April 2007 - Posts
Here's The Latest for Tomorrow:
Harry Receives His Marching Orders
Even with growing concern over a Prince on the battlefield, the British army reported today that Harry will be deployed next month to Iraq. Despite insurgents posting a bounty for the Prince, Harry insisted that he be deployed with his regiment. Tomorrow we will have all the details on the Prince's tour of duty.
Bear Attack Update
We brought you the story of Johan and Jenna Otter, who found themselves face to face with a bear in September of 2005. (Watch Video) Tomorrow we will have an update for you on the father and daughter almost a year and a half after surviving the mauling.
Don't Miss This Tomorrow:
- Rep. John Murtha talks to us about the Tenet fallout
- And Where is Matt- Day 2!
We had a shuffle. Due to the news today about Prince Harry and the booking of Johan and Jenna we shuffled out the Natalee Holloway story. We will be sure to bring you the latest on that story as it develops.
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)
(From Emily McAdam, TODAY Associate Producer)
My college friend Katy hung a yellow sign on the wall of her kitchen. Perched above the stove, in large black letters...it read - "ADJUST." Katy grew up in a Navy family. She moved from city to city, switched from school to school. Life became an adventure but also a constant adjustment. Just in case...Katy kept this sign posted for a bit of inspiration and as a stark reminder that life can change at any moment -- over breakfast or on the way to school. ADJUST.
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Think you know Where in the World Matt is going next? Text the name of the country to 46833. Watch TODAY. Take a guess every day. Matt just might return your call from his last stop!
Here's the clue for Day 2:
"Clare speaks the language. But if you need translation, you'll find Ann holding it down when some of us hit the road."
Note: Standard text message rates apply.
Here's a look at tomorrow's rundown:
Day Two: Where In the World
Currently, Matt is en route to his second destination. Where will it be? You'll have to tune it tomorrow to find out.
Castro Status
It has been more than nine months since the Cuban leader has been seen in public. Just yesterday Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said his ally is still "in charge". With tomorrow being May Day, there is curiosity as to whether the leader will make an appearance at the country's celebrations. NBC's Andrea Mitchell is in Havana and will bring us a report tomorrow.
Latest in Natalee Holloway Case
Approaching the two year anniversary of the disappearance of Natalee Holloway, authorities are following new clues in the search for the high school student that went missing in Aruba. We will have all the details on these developments tomorrow.
Check back later to see which stories stick, which move and which get shelved for a later day.
This morning we had quite the Spider-man extravaganza out on the plaza. The entire cast was on-hand to promote the film, in advance of its official premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival this evening. I took a bunch of photos of the excitement out on the plaza. Read on...
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Finding roadblocks when planning your wedding? Dear Ada has some advice:
Dear Ada,
My fiancé and I have been engaged for almost 7 months and we are pretty much at a stand still in the wedding plans. She's a full time student with a part-time job, and takes really good care of our house while I'm away. I'm always away because I'm in the Army. In the three and a half years we've been together I have been deployed 4 times, gone on Temporary duty about 6 times, and work 12 hour days. I think we have only been by each others side maybe a total of one year. With the current global situation, it looks like there is just no end in sight for Monica and I to spend any good quality time together, let alone plan a wedding. I am in the Army, my family is from Montana, and Monica's family is from Tennessee where I'm stationed. What is the best way to help her plan a wedding and fit it into our schedule?
Thanks,
Lost in the OPTEMPO.
Jayson, Clarksville, TN
Dear Jayson,
Planning a wedding is a major undertaking. Even with your additional challenges, you still have plenty of resources to help your wife plan your special day. I enlisted the help of Brides magazine’s Editor-in-Chief Millie Martini Bratten to give you some great tips and resources:
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(From Amanda Mortimer, TODAY Associate Producer)
One of the nice things about producing stories at Today is the variety of work we get to do. Producers might develop niches or specialties, but we all pitch in and do what's needed, whether it's news or fashion, health or entertainment, business or features. We do a little bit of everything.
While some of the work is glamorous, most of it's not. But the best thing about the work I do is the people I meet. And I don't mean celebrities or politicians or newsmakers. I mean real people. A lot of the stories I tend to produce don't feature famous people - they feature real people - working moms and dads, teachers, happy children, sick children and the doctors who treat them, neighbors and grandparents... the people on your street. They aren't extraordinary people - generally ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances doing extraordinary things - and they're willing to share their stories.
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It's day one of "Where in the World" and Matt Lauer is in Everett, Washington at the Boeing airplane factory.
In his first video blog of the trip, Matt talks to our travel editor, Peter Greenberg, about a part of the plane that you never get to see and hope your pilot never uses... but you'll both be glad it's there, just in case. WATCH VIDEO
(By Curtis Vogel, TODAY producer)
With the possible exception of the Olympics, landing an assignment with Matt Lauer for the “Where in the World” series is the most coveted gig for a Today Show producer. You get to travel to exotic places, experience new cultures and immerse yourself in all the food and fun that the destination has to offer.
So, you can imagine my excitement when my boss told me that I would be working on my first-ever Where in the World for Matt. I already had visions of paddling canoes down the Amazon River or riding camels in the Sahara Desert when my boss informed me that we would be going to Everett, Washington.
As in Washington state?
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It's a little before 7am on Monday morning, the first day of our Where in the World series. So many people are curious about this series, and Matt's secret whereabouts really get us buzzing. This weekend, a few friends came up to me asking where Matt would be. And the honest answer is I don't really know. All of our anchors repeatedly say on the show that the destinations are kept top-secret, and that is absolutely the case. Unless you are working on one specific day, for the most part the answers are kept hush-hush. When video segments from the producers in the field are fed into New York, they often feed them with secret code titles so everyone seeing lists of feeds doesn't know the destinations. Producers working on the series just refer to everything by number -- Day 1, Day 2, and so on. I even just went looking in our file where all scripts are kept, hoping to find some scripts from this morning's segment. I got nothing. All the written segments about the series are not in the general file. And all of Matt's segments on the rundown are listed as "Location TBA" for this morning. So it really is kept top secret. Or maybe I just don't know where to look. Either way, we've got about 15 minutes left until Matt's eighth globe-trotting trek kicks off. Stay tuned. And you can follow Matt's journey on our website
HERE.
Here's what we're looking at for Monday on TODAY:
Where's Matt?
You'll have to tune in tomorrow to find out where Matt is kicking off his eighth Where in the World trip. Here's a clue: "This is the second time we've stopped in this country, but our last four trips all began here." Don't forget to visit FollowMatt.com for an interactive experience.
Tenet's Bombshells- First Live Interview
On tomorrow's show, Tom Brokaw will sit down with George Tenet in his first live interview to talk about the former CIA director's newly released book. In the memoir, Tenet reveals many of the details of the decision to invade Iraq. We'll have more for you in the morning.
Other Stories to Catch Tomorrow:
- The Real Story of Fat & Thin
- LIVE on the Plaza: The Cast of Spiderman 3
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)
Here's what we have coming on Weekend Today:
Terror Sweep Seizes 172 Suspects
You have to think... what would have happened if they weren't arrested? Today Saudi forces foiled a plot to attack the country's oil fields. Over $5 million in explosives, rifles, ammunition and handguns was found in the seizure. Tomorrow morning, we will bring you full details on this story.
Iraq Veto Threat
This week both the House and the Senate passed an Iraq War spending bill, each setting a withdrawal deadline for our troops. President Bush promises to use his veto power. Ironically, the bill is scheduled to come across the President's desk on Tuesday the four year anniversary of the 'Victory' speech. We'll take a closer look at this bill on Sunday.
He Really Wants To Serve
Prince Harry has threatened to quit the army if he is not permitted to go to Iraq with his brigade. It has been reported that the Royal Army was considering re-assigning the third in line to the throne due to terrorist threats. Look for more on this story on Saturday.
Don't Miss These Stories This Weekend:
- Saturday: Designer vs. Knockoff Shoes
- Sunday: Get Your Garden Ready for Spring
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)
From Aarne Heikkila, Associate Producer, Burbank Bureau
Driving along Highway 59 near the Utah/Arizona border, the community of Hildale doesn't particularly stand out.
But turn off the highway and drive down the city's main road and it quickly becomes apparent that this isn't any ordinary town.
"Keep Out" and "No Trespassing" signs are prominently displayed everywhere and large homes peer out over imposing concrete walls, making them look like heavily fortified compounds.
It's this secluded atmosphere that correspondent Jennifer London, cameraman Paul Thiriot and I came upon in Hildale and we sensed immediately that visitors like ourselves weren't especially welcome.
Oddly enough though, visitors were what brought us to Hildale.
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(From Dan Barbossa, TODAY producer)
Al’s Book Club for Kids launched this morning on TODAY with much fanfare.
His club will show children that reading can be fun. The first book selection is “The Invention of Hugo Cabret” by Brian Selznick. WATCH VIDEO
(From Bob Dotson, NBC News National Correspondent)
A lot of people who climb the ladder of success find that it's been leaning against the wrong wall. Joshua Bell made it to the top. Received a big prize. But is not too comfortable with just one ladder. He's our profile this morning on American Story with Bob Dotson. WATCH VIDEO
Bell is something rare, a musician who loves and excels at all sorts of music. Not just performing. Teaching, too. CONTINUED >>
This morning, Masi Oka, who plays Hiro Nakamura on the hit NBC show "Heroes," stopped by for an interview with Meredith, David, Al and Campbell. WATCH VIDEO
I caught up with him for a few minutes before his appearance, and we chatted about his recent fame, Robin Williams, and his upcoming college reunion. Here's some of our conversation (edited for content):
Q: So you've got your 10-year college reunion coming up at Brown University. What will you say to people who come up to you and ask what you've been up to lately?
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Most people by now know the story of Barbaro -- the horse who dominated the field at the 2006 Kentucky Derby only to shatter his right hind leg just two weeks later in the Preakness. After successful surgery to repair the leg, he then embarked on a fight for survival that inspired thousands of people across the country.
Two months after the surgery, however, Barbaro developed the often fatal disease laminitis, and he did not survive -- he was euthanized on Janury 29, 2007.
