Matt Lauer Already Scrubbed from 'Today' Social ... Mostly

Matt Lauer, formerly the face of NBC, is already a ghost as far as the network's online presence is concerned.

Lauer's been replaced on the "Today" cover photos for the show's social media -- specifically Facebook and Twitter. They used to feature Matt and Savannah Guthrie, but now it's more group shots of all NBC's morning personalities.

Matt is still featured in old "Today" Facebook and Twitter photos and clips -- so, they're not trying to rewrite history. Not yet, anyway.

As we reported ... Lauer was abruptly fired Wednesday after a complaint about inappropriate sexual behavior was filed against him.

Katie Couric in 2012 Matt Lauer Pinched Me on the Ass a Lot

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PAST BEHAVIOR
Bravo

Katie Couric straight-up said Matt Lauer pinched her on the ass a lot during their 9-year run on the "Today" show.

Katie appeared on Andy Cohen's "Watch What Happens Live" back in 2012, and during a segment -- Plead the Fifth -- Andy asked about Matt's most annoying habit.

What's interesting ... Katie's answer came and went ... it was hardly picked up by the media. It's interesting ... NBC said no one has complained until this week, yet their longtime co-anchor talked about ass-pinching in 2012 and NBC apparently didn't bat an eye.

As we reported ... Matt was fired for "inappropriate sexual behavior" in a stunning announcement Wednesday. We're told the investigation has been going on for weeks and the New York Times and other media outlets were working on a story about Lauer.

Matt Lauer Fired for Sexual Misconduct

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."

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THE ANNOUNCEMENT
NBC

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 ...

Charlie Rose On-Air 'Sex Talk' Going Viral Thanks to John Oliver

Charlie Rose is off the air at CBS, but his sexual banter with his "CBS This Morning" co-hosts is all over the Internet ... thanks to John Oliver's HBO show, 'Last Week Tonight.'

Oliver does a running "awkward sex talk" bit, fully dedicated to what -- at the time -- seemed like Rose's playful, yet sexually charged chit chat with Gayle King and Norah O'Donnell.

In one of the clips, you hear Norah tell a guest to "watch his hands, he knows what he's doing" in reference to Charlie holding a female guest.

Oliver's mocking is similar to that of Seth MacFarlane -- who made news when old clips of his surfaced in which he made fun of Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey after their scandals broke.

It doesn't seem like Oliver was aware of the extent of Rose's alleged "wrongdoings" ... but he definitely had his eye on the ball well before the reckoning.

Charlie Rose Fired by CBS, PBS

10:41 AM -- PBS just dropped Rose. The network said it has "terminated its relationship with Charlie Rose and cancelled distribution of his programs."

CBS launched an investigation into allegations Charlie Rose sexually assaulted co-workers, and it didn't take long for the network to reach a conclusion ... because Rose has just been fired.

Rose was suspended Monday after the Washington Post story that 8 women accused him of various forms of sexual harassment and assault.

CBS News President David Rhodes issued a statement ... "A short time ago we terminated Charlie Rose's employment with CBS News effective immediately. This followed the revelation yesterday of extremely disturbing and intolerable behavior said to have revolved around his PBS program."

Rhodes went on to say, "I'm deeply disappointed and angry that people were victimized."

Rose apologized, saying he misread signals and felt his overtures involved "shared feelings."

It's unclear how the network reached its conclusion so quickly, but Rose is now out of CBS News. His PBS show has also been put on ice.

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NO HARM
SplashNews.com

Rose told a photog Monday night his conduct did not involve wrongdoing.

Charlie Rose I Didn't Commit 'Wrongdoings'

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NO HARM
SplashNews.com

Charlie Rose seemed the worse for wear as he walked home Monday after getting benched from all of his gigs, and he seemed to take issue with the characterization that he did something wrong.

A photog got Rose entering his New York City apartment and asked if he had anything to say to the women who accused him of "wrongdoing." Rose shot back, "It's not wrongdoings" ... then entered his building with an assist from the doorman.

Rose was suspended from his job at "CBS This Morning" and his PBS show was put on ice after the Washington Post reported that 8 women accused the talk show icon of various misdeeds, including groping and parading in front of some of them naked.

Charlie Rose CBS Co-Anchors Say ... He Doesn't Get a Pass

Charlie Rose's co-anchors say they are "reeling" from the allegations chronicled in The Washington Post, but they are on the side of the women accusing him of sexual harassment and assault.

