Those rumors about Ryan Seacrest - or anybody else - taking Matt Lauer's job can officially be put to bed.

The longtime "Today" co-host announced Friday that he'll stick around at the top-rated morning show, ending months of speculation that he was on his way out.

"I love this job, I love working with you guys," Lauer said to his fellow hosts, triggering a round of applause. "This is my family."

Speculation that Lauer wasn't going to renew his contract began last year when a rumor spread that he'd had a conversation with Katie Couric about what he'd do post-"Today."

Then came rumors that Ryan Seacrest was being scouted for the job, something that obviously has not materialized: Earlier this week, Seacrest announced he'd be covering NBC's Olympics coverage - but not working on "Today."

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