For the first time since Barbaro's death, his owners, Gretchen and Roy Jackson, sat down for a live interview this morning with David Gregory on "Today." They were also joined by Dr. Dean Richardson, who treated Barbaro. WATCH VIDEO
Their appearance coincides with the NBC Sports production of a special one-hour documentary, "Barbaro: A Nation's Horse," which will air on NBC on Sunday, April 29, at 5 p.m. ET. WATCH TRAILER The 133rd running of the Kentucky Derby also airs on NBC on Saturday, May 5.
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(Today Producer Stephanie Becker is blogging about wearing the “Complaint Free World” purple rubber bracelet and her attempts to go 21 days without complaining. The bracelet gained national attention after NBC’s George Lewis reported on the Missouri Pastor who challenged his congregation to give up grousing. WATCH VIDEO Each violation called for rotating the bracelet to the other wrist. Stephanie quit the project until….)
(From Stephanie)
To paraphrase Mark Twain, reports of my abandoned attempt at complaint free living have been greatly exaggerated. That’s probably because I’m the one who wrote it. I quit after being able to go no more than 36 hours straight without grousing. WATCH VIDEO But, a strangely timed message has me back on the wristband bandwagon.
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Here's The Latest for Tomorrow:
Mother-Daughter Business Venture
They can be best friends, but how would a mother-daughter duo fair in the business world? Tomorrow we'll look at mothers and daughter teaming up to take the plunge into business together.
He Certainly Makes Us Laugh...
But what's it really like to be Chevy Chase. We'll sit down with the funny man and talk about his newly released biography titled, I'm Chevy Chase ... and You're Not.
Also tomorrow:
- One mom expecting sextuplets... That's SIX!
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)
Here's a look at tomorrow's rundown:
Tomorrow We'll Know Where They Stand
Tonight is the first debate of the 2008 race. And tomorrow we'll hopefully have an idea of where the Democrats stand. Tim Russert will bring us a full analysis of the debate. And Dan Bartlett will join us with the White House's reaction.
Are You An Alpha Mom?
They're connected. They're juggling. They're savvy. They're trendsetters. And that's why marketing researchers love Alpha Moms. Tomorrow we'll look at who this new kind of mom is.
Is A Kiss Just A Kiss? Or Jail Time?
When traveling in a foreign country, it's helpful to know the laws. That is the lesson Richard Gere is learning after planting a wet one on Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty. We'll tell you all about the leading man's legal predicament in India.
Check back later to see which stories stick, which move and which get shelved for a later day.
Clay Aiken sat down with Al Roker, David Gregory and Dr. Nancy Snyderman today to talk about his recent work with UNICEF USA in Afghanistan (WATCH VIDEO).
Before his appearance on the show, I got to talk to him for a quick Q&A. Here is some of our conversation (edited for content):
Q: When did you get back from Afghanistan, how long were you there and what were you doing?
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NBC Burbank Producer Mike Mosher and Singapore-based freelance producer Mike Barrett link up with the Motion Picture Association of America and Operation Double Trouble to follow Lucky and Flo as the canines take a bite out of organized crime.
Piracy is the biggest threat to the U.S. motion picture industry. In 2005 losses estimated at $6.1 billion dollars were attributed to piracy. Eighty percent of the losses are a result of piracy overseas. Now the music and film industries are teaming up with international police in their investigations into the criminal gangs involved in piracy.
An unlikely pair of canine detectives have been sent to Malaysia, one fo the world’s top illegal movie producers and exporters and one of the 36 countries on a U.S. watch list of serious copyright violators. In the past month these search dogs have led five raids and seized 1.5 million pirated discs worth an estimated $3.7 million. WATCH VIDEO
Malaysia’s most famous dogs, two brown Labradors named Lucky and Flo, have sniffed out another huge consignment of illegal DVDs, this time in the southern Malaysia city of Johor Bahru.
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We talked a bit on the show today about the rare confluence of events that occurred on Wednesday -- the meeting of tabloid titans Rosie O'Donnell and Alec Baldwin, which caused all kinds of chatter in the entertainment world.
On the day Rosie announced she would be leaving "The View" in June, Baldwin sat down for an interview on that show to discuss the infamous voicemail message he left for his 11-year-old daughter that was released last week. He's locked in a contentious custody battle with ex-wife Kim Basinger over their daughter Ireland.
(You can WATCH VIDEO of our report and discussion on Rosie, and you can WATCH VIDEO of our report and discussion on Baldwin.)
O'Donnell said that she was unable to come to terms on a contract extension with ABC, but there are rumors that she was fired. And Baldwin reportedly said of his career, "If I never acted again, I couldn't care less."
In the aftermath of Wednesday's meeting, entertainment fans are pondering several questions today:
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Here's The Latest for Tomorrow:
Middle Class Faces Market Squeeze
Already in 2007 we have seen the highest of highs and the lowest of lows in the stock market. But has the instability put the squeeze on the middle class while the rich just gets richer? CNBC's Scott Cohn will bring us this story tomorrow.
Alec Baldwin: Out of Line or Just an Angry Dad?
This story still has buzz almost a week later. Tomorrow, we'll discuss it more. Was it a father hitting a breaking point? Child abuse? Or a messy divorce getting messier?
Don't Miss These Stories Tomorrow:
- New moms outsourcing breast feeding?
- Gearing Up for Where in the World
We had a shuffle
You won't be SEEING our segment on foods that help your eyesight. It's been shuffled out of tomorrow's rundown, but we'll let you know when it is shuffled back in.
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)
Here's a look at tomorrow's rundown:
Debates for '08 & the Iraq Plan
With the '08 race in full swing and political tension brewing over the plan in Iraq, we're looking at two major debates across the political spectrum tomorrow. We'll bring you the latest on the Iraq debate between the President and Congress. And Andrea Mitchell will have a complete preview of the very first debate in the 2008 presidential race. The debate will take place in South Carolina with Democratic candidates. Tim Russert will also join us in the morning with an overview of all the political activity.
So Long Rosie
She said "It just didn't work." This morning Rosie O'Donnell announced she is leaving The View over contract negotiations. Barbara Walters said she had nothing to do with those negotiations. Still many wonder if Rosie's short stay has anything to do with the controversy she has brought on over the past year. Tomorrow we'll take a look at how Rosie's gig came to an end.
"Eat Carrots, They're Good For Your Eyes"
That's what my mother used to tell me at least. But was she dealing the truth, or just conning me into eating my vegetables. We'll find out tomorrow! Nutritionist Joy Bauer will be here to tell us what foods can help your eyesight.
Check back later to see which stories stick, which move and which get shelved for a later day.
(From Alicia Ybarbo, TODAY Producer)
April is a huge month for birthdays in my family. My grandmother, mother, sister, nephew and several girlfriends are all April birthdays, but what I really get excited about - albeit crazy too- are the birthdays of my precious children: “Jackieboy” and Lucy.
Having lived in Manhattan for more than ten years now, it's pretty hard not to notice all the time, money and effort that’s spent on birthday blowouts. It’s crazy. Now I, too, am a victim of the birthday party madness.
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I watched the Martha Stewart segment from the studio this morning. If you watched at home, you learned some great tips on spring-cleaning from sweeping your floors to vacuuming your mattress (wait...really?)
The studio view was a little different. While one anchor was with Martha tackling one area of spring-cleaning, the other three anchors were off camera trying to get him or her to laugh. Martha is truly a tour de force when it comes to sterilizing your home in time for the warm weather, but I have to say, sometimes the things she points out are beyond me. I caught up with Meredith, Al, Matt and David Gregory after the segment to see what their actual spring-cleaning habits are. WATCH VIDEO
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Here's The Latest for Tomorrow:
Dow Almost Made It
Finishing the day at 12,953.94, the Dow nearly missed the 13,000 mark for a record close. Strong first-quarter earning reports pushed the market towards the record, but with weak numbers from the housing markets the day was full of wavering data. CNBC's Erin Burnett will bring us a full report on the status of the markets.
With Abated Breath We Wait...
Waiting for what.... To find out who made PEOPLE magazine's most beautiful list for 2007. Tomorrow we will talk to PEOPLE's Julie Jordan and find out who made the cut.
Don't Miss These Stories Tomorrow:
- How Will the '08 Race Keep Up the Endurance Until '08?
- Meredith Learns to Cook with the Take Home Chef
We'll keep you posted if anything changes. Otherwise, see you in the morning.
(From Paul Manson, TODAY Producer)
Where in the world is Paul Manson.
Allow my to introduce myself. I'm one of the today show producers. I've been with the show for 8 years now ... Sometimes it's hard to believe. But as is true with many of our staff, it’s a hard place to leave because it’s a terrific place to work.
I'm often reminded what a privilege this job is. As a producer you have the opportunity to travel quite a bit, meeting interesting people often with a front row seat to history.
Those who are fans of the show will be familiar with our annual series, “Where in the World is Matt Lauer?” In order to get Matt ready for a week of world travel teams of producers hit the ground ahead of time to scout locations and shoot stories reflecting what's going on in each country. I'm currently on location doing just that.
I'll give you a hint on where Matt is headed next week. Here goes…
I am somewhere on earth. Due to budget cutbacks and the inevitable exorbitant cost we had to forgo plans for “Where in Outer Space is Matt Lauer?” So I am in fact somewhere on earth. Here are some other facts I've garnered since hitting the ground. The people we've met here are extremely friendly...They generally eat three meals a day and tend to sleep at night. Unfortunately that's about all I can say.
Tune in next week for more. As they say in this country.... Goodbye.
Here's a look at tomorrow's rundown:
We're Watching the Weather
Wicked storms are expected in the Texas, the Rockies and Plains. Forecasters are looking at the possibility of thunderstorms and tornadoes in these states today. We'll track these storms and bring you the latest in the morning.
How to Get Your Home to Sell
New numbers were released today by the National Association of Realtors showing existing home sales have dropped 8.4 percent in March. With bad weather and mortgage lending tightening, what can you do to get your home to sell? Barbara Corcoran will join us tomorrow with all the best tips.
Is He Okay?
