It seems that Matt Lauer is either a glutton for punishment, or he just doesn't care how things come off, sometimes.

Variety asked him to write an article about his co-anchor, Savannah Guthrie for the magazine's New Power of New York list. Everything was going just fine until Lauer wrote, "It wasn't long before she slid effortlessly into the role of co-anchor at "Today," where she was perhaps the most qualified person to ever assume the position." Wait, what?

Let's remind Lauer about some of the previous co-hosts: Barbara Walters, Jane Pauley, Deborah Norville, Katie Couric, Meredith Vieira and Ann Curry. That's a pretty impressive list.

We're hoping Lauer was suffering from a 'Commander in Chief" moment, and doesn't really believe the previous co-hosts were less qualified.

In the meantime, Variety has Don Lemon on the list, so we're not sure there's much validity.