March 2007 - Posts
(From Danielle Kowalski, Weekend TODAY Associate Researcher)
What could be more fun than rehashing the details of your most recent date with a best friend? We’ve all done it… spilled on the good, the bad and the ugly (not to mention the awkwardness) that usually results when two strangers meet up for the first time. But a growing number of singles have decided blushing over these mishaps with just one friend isn’t nearly as much fun as sharing it with the whole world on the Internet. (WATCH VIDEO) Whether or not this format works for you, it’s hard not to be entertained.
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Here's what we have coming on Weekend Today:
Saturday- Latest on Pet Food Recall:
We've followed the pet food poisoning story from the very beginning. Saturday we will bring you the very latest as the FDA expands the recall. Tom Costello will bring you the story and we'll be joined by an expert to tell you what you should do about your pet.
Saturday- What Did That Dream Mean?
There's the dream where you're falling..... The other one where you are being chased.... And then the one that leaves you thinking you're back in school despite the fact your diploma hangs in your bedroom. So what do all these dreams mean? We'll tell you Saturday how to interpret your dreams and ensure you don't forget them before you wake up.
Sunday- Cruise Ship Returns To Port:
The story was breaking news on last Sunday's show. A cruise ship in the Gulf of Mexico rescued two passengers after they fell 50 feet overboard. How did the cruise end? We'll tell you Sunday when the ship returns to port.
Other Stories To Catch This Weekend:
- Team Involved In Tragic Bus Crash Plays First Game
- Fact or Fiction: Kitchen Safety Tips
- The Downside of Downsizing
- April Fool's Pranks
We'll keep you posted if anything changes. Otherwise, see you in the morning.
(Want to know more about what we have coming up Tomorrow on Today? Text message TODAY to 46833)
When you are single and looking -- where do you start? Here is one viewer's call for help:
Dear Ada,
I am a single lady in my mid 50's and would like to meet someone to go out with occasionally. I really don't have much of a social life and work most of the time. I'm a Realtor. My daughter suggested that I go on the internet but I am uncomfortable with that idea. Do you have any suggestions on where I woman like myself could possibly meet a quality gentleman?
Philadelphia, PA
So where can she find an occasional companion to share dinners, quiet times, etc.? I know many in this age group (50+) find it very difficult. To many, the bar scene is not an option, nor is internet dating. Ok viewers -- it is time for you to help. What suggestions do you have? Do you have your own success stories you can share? Send us your comments.
Have a problem and need advice? Ask Ada here.
A note from Jill Rappaport after the amzing response to her post about ther dog's battle with cancer...
(By Jill Rappaport, TODAY Entertainment Correspondent)
First of all, I want to thank all of you for your countless compassionate letters of love for Jack. Each comment was so heartfelt and personal, so filled with your private experiences with our four legged and three legged “children.”
Just as my story (video) brought many of you to tears, I spent the day wiping my eyes as I read each of your incredible stories. Many were about dogs with the same cancer as Jack’s. It was so encouraging for me to hear that 2 and even 3 ½ years later, those dogs are still thriving! I was also so happy to know that I made people feel good about their decision to amputate.
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While the crew was breaking down after her performance, Stevie took 5 to answer a few of your e-mails ...
Click here or on the image below for the Web-exclusive video.
Heading into the weekend of April Fools Day, today we talked about pranks and how people can approach this silly holiday to make the most of it. We had Rabbi Irwin Kula and Reverend Sherri Hausser on live to talk about the importance of being able to laugh at yourself and take life with a grain of salt. I am a big proponent of laughing at myself, and I often boast I can't be easily embarrassed because I'm so comfortable making fun of myself.
The best prank anyone has ever played on me happened during my senior year in college. One day I got home from a busy day and walked upstairs to my room only to find that I no longer had a door! For the next week I received ransom notes for my door and was left hanging a curtain to maintain some sense of privacy. I have to say that while at first I could laugh, by the end of one week (when the door was mercifully returned) I was not such a good sport anymore.
Would love to hear about some of the better pranks any of you have played or been "had" by...are you able to laugh at yourself?
This week I helped producer Federico Quadrani on his spot for 8:09 today on pet food. The segment came into existence as a follow-up to our coverage of the recent pet food recall, because so many people were writing in and responding to the crisis. We wanted to take a closer look, with TODAY contributor Janice Lieberman, at the pet food industry as a whole, and help viewers figure out which food is best for their pets.
Janice's main point is that the most important thing as a pet-owner is to make sure you are giving your pet the nutrition he needs. If you've been feeding your dog a generic brand of dog food for ten years, it's not necessarily the best idea to switch to a premium or organic choice all of a sudden. That said, she did make the point that with the more expensive brands you do get more bang for your buck - even though these foods may be manufactured in the same factories as the less expensive brands, they do use higher end ingredients (such as lamb meat over cow, for example).
