I am blessed to be surrounded by the people I love. I thank them for their patience and grace.
Matt Lauer
There are no words to express my sorrow and regret for the pain I have caused others by words and actions. To the people I have hurt, I am truly sorry.
My mother is a strong woman. Her strength comes from being tested by life's unpredictability. It comes from soldiering on for her children, even when she might rather have given up. I know it hasn't always come easily, but I also know it's her greatest gift.
If I buy something new - a piece of clothing, a tie, a shirt, a suit - something old has to go. That's the way I avoid clutter, crammed closets and drawers. It keeps things in balance, and it really works.
In my mind, I am extraordinarily handy. But what that means is when I attempt to fix something, there's usually a five-minute period of experimentation, followed by a five-minute period of frustration, followed by a frantic phone call to a professional.
On a day-to-day level, I love watching my kids accomplish the little things that seem trivial but are really milestones: seeing my son hit a baseball or watching my daughter draw something that actually looks like what she says she's drawing. Or hearing them say 'I love you.'
Being in front of the camera - first of all, when I wanted to get into television, it was as a producer. I never had an idea that I would do anything in front of the camera, and that kind of happened by accident. But I wanted to be a producer or give me a job with the Yankees or play for the Knicks. I was a sports nut when I was a kid.
Broadcasting through 9/11 together, like Katie Couric and I did, creates a bond.
There are pockets of liberal, affluent America where parents don't want their kids vaccinated.
People have the right to say whatever they want.
If you have a bad experience on the air, you don't think you've done your job, or you have an embarrassing moment. I guarantee you'll work harder the next time not to let it happen again.
My dad taught me how to fish. When I am stand in a trout stream now, and I have the waders on, and I've got a fly rod in my hand, or I am fishing for bass, I think of sitting in a boat with my dad. How can that be a bad experience?
I like it when things are where they're supposed to be.
Over the course of 20 years that I've been at NBC, I have never seen the amount of money I make reported correctly by the media.
I was one of these people, especially early in my career, who balanced the equation too much in favor of my job; I spent most of my life focusing on that. But becoming a dad gave me back perspective; it brought balance into my life.
There are some harsh realities about this business, and they've been beaten into my psyche. But I'm more of an optimist than a pessimist.
There was always an unspoken generosity about my mom.
Some of what is being said about me is untrue or mischaracterized, but there is enough truth in these stories to make me feel embarrassed and ashamed. I regret that my shame is now shared by the people I cherish dearly.
I'm glad to know that I can host the 'Today' show for 16 years and not be a trending topic. And all the sudden I'm on 'Royal Pains,' and I'm a trending topic. There's something a little strange about that.
In some ways, being No. 2 in the ratings is a real shot in the arm, a kick in the pants.
I probably would do over the Tom Cruise interview because I've thought of so many things I would have said in hindsight.
I did not stay at the 'Today' show because of money. I think there are other ways to make money.
I value my privacy a lot.
This is the best job in television. I grew up watching the 'Today show.'
I don't walk around saying everything is going to be wonderful.
I like getting rid of things. I really do.
If I feel like I've done a great job during an interview with the president of the United States live in the Oval Office, it doesn't give me a tenth of the good feeling of going to the school play and making eye contact with my kids as they're onstage delivering their lines. Nothing compares with that moment of connection.
I'm lucky: I have very funny kids.
The vast majority of what I've seen written about me is not true. My family and friends - the people who matter to me - they know the real story.
I don't want to be known in my life for what I do from 5 to 9 in the mornings.
Even the bad interviews I think you learn from. They make you better.
It's rare when suddenly a window opens up, and you see a side of a celebrity you've never seen before, good or bad.
Could there have been a better role for Florence Henderson than Mrs. Brady? She nurtured everybody. She was so caring.
I read the rumors, and I know there is a cottage industry of meanness out there.
I don't find anything comes out of getting in someone's face during an interview and screaming.
The Iraqis have once again failed to meet a deadline for a final draft of the constitution.
If you can be who you are on camera, which is not easy, then I think you're going to be successful.
If you are the person who gets the lion's share of attention in good times, guess what: you get the lion's share of attention in bad times.
There's a difference between good chemistry and a bond. Chemistry is something you have with somebody you meet - or you don't. It's an intangible. It may be superficial. It's much harder to put your finger on than a bond.
I don't think it's a healthy thing in your personal life to go around with that never-sure attitude.
People always say, 'Is it tough getting up at four in the morning?' I'm not terrible with that, but the weird thing for me is that I start to feel like a 3-year-old in need of a nap at about 7:30 at night; and, at 9:30, my head is teetering like that.
Katie Couric is kind of my soulmate.
Researchers have discovered that chocolate produces some of the same reactions in the brain as marijuana. The researchers also discovered other similarities between the two but can't remember what they are.
I learned more from my dad by osmosis than by any talk we ever had. He was the most reliable person I've ever met.
I am the luckiest guy I know.
I like fishing as much when I don't catch anything as when I do.
Every night at 6:30, my entire family sits down for dinner together. It's definitely the best part of my day.
I'm one of these people who tends to think that the ordinary people are more fascinating than the celebrities and even the politicians.
People don't want to see me having a bad morning. They have job problems, financial problems, family pressures, kids to get off to school. The last thing they want to wake up to is someone showing them the same problems. So maybe that's the one time I am forced to act.
You get your dream job and, in my opinion, despite anything they might say about you professionally or personally, you shut up, and you just do the job - and enjoy it.