Gayle King and Norah O'Donnell seemed almost tortured by the revelations, because the person with whom they shared a desk didn't seem like the guy who grabbed women and exposed himself. That said, they made it clear ... Charlie Rose doesn't get a pass.

Rose has been suspended by CBS as the company investigates the claims.

Roger Ailes, Rupert Murdoch Lawsuit Settled Shareholders Claimed Harassment Cover-up

Roger Ailes, the late CEO of FOX News, engaged in a campaign to cover up sexual harassment and racial discrimination, according to a lawsuit filed by shareholders ... which has just been settled.

According to docs, obtained by TMZ, Ailes paid former FOX employee Laurie Luhn $3.15 million in 2011 to keep quiet about 2 decades worth of allegations ... which include sexual harassment at the hands of Ailes himself.

The suit also alleges a similar cover-up with Gretchen Carlson -- claiming she was paid $20 mil and given a public apology to settle the sexual harassment lawsuit she'd filed against Ailes. The shareholders call out Ailes for his alleged treatment of Megyn Kelly, too. According to the docs, Ailes made sexually charged comments about her lingerie, and offered her promotions in exchange for sexual favors.

The suit was filed Monday against Ailes' estate, FOX CEO Rupert Murdoch and his sons, James and Lachlan, who are also FOX honchos. FOX News released a statement, also on Monday, saying a settlement had been reached. FOX News will now form a Workplace Professionalism and Inclusion Council.

The panel's purpose is improving reporting of misconduct, and recruiting and advancing female and minority employees.

All in all, the suit claimed 21st Century FOX has paid more than $55 million to settle sexual harassment and discrimination suits. It also points out dozens of advertisers have run for the hills since the Bill O'Reilly scandal broke -- including Bank of America and BMW, which cost FOX more than $3 million.

Charlie Rose Accused of Sexual Harassment ... He Apologizes

2:56 PM PT -- CBS News has suspended Rose and PBS will halt production and distribution of his show.

Charlie Rose -- one of the most famous journalists in the country -- has just been accused of sexual harassment ... and he's apologizing for the alleged behavior.

The Washington Post published a story Monday in which 8 women accused the reporter of varying types of misconduct -- including groping their breasts, buttocks or genitals, walking around naked in front of them or making lewd phone calls. 5 women stayed anonymous.

The allegations go back as far as the late 1990s up to as recently as 2011. One woman, Kyle Godfrey-Ryan, says Rose would consistently walk around naked in front of her while she was his personal assistant in the 2000s, adding he'd often call to describe fantasies about her.

Rose released a statement to the Post apologizing for the behavior, saying "It is essential that these women know I hear them and that I deeply apologize for my inappropriate behavior. I am greatly embarrassed. I have behaved insensitively at times, and I accept responsibility for that, though I do not believe that all of these allegations are accurate."

He adds he always felt he was pursuing shared feelings, but says he realizes he was mistaken.

Georgia Dome Implosion WTF ... Get Outta the Way, Bus!

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YA BLEW IT
Weather Channel

The Georgia Dome was imploded this week after 25 historic years of hosting sporting events -- and 1 guy had a front row seat ... until a damn bus got in his way.

Just as the explosives began to go off Monday morning in Atlanta, a cameraman for The Weather Channel got his view obstructed by a local bus ... and he lost his cool.

His reaction is pretty freakin' hilarious, but also understandable. Aside from the usual reasons to hate city buses ... this poor sap now has a new one, and for good cause too.

Next stop ... frustration.

Southwest Airlines Pilot Arrested Bringing Gun to Airport

7:40 AM PT -- Airport officials just said, "St. Louis Lambert International Airport Police arrested a 51 year old airline pilot Wednesday morning for unlawful use of a weapon after TSA officers discovered a loaded 9 mm pistol in his carry-on luggage." The official says the pilot did not have any authorization to carry a firearm.

6:49 AM PT-- A spokesperson for the St. Louis Airport tells TMZ only one pilot was arrested. As we reported, 2 eyewitnesses tell us they saw 2 pilots in handcuffs.

Two Southwest Airlines pilots were arrested Wednesday morning at St. Louis Lambert International Airport ... eyewitnesses tell us they brought guns to the airport.

An eyewitness who was at the airport tells TMZ the pilots were at the TSA security checkpoint when 2 law enforcement officers handcuffed both pilots. A TSA employee told the eyewitness the pilots were arrested because they had firearms in their carry-on.

One of the arresting officers told one of the pilots, "We don't mess around here."

