NEW YORK – NBC’s “Today” show has been one of the most stable and successful programs in the history of television over the past 15 years. Now it faces the possibility of a major makeover.

Co-host Meredith Vieira, the “newbie” on “Today” with five years in the early-morning anchor chair, is leaning toward leaving when her contract expires in September, according to multiple reports this week.

That news was barely digested when an unconfirmed “Entertainment Tonight” story suggested that her partner, Matt Lauer, also may leave when his contract is done in nearly 21 months.

As this happens, the “Today” show magic number stands at 798. That’s how many consecutive weeks it has been No. 1 in the morning show ratings — more than 15 years without a loss to ABC’s “Good Morning America,” CBS’ “The Early Show” or anybody.

“Today” averages 5.5 million viewers a day this season, compared with 4.7 million at “Good Morning America” and 2.7 million at “The Early Show,” according to the Nielsen Co.

It’s particularly important for NBC as the network’s prime-time fortunes collapsed. The program, now four hours long, earned more than a half-billion dollars for NBC News in 2010.

The timing of this news is interesting, since Lauer’s former “Today” co-anchor Katie Couric is also said to be preparing her exit from “CBS Evening News” later this year and has been in discussions with various networks, as well as former “Today” show producer Jeff Zucker. Some are already speculating that Lauer is considering reuniting with Couric and Zucker on a new project.

Ann Curry, who once said she “would’ve loved” Vieira’s job, is considered a leading candidate for her replacement.

Movie mogul helps out family who lost home

NEWNAN, Ga. – Movie mogul Tyler Perry delivered on a Christmas promise when he handed the keys of a new four-bedroom house to an 88-year-old woman who lost her rural Georgia home to a fire.

Rosa Lee Ransby and her seven grand- and great-grandchildren lost their home a week before Christmas.

Perry saw the story on a local television newscast and decided to rebuild the house. He also fully furnished it.

Perry said he wanted to do something for Ransby when he found out the family didn’t have any way to rebuild. He said the main thing was getting her enough space for the children and for them to have room to play.

Mutombo to receive honorary degree

HAVERFORD, Pa. – Retired basketball great Dikembe Mutombo will receive an honorary degree from Haverford College.

College officials announced Friday that Mutombo will also make brief remarks to about 300 graduates at the May 15 commencement.

After an 18-year NBA career, Mutombo has focused on improving living conditions in his native Congo. He helped to fund a new hospital in the capital of Kinshasa, where he grew up.

Mutombo holds a bachelor’s degree in linguistics and diplomacy from Georgetown University. He speaks nine languages and has received numerous humanitarian awards.

The 7-foot-2 Mutombo played for NBA several teams, including the Philadelphia 76ers.