In the tape spot setting up the segment we profiled one woman who makes her own food for her dogs, which is another alternative. The catch with that plan is that you have to make sure you are including all of the vital nutrients your dog or cat needs on a daily basis. Always the best bet to consult with your veterinarian on any diet questions, especially with the recent concern over the recalled brands. For a complete list of recalled dog food click here, and for cat food, click here.
I have to take a moment to write about a video clip we played in the open of the show this morning and then re-visited at 7:17 a.m. The clip shows navy officer Bill Hawes home from a seven-month tour in Iraq, surprising his six-year-old son in his school classroom - his son jumps up, crying, and runs into his father's arms (WATCH VIDEO).
We rehearsed the open - as we always do - to make sure our video played out in sequence and the talent knew what was coming, and after that clip Meredith, Natalie and Matt all had tears in their eyes. Again when we were live at the top of the show, the clip played through and we saw glistening in Matt and Meredith's eyes as they spoke about the video. Meredith said, "For all of the negative images coming out of the Iraq war, that is an incredibly beautiful one," and Matt admitted after the segment a few minutes later, "I get teary picking my kids up from school every day, and that's after only eight hours...seven months in the life of a six-year-old is an eternity."
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Here's The Latest On Tomorrow:
Iran Still Holds British Sailors:
Tension mounted today as Britain and Iran clashed over the 15 British sailors Iran is holding for allegedly entering the country's waters. Earlier this week Iran said it would release the single female Brit either yesterday or today- that did not happen. The U.N. Security Council is working to relieve the situation, but Iran is now suggesting they may put the sailors on trial. British Prime Minister Tony Blair called for the "unconditional release" of the sailors and says "no negotiation" will be done. Meanwhile the conflict provoked a six-month high in the price of crude oil. Keith Miller will report on this story tomorrow.
Do Locks Protect Your Home?
Your home is your personal space and there is nothing worse than the feeling of violation when someone invades it. Tomorrow our security expert, Bill Stanton, will show us how sometimes we need to think beyond just locking our doors to keep our family safe.
Other Stories To Catch:
- Deadly Tornadoes Rips Through Plains
- Abandoned Babies Mystery
- Stevie Nicks Performs LIVE
We'll keep you posted if anything changes. Otherwise, see you in the morning.
(Want to know more about what we have coming up Tomorrow on Today? Text message TODAY to 46833)
This morning, Giada DeLaurentiis shared her family tragedy with skin cancer.
WATCH VIDEO Her younger brother Dino died at the age of 30 from Melanoma after years of sun exposure and ignoring an abnormal mole on his back. Giada shared her story to raise awareness about skin cancer detection. Many of you were personally touched by Giada’s segment. Here are some of your stories:
Dear Giada,
I was so touched watching the story about your brother, Dino. Thank you so much for sharing such a personal story. I am a melanoma survivor. I was diagnosed at 26. I grew up a short distance from Pensacola Beach and we were never aware of the benefits of sunscreen. It just wasn't talked about and encouraged then as it is today. I also had many visits to the tanning salon when I was a teenager. I am convinced the combination of indoor and outdoor rays contributed to my diagnosis. I know Dino's story will help others because the only reason I went to the Doctor about my shape changing mole was because of the media coverage on Ronald Reagan's daughter, Maureen, after she died from melanoma metastasizing in her body. I had been watching a mole on my abdomen for months just waiting for it to "go away" or "get better". I had no clue it could be something potentially life threatening, I was only 26! I remember reading the news article about Maureen while I was at work. I instantly realized that I should go to the Doctor. After 6 months of looking at an odd shaped mole, I had it removed. I was very lucky the cancer had not spread to the rest of my body. I am almost 6 years cancer free and I am proud to say I have since had two beautiful little boys who would not be here if it wasn't for national coverage of Maureen's life and death. Because of my experience, I know you have helped many people by sharing your story.
Sincerely,
Amanda Powell (Pace, Florida)
I just finished watching Giada’s story about her brother’s death from melanoma. My family and I send our deepest sympathy and condolences. This story touches me personally. I am a 29 year old female. At the age of 26, I too, was diagnosed with Stage III Melanoma. The doctor blamed it on sun tanning as a teenager and the deadly tanning beds. The melanoma started with a small mole on my lower back no bigger than a pencil tip. Beneath that mole, the cancer had spread. The mole did not bleed - there was a microscopic red spot that my close friend happened to catch. Prior to surgery, the doctor expected the melanoma to have spread into my lymph nodes and that I’d have to have chemo and radiation. Lucky for me, the cancer had spread around my lymph nodes. I always lecture my “young” friends who believe I was just unlucky and too young for this.
Thank you, Giada, for bringing attention to this issue in such a sad situation for you.
