Matt Lauer knew he would be fired nearly a week before it happened: 'This is going to be my last parade'

Matt Lauer knew nearly a week in advance that his time at the "Today" show was coming to an end, according to a new Page Six report.

Nov. 23, 2017 was the morning of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, nearly a week before the shock announcement of Lauer's sudden termination. The rest of the world had no idea what was to come, but "Lauer was overheard telling a co-worker, 'This is going to be my last parade.'"

The report claims that Lauer, 60, was "gray and tired-looking" -- presumably not because of the early filming schedule, since he had twenty years to get used to that on "Today."

But while he did apparently expect a departure, he was relatively blindsided when the news actually broke. During his final taping on Nov. 28, Lauer was "acting his usual cocky, confident self. He had no idea this would turn out to be his last day on the show."

Viewers watched that morning as Lauer laughed with his fellow co-hosts and reminisced about the 2016 Rockefeller Christmas tree lighting. He was expected to be among all the "Today" anchors as they hosted the 2017 ceremony the following day on Nov. 29. That, of course, did not happen.

However, while Lauer did know the end was coming, insiders reveal that he "fought to the bitter end. He lied about previous liaisons, repeatedly telling top bosses he had nothing to confess or feel ashamed about."

As pressure mounted and media inquiries picked up steam, NBC President Noah Oppenheimer and Chairman Andy Lack pressed Lauer to cop to any misbehavior.

Lauer said he was "racking his brain and couldn't think of anything at all," the Washington Post reported at the time.