EXCLUSIVE: 'Enough is enough': Today Show star Matt Lauer left 'furious' by taunts that he flirted with a pretty college student

TV host replied to a text from budding journo Lucie Fink - but is seething that his response taken out of context

A close friend says there is' nothing seedy or suggestive' in the friendship



Today show host Matt Lauer is ‘furious’ at claims that he flirted with a pretty college student while giving her career advice.



The TV stalwart, 55, took budding journalist Lucie Fink to lunch following a request from a friend.

But he has now been left seething that a friendly text exchange sparked by a message from the pretty brunette has become the subject of public scrutiny and been taken 'completely out of context.'



A close friend told MailOnline: ‘Enough is enough, Matt is so tired of this.



‘There was nothing seedy or suggestive in this meeting. Is this a message that guys should only mentor guys? Isn’t that a terrible glass ceiling?



‘This in particular hurts because the intentions were so innocent.'

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Family man: Today Show star Matt Lauer and his wife Annette at the Tribeca Ball at New York Academy of Art on April 8, 2013 in New York City Ambitious: John Hopkins student Lucie Fink has been on air on the Today Show and received guidance from host Matt Lauer Big break: Lucie Fink has appeared on several occasions on the Today Show after pitching ideas to producers. She's seen here on July 10, being interviewed by Matt Lauer

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Matt, a married father-of-three, met brunette Lucie, 20, a senior at John Hopkins University, at the behest of his close friend and colleague, Debbie Kosofsky, a senior producer on the Today show.

Debbie, who has been working with Matt since 1986, told MailOnline: ‘The Finks are family friends of mine, so I asked Matt as a favor to have lunch with Lucie, because she's pursuing a career in journalism.



‘In my 30 years working with Matt, I have seen him mentor and help countless young journalists and broadcasters. He has always been incredibly generous with his time and advice.’

He took Lucie, a budding TV reporter who has made several appearances on the Today Show over the past 15 months, to lunch at the Four Seasons Hotel’s restaurant in Manhattan.



‘There was nothing seedy or suggestive in this meeting. Is this a message that guys should only mentor guys? Isn’t that a terrible glass ceiling?'

And in a text responding to Lucie before an upcoming appearance on the NBC morning show on July 10, published in the National Enquirer today, Matt messaged: ‘Bring your 'A' game tomorrow young lady. Look forward to seeing you.’



Lucie replied: ‘You know I will! Can’t wait. Are you the talent for the segment?,’ to which Matt responded: ‘Yes! I will be interviewing you. Don’t screw it up. And no daisy duke shorts with flip flops!’



However, a senior source at the Today Show revealed Matt says this to ALL interns – calling it his ‘pet peeve’ when youngsters turn up for their big break dressed for the beach.



Matt met Lucie for lunch two months ago, however his friend said: ‘This notion of Matt ‘whisking’ Lucie out for lunch is ludicrous.



‘It was arranged by Debbie, Matt’s dearest friend on the show. They have worked together for 30 years and Lucie is good friends with Debbie’s son Jeffrey.



‘The reason Lucie has done appearances on the Today Show is because of Debbie and she told Matt ‘Listen, I’m asking a huge favour, could you please have lunch with her, she needs advice on several internships she’s weighing up’.



Gangnam style: Matt Lauer joins colleagues Savannah Guthrie and Tamron Hall with South Korean chartopper Psy on the Today Show in May 2013

Co-hosts: Matt Lauer and Savannah Guthrie - who has just celebrated her one year anniversary on the NBC show



‘Matt would do anything for Debbie, so of course he agreed. He did not initiate this lunch.’



The friend revealed that Matt holds all his business lunches at the Four Seasons, saying: ‘Matt is at that restaurant twice a week – he must have had between 50 and 70 lunches there alone this year – that’s just where he goes.

‘Just last week, Matt was there with six Today Show producers, he’s taken his executive producer there as well as Savannah Guthrie and Ted Koppel – it’s his lunch spot.’



However, Matt is particularly upset by the notion that he shared flirty texts with Lucie, whose father is veteran New York DJ Jimmy Fink.





‘Matt was never thinking about her in sexy clothing – the message was the opposite..you have to remember to present yourself professionally’

‘Matt speaks to all the interns,’ said the senior Today Show source: ‘He takes an active role in helping them and every year he speaks to all the NBC News interns.



‘And one of the stories he tells at every one of these meetings is how, 35 years ago, as an intern at WOWK-TV in Huntington, Virginia, he only had two sports jackets, and rotated them every day, so people would know that he took the job seriously.



‘What he’s been dismayed by over the years is that he has noticed that intern attire has deteriorated.



‘At the Olympics last summer, the guys were dressed in basketball jerseys and the girls were in the equivalent on Daisy Duke shorts and flip flops.

Budding TV star: Lucie Fink went to Matt Lauer for advice on what summer internship she should take. The college senior has made frequent appearances on the Today Show, seen here in 2012

Guidance: College student Lucie Fink in another appearance on the Today Show - being interviewed by Matt Lauer in January

‘He says ‘you must show up looking professional, as if you’re going on a job interview’.’



Matt gave this same advice to Lucie at their lunch, according to his friend, and she even relayed the story to her dad when she got home. ‘Matt was never thinking about her in sexy clothing – the message was the opposite, he told her ‘you have to remember to present yourself professionally’, said the friend.



Lucie often went to producers with ideas for segments, including one for teens making money by tutoring online to make extra money - and which was put on air on July 10.



Even her father Jimmy told the Enquirier Matt had been nothing but supportive to his daughter, adding their dealings had been 'professional and appropriate'. He said: 'Lucie has a steady boyfriend and sees Matt as someone who's trying to help her.My wife and I couldn't be more thankful for his help and support.'