Today we showed you the video of four-year-old Caden Thomas getting railroaded by a Colorado State receiver on the sidelines of a practice game. (Watch video) Tomorrow we'll talk to little Caden and see how he's feeling.
Check back later to see which stories stick, which move and which get shelved for a later day.
(From Erica Grody Levens, TODAY Associate Director)
By now you savvy blog readers know quite a bit about the “Today family,” the early hours and the “working mom” juggle. Roll all those into one person, add a twist and you’ve got me. Let me explain.
CONTINUED >>
Waiting outside on the plaza for Sanjaya to ask him a few questions for the blog made me think that I was waiting for the President. I couldn't get near the guy at first! And it wasn't his fault. He was just being nice and mingling with all of his fans, and boy were there a lot of them. Snapping pictures, signing autographs, and hamming it up for the crowd, Sanjaya was really giving our crowd a treat. WATCH INTERVIEW. But on his way out (to another interview, of course), I snagged him for a couple minutes.
Q: If there's one moment from the season that was a highlight for you, or that sums up the entire experience, what would it be?
Sanjaya: Meeting Tony Bennett and having him appreciate my music and my ability.
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If you really wanted someone to talk to, would you call a stranger who gave his number out on youtube? Well, thousands of people have in the last few days. Ryan Fitzgerald is a 20-year-old from Boson who posted a video on the internet site a few days ago, giving people an opportunity to chat with someone if they wanted. Since then, his phone has been ringing off the hook. WATCH VIDEO.
I spoke to his twin brother and cousin in the green room this morning, as Ryan was getting ready for his interview. Needless to say, their heads were still spinning from the incredible outpouring that Ryan has received over the past few days. According to his brother, Ryan answers about 85-90% of all the calls that come in. And by their estimate, so far he's topping 9,000 new friends. Many just want to see if he'll pick up. Others have wacky questions -- one caller wanted Ryan's opinion on whether he should eat a cheeseburger. Others are actually asking him serious, life questions. And then there are some questionable, borderline stalkers -- one guy kept calling him over and over, saying he wanted to meet him and was going to travel from out-of-state to do so. But through it all, Ryan keeps answering.
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Here's The Latest on Tomorrow's Rundown:
Oh The Places You'll Go, Oh What It Will Cost You
When does the average person make their commute? Between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. But what if local lawmakers decided to charge you to travel into the urban center at that time? That's what NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg has proposed for cars traveling into the most congested part of Manhattan. Tomorrow we will take a look at this proposal and tell you what other laws are being proposed to encourage you to help the environment.
Is It Over? When To Quit a Marriage
Marriage is a commitment through "sickness and health," but still more than 90 million Americans have been divorced at least once. With kids, careers and passions it can be difficult to decipher when over is really over. Drs. Gail Saltz and Drew Pinsky join us tomorrow to explain the warning signs of the end.
Other Stories To Catch Tomorrow:
- Parenting Magazine Looks At Motherhood Today
- Sanjaya LIVE
- Dress For Success
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)
(From Sara Haines, TODAY Production Coordinator)
Catering for 20 people = $250
Airport transportation for Bon Jovi's band = $500
Booking a flight for Wilbur the pig = PRICELESS!!
My name is Sara Haines and I am the Production Coordinator. Although I handle an array of logistics including: plaza concerts, catering, security lists, etc., I spend the majority of each day doing guest travel.
My tale begins on a Friday afternoon. As anyone, I was hoping to have a relatively easy day heading into a much-needed weekend. Things were going swimmingly until right after lunch. One of our senior producers, Jackie, called me about travel for a guest coming in over the weekend. She proceeded to tell me that it was for Wilbur the pig. A smile, foreshadowing what was to come, snuck across my face as I thought about what I was being asked to do. I was booking travel for Wilbur the pig! I mean who hasn't read Charlotte's Web? Wilbur was my absolute favorite! I love little pigs. I am from Iowa, so I think we are born with that soft spot, and aside from the fact that they grow up to be full-grown pigs (that smell and roll in the mud), this was a cute, little, fuzzy piglet.
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Here's a look at tomorrow's rundown:
More Information About Cho's First Victim
As the campus of Virginia Tech returned to class, state police revealed that they found e-mail correspondence between the gunman and his first victim, Emily Hilscher. We'll have more on this story tomorrow.
YouTube's Latest Phenom
We've seen how YouTube can make one person an immediate sensation. But how about becoming an immediate shrink? That's what happened to 20-year-old Ryan Fitzgerald after he posted his cell phone number and offered "to be there" for anyone who needed a listening ear. Well, we called his cell phone. He answered. He talked to our booker. And now he'll be on the show tomorrow.
Making Strides But Not Making The Money
While women steadily take steps towards leveling the playing field with men in their careers, the gap has actually increased for the bottom line. A study released today explains why the pay gap continues to grow between college-educated women and men. Tomorrow we'll tell you why women continue to get the short end of the stick.
Check back later to see which stories stick, which move and which get shelved for a later day.
(From Tory Duncan, TODAY Producer Washington, D.C.)
I am a producer for the show based in Washington, D.C. I write lots of live segments and cut tape spots based on news of the day -- from the war in Iraq, to wranglings in Washington, to presidential politics. My responsibilities also include being on hand in our D.C. control room every other week. That control room -- f control -- serves as the funnel for D.C.-based interviews and correspondents.
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This morning we had Pamela Druckerman, author of "Lust in Translation" on the show. The book examines the way different countries perceive adultery. The United States is apparently one of the few countries, in which the confession approach when it comes to adultery is particularly prevalent. Many countries, particularly in Europe, view adultery as something that can be and should be enjoyed with having to confess and clear one's conscience.
Druckerman also mentioned the way in which pop culture depicts adulterous affairs, also demonstrates the discrepancies between the U.S. and other countries. If you think about it, many of the television shows and movies we watch here in the U.S. depict the scenario over and over again, where a spouse cheats and never gets away with it, because they are inevitably caught or so racked with guilt that the discretion must be confessed. In France apparently, that situation is rarely the case. A hero in a French movie could have an affair, but still be depicted as the hero, not suffering the consequences of an indiscretion.
What does this mean for the big picture? Should you confess, clear your conscience, and possibly cause pain in doing so? Or is the better route to simply keep your secrets?
After a week of sad and upsetting news, it is nice to be able to report on something that makes everyone happy: spring weather! It was very exciting to see the forecast this weekend and to know that we could toss the jacket and rainboots for the time being, and head to the park!
Cabin fever was definitely in the studio air this morning, as Meredith, David & Al decided to leave Home Base and go outside to the plaza for the 7:00 weather. 
Using a brand new 'Today's Temperature' thermometer, everyone got excited about Al's forecast of 80 degrees. Here at the show, warmer temperatures mean that many of the show's segments (concerts, cooking segments, fashion shows, etc.) can go outside, allowing everyone to bask in the good weather.
Here's hoping for a good week with more warm weather!
(From Jim Semmelman, TODAY Stage Manager)
I had no intention of getting into television, let alone being a part of the most watched morning show; my first love was “live” theatre, though truth be told I started out as a child actor doing TV commercials for Kenner toys and in high school actually won a local Emmy award as a performer and writer on a teenage “laugh-In” type show called “Vegetable Soup.”
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(From Rich Bonnabeau, TODAY Producer/Editor)
What’s that? I’m supposed to do what? Write a blog?
Hmmm…
Why would I be asked to blog?
Blogging frightens me…sort of…
Probably because I don’t know what it is….
Let’s see…
According to Wikipedia…
“A blog is a user-generated website where entries are made in journal style and displayed in a reverse chronological order…The term "blog" is a portmanteau, or, in other words, a blend of the words web and log (Web log)...”
Exciting! Now I know the definition of blogging and portmanteau!
So let the blogging begin…
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Here's what we have planned for Weekend TODAY
VT Tragedy
The healing process has begun on the campus of Virginia Tech. With the investigation ongoing, the community will come together this weekend in the first church services since the shooting. We'll talk to some students as they prepare to go back to class after the horrific shootings in their academic buildings. And we'll let you know how the Hokies did on the ball field as they will play their first game since the tragedy this weekend.
Father's Fury or Nasty Custody Battle?
This morning on TODAY we brought you the rant that Alec Baldwin left for his daughter on her cell phone. (Watch Video) Was it a father upset with his daughter? Or was it an ex-husband caught in a custody battle with his ex? What is your reaction? Does it depend on your sex? We'll take a look at this tomorrow.
Other Stories to Catch This Weekend:
- Saturday: On Vacation - Rent a Home or Stay in a Hotel?
- Saturday: The Queen Turns 81
- Sunday: Today at Work - Team Building Exercises
I don't think anyone will disagree that it has been a crazy rollercoaster of a week. From fear to sorrow, from hate to pride, we've all seen and experienced every emotion.
A sign in the crowd this morning read "Today We Are All Hokies." This week, the entire nation became Hokies, supporting Virginia Tech and its community, as everyone came to terms with this terrible tragedy. As the days go by, the pain will lessen and people will begin to heal. But there is no question that the horror of the Virginia Tech massacre will ever be forgotten.
Take a look at this video of the unforgettable images and sounds from the week that was. WATCH VIDEO
(From Antoinette Machiaverna, TODAY Producer and Mother of a College Student)
For parents of college students, like me, with children miles away at college, the massacre at Virginia Tech has been unsettling. It is just harder and harder for parents to protect their children. No matter how old they are, they are still your children. You always want to keep them safe, even if you can't keep them close by.
(A student hugs her mother as she departs Virginia Tech. Credit: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)
This week I interviewed experts for the many segments we did asking how and why this happened. When I asked Marylene Cloitre, a psychologist at the New York University Child Study Center, how parents can reassure young adults that they are safe, she told me:
"I think people have a changed view of how safe they really are and it's less than what they used to think. By and large, these events are rare. There will be a change in security so I don't think students will be, practically speaking, less safe. They will be MORE safe… What does change is their feeling of being invulnerable. They have learned they are not invulnerable and that's how people reappraise what happens."
