Today Show

9:10 AM PT -- According to the accusers attorney, Ari Wilkenfeld, he and his client met with NBC's HR and legal teams for several hours Monday night. Wilkenfeld says he believes at this time, NBC acted swiftly and appropriately given the allegations.

5:55 AM PT -- The New York Post is reporting the incident that triggered the firing occurred at the Sochi Winter Olympics, when Lauer allegedly assaulted a female NBC staffer.

5:46 AM PT -- Sources connected to NBC tell TMZ the network has been investigating Lauer for weeks and multiple media outlets -- including The New York Times -- were working a story about the anchor and sexual harassment. As one source put it, "Lack tried to get ahead of the story before it broke."

Matt Lauer is no longer the face of NBC's "Today" -- he's been fired for "inappropriate sexual behavior."

The stunning announcement was made on the air at the top of NBC's "Today" by Savannah Guthrie, who read a memo from NBC News Chairman Andy Lack -- "We received a detailed complaint from a colleague about inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace by Matt Lauer. It represented, after serious review, a clear violation of our company's standards. As a result, we've decided to terminate his employment."

Savannah was joined by Hoda Kotb ... and both anchors shared their shock, saying they had found out just moments before going on the air. Savannah had a very shaky voice as she said "we are devastated and we are still processing all of this." She also said she was "heartbroken" for the "brave colleague" who made the complaint.

In the memo, Lack added this was the first complaint reported to NBC, but they "were also presented with reason to believe this may not have been an isolated incident."

Lauer had been, in many ways, the face of the entire Peacock network for more than 20 years as he anchored "Today" ... which is NBC's biggest moneymaker.

Story developing ...

Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie hugged it out after Wednesday's "Today" show ... clearly still reeling from the news that Matt Lauer was fired.

The 2 anchors were emotional when they announced on their show Lauer had been fired for sexual impropriety.

The staff was clearly shaken by the news, and Hoda comforted a crew member after the program.

Matt was with "Today" for 20 years. The NBC Prez said they made a swift decision after a woman came forward Monday, but we're told the network has been investigating Matt for weeks and wanted to get a jump on several media outlets -- including The New York Times -- which were preparing stories on Matt and sexual misconduct.

Billy Bush clearly didn't hear the "FORE!!" on the green ... 'cause he was struck by a golf ball that sent him to the hospital.

Bush posted a few pics Monday of his hospital visit at Cedars-Sinai in L.A. where he was treated for what appears to be a head injury. Unclear when exactly this happened, but from the looks of one of these photos ... he got jacked up good.

The ex "Today" show co-host captioned his post ... "FORE!! Thanks nurse Katrina, jovi, Jenn, Mercy @cedarsinai for the bed, the care, the ice. I think I dodged a bullet...but sadly not a golf ball. Scan is clear, let the jokes begin."

Although Billy says everything was fine, it looks like he changed out of his shirt during his stay ... which makes us wonder if he was there overnight.

Selena Gomez's best friend, Francia Raisa, didn't know if she'd survive donating a kidney to her BFF ... which really hit home when she had to write a will.

Francia and Selena told "Today" the donation process had to be sped up because Selena was in such dire straits she couldn't even open a water bottle. What normally takes months was done in days.

Selena also thanked Francia for volunteering her kidney without being asked ... once she found out she was a blood match, which is extremely rare.

Selena Gomez was on the verge of death, and couldn't bring herself to ask a friend or relative to give up a kidney ... but that's when Francia Raisa stepped up and offered hers.

Selena told NBC's "Today" her kidneys "were just done." She sounds like she was ready to give up at that point because she was unwilling to ask someone to make the sacrifice.

Francia was with her during the interview, and Selena got emotional as she explained how her friend volunteered, and, literally, saved her life.

Dr. David Dao's lawyer from the United incident is now on board for the mom from the American Airlines incident, but it sounds like this one ain't going to court.

Attorney Tom Demetrio went on "Today" Monday morning to announce he's representing her, and clarifies she was not actually struck by the stroller, but says the flight attendant came damn close to hitting his client's baby.

He admits the fact that neither mother nor child were actually struck means a lawsuit probably won't happen. As we reported, American suspended the employee, apologized for his actions and upgraded the mother to first class for the remainder of her trip to Argentina.

Meanwhile, Demetrio says Dr. Dao is still hurt from the United confrontation, and confirms what we already suspected ... they're filing suit.

John Cena and Nikki Bella started down the road to marriage when they were both doped up for surgeries.

The freshly engaged WWE superstars went on "Today" and revealed a cool story about what they said to each other while getting wheeled into operating rooms.

John says Nikki shoulda known a proposal was coming because he flat-out told her, "You know someday I'm going to marry you?"