--Jamie Travo
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(From Guy Ludwig, TODAY producer)
“That seems wrong,” said a film company executive. “Are you sure?” asked a Today Show colleague. “Come On!” jeered an anchorperson, remembering his days as a producer. I had to admit I understood their skepticism. After all, how could a single Critic’s Corner, just two minutes in length, possibly contain 161 edits?
Even I was surprised but, as Gene Shalit’s producer here at Today, I counted ‘em myself and sure enough, that was the number I came up with. (I never was very good at math, but that’s another story.)
Speaking of story, the spot in question is the present BLADES OF GLORY review. In many ways, this is a typical Gene Shalit movie review – but since nothing in the World of Shalit is “typical”, perhaps that’s a misnomer. All Critic’s Corners begin and end with Gene’s text – but what begins at the beginning is ever so different from what we’ve got at the end. It starts long – many, many hundreds of words - which Gene then shapes, hones and molds.
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(By Bob Dotson, NBC News National Correspondent)
I'm heading out to Oklahoma this week. Going home. No. I wasn't born there. I grew up in St. Louis. But I did my first reporting in the Sooner state, the story that got me my job at NBC.
I was just 26. Sitting in a small cafe one day. At the other end of the counter was a man who looked like Lincoln. He was big and rawboned and about 80. His voice pierced and rattled like an old bugle. I couldn't help overhearing. He was holding forth about a fellow named Paul Sykes, who arrived in Oklahoma with 600 former slaves from Alabama the year before one of those big land runs that offered up free homesteads out west.
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Here's the first crack at tomorrow's rundown:
American In Nicaraguan Jail:
Earlier this week, we brought you the story of Eric Volz, an America convicted of murder in Nicaragua - this despite the fact that at least 10 witnesses provided evidence to show his innocence. Tomorrow we'll have in an exclusive interview with Eric.
What Should You Feed Your Pet?
After the scare of the pet food recall across the nation, many pet owners are wondering what they should feed Fido. Our consumer correspondent, Janice Lieberman, will bring you a report and tell you everything you need to know.
Bob Barker The Tourist Attraction:
For the past 35 years, millions of The Price is Right fans have flocked to Television City in California just to "Come on down!" Tomorrow, our travel editor, Peter Greenberg, will bring you a piece on the ins and outs of what many consider a once in a lifetime trip.
Check back later to see which stories stick, which move and which get shelved for a later day.
Over the past few weeks I have been working with producer Jennie Thompson gathering elements for some pieces we have done with Giada de Laurentiis - one of our contributors who has been co-hosting our 9:00 hour with Natalie Morales this week. Today we aired a spot on Giada's brother, Dino, who passed away from skin cancer when he was thirty years old. WATCH VIDEO
I went on the shoot when Jennie interviewed Giada about her brother, and it was incredibly sad to hear her tell the story of his diagnosis and rapid decline through treatments until his eventual death. We shot the interview in Jennie's home, with a backdrop set up, to make sure it was both an intimate and comfortable setting for such a difficult conversation.
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Today Producer Stephanie Becker is blogging about her 21 day quest to quit complaining. She started last week. Her assignment kicked off after a recent Today Show Story about a Missouri Pastor’s mission to get his parishioners to quit complaining. He’s given out purple rubber bracelets as a reminder. Break the vow and switch the wrist the bracelet is on.)
Week One and Counting (the infractions)
The first week of this experiment in self-restraint ended as it began -- with some rapid wristband rotation. My defense? I was blasted out of a dead sleep after a long night of editing, so I had no control. It was just after 6AM when my bedside phone exploded. It was Dad.
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I have mentioned my mom in a few different posts, and my parents as a collective unit a few times as well. I feel it's time to bring my dad as an individual into the mix, specifically tied into our 8:40 segment "Overbearing Dads". We had a funny tape spot leading into a live interview with Dr. Keith Ablow looking at dads that become too involved in their kids' lives.
This past weekend on the phone with my dad I was explaining my busy schedule for this week, and he said to me, "Liz, remember you have to set your limits." There was a long pause - I resisted the urge to roll my eyes and give an exasperated sigh - and instead I started laughing. My mom picked up the other line and wanted to know the joke so I explained that my dad had been reminding me about my bedtime.
All kidding aside, my dad is great. I do think, however, that we put a lot of emphasis on overprotective moms, and now that more and more women are working after having children, more dads are staying home. The old cliche used to be dads who stayed at the office too much and didn't know enough about their kids' lives and hobbies, but now we are seeing a trend of dads who take their kids' hobbies a bit too far, making them their own passions as well. Dr. Ablow made the point that if your child expresses interest in something, let him or her own that interest a little bit - you can be supportive without becoming personally involved in every aspect of that particular hobby or interest.
Aside from one heated moment of yelling at a referee in a soccer game when I was in fourth grade, my dad has been a great source of support and encouragement, and the impulse to roll my eyes has been kept to a minimum. I am interested to hear your dad stories as well - send in your comments!
