By Jen Heger - Breaking Celebrity News Assistant Managing Editor

The TODAY cast and crew has enjoyed Matt Lauer's absence this past week because the atmosphere on the set hasn't been as tense and Savannah Guthrie is settling into the role of being co-host, Breaking Celebrity News is exclusively reporting.

"The energy is just so much lighter and not as tense while Matt has been on vacation this past week," a show insider tells Breaking Celebrity News. "Everyone has breathed a sigh of relief. The crew just works better together, things just flow a lot easier, and no one is looking forward to Matt returning. Savannah is now settling into her role as being co-host and the staff is truly embracing her now. David Gregory has been filling on for Matt this past week and he and Savannah have a good chemistry. The cast and crew are very much aware that Good Morning America has been consistently beating them in the ratings but while Matt has been gone, it hasn't been thrown in their faces everyday."

As previously reported, Ann Curry is going to be featured on the morning news program on a more routine basis.

"Ann reported for the TODAY show on Monday morning from the Syrian border, and she will be featured on a much more routine basis going forward for the TODAY show," a so