NEW YORK – Ann Curry showed up again for work at NBC’s “Today” show Friday as the network maintained its silence on reports that she’s about to be replaced.

Curry was in her familiar co-host role with Matt Lauer, helping introduce musician Kenny Chesney for a performance outside the show’s Rockefeller Center studio.

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NBC “Today” co-hosts Matt Lauer and Ann Curry appear during the show. NBC reportedly is discussing a plan to ease Curry out of the co-hosting role. The Associated Press

Noces Joseph LaFont Jr.

Maxwell AP

NBC is reportedly discussing a plan to remove her as co-host a year after she replaced Meredith Vieira. After 16 years of dominance in the morning, “Today” is in a tough fight with ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

It is making for another awkward transition at a network that prides itself on smooth ones, recalling the memorable few weeks shortly before Conan O’Brien was kicked out as host of the “Tonight” show.

When she appeared on the air Thursday less than 24 hours after reports she would lose the hosting job surfaced, Curry had one apparently unintentional indignity piled on. At one point as her picture filled the screen, a graphic beneath her face read: “Here Today, Gone Tomorrow.”

The “Today” show had its biggest audience of the week Thursday, just under 4.5 million, and its biggest margin of victory over “Good Morning America,” according to preliminary ratings by the Nielsen Co.

Meanwhile, the Ladies’ Home Journal released excerpts of an interview Curry had conducted earlier for the magazine’s August cover story, where she said it was hard not to take it personally when questions about her performance surfaced during this spring’s ratings competition with ABC. “Good Morning America” in April ended a “Today” winning streak in the ratings that stretched back to 1995 and has won three other weeks since.

“You worry, am I not good enough?” Curry told the magazine. “Am I not what people need? Am I asking the right questions. When people say negative things or speculate, you can’t help but feel hurt.”

‘Swamp People’ star charged with assault

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – One of the stars of the TV reality show “Swamp People” has been arrested in Florida on domestic violence charges.

Noces Joseph LaFont Jr. — who is known as “Trapper Joe” on TV — was arrested Wednesday by Orange County sheriff’s deputies.

According to an arrest affidavit, LaFont was arguing with his girlfriend while staying at a hotel near Disney World and tried to burn her with a lit cigarette. The report also says he punched the woman with a closed fist.

LaFont, who is from Louisiana, was charged with battery and assault. He was booked into the Orange County Jail, posted bail and released. It’s unclear whether he has retained an attorney.

“Swamp People” is a History channel show that follows Cajuns who hunt alligators.

R&B performer Maxwell cancels summer tour

NEW YORK – R&B singer Maxwell has canceled his short U.S. tour after developing vocal swelling and hemorrhaging.

A representative for the singer said Friday that he has been advised by doctors to rest and undergo treatment. Maxwell’s six-date summer tour had shows planned for Los Angeles, Atlanta and Newark, N.J., for July and August.

Maxwell said in the statement that cancelling the tour “sucks” and he plans to hit the road when his new album, “blackSUMMERS’night,” is released later this year.

The 39-year-old made his return to music in 2009 after a seven-year break with the platinum album “BLACKsummers’night.” It won the singer-songwriter two Grammy Awards, among other accolades.

The statement also said refunds are available at the point of purchase.

– From news service reports

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