New York, May 15, 2006 – It’s upfront week in New York, and normally we don’t write up just one of these extravaganzas in which TV networks attempt to lure advertisers onto their airwaves. But we were shocked – shocked! – by the blatant sensuality on display at Monday’s NBC upfront. (OK, we were kind of thrilled.)

Matt Lauer is really crazy about his new Today co-host Meredith Vieira. Truly excited about her. Matt is very, very happy about Meredith. And Meredith feels the same way about Ann Curry and Al Roker. They’re like family. A very close, very loving family.

And as we battled through the throngs at Radio City Music Hall, and saw series co-stars nuzzling, rubbing and bumping body parts, we realized that NBC was giving advertisers a secret preview of its foolproof plan to boost ratings for its lackluster fall lineup. Sex sells.