My son is about to graduate from a major university 3,000 miles away. He and his friends all feel that new vulnerability and wonder if there is some crazy shooter among them on his urban Los Angeles campus. My husband and I have held our collective breath for four years, long before Cho Seung-Hui went on his rampage. You can only hope that Dr. Cloitre's prediction that things will become safer becomes a reality very quickly. CONTINUED >>
Here's the first crack at tomorrow's rundown:
Virginia Tech Investigation
We are continuing to follow the tragic events that took place this week on the campus of Virginia Tech University. Tomorrow, we will have the latest on the investigation.
We will also speak to Colin Goddard and his mother Anne. Collin was shot three times on Monday when Cho Seung-Hui entered his classroom.
Political Round-Up
We have been immersed in covering the horrible massacre that took place on Monday, however, throughout the week there has been quite a bit of action on the political front. Tomorrow Tim Russert will bring us up to date on Alberto Gonzales's testimony, the Iraq War Debate and all the other politicking that took place this week.
Check back later to see what other stories we'll have tomorrow.
As you know by now, Cho Seung-Hui sent NBC News a package including 28 video clips, 43 photos and a 23-page written statement, apparently mailing it between the first and second shootings on Monday.
There was much discussion and debate here at NBC News before the decision was ultimately made to air some of the photos and videos last night.
This is how Matt and Meredith opened the show this morning at 7 a.m.:
CONTINUED >>
I know it happened Tuesday night, so some people may have already moved on from this. But I just wanted to comment on the candlelight vigil on the campus of Virginia Tech, which I attended along with Meredith and two colleagues. I think I can safely speak for everyone in our group when I say that it was truly an honor to be there, to experience the remarkable range of emotions that radiated through the thousands of mourners.
There, of course, was great sadness. For many, their grief was overwhelming. But what struck me most about those in attendance was their equally overwhelming sense of pride -- in their fallen loved ones, in their school, and in each other. Even for us, as outsiders, it was hard not to be impressed by the students who conceived, organized and carried out the event; hard not to be inspired by the eloquence of Zenobia Hikes, the vice president of student affairs; and hard not to get caught up in the "Let's go, Hokies!" chant that broke the silence after the vigil's conclusion. So hard, in fact, that we were indeed impressed, inspired, caught up and so much more.
CONTINUED >>
Here's The Latest On Tomorrow:
Killer Sends NBC A Package
Today, we here at NBC News received a package from Virginia Tech gunman, Cho Seung-Hui. Immediately upon receiving the package, NBC News executives and security called the authorities and notified the FBI. It is believed that Cho Seung-Hui sent the package in between the first and second shootings, which answers the question of where he went for two hours. Tonight on Nightly we saw some of the material contained in the box. Tomorrow on TODAY, we will bring you more information about what we received here as well as the very latest on this horrible tragedy.
Here's the first look at tomorrow's rundown:
Virginia Tech Latest
We are continuing to follow the tragedy at Virginia Tech. This morning, police released more information about the shooter. It is known that Cho Seung-Hui was accused of stalking two female students and in 2005 he was treated at a mental health facility due to concerns he may have been suicidal. Some reports say that Cho may have been taking medication to treat depression. Tomorrow we will have the latest as more of the remaining questions surrounding this tragic story are answered.
Antidepressant Medication & College Kids
Just today, a study was released looking at the benefits of kids taking antidepressants. The study printed in the Journal of the American Medical Association found antidepressant medication helped more than harmed troubled adolescents. Dr. Nancy Snyderman will join us tomorrow to discuss this study and any information from the study that could shed light on the Va. Tech gunman.
Check back later to see what other stories we are following today.
After taping the “Today” show on the Virginia Tech campus on Wednesday, co-host Matt Lauer shared his thoughts on covering the tragedy with MSNBC.com’s Petra Cahill for the "On the Scene" blog.
Q: You’ve covered so many of these tragedies. What stands out with this one?
A: All of us in this business have unfortunately had to go to communities that have been ripped apart by some sort of violent tragedy, and it’s amazing to see the different responses that people have. Often you’ll find – and it’s completely understandable – that they want nothing to do with the media. They want you to get out, they want you to stay away and give them their time to grieve and come to terms with it.
While I’m sure there was a lot of that emotion among the people here at Virginia Tech, what they showed us was quite the opposite. I was really taken by the fact that the people in this community welcomed us. They really wanted us to cover the tragedy and report the facts and emotions. But at the same time, I can’t tell you the number of people that came up to me and said, “We want you to see the story, but we also want you to see another side of us. We want you to know that we’re more than this story.” They went out of their way to show us that with their spirit and their kindness. And then they would always end the conversation with something like, “We want you to see the ‘Hokie spirit.’” And it sounds clichéd or trite in some ways, but it really made a difference.
Read the complete Q & A at "On the Scene."
In the midst of incredible tragedy, people come together. Many people have been sending condolences and prayers to the Virginia Tech community. Here are a few quotes from earlier this week:
I want to repeat my horror, disbelief and profound sorrow at the events of today. People from around the world have expressed their shock and sorrow and endless sadness that has transpired today. I am at a loss for words to explain or understand the carnage that visited our campus. -Virginia Tech President Charles W. Steger, April 16th.
Schools should be places of safety and sanctuary and learning. When that sanctuary is violated, the impact is felt in every American classroom and every American community. Today our nation grieves with those who have lost loved ones at Virginia Tech. We hold the victims in our hearts, we lift them up in our prayers, and we ask a loving God to comfort those who are suffering today. -President George W. Bush, April 16th
We know that there were a number of heroic events that took place. -Col. W. Steve Flaherty, April 17th
We are sad today and we will be sad for quite a while. We are not moving on. We are embracing our mourning. We are Virginia Tech. We are strong enough to stand tall fearlessly, we are brave enough to bend and cry, and sad enough to know we must laugh again...We will prevail! We will prevail! We will prevail! We are Virginia Tech!" -Virginia Tech professor and poet Nikki Giovanni.
The massacre at Virginia Tech on Monday is a tragedy felt on the Blacksburg campus, across the country, and even around the globe. Everywhere, viewers have sent us their thoughts and reactions. Here are some of your e-mails.
Two of my kids went to Virginia Tech. One graduated last year. The news is hitting too close to home. I just wanted to say Virginia Tech is the kind of place that once you go there. It's in your blood forever. My kids loved it there. And as a parent couldn't have felt safer for my kids to be there. If this tragedy could happen there it could happen anywhere. My prayers go out to all involved.
Julie (Annapolis, Md)
Thank you for your respectful and heartfelt coverage of the shootings at Virginia Tech. You have a presence of calm and comfort. I can't imagine going through all the interviews and fact finding and not being deeply grieved. I have been and will be praying for you. I pray that you will be comforted in whatever way God knows you need at this time.
Veta (Austin, Texas) CONTINUED >>
We are continuing to follow the Virginia Tech tragedy. Today, police named the shooter as Cho Seung-Hui, a 23-year-old student and English major. We also are learning more and more about the victims. Tomorrow, Matt and Meredith will broadcast our show again from the campus of Virginia Tech University.
It's hard to know what to write this morning. The only thing on anyone's mind over here is the shooting at Virginia Tech yesterday morning - the worst shooting in U.S. history. The magnitude and violence of this rampage is astounding, and also hard to understand.
So now we need to try to comprehend and tell the story as best we can, so that we can mourn the loss the families of those thirty-two students killed as a country. We have Matt and Meredith in Blacksburg speaking with witnesses to the shootings, survivors, and family members of victims. These mornings are the most challenging and most meaningful here, because it is imperative that as producers we keep our heads together while hearing some of the most heart-wrenching testimonials.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Virginia Tech community, and most especially the families of those who were killed.
The Latest On Tomorrow's Rundown:
VA. Tech Shootings
The deadliest shooting in U.S. history took place today on the campus of Virginia Tech University. The death toll stands at 33 and fifteen others were injured. Matt and Meredith will be live from the campus. We'll bring you everything we know about the massacre. We will have eyewitness reports as well as information about the shooter.
(Want to know more about what we have coming up Tomorrow on Today? Text message TODAY to 46833)
Here's the first crack at tomorrow's rundown:
Breaking News Today
We're following this morning's shooting at Virginia Tech University. This tragedy is the largest shooting at a U.S. college. The university reported that 22 have been killed. This number, however, is continuously changing. It is expected to rise. We are following the story and we'll have the latest for you tomorrow. A large part of our broadcast will be dedicated to this story.
This morning, the legendary Julie Andrews was on the show with her daughter, Emma Walton Hamilton (video). They have written another book together (their 16th!), this one titled "Thanks To You: Wisdom From Mother & Child." After their interview, they stuck around for another couple of minutes to chat with me.
Q: You have balanced an incredible career while raising children as well. With Mothers Day coming up, what advice to you have for mothers who are trying to navigate that same route?
CONTINUED >>
(From Alicia Ybarbo, TODAY Producer)
Tomorrow is a big day for all of us here at TODAY. It is Tiki Barber's first day. I had the pleasure of producing his first feature with us (which you’ll see Tuesday) and over the coming days, weeks and months, I know the viewers are going to just love him as they get to know him.
Like the pages of a long novel, Tiki and I (pictured left) go back a long way. I’ve had the pleasure of being friends with Tiki since 1998. Tiki was fairly new to the Big Apple, playing in just his second season for the New York Giants when we first met. He had just married his college sweetheart, Ginny. My husband, Mark Zimmerman, who works for the NFL, asked Tiki and his brother, Ronde, to write a weekly column for NFL.com.
As the '98 season went on, Tiki and Mark developed a good friendship and soon enough Ginny and I joined them for dinners out in New York, concerts in Central Park and various other social activities. Over the past eight years we've celebrated many life events together: weddings, birthdays, holidays, babies, and most recently Tiki's retirement from the NFL.
Allow me to give you a little behind the scenes information on Tiki. CONTINUED >>
Here's what we're looking at for Monday on TODAY:
All Wet in the East
It just keeps coming down. The eastern part of the country is one giant puddle. The storm has caused a lot of flooding and canceled flights throughout the region. The question in Boston: Will the rain let up before the start of the marathon in the morning? Tomorrow, we'll bring you the latest on the storm and the marathon plans. We'll also have TODAY Travel Editor, Peter Greenberg, on hand to tell you what to do if your flight was canceled.
