Mobile devices certainly played a huge role in Thanksgiving day festivities this past week. But it seems the social network brought out more critics than commerce.
One of the biggest sources of discussion and focus across the social media world Thursday wasn’t turkey recipes or Black Friday deals. It was Matt Lauer. As in, the co-anchor from Today on NBC.
“You are terrible,” was a general tweet directed at Lauer by the thousands.
“Dear Matt Lauer, RETIRE!” was an often retweeted comment that similarly came in response to Matt Lauer’s hosting duties of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
“Matt Lauer should get a lifetime achievement award for saying ridiculous things with deadpan, absolute sincerity. Way to go Matt,” another critic griped.
“YOU LOOK LIKE A CROTCHETY OLD MAN,” another viewer lamented.
So what was the criticism all about?
“In one sense, I think the criticism of Lauer’s performance as parade announcer is out of proportion to his alleged ‘sins,'” writes David Zurawik of the Baltimore Sun. “Though, I will admit, pronouncing ‘S’Wonderful” as ‘Ess Wonderful’ is pretty ignorant and embarrassing. And if you love musical theater, it probably does make you want to kill.”
More important to Lauer and NBC News, is the fact that there seems to be a kind of widespread enmity toward him right now, and I think that is connected to his perceived role in Ann Curry’s firing and all that has followed with Today’s loss of ratings and change in leadership. Many of the most savage tweet-reviews of his parade performance mention the belief that Lauer, who signed a huge contract this year, used his clout to push Curry out.
So… did you partake in the Lauer roasting on Thanksgiving?