and tearful good-bye to Meredith Vieira, the "Today" show officially shifted gears with Curry replacing Vieira and Natalie Morales stepping behind Curry's former news desk full time.
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Curry was welcomed with more than just self-deprecating humor, however. Former First Lady Laura Bush recorded a special video greeting, congratulating Curry on her new role. But it was a second video - this one from Curry's husband and daughter offering their love and support- that finally broke Curry down.
As she wiped tears from her eyes, Lauer enthused, "This is an exciting new chapter in the history of the show, but this is a comfortable fit."
Lauer then introduced a video montage of Curry's best NBC moments - ranging from hard-hitting news reports, free-wheeling comedy segments, and the occasional endearingly awkward behind the scenes flub.
Jokes, tributes, and a few tears and the Curry era of "Today" officially begins.
Selected Reading: MSNBC, Media Bistro, Newsday