No Royal Wedding Soon
Kate isn't the one for Wills. British newspapers reported today that Prince William has ended his relationship with Kate Middleton. The two first met while studying at St. Andrews. We'll have the full story tomorrow.
Don't Miss This Tomorrow on TODAY:
- A Look At The Week Ahead For The White House
- Sen. Clinton Visits Rutgers
- Tiki Barber Makes His Debut
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)
(From Rainy Farrell, TODAY Producer)
I guess old dogs (or at least semi-old) can learn new stuff…and as a producer for TODAY some weeks feel like I’m back in college again - without all the fraternity parties - learning, studying, research and writing. Most of my days start about the same way: wake up, shower, dress, make coffee, pack snacks for my 5 year old twins' kindergarten class, check email, throw in a load of laundry, turn on my cell and Blackberry (which I swore I would NEVER own, but since I got it a month ago, I have a new found love of typing on small keyboards), feed the dog, pull out the driveway, head to the studio for my segment, and that's all before 6am.
I’ve been knee deep in cholesterol, arthritis, and insomnia this week …three things I thought I’d only have to worry about when I was in a “senior” moment. I’m producing a series with one of our contributors, nutritionist Joy Bauer. Joy and I work together on most of her segments, and I love it. What keeps me motivated here is finding topics that I am interested in - nutrition, fitness, cooking, parenting, fashion - and of course, trying to have fun while producing them. And I guess in a way you can say I’m selfish because I only want work with guests who are truly dedicated to what they believe in, really want to help people and aren’t just interested in plugging their latest project. Joy’s one of those people. CONTINUED >>
(From Lee Miller, TODAY Associate Director)
My name is Lee Miller and I live what I consider to be a charmed existence working as an associate director on both TODAY and WEEKEND TODAY. On the weekends I arrive around 4:00 in the morning and am responsible for the overall timing of the broadcasts and for basically making sure everything "fits". I make sure each segment gets the correct amount of time and that all of our commercials and promos air. If the show seems smooth to you at home then I have done my job. Live shows like TODAY can be challenging because some interviews go longer than expected and some shorter. In each circumstance it is my job to communicate to the executive producer where we stand time wise and make the necessary modifications to the show. For example, if a segment runs long then I can move commercial time around to make more room or we can swap segments. Maybe air something a little earlier than previously planned because it needs less time. In any event, we never want the show to feel rushed. During the week I work as a video playback AD. In this role I arrive at 10:15pm (yes, the night before), make a list of all video elements in the show and rehearse everything overnight. I, along with playback operators and editors check each clip for mistakes and make sure we know exactly how long everything runs. On any given day we will have between 75 to 115 individual video clips and it is my job to make sure each one is cued up and is ready to roll when our director, Joe Michaels, needs them. Oh yeah, and those graphics you see on the lower part of your screen during taped spots that tell you what the segment is about or identifying someone speaking, that's me taking those in and out. I have 3 stopwatches that I carry with me at all times and each is always timing something. They have taken over my life...when I'm sitting at home watching something else on TV I can't help but look at a clock whenever a commercial break rolls...haha.
CONTINUED >>
(From Lisa Daniels, TODAY Correspondent)
Neutrality has always been a cornerstone of journalism. So let me confess: in my Jane Austen report on Sunday's Weekend Today, I was not neutral. Truth be told, I am a Jane Austen die-hard fan. A junkie. In fact, junkie doesn't quite capture the extent of my obsession. What's the comparable term to a Trekkie? Maybe an Austen-ite. If that's the case, I am guilty.
CONTINUED >>
(From Robin Sherman, TODAY Producer)
I've worked at the Today Show for just about 11 years now. I've seen a lot of things change on camera and off, but there are certain things that come along with the job that remain a constant. I'm referring specifically to the questions that I think many of us who work in
morning television seem to get on a regular basis. These things have not changed at all over my time here. I can tell anyone new that I meet where I work for a living, and their curiosity is peaked. So below are the questions that I say are asked the most often. I will try to answer each one!
CONTINUED >>
(From Karly Backer, TODAY Production Manager)
I am lucky... As a production manager on Today, I have the type of job that often makes for a great story. One week I might be hum-drum sitting in the office waiting for my next assignment, and the next week I can be haggling in Croatia for a piece of carpet with rubber backing to be used as a pad to keep a camera from sliding off a yacht ("Where In the World" 2005, Day 5). Try explaining that to the shop owner in Dubrovnik who doesn’t speak any English! CONTINUED >>
(From Ian Williams, TODAY Correspondent)
As a foreigner living in Thailand there are only two choices for the New Year: get out of the country or get wet. Most of us get wet, some get soaked. There’s little escaping it.
The Thai New Year, Songkran, is possibly the World’s biggest water fight, and the mayhem seems to grow each year, with three days of pitched battles - ending Sunday - and involving a mind-boggling arsenal of water pistols and cannons. I saw one little Thai boy this morning walking with a pump-action water gun that was bigger than him! Pick-up trucks roam the streets, packed with pistol-toting teenagers, replenishing their guns from big barrels of water at their side.
CONTINUED >>
Here's what we have coming on Weekend Today:
What Is Going On With The Weather?
We saw snowstorms in Colorado. Twisters in Oklahoma. And this weekend, the Northeast can expect to see a mean Nor'easter. We're keeping our eye on these storms and we'll tell you what you can expect from this wild weather.
How Many Cars Do You Have?
Gone are the days of using that third spot in your garage for storage. Oh no, more and more households have surpassed the two-car standard. Saturday on Weekend Today, we'll tell you what's propelling that trend.
LA or ChiTown?
It's a battle between two great cities. Which will be the U.S. city vying to bring the Olympics back stateside in 2016? We'll tell you Sunday which city is the U.S. Olympic committee's choice.
But I Just Bought It!
Once you've wrestled through the packaging, there can be nothing worse than finding your newly purchased make-up is damaged. If you can't take it back, what can you do? On Sunday, we'll show you fixes for damaged cosmetics.
Don't Miss These Stories This Weekend:
- Saturday: What Swimsuit Fits Your Personality?
- Sunday: Last Minute Tax Tips
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)
Lily Allen brought a "Smile" to Studio 1A today, but also had to lay down the law with our crew while answering some viewer emails. Click here to watch.
(From Gil Reisfield, TODAY Producer)
A wonderful lady who I happen to be very close to is suffering from terrible back pain right now. I'm not privy to exactly what's going on, but from what I understand, the doctors think it's a spinal stenosis - a narrowing of the spinal column that puts pressure on the nerves. She's in her '70s, and a recent meeting brought home how debilitating back pain can be. "I realized I didn't buy enough cheese for the soufflé` I was making," she told a group of us. "The worst part about it was imagining myself having to drive to the supermarket and walk down that long aisle again ... I just didn't know if I could do it."
CONTINUED >>
(From Roberto Bailey, TODAY Associate Producer)
Before I discovered the wonderful world of television, I almost became a banker. It was 2002 when I graduated from college, and most of my friends turned to the business world in order to make big money. I explored the possibility, and even received a job offer, but I knew in the back of my mind that it wasn't the right fit for me.
CONTINUED >>
Ada is back with more advice for our viewers. She answers a few of your questions here:
Dear Ada,
I’m a stay at home Mother of four children ranging in ages 3 – 11 years old. My husband is a car salesman. I feel he is married to his job. I resent him for being so committed to his job, and yet rarely around for us. Because the kids are so young, I really could use his help. My entire family is in NJ and I feel so all alone most of the time. I have made a lot of friends here in Florida, but friends can’t replace Daddy. I don’t know how to get him to come home early more often. By the time he does come home, I hate him for coming home late.
Maria, Bradenton, FL
Dear Maria,
Hmm…ok. Your husband is at work all day, and you want him to leave at a reasonable time to come home and deal with 4 kids, and a resentful wife. Can you blame him for wanting to sell more cars? Seriously, I’m sure the children are precious, but you need to look at this situation through his eyes. But let’s start with you first. Children can be exhausting and it’s important that you find “me time”. CONTINUED >>
(From John O'Rourke, TODAY Producer)
Sixteen months ago, we brought you the story of Joan Didion. One of the nation's most celebrated writers, Didion had just written a memoir at the time about the sudden death of her husband, writer John Gregory Dunne and the grief she experienced in the wake of his death. The book was called "The Year of Magical Thinking" and in it, Didion chronicled in unsparing words how her grief drove her literally "crazy." She found herself engaging in what anthropologists call "magical thinking." For example, Didion found herself thinking that if she had an autopsy done on her husband's body, perhaps doctors would find how that there was something minor wrong with him and he would come back. If she kept his shoes, he'd return.
CONTINUED >>
We had a story on the show this morning telling us that laughter can actually be good for our health. People even go to laugh yoga classes, where they just laugh for an hour straight. I love to laugh, and have a very loud and recognizable one. I'm glad to know that my body appreciates that. So I must be one of the healthiest people out there. Especially this week, where there seems to be so much bad and ugly news, we should all treat ourselves to a good hearty laugh every now and then. So WATCH THIS VIDEO. Give yourself a Friday chuckle, and enjoy your weekend. Your body will thank you.
In our first half-hour this morning, every guest agreed on one issue -- it has been a bad week for race in America, but hopefully good will come of it. Between the Imus controversy and the Duke case, racial tensions have exposed themselves once again. And when we look back on some other stories from the past couple of years, we can see a variety of tensions that still exist in this country. Despite all the progress that we think we have made, there are still a variety of wounds that reveal themselves time and again.
Former Harvard President Larry Summers made comments about women, which brought up gender issues. "The Passion of the Christ" and Mel Gibson's other off-camera antics made us revisit religious tensions. Isaiah Washington from Grey's Anatomy made comments about sexual orientation. Michael Richards's comments brought up racism. The Duke case showed another angle of racism -- is there reverse racism in some situations?
CONTINUED >>
The Latest On Tomorrow's Rundown:
Don Imus Fired By CBS, Meets With Team
Tomorrow, we'll have the very latest on the Don Imus story. CBS radio today canceled his show. He also met with the Rutgers team this evening. We will hear from Rev. DeForest Soaries, the minister that facilitated the meeting.
