Cooper Approached about Taking Over Lauer's Job

​A report out says that NBC has reached out to CNN's Anderson Cooper as a possible replacement for Matt Lauer on the Today Show.

Deadline writes that NBC recently reached out to Cooper to replace Lauer on the show before the end of the year.

After their initial approach to Cooper, Deadline hears NBC reached out to Lauer to get his blessing about the changeover. But I heard they got pushback from the Today veteran, who contacted Cooper to express his disapproval.

They also say that call caught Cooper by surprise, as he had assumed Lauer had been brought on board before NBC began making overtures. Cooper has been one of the leading faces at CNN, though his contract has an out, and he previously was able to do his syndicated daytime talk show in addition to his CNN program.

While the show may fit Cooper to a "T" don't look for it to happen. As FTVLive reported yesterday, CNN is shot a test pilot with Cooper and Kathy Griffin. It's more likely Jeff Zucker is looking to expand Coop's role at CNN and losing him would be a big blow to the cable net.

We say the Cooper for Lauer talk is just that...talk.​

H/T Deadline