The chief TV critic for The New York Times says Matt Lauer's performance as moderator of a forum that brought together Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton was "a farce."
"In an event aboard the decommissioned aircraft carrier Intrepid, the 'Today' host was lost at sea," James Poniewozik wrote in Thursday's editions of The Times.
"Seemingly unprepared on military and foreign policy specifics, he performed like a soldier sent on a mission without ammunition, beginning with a disorganized offensive, ending in a humiliating retreat."
The criticism came after Lauer grilled the Republican and Democratic presidential candidates at the NBC News' Commander-in-Chief Forum, which was Wednesday aboard the Intrepid in New York City.
"There's a difference between an interviewer who has questions and one who has knowledge, and Mr. Lauer illustrated it," Poniewozik writes.
"He seemed to be plowing through a checklist, not listening in the moment in a way that led to productive follow-ups."
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