Matt Lauer -- Pulling a Britney with Thijs?

46. I can't believe that TMZ actually could pause for a moment in its relentless pursuit of all things Britney to show that other people, presumably with normal intelligence, can also do stupid things with their children and make mistakes. I don't care what the "law" is in NY, children are supposed to be in carseats. In the case of an accident they become living projectiles and you cannot hold onto them no matter what you may think you are capable of. Here in GA we have this ridiculous "technicality" that you do not have to wear seatbelts if you are in a truck. All the hunters and "good old boys" don't want that changed, so the legislature is loath to do anything about that. Now we are at risk of losing federal highway funds because of it. Still, if you have a child riding in a truck the child must be in a carseat.

When I was in college it was before the days of carseats for children and infants. The sister of a woman I knew was taking her sick 2 month old infant to the doctor and had her lying on a pillow in the front passenger seat. She was in a small accident; the baby hit the dashboard and was killed instantly. That is why there are laws about carseats - for celebrities, too.

Posted at 2:48PM on Dec 11th 2007 by Maggie

47. *'DO AS I SAY; NOT AS I DO!' All wealthy celebrities *PLEDGE they're exempt from moral conscience & common sense unwritten laws that all of our society needs. NEW PLEDGE: 'Play fair and live with all peaceably and/or walk the talk; Don't preach! Teach!'

Posted at 2:51PM on Dec 11th 2007 by Cire

48. Way to blow things out of proportion. It says that is legal for a child not to ride in a carseat or booster seat in a limo or taxi. Matt was in a limo or taxi and NOT driving. Also, the video is inconclusive, and there could've been a seat next to him. Still, TMZ being a piece of trash tab that wants to ruin celebs. I wonder what all the people with kids do when they call cabs. Not everybody can carry a car seat with them everywhere they go. You don't see people harping on them about being bad parents. You people need to get a grip and get your nose out of other peoples' business. Idiots!

Posted at 2:49PM on Dec 11th 2007 by Crys

49. OK, for one, they don't even SHOW them "drive away" with the baby on his lap. Number two, it appears that Matt is beginning to scoot backward with the baby just as the video ends, indicating to me that he is moving to a third row of seats where a child seat is probably located.

Really, this video shows NOTHING incriminating and everyone is getting all fired up about it. Use you BRAINS.

Posted at 2:55PM on Dec 11th 2007 by Kris

50. Let's see Brit interview him now!!!!! You're a bad dad, you have a bad marriage, the way you dress. Is Matt a bad dad???? That's America for you!!!! Yea, uh huh.

Posted at 2:54PM on Dec 11th 2007 by van

51. You can't tell from the video if he was going to put the kid in a car seat or not!

Posted at 2:56PM on Dec 11th 2007 by Ed

52. Attn: All jackasses. All that dumb video shows is Matt Lauer holding his child on his lap in a PARKED SUV. The driver wasm't even in the vehicle when the video ended, yet the text said "as the SUV took off." TMZ is crap!

Posted at 3:11PM on Dec 11th 2007 by Yabba

53. I think the kids name is pronounced like Regis except with a T . Matt has always been a hugh fan of Regis that he named his kid after him!! LOL

Posted at 3:14PM on Dec 11th 2007 by HOOOTOOOWL

54. Um - I live in NYC - and like this article says - Lauer didn't break any laws. If anyone has tried to drive in the city, they would know the child is in NO danger sitting on his father's lap in the BACKSEAT of the car.

Britney drove with her son on her lap. Are they kidding comparing the two to each other?

Posted at 3:18PM on Dec 11th 2007 by Lisa

55. my husband is czech! what does matt's wife have to do with him holding the baby? He is just an anchorman it's not like he is some kids idol or anything. If there was a car accident and the child got hurt it will be on him not anybody else.

Posted at 3:18PM on Dec 11th 2007 by MM rocks

56. The video has been shortened by a couple of seconds since the other day.

In the original version you can see, before the door closes, Matt definately is all the way over to the left with baby ON LAP.

Then THE SUV DRIVES OFF WITHIN 2 SECONDS AT MOST. As soon as the door closes, it pulls out into the street and drives off.

There must be a glitch in the film today that it doesn't finish. IT WAS VERY, VERY CLEAR. Baby was on lap. Door closes and the split second it is closed, the car is OFF in a flash. A third-grader could see what happened. Even a second-grader. Even a maroon.

Many people saw this. Matt knows this. There is NO room for contention. TMZ needs to correct the problem with their vid player. Matt needs to answer some questions.

Posted at 3:32PM on Dec 11th 2007 by come clean matt--you demanded it of britney

57. Very dangerous thing to do regardless. I'm disappointed in Matt. They could have brought along their own car seat.

Posted at 3:38PM on Dec 11th 2007 by Suzie

58. Yeah because in a hired car the kid can't die from an accident? IGNORANT!!!

Posted at 3:49PM on Dec 11th 2007 by mommyof4

59. This story ranks right up there for hyping a story.......Matt was in the back seat, doing nothing against the law......Yet TMZ never mentions that until later in the story.......sad sad sad TMZ...we expect better from you

Posted at 6:24PM on Dec 11th 2007 by Frank

60. I started watching TMZ after it was being used as a source on the Today show. While I don't watxh the whole 4 hours the Today show runs, I did turn it on to see what Matt's reaction would be. I was sadden that he didn't comment at all. He lowered himself in my eyes. He should step up.

Posted at 6:41PM on Dec 11th 2007 by Ainsley