This morning at 7:40 we had a segment with Levi Draher, a freshman in high school who almost died playing something known as the choking game. In October, Levi's mom walked into his room at boarding school and found him unconscious suspended from a nylon rapelling rope tied to his ceiling. He was rushed to the hospital where he remained in a coma for three days before regaining consciousness. Levi and his mom were on the show with police officer Scott Metheny to talk more about Levi's experience and also to raise awareness for this deadly game. WATCH VIDEO
I caught up with Levi, his mom and Officer Metheny in the greenroom after the segment. It was great to chat with Levi and see that he really is ok, and a pretty normal kid - we laughed at the clip of David Gregory back-up dancing to Karl Rove's rap at the Radio and Television Correspondents' Association dinner, and his big question for me was about his myspace page! At the same time, his injury was a very serious and life-changing event. Levi's mom explained that Levi was very angry when he woke up in the hospital, denying that he had a problem or that he was playing any game. Even now, after coming a long way in recovery, he still is unable to be completely alone in certain situations for risk of seizure and that frustrates him as well.
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Click on the image below to watch Rappaport's report on TODAY
(From Jill Rappaport, TODAY Entertainment Correspondent)
Jack is my beautiful, soon to be 12-year-old, German Shepherd. I found him wandering the streets when he was only six weeks old. He was such a timid little guy, very scared from being abandoned as a puppy.
I already had two dogs, both strays, but could not resist rescuing him. I was in love the minute I saw those gentle eyes...and those ears (one was sticking up as it should and the other ear, still not developed, flopped over). He was so adorable and funny looking. And even though Jack found the most loving home for life, he always remained a rather shy and completely docile dog, which is quite uncharacteristic of his breed. My vet always jokes that Jack is a "Lab trapped in a Shepherd's body!” But Jack proved just how tough he really is, this past September, when he faced the fight of his life against cancer.
Soon after Labor Day, Jack came running over to me with a slight limp in his left front leg. At first I just thought he was getting a little arthritic, after all he was 11 and a half at the time. So I gave him an anti –inflammatory medication, at my vet's suggestion, because that had always helped with any lameness issues in the past. Well, almost two weeks went by and I could see he was getting worse. Then one night I looked at Jack's leg and my heart stopped. There was a slight bulge half way up. I immediately went on the Internet, which can be both a blessing and a curse, and all his symptoms pointed to bone cancer. The next day I took Jack to the vet, and the x-rays confirmed the devastating news. Jack had a tumor.
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Here's The Latest On Tomorrow:
Teen Skirts Death By Playing Suffocation Roulette:
Blackout. The Choking Game. Suffocation Roulette. These are the names for a "game" kids are now playing, just to get a little high. Tomorrow we'll bring you the story of Levi Draher, a 16 year old who was declared clinically dead after he suspended himself from a rope to get high.
Versace Heiress Battles Anorexia:
Far too many young women suffer the very serious disease of eating disorders. Today news came that Allegra Beck Versace is receiving treatment for the disorder. The 20-year-old is daughter of Donatella Versace and heiress to 50% of the Versace fashion house. We'll bring you the full story tomorrow.
Other Stories In Tomorrow's rundown:
- Alberto Gonzales's Former Chief Of Staff Testifies
- Stocks, Inflation Concerns & Oil Prices
- Dealing With Your Pet's Cancer
We'll keep you posted if anything changes. Otherwise, see you in the morning.
(Want to know more about what we have coming up Tomorrow on Today? Text message TODAY to 46833)
Many viewers wrote in today about our fashion segment featuring spring trends for plus sizes. WATCH VIDEO The clothes featured on the plaza were beautiful, bright, fun and affordable. Many of you appreciated highlighting these figure-flattering styles for all shapes. Fashion can be frustrating - when shopping it is often difficult to find the right style and fit. But in our weight-obsessed culture, not all viewers agreed with the “plus size” label. Here are some of your e-mails:
The segment was fantastic and I'm so I had the morning off and did not miss it. The selections by the style correspondent were flattering, not too sexy and fantastically affordable. I wanted every outfit -- for work and for play. The models were fun and confident and truly plus size, not just a size 12. Thanks again and I hope to see such segments again. And the always lovely funny Meredith's comment about plus size being the norm was right on!
-Today Viewer
Since when is size 12/14 a plus size? During your spring fashion segment this morning you reported it to be the nation's average women's size. Then the bottom of the screen read something like "spring fashions for plus sizes". I always thought plus sizes were those that had an "X" in them. The way you reported it, we are left to believe that the tiny twigs out there are the normal size. My weight has fluctuated from sizes 2- 12. People have told me I look much healthier when I am sizes 8-12. Even when I am size 12, I certainly don't think of myself as a plus size! Watch what you report regarding size. I'm sure you don't want to encourage women to achieve the twig look just to avoid being labeled "plus size".