Don't Miss This Tomorrow
- Stacy London Tells Us All About Opposite Trends. What's in? The Mini? Or The Maxi? Flats? Or Heals?
- Lily Allen Performs LIVE
(Want to know more about what we have coming up Tomorrow on Today? Text message TODAY to 46833)
(From Amita Patel, TODAY Tease Producer)
As Peter explained in one of the "Live from Studio 1A" blogs teases are found throughout the show (at the top of each half hour and before most commercial breaks) and as much as it seems like they magically appear and tell the story of what the upcoming segment is, it takes quite a bit of work and strategic scavenging to put them together. First of all, I work the day before the show that I’m teasing. So my workweek is from Sunday to Thursday, and my day begins at 2pm when we have a rundown meeting every day to go over the next day’s show.
In that meeting is where I start to scope out my prey.
Most of the time, if a producer knows their segment is airing the next day- they try to come to the rundown meeting to give info on their segment, answer any questions the seniors have, find out where in the show it is airing, amongst other details. When I get my copy of the rundown- I see which producers are in the room and when the meeting is over- I attack! I try to catch as many of them as I can before they leave the room to get more information about their segment, like what footage they have (or don’t have) and what they would like me to use to tease it.
After another meeting with our writer Sara Pines and the PA’s to break down what we will be teasing and where they go in the show, I then go back into scavenging mode to contact anyone I haven’t talked to yet, especially those in our bureaus in LA, Chicago, DC, Dallas, Atlanta and London. They know when I come calling, I’m trying to get footage fed in for their segments and I need to give them a shout out for always helping me out!
I put a list together of the teases I need to cut and the producers of each segment so I can keep track of what I need, what I still need to get and who I have to get it from. I can’t tell you how much my life is ruled by lists!! I try to get in touch with everyone before 4pm so I am ready for my edit session to cut everything together. I cut anywhere from 18-25 teases per night with my editor which becomes between 90-125 teases every week! I never put it all together until now but with each tease running about 30 seconds- we cut somewhere around an hour of TV every week!
A few of the great things about this job is that I had to get to know all of the producers, associate producers and researchers that work on TODAY very fast since I’m in touch with at least 10 different producers everyday. I also got to know the staff at the bureaus really well and once in a while when they come to NY- I enjoy finally putting a face to a name. The amount of dedication that everyone has on this show is inspiring and as much as everyone is rushing to get their pieces done for air- they are extremely nice and helpful no matter what. It’s a great example of how a little niceness goes a long way.
Another fun aspect of the job is when Meredith, Matt, Ann or Al reacts to the teases during the show. When we did our 55th Anniversary show in January- I put some clips of J. Fred Muggs in an open and Meredith took it and ran- she kept saying how a monkey would be a great addition to the show! When we did flashbacks of past talent Halloween costumes, Al had a lot of fun watching Ann’s Tina Turner impression. Or when Robin Williams joked about how we went back to his early days to show him in “Mork and Mindy” (Come on! It’s a classic!!) Sometimes it’s just as simple as everyone swaying along to a music video we’ve played or reacting to a funny or dramatic movie clip. Whatever it is, I enjoy watching them watching what I worked hard on the night before.
On a good night- we can get through 20 teases by 10:30 or 11pm, and some of our later nights can end at 12 or 1am. It’s different every night and it’s always fun and interesting. And at the end of the night- I can breathe easy because my list of teases is checked off completely, I can go home and get a good night’s sleep so I can be up and at it again the next day.
With that said, it’s 7:30pm and I have another long list in front of me…I should get back to work…six down, 15 more to go!
Here's the first crack at tomorrow's rundown:
Iraq Parliament Bombing
Today in Iraq, there was a serious breach of security in Baghdad's Green Zone. A suicide bomber detonated himself in the parliament cafeteria killing at least eight people, including two lawmakers. U.S. Intelligence officials tell NBC News, "Their working assumption is that today's blast in Baghdad is the work of Al Qaeda in Iraq." Richard Engle will bring us the very latest on this story in the morning.
Costco vs. Sam's Club
Nothing beats the deals you can get at these wholesale membership stores. But is one better than the other? We'll take a look at the Consumer Report that compared the two retail monstrosities tomorrow.
Healing Power Of Laughter
Chances are if you're laughing, you're probably happy. But are you healthy too? Tomorrow we'll look at the healing power of laughter.
Check back later to see which stories stick, which move and which get shelved for a later day.
(From Al Roker)
CONTINUED >>
(Today Producer Stephanie Becker was assigned to blog about wearing the “No Complaints” purple rubber bracelet and her attempt at not complaining for 21 days. The bracelets gained national attention after NBC’s George Lewis reported on the Missouri Pastor who challenged his entire congregation to bite their tongue. Each failure requires the holder to switch the band to the other wrist. Below is her final blog of this cycle.)
(From Stephanie Becker, TODAY Producer)
If the road to happiness is paved with good intentions then I am half way to Antarctica. Unfortunately good intentions are apparently not good enough for a just reward. I have failed miserably in my attempt not to complain for 21-days. But with every violation I have dutifully rotated my purple bracelet: right wrist, left, right, left, in accordance with the rules set by Pastor Will Bowen. He promises a better mental attitude and an official “Certificate of Happiness” for being complaint-free for three straight weeks… the length of time he says is needed to break bad habits. No time outs. No alternate routes. No detours on this boulevard to bliss. Trying alone doesn’t qualify. By my honest account I’ve only gone as long as 36 hours of non-complaining compliance.
While I was in the death throes of my attempt, Pastor Bowen made a coveted appearance on Oprah. I can’t help but wonder how disappointed the audience was when learning that their parting gift was not a car or a bushel of cool cosmetics, but a purple rubber bracelet. Sure they all applauded. But I haven’t seen one up for sale on eBay yet, the sure sign of the real value of an Oprah goodie.
CONTINUED >>
(From Antionette Machiaverna, TODAY Producer)
It's so great to have Joe Garagiola come to town. You may have caught him on the show this morning to talk about his new book, “Just Play Ball," a Valentine to the game he’s devoted himself to for his entire life and a belated sequel to his 1960 book, “Baseball Is a Funny Game,” a classic at or near the top of everyone’s baseball bibliography.
We all get very excited when Joe comes to visit. We don't see him all that often on The Today Show anymore. But you may remember he was a co-host along with Hugh Downs and Barbara Walters, and then again in the 1990's when the show was in transition.
I was lucky enough to work on NBC's Baseball Game of the Week for 10 years with Joe. When I first came on board, he was paired with Tony Kubek, who was the earnest analyst and Joe did play – by – play. They’re still considered one of the best baseball pairings of all time. Joe was inducted into the broadcast wing of Baseball’s Hall of Fame in 1991. But if there were a wing for bench jockeys, he'd be enshrined in there, too.
CONTINUED >>
Despite our frequent silliness, the Today Show is first and foremost a news program. The show works hard to bring viewers the stories that both interest them and affect their lives in some way. Every once in awhile, as the latest news stories develop, we find that we have become the news, and not just the people covering it. The Don Imus situation is one of those cases. Because Don Imus's radio show aired on MSNBC, his remarks and the future of his radio show are directly related to NBC News. Thus, it was a somewhat strange sight, yet an appropriate one, to see NBC News President Steve Capus sitting at the interview area with Matt in our 7:00 half hour this morning, discussing NBC News' decision to drop MSNBC's simulcast of Imus's radio program. WATCH VIDEO As Capus explained (and as we've seen throughout the last week), the Imus situation was something that many people both inside and outside of NBC felt strongly about.
Within the Today show offices, the situation was certainly a topic of conversation, as we watched many of the events unfold along with the viewers. When we received the note about the Imus cancellation yesterday, people seemed genuinely shocked. I don't think the shock was necessarily a reflection of disgust with Imus, or an endorsements of his statements, but because the events of the past week have progressed so quickly.
The Imus situation has certainly fueled many conversations in our offices, how about in yours?
The Latest On Tomorrow's Rundown:
MSNBC Cancels Imus
NBC News made the decision this evening to cancel the Imus in the Morning simulcast from our cable news network, MSNBC. Tomorrow we will hear reaction from the Rutgers women's basketball team and the Rev. Al Sharpton.
Other Stories On Tomorrow's Show:
- Wintry Weather Mess
- Meredith and Ann Go Wine Tasting
(Want to know more about what we have coming up Tomorrow on Today? Text message TODAY to 46833)
MSNBC will no longer simulcast "Imus in the Morning."
Statement from MSNBC follows...
Effective immediately, MSNBC will no longer simulcast the “Imus in the Morning” radio program. This decision comes as a result of an ongoing review process, which initially included the announcement of a suspension. It also takes into account many conversations with our own employees. What matters to us most is that the men and women of NBC Universal have confidence in the values we have set for this company. This is the only decision that makes that possible. Once again, we apologize to the women of the Rutgers basketball team and to our viewers. We deeply regret the pain this incident has caused.
You can read Al Roker's initial reaction to the Imus controversy here.
Here's the first crack at tomorrow's rundown:
Exclusive with Speaker Pelosi
Tomorrow we will have an exclusive interview with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Campbell Brown sat down with the Speaker in her home state of California. The interview hit on everything from the Speaker's trip to the Middle East to the politics between the President and members of Congress.
Beware: Tax Preparer Scams
Have you done your taxes yet? Well you only have 5 days to send them off to the IRS, and if you think you'll take the easy way out and pay someone to prepare your taxes... beware! Tomorrow Lisa Myers takes a look at tax preparer scams.
Check back later to see which stories stick, which move and which get shelved for a later day.
(From Al Roker)
I don't think I've ever had more response to an online journal than yesterday.
As you may know I called for the firing/resignation of WFAN/MSNBC morning host Don Imus. This after he and his morning "Crew" referred to the Rutgers Women’s basketball team as, among other things, "nappy-headed hos." Ugly racism and sexism at its worst.