When you go to the "Today" show with a shirt suggesting Bill Clinton did what Donald Trump said he did ... you gotta be ready for someone to kick your ass ... so says NBC.

Mark Gallagher went to 30 Rock before the election and wore a t-shirt with Clinton's face and the word "rape."

He claims he was standing there minding his own business when NBC security -- whom he called a "goon squad" -- descended on him and beat the crap out of him. He has sued NBC for $53 mil.

NBC has now fired off its answer, saying when someone does something as incendiary as Gallagher did, they assume the risk someone will come after them. NBC does not get specific, but the network disputes Gallagher's version of the facts ... presumably what he did before the incident.

And this is the best. NBC says Gallagher had a duty to minimize his damages by getting quick medical help, which he did not do. The legal docs say he could have availed himself of the benefits of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act -- aka Obamacare.

Derick Ion Almena, director of the Oakland art commune that burned down, killing at least 36 people -- fell apart during a live interview on NBC's "Today."

Almena claimed his building was "up to code," and defended the space ... saying he let his own children sleep there. He quickly got agitated, started yelling and refused to answer questions.

He shouted at Matt Lauer, "I would rather get on the floor and be trampled by the parents! I'd rather let them tear at my flesh than answer these ridiculous questions!"

It got more bizarre as Almena lost it, begged for mercy and Lauer bailed out.

Billy Bush and NBC have reached a financial settlement on his "Today" contract ... officially ending his employment with the network after the Donald Trump tape leaked.

Sources with direct knowledge of the negotiations tell us Billy is happy with the final numbers ... which are confidential. As we reported, Bush had just joined NBC's flagship show in August, signing a 3-year deal for $3.5 million per year.

NBC suspended him after the "Access Hollywood" tape came out 10 days ago. Our sources said Bush felt the punishment was unfair because he'd openly talked about the tape in front of his bosses ... and was never disciplined.

We're told he felt like a scapegoat and was cut loose purely for PR reasons.

An NBC memo to staffers said, "While he was a new member of the TODAY team, he was a valued colleague and longtime member of the broader NBC family. We wish success as he goes forward."

Billy Bush showed up to a law office Friday morning ... to hash out a settlement with the NBC execs who want to give him the ax ... TMZ has learned.

Our sources say an NBC lawyer and a senior executive from NBC News "with full negotiating authority" were across the table from Bush and his attorney, Marshall Grossman.

Grossman tells TMZ the AM negotiations were "positive," adding, "I anticipate a favorable resolution in the near future."

Millions of dollars are on the table ... Billy was just months into a 3-year contract with "Today" and our NBC sources say he was pulling in $3.5 million a year.

We're told NBC made a decision Thursday to sit down at the table because Billy's people made it clear they would sue if the network tried firing him for a cause.

As we've previously reported, Billy was talking openly about the "Access Hollywood" tape in early August and NBC honchos knew what he had said, but had no problem with the tape until it was leaked.

The negotiations are continuing Friday afternoon, and Billy and NBC could be parting company by day's end.

The soap star ogled by Donald Trump and Billy Bush on that "Access Hollywood" video says what the 2 guys did is textbook misogyny.

Arianne Zucker said on "Today" she's going to try and turn this into a positive, by showing her daughter how to react in the face of gutter talk against women.

She's pretty compelling.

Billy Bush's co-workers had the awkward duty of explaining his absence to the "Today" audience on day 1 of his suspension for the Donald Trump tape.

Bush's suspension was addressed twice ... first by Savannah Guthrie at the top of the show -- and then by Al Roker and Tamron Hall.

Al and Tamron would normally be joined by Billy for the third hour of "Today."

NBC put Bush on the bench Sunday ... indefinitely.

Billy Bush says Matt Lauer did NOT bigfoot him out of the coveted first sit-down interview with Ryan Lochte ... telling TMZ Sports it was Lochte who called the shots.

Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs and the Bad Boy family are back with Mase, Busta Rhymes, 112 and new backup dancer ... Hoda Kotb! Yes, Hoda.

Puffy pumped up this summer's Bad Boy Reunion Tour on the 'Today' Show Friday morning ... and while the stage was packed with superstar singers and rappers -- Kathie Lee's partner in crime stole the show. Check out her super close, semi-grinding moves on P. Diddy.

The crew performed a bunch of hits, including a tribute to Notorious B.I.G. built around his "Mo Money Mo Problems" verse. It was a little awkward ... kinda like Hoda's impromptu audition.

Donald Trump is a progressive on transgender issues ... saying the trans community is welcome to use any bathroom in his slew of buildings.

Donald was on "Today" when Matt posed the question ... if Caitlyn walked into the Trump Tower, what bathroom could she use?