-Today Viewer
Hi Today Show,
I loved your segment on fashions for full sized women today, Wednesday, March 28, 2007. Those women looked beautiful! As a large woman, I struggle with a variety of issues regarding my body. Shopping for clothing is depressing, with the nice clothes relegated to smaller sizes. Those of us who are larger than a size 16 or 18 get a double whammy - there are less clothes available for somebody who may be a size 20 or 22, and they are often really ugly. It wasn't just the fashions on your show this morning, though, that impressed me. The women were beautifully made up with attractive hair, of course, but it is the fact that you stressed that most women are considered full sized. With that in mind, I would really love to see much more fashion segments addressed to this significant group of women. In addition, when you run the fashion segments with clothes for slender women, I would love to see how those fashions can be adapted to larger women. As a society, American women are bombarded with constant images of emaciated women held up as the standard of beauty, creating an high level of negative self esteem that impacts women in a number of ways. I would love to see the Today show lead the fight against unreal feminine beauty.
Thanks,
Liz Drennon (Boise, Idaho)
Do you have your own fashion woes? How do you find the right look for your body? Send us your comments.
Here's the first crack at tomorrow's rundown:
What Happens Next In Iraq?
Congress is forging ahead with a plan for the troops to withdraw from Iraq. The President today stood firm on his promise to veto any bill calling for the troops to leave Iraq. David Gregory will bring you the latest.
Extreme Solutions To Sell Your Home:
It's certainly not a seller's market these days. So what to do? There are plenty of schools of thought on how to sell your house. Tomorrow we'll show you some of the renovation ideas people are doing to sell their homes.
Overbearing Dads:
Some are trying to re-live their youth. Others just want what's best for their kids. These days, some dads are taking their fatherhood involvement to the max. Lisa Daniels will bring you a story about the latest trend of overbearing dads.
Check back later to see which stories stick, which move and which get shelved for a later day.
(From Max Paul, TODAY Burbank Producer)
It's Wednesday, the day of anticipation around the country. It's a day that promises a crushing rejection where a person's life long dream is destroyed. It's the day that ticks down to the second when Ryan Seacrest looks some poor loser in the eyes and tells them that America likes Sanjaya Malakar better so get lost (vidoe).
Los Angeles is the epicenter hosting this event that grips people of all ages, races and sexual preferences. And unless you're in a coma you know that Wednesday is elimination day on American Idol. Someone we didn't love enough is going home. It happened to Brandon Rogers and most recently, Stephanie Edwards (video).
You're probably asking yourself, why is a Today Show producer blogging about a Fox show on an NBC website? Stay with, me it'll make sense.
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The Harry Potter insanity has officially begun. Even though the last installment of the juggernaut series doesn't hit book shelves until July, the cover was officially unveiled today, live on our show. Arthur Levine, co-editor of the Harry Potter series, joined us to do the honors. After his segment was finished, he breathed a big sigh of relief (he was quite nervous!) and chatted with me in the green room.
I asked him how he was feeling, and as he said on the air, of course he has mixed emotions as the series draws to a close. But one emotion that he neglected to mention is the incredible sense of pride that he has for these books. It isn't every day that an editor can be involved in something that really becomes a classic, and has spanned generations and age groups in the way that Harry Potter has, and will continue to do for years to come. He feels that this last book provides an incredibly satisfying conclusion to all of Harry's adventures. CONTINUED >>
What is soy? Does it taste good? Is it any good for you? These were some of the topics that we tackled this morning in our segment on soy. It's one of those products that so many people know of, and perhaps eat from time to time, but are still lacking important info about it. All I know is that I could put soy sauce on everything I eat. But now I have learned that I should buy the low-sodium variety, because two tablespoons of the regular variety (that's nothing!) will equal my entire suggested sodium intake for the day. Madelyn Fernstrom, our diet and nutrition editor, went through a bunch of facts and myths about soy. WATCH VIDEO One of the important points that she made was revealing the myth that all soy foods are healthy. While the product does have many important health benefits, you can't think that eating 6 bags of soy chips is healthy. Just like all other foods, it's all about moderation. CONTINUED >>
Anne Thompson, one of our NBC News correspondents, just discussed her personal battle with breast cancer. She has kept it a secret for over a year, and is now healthy and speaking out about her ordeal. There's nothing more eloquent or informative that I can possibly say, so just do yourself a favor and read her blog entry about her personal journey HERE. Needless to say, we are thrilled and relieved that Anne is well, and we applaud her for talking and helping others who might be suffering.
We had a shuffle.
One of Our Own Battles Cancer:
The current news of Elizabeth Edwards and Tony Snow has been one that has touched the hearts of many and, unfortunately, one that has hit far too close to home for some. Tomorrow we'll bring you the story of our very own Anne Thompson's battle with cancer.
Behind The Scenes of Teletubbies is out of the rundown for now.
Here's The Latest On Tomorrow:
John McCain On The Campaign Trail:
We'll talk to the Senator about his the '08 election, his campaign fundraising, the Senate's Iraq vote and Tony Snow.