CONTINUED >>
It is clear that the Imus controversy has sparked a much larger national debate on the themes of racism and sexism. We have been covering the story on the show with live interviews and roundtable discussions about both the specific incident with Imus and the Rutgers Women's college basketball team, and racism as a whole in our country. You have all been active participants in these discussions by sending us your comments to the blog and also writing in to our viewer email - so much so that our blog was overwhelmed by the comments and we had to turn them off, and our viewer email is having trouble loading!
I just wanted to take a moment thanking all of you for sending us your thoughts and concerns on this sensitive subject, and also encourage you to keep doing so. There is a lot more to say and we'd like to hear whatever it is you may want to say in response to this story. Please bear with us as we get to your comments - we will be updating this site and our own website as the day progresses.
The Latest On Tomorrow's Rundown:
Rutgers Coach & Players
The Rutgers women held their press conference today saying they would hold a private meeting with Don Imus. Meanwhile, today Procter & Gamble, Staples and Bigelow Tea all pulled their ads from the radio and cable simulcast. Tomorrow we'll have an interview with Coach Vivian Stringer and her team.
We Know The Daddy!
Today the news broke that Larry Birkhead is the father of Anna Nicole Smith's baby. Tomorrow we'll have an exclusive interview with Larry Birkhead.
Other Stories To Catch:
- Will North Korea Shut Down Their Reactor?
- Al Talks To Meredith, Matt and Ann About His Blog Regarding Imus
(Want to know more about what we have coming up Tomorrow on Today? Text message TODAY to 46833)
(Lynn Berry, TODAY's online correspondent)
TODAY’s Al Roker sparked a heated online conversation after he wrote this morning on allDAY that MSNBC’s morning host, Don Imus, should step down after making racially insensitive comments.
Al’s blog entry, evoked strong reactions and emotions from our viewers. So after the show, I sat down with Al to find out more about what he thinks about Imus’s remark and the ongoing controversy. WATCH VIDEO
Here's the first crack at tomorrow's rundown:
Latest On Imus Controversy
We heard from Don Imus on our program today. (Watch Interview) The Rutgers women's basketball team held a press conference this morning to respond to the comments. Coach Vivian Stringer said today, "This isn't about Rutgers Basketball Team. It is about women." We will have the very latest on this story tomorrow.
Read Al's Blog About The Imus Controversy
Who's The Father?
Tomorrow we'll have the latest in the paternity case of Dannielynn Hope Marshall Stern, daughter of Anna Nicole Smith. A hearing is being held today in the Bahamas where the results of the DNA test are expected to be released.
Food & Sleep
We all know caffeine can have a direct affect on your sleep. But are the other foods in your diet keeping you up at night? Tomorrow we'll hear from nutritionist Joy Bauer
Check back later to see which stories stick, which move and which get shelved for a later day.
Molly Shannon appeared on the show this morning at 9:45 (WATCH VIDEO) to promote her new movie, "Year of the Dog." I sat down with the former "Saturday Night Live" star for a quick Q&A before she went on set for her interview with Al.
Here's some of our conversation:
Q: Everybody's talking today about Don Imus and his comments last week that resulted in a two-week suspension from his radio show and TV simulcast. You were on a very high-profile -- and live -- TV show, "Saturday Night Live," for several years. Was there ever a moment when you or someone you worked with said something, and everyone kind of went, "Uh, oh. That's going to be a problem"?
CONTINUED >>
(From Al Roker)
I cannot tell you how many people have asked me about my thoughts on Don Imus. As a student of broadcasting, I know Don Imus was one of the original “shock jocks.” I listened to him growing up in New York City in the late 60’s and early 70’s.
He is a radio icon.
That said, it is time for him to go.
I, for one, am really tired of the diatribes, the “humor” at others’ expense, the cruelty that passes for “funny”. Don Imus isn’t the only one doing this, but today he’s the one in the hot seat.
What he said was vile and disgusting. It denigrated an entire team and by extension, a community and its pride in a group that had excelled.
CONTINUED >>
(From *Chas, Today Producer)
No matter where you work, there’s bound to be office gossip. But what if you had a really big secret … a company project that was so big, you couldn’t even share it with your office mates in the next cubicle? And then imagine that all those office mates were curious journalists who like to find out things, especially secrets.
Well now you’re beginning to understand what it’s like for TODAY staff members like me who were assigned to the next “Where in the World is Matt Lauer?” trip.
Clandestine conference calls, doling out information on a need-to-know basis and surreptitious trips to other people’s office to work in private have all become part of my daily routine.
And yet, it’s all worth it for Matt’s big reveal at the beginning of each day’s show starting the week of Monday, April 30th. Because, as you’ll see, when Meredith, Al and Ann are trying to guess where Matt will be each day … they really don’t know. And hopefully, if I’ve played my cards right, neither did the people sitting around me.
*Why the pseudonym? Hey, if I called you in the next couple of weeks to be on our show, you’d know where in the world Matt Lauer is! So, where do you think he might be going on his latest adventure?
(From Evan Klupt, TODAY Senior Production Manager)
Hi! My name is Evan Klupt, and I am the Senior Production Manager on TODAY. As is true each year, a lot of my focus at work in the past few months has been planning for “Where in the World is Matt Lauer?” It’s one of my favorite things to work on, as I have seen so many amazing things throughout the years: Easter Island, Shanghai, Machu Picchu, Marrakech, Botswana, the Taj Mahal, the Panama Canal, Moscow, Reykjavik – the list is almost endless.
CONTINUED >>
This morning in our first half hour, Matt interviewed Don Imus (WATCH VIDEO) to discuss the comments he made about players on the Rutgers women's basketball team last week on his radio program, "Imus in the Morning," (which is simulcast on MSNBC) and the subsequent two-week suspension he received yesterday from CBS (which syndicates his radio show) and MSNBC.
Last Wednesday, Imus referred to the Rutgers players as "nappy-headed hos," and many people, particularly some leaders in the black community, immediately called for him to be fired for what was perceived as a racist and sexist remark -- and a remark that Imus has since said went "way too far." This morning, Matt also interviewed Imus's most outspoken critic on this subject, Al Sharpton, who explained why he believes Imus should be let go.
CONTINUED >>
The Latest On Tomorrow's Rundown:
Imus Controversy:
This is the story of the day. It has been all over newspapers, cable TV and the internet. This evening MSNBC and CBS Radio each made the decision to suspend the Imus in the Morning simulcast. The suspension comes after Don Imus made 'racist' comments about the Rutgers women's basketball team that went "way too far" last week. Tomorrow morning we will have a live interview with Don Imus.
Don't Miss This Tomorrow:
- Matt Has A Big Announcement
- Joy Bauer Brings Us Food Cures for Arthritis
(Want to know more about what we have coming up Tomorrow on Today? Text message TODAY to 46833)
(By Matthew Glick, TODAY Producer)
Not many of us have ever been interviewed in front of a camera. Sure we talk all the time to friends and family. We share intimate details of our lives with loved ones. And we tell of experiences both good and bad. It's no big deal, right? But as soon as that red light above the camera lens turns on most of us quickly shy away. It's totally natural. A large pit in our stomach is felt. Butterflies appear out of nowhere.
That's where I come in. I am Matt Lauer's Booking Producer. The interviews I work on range from hard-hitting politicos, doctors working on the cutting edge of medical breakthroughs, and everything else in between. But the stories that consistently rate and get our viewers talking in the morning are those where everyday people, just like you and me, suddenly find themselves thrust into the spotlight.
CONTINUED >>
Here's the first crack at tomorrow's rundown:
First Gas, Now Milk...
Coming to a supermarket near you... sky-high prices. why you ask? Analysts are saying we can expect to see the cost of our food soar as the demand for crop-based fuels increase. Tomorrow we'll tell you what to expect in the checkout line.
Lost And Found!
Four years is a long time to be lost. But multiply that by seven and you can imagine how Mickey the Boston terrier felt. Tomorrow we'll visit with Mickey and his owner and talk to them about their reunion.
Check back later to see which stories stick, which move and which get shelved for a later day.
(From Bianca Borges Henry, TODAY Food Stylist)
Hello there! I'm writing this blog with Kobe beef in my belly, and it's quite a fabulous job perk to be able to taste something like Kobe, be it breakfast time or otherwise.
If you eat food, :) ..... if you like food, then I'm happy to be sharing one of the best jobs in the industry with you.
CONTINUED >>
Pet business is big business, and pet care is not cheap. In an article in the American Veterinary Medical Association's Journal, 97% of surveyed vets said that they have recommended less effective medical solutions simply because owners could not afford the best option. And even more shocking, 90% of vets said they have put a pet to sleep because the owner could not afford what was needed to keep him alive and well. This morning, our financial editor Jean Chatzky came by to talk about the option of pet insurance. WATCH VIDEO. A few weeks ago, we profiled our entertainment reporter Jill Rappaport, and the care that she gave her dog who was battling cancer. The viewer response to her story and her blog entry was huge, prompting this follow up to give viewers a look at other options when it comes to caring for your pet.
I was talking to a fellow researcher in the control room this morning, and she had a specific interest in this story. She went through an illness with her pet rabbit just a couple of months ago. For a day-and-a-half of treatment in the ER, she spent $1500. What did that include? ONE xray and pain medication. And she didn't even leave her rabbit overnight, because that would have cost another $500. She took her rabbit home in pain, strictly for financial reasons, and brought her back the next day. Sadly, she ended up finding herself in the statistic I quoted above... She couldn't afford all the treatment that would be required to treat her rabbit and keep her comfortable, so she had to put her down. So she is sold... she told me she is 100% getting insurance on her next pet. Every pet-owner has a story and can identify with the agony of weighing comfort and love against financial restrictions. The figures are astounding, and pet owners should know the options and know what they are getting into when they bring their four-legged friends home.
This morning, we took a new look at the increasingly troubling issue of childhood obesity. Nutritionists can preach and preach about the health risks of childhood obesity until they are blue in the face, and many Americans will still fail to listen. However, TLC has decided to appeal to our vanity. With new technology, they take pictures of overweight children and morph them into overweight 40-year-olds. These pictures show parents and children what the kids will look like when they grow up if they do not change their diets and improve their health. It's pretty frightening stuff. WATCH VIDEO.