The passengers on flight #1717 bound for LAX were told to deplane and they each received a $100 voucher.

We reached out to Southwest ... so far, no word back.

Roy Moore New Accuser Speaks ... He Tried to Force Oral Sex When I Was 16 Years Old

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HE WAS FORCEFUL
TMZ.com

5:30 PM PT -- Roy Moore has denied Beverly's allegation, going so far as to say he doesn't even know her or know anything about her.

A new accuser of Republican Roy Moore says the U.S. Senate candidate once tried to force her to perform oral sex on him when she was just 16 years old.

Beverly Young Nelson appeared at a press conference Monday in NYC alongside attorney Gloria Allred to make the accusation, tearing up and crying throughout.

Nelson says she was a waitress in Alabama between 1976 and '77, and that Moore -- then the D.A. of their county -- was a regular, and that he would flirt with her. In December of '77, Nelson says Moore signed her yearbook, and then offered a ride home after her shift.

Instead of driving her home, though, she says Moore pulled around behind the restaurant and began groping her breasts, before he allegedly grabbed her neck and tried to force her head toward his crotch.

Nelson says she resisted, and Moore ultimately gave up. She says he kicked her out his car and told her not to tell anyone since no one would believe her.

Moore has also been accused of sexual misconduct with minors by 4 other women. He's been asked by many politicians on both sides of the aisle to step aside.

Mike Tyson Denied Entry Into Chile ... Ordered back to U.S.

Mike Tyson got KO'd in Chile -- authorities there denied him entry and ordered him back to the U.S. of A.

Authorities say the former heavyweight boxing champ didn't meet the requirements for entry Thursday because of his rap sheet. The country's equivalent of the FBI posted this pic showing Tyson flanked by 2 detectives.

Tyson -- who served 3 years in prison after a 1992 rape conviction -- was reportedly heading to Chile to take part in a promo for a local TV channel there.

Mark Cuban Calms Michael Cohen Down ... At Breakfast Meeting

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TELL-ALL BOOK
TMZ.com

Mark Cuban counseled his longtime friend Michael Cohen on how to stay calm in the wake of the Russian investigation that has Cohen under a microscope.

They had breakfast at Landmarc restaurant in NYC's Time Warner Center Thursday. Cuban tells TMZ, he was there to help "calm him down and talk him off the roof" by relaying his own experience with a federal investigation. Mark was once prosecuted by the SEC for insider trading and was found not guilty.

Cuban says Cohen, Donald Trump's longtime personal lawyer, talked about his relationship with the Prez. But Cuban says the big topic ... Cohen's writing a book about his experiences with Trump and the investigation.

Cuban says Cohen has a publisher and gave him these words of encouragement ... "The truth will set you free."

Terry Crews I'm Going after Hollywood Agent on All Fronts For Alleged Sexual Assault

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WE'RE GOING ALL THE WAY
TMZ.com

Terry Crews walked out of LAPD's Hollywood Division with resolve to go after a powerful Hollywood agent for sexual assault.

Crews told our photog he plans to file a civil lawsuit as well as pursue criminal charges.

Sources tell TMZ the person Crews named on the police report is Adam Venit, who heads up the motion picture group at William Morris Endeavor. Venit has been placed on leave while WME investigates.

Crews says the agent groped him last year at a Hollywood function. There are reports Venit was "wedgie-ing" people at the party as a prank.

We reached out to Venit's rep ... they had no comment.

Kevin Spacey Former TV Anchor Says 18-Year-Old Family Member 'Sexually Assaulted'

A former Boston TV news anchor is about to hold a news conference, pointing the finger at Kevin Spacey for allegedly sexually assaulting an 18-year-old family member.

Heather Unruh's story is different because of the timing. We've learned the alleged incident occurred at a bar on Nantucket Island in 2016. Our sources say the alleged victim reported the incident to police by phone sometime this year ... he lives out of state. We have not been able to confirm if police investigated.

Heather Unruh tweeted last month -- before the Spacey story broke -- "The #weinsteinscandal has emboldened me -- #truth time ... I was a Kevin Spacey fan until he assaulted a loved one. Time the dominoes fell."

Unruh and her lawyer, Mitchell Garabedian -- who btw was prominently featured in the Academy Award winning movie "Spotlight" as the lawyer who helped unravel the Boston Archdiocese's child sex abuse scandal and portrayed by Stanley Tucci -- will speak at the news conference at 11:30 AM ET. We'll be livestreaming.

We reached out to Spacey's lawyer ... so far no word back.