How Does It Work?
We're taking you behind the scenes of one of the biggest international sensations ever to hit the U.S. Here's a hint... they're an unstoppable foursome. Nope, they're not the Beatles. Want another clue? They even leave some of their fans drooling. Give up? It's the Teletubbies and they're breaking their silence after 10 years of wooing youngsters. Tomorrow, we'll tell you who's behind the phenomenon.
Don't Miss These Other Stories Tomorrow:
- 2007 Hurricane Predictions
- Weight Loss Success Stories
- Soy: Myth or Fact
We'll keep you posted if anything changes. Otherwise, see you in the morning.
(Want to know more about what we have coming up Tomorrow on Today? Text message TODAY to 46833)
(By Mark Traub, TODAY Senior Stage Manager)
Hi there, my name is Mark, and I am the senior Stage Manager for the Today Show. I began work here in May of 1983, after working around NBC on different shows since June of 1980 and a brief stint at Good Morning America! I was to be a fill-in for a month and I guess they liked me, or someone lost my paperwork. Anyway, what I wanted to tell you about is some of the travels I have had with the show.
I travel all over the world with the show, and often I find myself in situations that take my breath away.
CONTINUED >>
Here's the first crack at tomorrow's rundown:
Tony Snow's Cancer Returns:
The White House reported this morning that White House spokesperson, Tony Snow, has a reoccurrence of cancer. Snow had his entire colon removed two years ago after being diagnosed with colon cancer. This latest growth was found on Snow's pelvic area. Surgery was performed Monday to remove the growth, but doctors found the cancer has spread to his liver. David Gregory will bring you a full report tomorrow.
When Is It Time To Get Screened:
With the latest news about Tony Snow and Elizabeth Edwards, questions about cancer screening naturally arise. Tomorrow, Dr. Snyderman will give you all the answers about screening procedures and when to get them done.
They All Grow Up Eventually:
All children grow up and well, some parents just have a tough time letting go. But what do you do when your baby becomes a self sufficient adult and suddenly doesn't need your constant guiding hand anymore? We'll talk to author Jane Isay and psychiatrist Dr. Janet Taylor about navigating the rocky road when children become adults.
Check back later to see which stories stick, which move and which get shelved for a later day.
(From Erin Reynolds, TODAY Unit Manager)
I should have known that the morning wasn't going to be exactly perfect after I was too late to make my routine stop for coffee on the way in. As the unit manager on duty this morning, my main concern is making sure all of our remotes go on the air without a hitch. The challenge of the day...Ann Curry live from Sudan. Everyday we have several live shots, could be anywhere across the globe. However, its not everyday we have one of our own live from such a remote location, not to mention from a region that is in the midst of a humanitarian crisis. Something told me Tim Russert's live shot from Washington, DC wouldn't be as difficult.
Between our team of technical experts on the ground with Ann and our support system at NBC Satellite Operations here in the states..what could possibly go wrong? After all, they are the best in the business! Pick a place, any place..our folks have gotten us on the air from there! So, we wait...6:30am, still no picture from Sudan...6:45am, still nothing. Either it's really dark there, OR, there is nothing but black coming across the satellite signal. Five minutes to airtime...we make the decision to have Ann call into the show from a satellite phone so at least we can talk to her. Still keeping my eye on the satellite feed, in hopes we will see her picture, Matt tosses to Ann live on the phone. Just as they are talking..LIVE PICTURE! Oh wait..something's weird..Ann's not moving..the picture is there, but it's frozen! Being the professional that she is, Ann handled the situation like a trooper and gave us a detailed explanation of what she had experienced being in the region. We had unbelievable video that Ann and her team had shot earlier in the day. We played the video as Ann was speaking with Matt and it was compelling. WATCH VIDEO It's really the pictures that tell the story. In the four years I have been sitting in this chair, once or twice we have lost a remote. MOST days, perfection..but sometimes we need a little drama to keep us on our toes.
Yesterday, a bunch of you were writing in and asking how Meredith was doing after her spill on the ice with Will Ferrell (VIDEO). It really was no laughing matter at first, because she hit the ice pretty hard. But she is doing just fine, and had a lot of fun at her own expense this morning. Right from the beginning of the show, she was laughing about it as the control room played the clip of her digger over and over again. She got back on her skates and headed onto the ice once again at 8:30, with Jon Heder and Scott Hamilton. Our creative wardrobe folks made up a comfy butt pillow for Meredith to wear, equipped with Will Ferrell's face. She was a great sport, and even once we went to commercial, she continued to skate around with the help of her guests, to the delight of the crowd. I just bumped into Meredith and she was still giggling about the whole thing. Let's see if our creative producers come up with another excuse to get her on the rink again tomorrow... (Photo: Richard Drew/AP)
Chris Hansen, from Dateline NBC, was just on the show to promote his new special tonight, titled "To Catch An ID Thief." WATCH VIDEO. At this point, there are pretty few sectors of the criminal world that Chris has not caught yet, and he's going after the dangerous world of identity fraud tonight. This story spans continents and billions of dollars, since technology makes identity theft an international problem. I was watching the show in the green room with his producer, and chatting more about the investigation that they conducted.
