Matt Lauer

I can't be as open on national television as I can when I'm having dinner with friends. But that doesn't mean the type of person I am is different. My values, my dislikes, my sense of humor are the same.

When people start to write articles about what might be wrong with the 'Today' show you know where you should point the finger, point it at me because I have been there the longest. And it's my responsibility.

Even the bad interviews I think you learn from. They make you better.

What makes people successful in this business is to be yourself on camera. Sounds simple. It's not.

Researchers have discovered that chocolate produces some of the same reactions in the brain as marijuana. The researchers also discovered other similarities between the two but cant remember what they are.

I get letters from women, and they say, 'I love your Roman nose.' If I weren't on TV and I walked past that same woman, she'd go, 'Did you see the beak on that guy?

The Iraqis have once again failed to meet a deadline for a final draft of the constitution.

People don't want to see me having a bad morning. They have job problems, financial problems, family pressures, kids to get off to school. The last thing they want to wake up to is someone showing them the same problems. So maybe that's the one time I am forced to act.

When you have somebody in a position of power show interest in you after you've kind of been down and out, that's a big boost.

Researchers have discovered that chocolate produces some of the same reactions in the brain as marijuana. The researchers also discovered other similarities between the two but can't remember what they are.

I worry about that every single day: Am I being a good father?

When you feel your family is being threatened and hurt, you speak up. And then you put your head down and go back about your business.

I kid my friends who are golfers, and I say, 'If you ever hear me complain, hit me in the butt with a putter' because I have no reason to complain. Even on days when you don't like what you see in the paper, I have no reason to complain.

It usually takes two people a little while to learn where the funny buttons are and testy buttons are.

In this business, the minute you start feeling comfortable about the show you're doing or the ratings you're getting, you're in big trouble.

Katie Couric is kind of my soulmate.

I am the luckiest guy I know.

Meredith Vieira warms my heart.

I admire people who are completely at ease with themselves. But I don't have that feeling.

Not a lot of conservatives on this list. Are more liberals than conservatives screwing up America?

Does anyone want to see a person who's making the money that the newspapers say I'm making complaining, 'Woe is me, my life is terrible, and people are being unfair?' No one would've had any patience for that. I wouldn't have any patience for that.

My dad was Jewish. My mom is not. So I was not raised anything.

Times are harder there right now. I think it's been well publicized. We are - the show is not where I want it to be right now. The ratings are not where I want them to be. I want to make it better.

I probably would do over the Tom Cruise interview because I've thought of so many things I would have said in hindsight.

If you have a bad experience on the air, you don't think you've done your job, or you have an embarrassing moment. I guarantee you'll work harder the next time not to let it happen again.

You get your dream job and, in my opinion, despite anything they might say about you professionally or personally, you shut up, and you just do the job - and enjoy it.

In some ways, being No. 2 in the ratings is a real shot in the arm, a kick in the pants.