The Today show's annual "Where in the World Is Matt Lauer?" week has been put on hold for 2009. The popular segment sends Lauer to exotic and beautiful sites such as the pyramids of Egypt or the Taj Mahal and viewers get the chanced to guess his location according to clues given each day.

Sadly, this year the trip was canceled due to the failing economy. Executive producer Jim Bell says they asked fans to send in destination suggestions and many thought that, in these rough financial times, they felt the extravagant travel sent the wrong message. Even though this might be the case, I am still a tad depressed that I'm not going to see Matt jetting to all the beautiful locations that I can only dream of traveling to. I think people may have overreacted about sending the wrong message because yes, the economy is in ruins but, it would be nice to see some cool, fun, and exotic places to keep my spirits up. Oh well. If you are a glass half full person like I tend to be, there is a bright side. Instead, the NBC morning show will spend a week in May hitting up more affordable vacation spots throughout the United States. Good save, NBC. It's a more realistic approach to traveling which is always refreshing, and it won't completely replace "Where in the World Is Matt Lauer?", but it will serve as a sufficient replacement.

-Vanessa