<P> Today anchors started out as "Communicators". Creator Pat Weaver envisioned a person whose responsibilities would go beyond the bounds of traditional sit - down news anchors . The Communicator would interview, report, moderate dialogue and generally tie the show together into a coherent whole . Garroway and his successors have all followed that model, with little variation . Today, the hosts are expected to do much the same, and on any given day will talk with correspondents, newsmakers and lifestyle experts; introduce and close each half - hour; conduct special segments (such as cooking or fashion) and go on - assignment to host the program from different locations . Although the "Communicator" nomenclature has since dropped out of favor, the job remains largely the same . </P> <P> Including Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb, eight men and eight women have served as primary Today hosts since the program's inception: </P> <Ul> <Li> Dave Garroway (January 14, 1952--June 16, 1961) </Li> <Li> John Chancellor (July 17, 1961--September 7, 1962) </Li> <Li> Hugh Downs (September 10, 1962--October 8, 1971) </Li> <Li> Barbara Walters (September 16, 1966--June 4, 1976) </Li> <Li> Frank McGee (October 11, 1971--April 17, 1974) </Li> <Li> Jim Hartz (July 29, 1974--August 23, 1976) </Li> <Li> Tom Brokaw (August 30, 1976--December 18, 1981) </Li> <Li> Jane Pauley (October 11, 1976--December 29, 1989) </Li> <Li> Bryant Gumbel (January 4, 1982--January 3, 1997) </Li> <Li> Deborah Norville (January 8, 1990--February 22, 1991) </Li> <Li> Katie Couric (April 5, 1991--May 31, 2006) </Li> <Li> Matt Lauer (January 6, 1997--November 28, 2017) </Li> <Li> Meredith Vieira (September 13, 2006--June 8, 2011) </Li> <Li> Ann Curry (June 9, 2011--June 28, 2012) </Li> </Ul> <Li> Dave Garroway (January 14, 1952--June 16, 1961) </Li>

Who is hosting the today show this morning