His producer, Rich, told me that this is probably the longest, most in-depth investigation he has ever done. They started working on this story two Januarys ago, in January of 2006. It took a while to get cooperation from some credit card companies, and setting up all of the undercover operations was fairly time-consuming. But their work certainly paid off, and they now have an unprecedented look into the world of credit cards and identity thieves. As we were watching the story, another woman in the green room asked the producer if we were making this up. She was convinced that some of it must be staged, because it's simply too good (is good the word?) to be true.
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Here's the latest on Tomorrow's Rundown:
Amidst Conflict Oil Prices Increase:
As tensions rise between Britain and Iran over the capture of 15 British sailors, the international marketplace saw a direct correlation to oil prices. The standoff could interrupt oil shipments from the region. Andrea Mitchell will tell us tomorrow how the conflict will impact us here in the States.
Hallmark Covers The Gamut:
Want to say I LOVE YOU? Happy Birthday? Send your sympathy? Well, Hallmark pretty much has you covered. But what if you want to reach out to a friend with depression? Or even an eating disorder? Or a loved one going through chemo? Tomorrow we'll tell you about Hallmark's new line of cards for the most unique occasions.
Other Stories To Catch Tomorrow:
- How To Raise A CEO
- To Catch An Identity Thief
We'll keep you posted if anything changes. Otherwise, see you in the morning.
(Want to know more about what we have coming up Tomorrow on Today? Text message TODAY to 46833)
This morning we were all impressed with little Reuben, the baby that took his first steps at only 6 months old. (Most babies begin walking between 11 and 13 months). But many proud parents have their own “super babies.” Here are some of your stories:
I just viewed the baby who walked at 6 months. My second son, Jonathan, walked at 7 months. I put him down on the floor after a nap and hoped that might crawl that day, since he had been rocking back and forth, revving his engines! He pulled himself up on the sofa and walked across the room. I think he was just anxious to keep up with his brother who was 21 months old! (Now that was a busy house, it was like having twins!) He didn't learn to crawl until he was about 12 yrs. old. Good Luck to that mom on the piece!
Mary Ann Fredrick (Bridgeport, WV)
I had no idea that that was a big deal. My son walked at 6 months and started running at 7. He is 20 now . I was thinking "what is the big deal". My son did it. Go figure.
-Donna (Foster, RI)
I just wanted to let you know my son was walking at 6 months of age and he is gifted and truly stands out among other children his age. He is now 14 years old and on his way to great things. Now my new born little girl is 7 months and is standing on her own and trying to take her first steps too. She is from what I can tell very smart also.
I enjoyed your report.
Sincerely,
Beth Goff (Punta Gorda, Fl.)
I am a mother of 4 children. I was watching your show today, and caught the story of the baby who can walk at 6 months old. My daughter, Jaedyn, was also walking by the time she was 6 months. She has kept me on my toes since. By the time she was 2, she was able to outrun my oldest child. She is now 4 years old, and still keeps me on my toes. Your story caught me off guard, I hadn't been aware of how rare it was for a baby to start walking at 6 months old.
-Brandy
At last! Now people will believe me when I tell them my 25 yr old son began walking at 6 mos. Only family members really know the whole story. He rolled over at 2 weeks. Crawled at 3 mos and sat up at 3 1/2 mos. He just backed up while crawling and sat up one day! My Grandmother called him the "bionic baby"! I wish I could tell you that he was way above average intelligence. He is smart, but mostly a good athlete. He played baseball in college and is now a high school baseball coach. Now maybe people won't roll their eyes at me when I am telling baby stories!
-Today Viewer
Do you have a super kid? A baby advanced beyond his peers at the play date? Share your story and send us your comments.
(From Candace Kuo, TODAY Production Associate)
My alarm next to my bed goes off and I turn it off. Five minutes later my second alarm across the room goes off and I’m forced to get out of bed. It's 2:00am, and it's time for me to go to work. Two alarms are a necessity when it comes to my job...a lesson I learned a little over two years ago on my second day of work when I showed up an hour and a half late for work. My one and only alarm failed to ring at the set time...that alarm didn't last another day.
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(By Vivian Fel, TODAY Associate Producer)
When I received my assignment about motherhood with Giada(WATCH VIDEO), I spoke to many women on the phone as I sought out a well-rounded roundtable. Some were moms with kids of all ages. Others, married women in their 30s, like Giada, who still do not have children. One married woman mentioned to me that she had assumed she would have kids by now, but didn't meet her husband until later on in life. So what is a woman to do?
