Katie Couric, half of the former Today show duo with Matt Lauer, explained away the sketchy, secret button used by her disgraced ex-colleague: “A lot of NBC executives” have that. Appearing on The Wendy Williams Show, Couric waded into dangerous territory: “I think the whole button thing.... a lot of stuff gets misreported and blown out of proportion.”

Couric continued her assessment of “the button.” Note how she altered what it apparently did: “A lot of NBC executives have those buttons that opened and closed doors.” No. Here’s how Variety first reported the purpose of Lauer's office button:

His office was in a secluded space, and he had a button under his desk that allowed him to lock his door from the inside without getting up. This afforded him the assurance of privacy. It allowed him to welcome female employees and initiate inappropriate contact while knowing nobody could walk in on him, according to two women who were sexually harassed by Lauer.

“Locking” is the key word here. Not opening and closing as Couric massaged.

Host Williams appeared shocked by the explanation that “a lot of NBC executives” have a similar button:

WENDY WILLIAMS: Oh really? KATIE COURIC: They did. I mean, it was really just a privacy thing. It wasn’t — WILLIAMS: Shhh. You are saying a lot, girl. You are saying a lot.

Still, when asked if she had such a button, Couric quickly shot back: “I did not. No, no, no.” As Williams looked appalled, Couric dug deeper: “I don't think it was a nefarious thing. I really don't. And I think that is misconstrued.”

Finally, she stopped and added: “You can look at me like that if you want.” You’re not helping, Katie. Perhaps Couric should go back to promoting her TV special on sex robots.

A partial transcript is below. Click “expand” to read more.