By the Entertainment Desk

It has been exactly eight years since the morning television landscape was changed forever. In November 2017, the unimaginable happened: Matt Lauer, the king of morning TV and the friendly face millions woke up to for two decades, was fired overnight following shocking allegations of sexual misconduct.

The fall was swift and absolute. One day he was the highest-paid anchor in news; the next, he was a pariah, retreating to the seclusion of the Hamptons while his former co-hosts, Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb, were left to pick up the pieces on live television.

For nearly a decade, Lauer has maintained a ghost-like presence—seen only in paparazzi photos on his boat or driving around Long Island. But according to a bombshell new report from an industry insider, the silence may soon be over.

Matt Lauer is plotting a comeback. And he’s not coming back asking for forgiveness—he’s coming back angry.

The “Quiet” Plot for Redemption

According to sources close to the 67-year-old former anchor, Lauer is actively exploring ways to return to the “media arena.” While a return to a major broadcast network like NBC is likely impossible (and legally complicated), insiders suggest Lauer is eyeing the digital landscape—podcasting or independent streaming—where he can control his own narrative without the oversight of network executives.

“He wants to get back into the media arena in some capacity, if not TV,” a source told People magazine this week. “He has talked to some people about it.”

This marks a significant shift in Lauer’s attitude. For years, reports indicated he had no interest in returning to the public eye, preferring to focus on his children and his divorce proceedings. But as the eight-year anniversary of his firing passes, something has changed. The “journalist at heart” is reportedly restless, and he feels he has served his time in exile.

“Still Angry” After All These Years

Perhaps the most shocking detail to emerge from these new reports is Lauer’s emotional state. One might expect that eight years of reflection would bring a sense of peace or acceptance. Instead, sources say Lauer is “still angry” about the way his exit was handled and the swift abandonment by people he considered close friends.

“He is still angry with the way he was treated by the industry and people he thought were his friends,” the insider revealed.

Following the scandal, Lauer “iced out” many former colleagues, feeling betrayed that they didn’t stand by him publicly. While he has maintained a small circle of loyalists—including former CNN anchor Don Lemon, whose wedding Lauer attended with girlfriend Shamin Abas—his relationship with the broader media establishment remains fractured.

Don Lemon has been one of the few vocal supporters of a Lauer comeback. Earlier this year, Lemon commented that whenever he is out with Lauer, the public reaction is surprisingly warm. “Women love him,” Lemon said. “They’re like, ‘Matt, oh my God, can I get a picture? I miss you on television.’ The public misses him, but it’s the people inside the business who are afraid.”

The “New” Matt Lauer

If Lauer does return, he will be bringing a very different life experience to the microphone. He is no longer the pristine, untouchable anchor of Studio 1A. He is a man who has been through a public shaming, a high-profile divorce from Annette Roque (which cost him a reported $20 million settlement), and a total reconstruction of his social world.

His personal life, however, seems to be the one area of stability. Lauer has been dating marketing executive Shamin Abas since 2019. The couple lives a quiet, luxurious life in the Hamptons and New Zealand, far removed from the Rockefeller Center limelight. Friends say Abas has been a rock for Lauer, supporting him “in every way” and helping him navigate the isolation of the last few years.

He has also focused heavily on repairing his relationship with his three children—Jack, Romy, and Thijs. Sources say he has become a dedicated father, trying to make up for lost time during his busy career years.

Will the Public Listen?

The biggest question remains: Is the world ready for Matt Lauer 2.0?

The media landscape of 2025 is vastly different from 2017. The #MeToo movement has evolved, and while “cancel culture” is still a powerful force, there have been instances of public figures finding paths to redemption—or at least, to profitable independent platforms.

If Lauer launches a podcast or interview series, curiosity alone would likely drive massive initial numbers. Viewers would tune in to see if he addresses the specific allegations, if he shows remorse, or if he doubles down on his “anger” toward the industry.

However, the risk is enormous. A comeback attempt could reignite the backlash, bringing the details of the 2017 allegations back to the forefront of public discourse. It could also force his former colleagues at TODAY into the uncomfortable position of having to comment on their former co-anchor once again.

For now, Lauer is testing the waters, talking to “people,” and gauging the temperature. But one thing is clear: the man who once defined morning television is tired of being silent. And if he does speak, he has eight years of anger and untold stories ready to pour out.

What do you think? Would you watch or listen to a Matt Lauer comeback, or should he stay out of the spotlight forever? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.