By Breaking Celebrity News Staff

Perhaps Ann Curry got out at just the right time.

Her former co-host, TODAY lead Matt Lauer, has "turned into an anchor animal” on the set of NBC's morning show, micromanaging the program, belittling staffers and forbidding use of the phrase "Good Morning America," insiders say.

Sources told the NY Post Lauer is "making all editorial decisions, he’s running the show and he’s not listening to anyone...it’s a huge problem.”

The network insider said that Lauer, incensed with his show's losing streak to their ABC rivals in the ratings after 16 years on top, "has gone so crazy...that staff on Today are not even allowed to mention GMA to him."

Lauer's dominating attitude has made the workplace toxic for the staff, as he's always "telling them to work harder" -- which a separate source says is ironic, coming "from a g