I turn 30 this year, and while I don't hear my biological clock ticking just yet, it doesn't mean I don't check my watch every once in a while.
I'm single. I travel when I want. I've been hang gliding in Rio, skydiving upstate, and snowboarding in the Italian Alps. Been around the world, but have not found the one to marry.
So I wait. But not by the phone.
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The Latest On Tuesday's Rundown:
'08 Race:
It's pretty much established that the 2008 election will be a race of endurance. Republican candidate John McCain said over the weekend that he didn't make his first quarter fundraising goal. Also in the last week, we covered the hurdles that the Edwards family now faces as Elizabeth announced her reoccurrence of cancer. Tomorrow on the show we'll sit down to radio talk show host Laura Ingraham. Laura not only has a pulse on politics, but as a breast cancer survivor she understands the challenge that lies ahead for Elizabeth and John Edwards.
Child Care Linked To Poor Behavior:
A study was released this morning showing that the quality of child care is linked to vocabulary development and behavior. Child care can be a tough decision for parents when it comes to balancing family and career. We'll talk to Neil Bernstein, a clinical psychologist, about child care and your kids.
Travel Insurance Shuffled Back In:
Remember a couple of weeks ago, we told you about Peter Greenberg's story on travel insurance. It got shuffled out after the rundown meeting. Well, it's back in the deck. Tomorrow Peter will be here to tell us all the ins and outs of travel insurance.
Check back later to see which stories stick, which move and which get shelved for a later day.
I'm not quite sure where to begin blogging about our segment out on the rink this morning. There was so much going on, and so many people on-hand to witness it. Will Ferrell was on the show to promote his new movie in which he plays a figure skater, so what better location for his interview than our very own Rockefeller Center Rink. I wandered over to the rink a little before 8:30, and the crowd was already massive. Will was already out on the rink, riding around on the zamboni, entertaining the crowd. Everyone was yelling and screaming as he kept hamming it up for his fans.
Meredith came running over a little after 8:30, hurriedly getting into her skates and chatting with Will before the interview began. Stage managers were running around, rolling out some carpet for them to stand on while on the ice. Photographers were snapping pictures, Will was doing some fake stretches, and the crew members were making sure that all the cameras and sound checks were ready. Then Meredith and Will were out on the rink on skates, conducting the interview.
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Just two short years ago, no one even knew what youtube was. In fact, it was only founded shortly over two years ago. Now here we are, in a full-fledged youtube generation. This morning in our 7:30 half-hour, we had a story on the first annual youtube awards, which are being unveiled later today. Categories ranging from most inspirational to best comedy to, simply, most adorable, are crowning some of the biggest sensations on the web from the last year. Check out associate producer Roberto Bailey's post on all the winning videos HERE. Youtube has taken off to the point where it's a normal part of daily conversation, and a clip getting put up on youtube can really change someone's life.
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Here's a quick little tidbit about this morning's rundown. Initially, Senator John Kerry and his wife, Teresa, were scheduled to be on our show this morning to discuss their new book. They were going to appear in the 8 o'clock hour, since the interview would focus more on the book and less on the news topics of the day. However, over the weekend, more news developed regarding Senator John Edwards and his wife Elizabeth. They gave their first interview last evening since the return of Elizabeth's cancer, which instantly became the news that would lead our show. Given the history between the Kerry and the Edwards families, Senator Kerry's appearance suddenly became all the more topical. For that reason, the senior producers decided to bump their appearance to the top of the show, and focus the interview on much more than just their new book. Who better to have on the show to discuss John and Elizabeth Edwards than the couple with whom they spent inordinate amounts of time on the campaign trail two years ago. Andrea Mitchell was filing a report on the Edwards family at the very top of the show, and the Kerrys became the interview immediately flowing out of that report. All it meant was a bit of an earlier wake-up call for the Senator and his wife, but I'm sure they didn't mind. They're here and ready to go.
This week on Al's video blog, he goes behind the scenes with animal experts the Kratt brothers to take a closer look at one of the wild guests from Friday's show. Al also faces a herd of pedestrian fans, corners some production staff and, as always, enjoys saying the word "vlog". Check it out! WATCH VIDEO.
[By Roberto Bailey, TODAY associate producer]
Hi Everyone,
I’m Today Show Associate Producer, and I’ve worked at this show for almost five years. By now, you’re probably wondering, “Exactly how many people work for this show?” The answer would be “not enough,” which is why I spent my Sunday night putting together a Today Show segment about the first annual YouTube Video award winners. I’m not complaining though; this was a fun segment to put together. I really wanted to show you all of the clever winning videos, but as often happens, something always gets left on the cutting room floor. Since I couldn’t show you all of the clips during my segment, I thought I would share them with you here on our blog:
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After an amazing rendition of "Me and Bobby McGee" on Friday (video), Pink took the time to candidly answer some of your e-emails.
