This Ends TODAY

Dear Today Show,

I have been a faithful and longtime fan of the Today Show since I was 14 years old. Now I'm 24 years old and find that, sadly, my adoration is weaning. In high school I loved sitting down each morning with my family at the breakfast table and being able to watch quality programming that was both informative as well as tastefully entertaining. I have admired the hosts (Katie, Matt, and Al) for their outstanding and non-biased interviews as much for their uncanny ability to be real and relate to the stories they were reporting on.

However, recently I have been extremely disappointed with the obvious downward turn that the show has taken. I've noticed that Hoda has become increasingly more judgemental in her expressions and speech and with the recent addition of Kathy Lee, the Today Show has become nothing more than a glorified version of The View, ruining the good name of NBC and the former glory of the Today Show. Albeit, I do admire the platform of Kathy Lee, but that story takes a back seat to her blatant disregard for treating others as human beings. Today she referred to the alleged polygamist women as "freakish," right before she called for action to treat others with "class." Oh please! I didn't believe her for a second!

The last thing I want to see on television is another View. I want to see intelligent reporting, not the gossip girls. But I suspect that is exactly what you all are trying to turn the ten o'clock hour into! My suspicions are further grounded with the appearances of one Joan Rivers. Talk about a typical View performance. I guarantee those women will be at each others throats in no time! But I suppose that's what you all are competing with, so why not? I'll tell you why. Because I miss the heartfelt stories of tragedy and success. I miss the personal emphasis and charitable giving that was the Today Show before. Like I previously stated, I use to watch this show with my mother and father and never once did I cringe or want to turn the channel. Yet today, I watching with my husband when I heard Joan Rivers talking about how women "marry only for money" and "fake orgasms." Seriously? I was mortified and utterly disappointed at the lack of quality. I know that Joan Rivers has a complex that causes her to boast about herself and put other people down, but please, let her save it for The View.

Today Show, I'm appealing to you today to ask that you please remove the "Today Talk" segment from the show. If not, I can see the very near future turning into "'Today Talk' with your hosts Hoda Kotb, Kathy Lee Gifford, Joan Rivers, and Richard Simmons." Please don't soil the classy reputation of the Today Show any more! Use your programming time for good! I couldn't stand by and just watch anymore. Something had to be said and furthermore, something needs to be done. Please use your talented researchers and writers for what they are gifted for. If not, I know one right here who is willing to stand in the gap to bring positive reform to a wonderful show. I'm not ready to walk away from this show (mostly because I'd be walking away to watch The View) but also because I admire the work of those who have remained faithful to the integrity of the program, Matt, Al, and Natalie. But if something doesn't change soon, consider this 10-year viewer gone.

Thank you for your time and consideration,
Amy Wopsle
Duncan, Oklahoma