08:40 AM EDT 10/31/2009
Today
The Force Is with the Today Show
Originally posted 10/30/2009 09:00AM
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A galaxy far, far away came to New York's Rockefeller Plaza Friday morning, and it was 1977 all over again, as the Today show team dolled up for Halloween in their best Star Wars finery.
Bunned up behind the ears in her unflattering wig, Meredith Vieira was Princess Leia, Matt Lauer was a grounded Luke Skywalker, Al Roker came on as Han Solo while Ann Curry breathed heavily as Darth Vader. Natalie Morales dropped in as Padmé Amidala, and Hoda was Yoda (Hoda Kotb, that is). Kathie Lee Gifford went heavy metal, as C-3PO.
Dressing up in elaborate costumes has become a tradition on the NBC morning show. As for this year's retro theme, in a season when The Twilight Saga is all the rage, chalk it up to the current Stars Wars: In Concert show that is touring the country.
– Stephen M. Silverman
Permalink | Filed Under: Halloween, Star Wars, Today, Matt Lauer, Meredith Vieira
Meredith Vieira's Secret Past Revealed
Originally posted 10/07/2009 09:10AM
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While a sex scandal brews at rival CBS over a certain late-night host, NBC has some skeletons in this closet that the network seems to be voluntarily exposing on its own.
Jay Leno on Tuesday night added a brief post-script to a Today show segment earlier in the day about mentoring. As a result, a shocking secret about Meredith Vieira's early career came to light, prompting a sharp observation on Wednesday's Today show from her cohort Al Roker that even seemed to shock the good-natured Vieira and the always-stoic Ann Curry.
A good way to start the day with a smile, gang.
– Stephen M. Silverman
Brüno Falls into Matt Lauer's Embrace
Originally posted 07/09/2009 09:05AM
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Somehow, it just seemed pre-destined that Austrian fashionista Brüno would end up in Matt Lauer's arms.
The fateful contact took place Thursday during a free-wheeling Today show interview in which Sacha Baron Cohen's flamboyant alter ego, in his silver lamé jumpsuit, demanded a hug from the handsome morning host. Problem was, the segment (see video) had already faded to blackout before the moment could be shared with viewers.
Permalink | Filed Under: Bruno, Today, Matt Lauer, Sacha Baron Cohen
Carrie Prejean Cries Foul over Treatment
Originally posted 06/12/2009 08:40AM
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Carrie Prejean says she was never informed of appearances she was supposed to make in her official capacity as Miss California USA, and, as a result, she should not have been fired for not making them, the ousted beauty queen told Matt Lauer on Friday's Today show. "It is a set-up" is how she described her dismissal.
Appearing visibly miffed but well-prepared in what she had to say, Prejean, who was stripped of her title Wednesday, insisted that she did not violate her contract with the pageant organization and, in fact, had to place calls herself offering to appear at hospitals and the Special Olympics, because the organization hadn't booked a schedule for her.
Permalink | Filed Under: Today, Donald Trump
Eliot Spitzer Calls His Behavior 'Egregious'
Originally posted 04/06/2009 08:35AM
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Dealing with what he termed the 800-lb. gorilla in the room, Matt Lauer grilled former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer on Monday's Today show in an interview that ostensibly was conducted to reveal Spitzer's expertise on Wall Street and its current woes.
But first, the gorilla: After only 14 months in office, Spitzer resigned his position in March 2008 after it was revealed he was a regular client of a prostitution ring known as the Emperor's Club V.I.P.
In his first interview since the scandal, Spitzer, 49, downplayed his involvement with the service, saying he used it "not frequently … not long." The disgraced politician, saying there were "no excuses possible" for his behavior – which he repeatedly called "egregious" – also said that he is still frequently asked about important issues.
Permalink | Filed Under: Scandals & Feuds, Today, Eliot Spitzer
Al Roker & Matt Lauer (Try To) Go for the Gold in Beijing
Originally posted 08/19/2008 12:00PM
Give them an A (as in "award") for effort – but Al Roker and Matt Lauer should probably give up their dreams of Olympic gold.
In a segment from Tuesday's Today show, the manly hosts hit the mats in Beijing with Olympian Alexandra Orlando and give rhythmic gymnastics a whirl. Literally.
The result? The hula-hoops and ribbons go flying as the anchors struggle with coordination.
But while the sport proves initially difficult, the duo eventually grow into it, revealing a routine – and a sense of humor – that should impress even the toughest of judges. See for yourself.
– Brian Orloff
Permalink | Filed Under: Olympics Summer 2008, Today, Al Roker, Matt Lauer
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Kathie Lee Defended After an On-Air Swipe
Originally posted 08/11/2008 09:55AM
In light of some new criticism about Kathie Lee Gifford – stemming from a Today show regular telling her on-air last month to stop being such a Chatty Kathie – NBC is speaking up on behalf of its still-relatively new addition to the fourth hour of its top-rated morning program.
"The feeling here is we love Kathie Lee," Today executive producer Jim Bell tells the The New York Times. "She is unique, she's a character, she's colorful and she's not afraid to speak her mind. I don't think we’d have her any other way."
Since joining co-host Hoda Kotb in April, Gifford, 54, was targeted by some TV critics for falling into her same old pattern of monopolizing airtime to talk about herself and her family. (A PEOPLE.com poll in April, asking for reaction to Gifford's return to daytime TV, found that 42 percent of the respondents "loved it," while 58 percent "loathed it.")
Permalink | Filed Under: TV News, Today, Kathie Lee Gifford
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Playwright Sounds Off on Jane Fonda's 'C-Word' Slip
Originally posted 02/15/2008 08:10AM
The Vagina Monologues author Eve Ensler was sitting next to Jane Fonda on the Today show Thursday, when the controversial actress dropped the C-word on live television.
Host Meredith Vieira later apologized for Fonda's use of the term – a taboo expression for female anatomy. The word was also removed from the Midwest and West Coast broadcasts of the program. In addition, Fonda's rep issued an apology on behalf of the actress, who said she regretted the "slip ... She certainly meant no disrespect," reports New York's Daily News.
But what was Ensler's reaction? Indifference.
Permalink | Filed Under: Scandals & Feuds, Today, Jane Fonda
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Katie Couric Ribs Matt Lauer on His 10-Year Today Anniversary
Originally posted 01/05/2007 08:00AM
On Friday morning, Today marked Matt Lauer's 10-year anniversary on the show with an appearance by a surprise guest: Katie Couric.
Permalink | Filed Under: Katie Couric, Today, Matt Lauer
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Review: Thumbs Up for Meredith Vieira
Originally posted 09/13/2006 11:35AM
A week after Katie Couric's unsatisfactory debut on The CBS Evening News came Meredith Vieira's first day as coanchor on Today, Couric's old job. We'll see how the ratings go, but viewers should have been happy at the end of Vieira's first two hours. Just as dependably as in her years on The View, she was relaxed, game for anything – the right woman for any job. And I hope this puts to rest all that cruel gossip that the spot more rightly should have been offered to Joy Behar.
Permalink | Filed Under: Today, Matt Lauer, Meredith Vieira
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