Meredith Vieira

The Force Is with the Today Show

Originally posted 10/30/2009 09:00AM

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

Credit: Pete Goddard/Splash News Online, Janet Mayer/Splash News Online

Music News

Meredith Vieira on Susan Boyle: 'She's Figuring It Out'

Originally posted 07/22/2009 07:00PM

Meredith Vieira had heard the rumors about Susan Boyle, the Britain's Got Talent runner-up in the news last month for missing six dates on the show's tour following a five-day stay at a mental health clinic.

"I heard about some of the drama ... that she was out of control, had shown signs of instability," Meredith Vieira tells PEOPLE of taping an interview with Boyle in London July 16. "I really didn't know who I would meet."

Turns out, the cohost was pleasantly surprised.

"She looked great and seemed extremely relaxed and confident," adds Vieira. "[There was] no indication that this was somebody who was unstable. Quite the opposite – she seemed very comfortable in her skin."

Read More

Credit: Richard Drew/AP

Matt Lauer Set to Be Skewered at Celebrity Roast

Originally posted 09/12/2008 03:30PM

The burning question is, will Matt Lauer still be speaking to them in the morning?

Lauer, 50, is slated to be the victim – that is, "honoree" – when the Friars Club gathers at the New York Hilton Oct. 24 and rakes the Today host over the coals, humorously, at its annual celebrity roast – an event noteworthy for wildly uncensored remarks at the expense of the guest of honor.

Among those scheduled to appear at the by-invitation-only, not-for-broadcast event include Lauer's predecessor Bryant Gumbel, his former sidekick Katie Couric and the current one, Meredith Vieira – as well as his across-the-channel rival, Good Morning America's Diane Sawyer.

Read More

David Cook Makes His 'Cougar' Fans Purr

Originally posted 05/29/2008 12:25PM

David Cook won American Idol by 12 million votes – and it appears many of them came from a fan base he might not have expected.

During a visit to the Today show on Thursday, the Idol champ chatted with Meredith Vieira, who told the 25-year-old singer: "A lot of [your fans] are older women, right ladies? It's the 'Cougars for Cook.'"

"In fact, my friend, who's my age, is here," Vieira, 54, continued. "I'm not going to rat her out and say her name. [But she said] 'Should I be embarrassed?' I said, 'No, look at him!'"

Read More

TV News

Carol Burnett Teaches Tarzan Yell to Meredith & Martha

Originally posted 03/12/2008 03:50PM

It's not exactly up there with getting to be a Rockette on the great stage of Radio City Music Hall, but Today show host Meredith Vieira saw another dream come true Wednesday morning when she got "living legend" – Vieira's very words – Carol Burnett to teach her the comedian's trademark Tarzan yell.

"It's a yodel," the star, 74, promoting her new movie Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who, explained, "so you go from ... the 'chest voice' to the 'head voice.' "

Vieira, 54, scored perhaps a 7 for her efforts. Then the crowd outside the studio in Rockefeller Plaza tried their pipes. They sounded like a jungle full of Tarzans.

Last to attempt to make like the famous (vine)-swinger? Martha Stewart, 66, who ended up sounding like a frog croaking. Advised Burnett: Stick to the cooking.
– Stephen M. Silverman