Rumors of Ann Curry's demise were not greatly exaggerated. She offered a tearful goodbye as co-host of NBC's “Today” show, saying “this is not as I expected to ever leave this couch.” She was pushed out. Her exit represents the network's most visible response to the morning show's worst stretch in the ratings in nearly two decades. Curry's exit marked a stark contrast to the lengthy tribute shows given to predecessors Meredith Vieira and Katie Couric. She announced it during the final five minutes of her shift on Thursday, ending a week of awkward television as she continued working after word spread that NBC was looking to oust her. “For all of you who saw me as a groundbreaker, I'm sorry I couldn't carry the ball over the finish line but, man, I did try,” she said, breaking down. TMZ blamed the evil Matt Lauer for Curry's exit, saying that when Lauer recently renegotiated his contract with the network, he stipulated he didn't want Curry as his co-host. The website ran a video clip from Thursday's show that appeared to show frosty feelings between the pair. Curry will still be making millions at NBC News, saying she's been given a “fancy new title” to lead a reporting team. (The Associated Press contributed to this report.)