We featured one family on the show this morning that participated in this program, with the help of nutritionist Felicia Stoler. The Gaither family is setting a great example, showing millions of viewers that it's not too late to change dietary habits and get your weight under control. Both the 11-year-old and 7-year-old in the family have lost over 20 pounds. The parents are changing their habits as well, since most eating and health patterns are obviously set by parents in the first place. But what does this method say about our culture?
CONTINUED >>
Here's what we're looking at for Monday on Today:
Easter Cold Snap
Bonnet's won't do this Easter Sunday. It's more like an Easter tuke. The tulips and lilies are shivering from the Midwest, to the South and the Northeast. Tomorrow we'll tell you how much longer we'll have to live with this cold snap.
Modern Day Titanic
We showed you the images of the cruise ship sinking off the coast of Greece on Friday. While a French father and daughter remain missing, the captain is blaming currents that caused him to run aground. Tomorrow we'll talk to some Americans who were aboard that ship.
Little Family, Big Hit
Tomorrow we have the Roloff family in studio. They are the family from TLC's show, Little Family, Big World. The family is here to tell us about their latest season.
Pet Insurance
With the ongoing pet food recall, many pet owners are now considering insurance for their four-legged friend. Tomorrow, Jean Chatzky will tell you all you need to know before you make the financial investment.
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)
Greetings from the nations capital. My name is Gina Garcia and I’m a researcher/booker at TODAY, the Washington DC bureau.
I came to DC to intern with Dateline NBC during my final semester at the University of Texas at Austin and have bounced around this news bureau working with local news, Nightly News, Meet the Press, MSNBC and now Today.
It’s fascinating to work in a place that has helped define our industry, culture and our world. Here in our very own studios a college student named Jim Henson introduced his hand puppets called “Sam and Friends” and a few years later they graduated to Sesame Street and national stardom. On the same stage, Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy had their first-ever televised debate and who can resist a smile when passing Willard Scott, the original Bozo the Clown, who hangs his hat here for the workday. CONTINUED >>
After a week of vacation for Mr. Roker and the vlog itself, we are back with a vengeance this week. For his first ever on-location vlog, Al takes you behind-the-scenes of Friday's jetpack demonstration. See a real life rocketman go up, up, and away... and then back down to chat with Al. Where else would you find this, but on the VLooogggg....
Click here to watch.
(From TODAY Correspondent, John Yang)
When producer Debbie Pettit, cameraman Wolfie Fraser and I went to interview writer Andrew Carroll at his small apartment off Dupont Circle in Washington, D.C., we discovered he actually has two apartments. Or, more precisely, he has one apartment that he lives in, and another one down the hall to house some of the 80,000 letters he's collected--all messages from the battlefield to the home front, dating back to the Revolutionary War.
They're piled in boxes, mail cartons and a foot locker. A fireproof box holds a fuel-soaked journal written in Arabic, found beneath an Iraqi tank by U.S. forces during the Iraq war; on one page is a doodle of a woman's face. Inside a Whitman's Sampler box are letters from the Spanish-American War, Cuban postmarks over 2-cent stamps.
Carroll, 37, has edited several collections of the letters into three books: the best-selling War Letters, Behind the Lines and, most recently, Grace Under Fire: Letters of Faith in Times of War.
CONTINUED >>
(From Dan Barbossa, TODAY Associate Producer)
Hot on the Heels of his #1 song “Lost Without U” Robin stopped by the show this morning to TAKE 5 with us (VIDEO)
(From Weekend TODAY)
Breakfast is an afterthought when you have to get to work as early as we do. Fortunately for us, sometimes Lester's paternal instincts kick in Saturdays after the show, and we're treated to a waffle brunch. Check out the video below and let us know if any of your coworkers are nice enough to fill your stomachs.
Click here to watch.
(From David Scheier, TODAY Setwriter)
Remember that old Billy Joel song? Pressure! I should just play that thing in my ipod every morning to get ready for work.
I’m the setwriter for “Today” and, I’ve got to say, other than being the manager of the Yankees or one of the photographers for the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, it has to be one of the best jobs in the world. But, it is filled with a lot of pressure.
I’m responsible for all the copy that’s on the teleprompter for Matt and Meredith in the first two hours of the show. You’ve already met our fantastic editor, Sara Pines, who writes a first draft of the show the day before. That’s where I come in.
CONTINUED >>
In the world of television, some pictures leave a lasting impression. This week it was the young boy who was surprised by his dad returning from Iraq. It is not easy to forget the image of the little blond-haired John running up to hug his dad with tears in his eyes. And it made most of our eyes misty as well. On today’s show we had the opportunity to talk to the family. Here are a few of your e-mails:
To Whom It May Concern,
You showed the homecoming of the Sailor coming home from Iraq surprising this young son at school. It was certainly a great homecoming uniting a father and son. I did enjoy the story. I had a sweet homecoming this week as well. My son’s ship came home from a 6 month deployment. He serves on the USS Monterey as a Religious Program Specialist (he works with the Chaplain). While we are from Indiana, we gladly made the 11 hour drive to see the ship come in and greet our favorite sailor as well as the other members of the USS Monterey. We are extremely proud of our son and his service to our country. Thanks for showing the happy homecomings. Thank you for appreciating our men and women’s service to our country. Our support means so much to them.
Regards,
Ric Wrye (Salem, IN)
CONTINUED >>
Here's what we have coming on Weekend Today:
Gas Prices on the Rise
We're going on 9 weeks of steady increases at your local gas station. Some are blaming it on the instability in the Middle East. Other experts say the early onset of day light saving ignited the jump. On Saturday we'll look at what's causing the relentless pain at the pump.
5 Questions to Ask In the ER
A visit to the emergency room could be full of anxiety, frustration, confusion and uncertainty. For those of us not in the medical field, it's difficult to know if you are asking the right questions. Tomorrow well tell you the five questions you should ask if you find yourself in the ER.
Other Stories to Catch This Weekend:
- Global Warming Report
- Men vs. Women- Sex, Lies and Money
- Sopranos' Final Season
- Separating Your Work Life from Your Personal Life
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)
(From Amy Unell, TODAY Associate Producer, Burbank)
What do grumpy husbands, Valentine's Day expectations, parking lot frustrations, and rising gas prices all have in common? These are a sampling of the random topics that I have asked complete strangers in grocery stores, shopping malls, farmer's markets, gas stations, and parking lots. I discussed grumpy husbands with Cheri and Diane while they waited in line for a taping of the Tonight Show. Kate and Tom shared their opinions on the best Valentine gifts. And Lisa let out her parking frustrations a week before Jose expressed his grief at increasing prices at the pump.
CONTINUED >>
(From Susan Tahsler, TODAY News Production Associate)
The front desk is a hub of activity. It’s what visitors see when they enter the Today office and where viewer phone calls are answered. BUT, most importantly—it’s where the Today show staff comes to snack.
Many foods have graced the front desk—everything from kettle corn to pizza to whoopee pies to a 5-tier cake.
When food arrives I send out notes to the Today staff letting them know what treats are here. During the course of my time at the front desk I have become a bit of a food connoisseur.
“Are the cookies good?” “Yes.”
“The Candy?” “Eh-The cookies are better.”
As you can see, Today staffers are an inquisitive group—they are journalists after all! The questions, however, are anything but a nuisance-- One of the best things about sitting at the front desk is getting to see and meet everyone who stops by for a quick snack—and getting first dibs on the food—well that isn’t bad either.
(From Vivian Fel, TODAY Associate Producer)
I am Latina. I am Jewish. I am from Miami. While these statements don’t define me entirely, I am a product of my environment. I come from an open-minded, multi-cultural family, with a sunny disposition at that. And guess what? Those adjectives describe me too!
So when one of my segments had me traveling on an Amtrak train to Springfield, Massachusetts, I encountered a group of women, who too, were products of their environment. The moment I stepped into one of their homes, filled with beautiful pottery made by her husband, the vibe was welcoming. Both the moms and daughters were forward-thinking women, comfortable in their own skin. CONTINUED >>
This morning we had Dr. Gail Saltz and Atoosa Rubenstein on the show to talk about the increasing pressure on teenaged girls. The segment had a quick tape spot setting it up and then was a live dialogue with Natalie. I caught up with both Gail and Atoosa in the greenroom afterwards to ask them if there was anything that they didn't have time to discuss. No surprise that they both had a lot more to say...
Gail started by telling me that the suicide rate in teens has risen 18% from 2004 to 2005 (those are the most recent numbers to be released) which is clearly a huge increase. That increase is inevitably the result of many factors, but one of those factors, in Dr. Gail's opinion, is the increasing pressure that kids feel today. Atoosa turned to Gail and said, "Remember when we were fourteen? I was skipping play practice. Now fourteen-year-olds are getting internships!" Keep reading for some q & a with our guests:
CONTINUED >>
Last Friday we showed a video clip of a six-year-old being surprised by his dad - a sailor just returned from Iraq - in his classroom. The video was incredibly touching (you can see it in my previous blog here) and all of our anchors were talking about it for the rest of the morning. Today on the show we had a segment with the Hawes family live from their home in WA. They talked to us about their recent trip to Disney World Disneyland and the response they've received from the public. You can check out some pictures of the family below.
CONTINUED >>
Here's The Latest for Tomorrow:
Pelosi In the Middle East
Is the Speaker's trip to the Middle East effective for our international relations? Or is it not a part of her job description? Did she embrace a terror state? Or has she brokered peace? We'll bring you the complete story tomorrow.
Welcome Home Dad!
The video was just heart warming. We showed you it last Friday. (Watch Video) It was the little boy running into his father's arms after returning from Iraq. Now, tomorrow morning we'll talk to the service member who surprised his young son at school.
Don't Miss This Story Tomorrow:
- Behind The Scenes Of Sopranos
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)
Sneakers for a social cause? Sounds like an unusual concept, but judging from your e-mails it is working. NBA star Stephon Marbury is marketing the same shoes and gear he wears on the court with his “Starbury” merchandise line. Check out the producer's blog and watch today's segment. WATCH VIDEO “Starbury” shoes are extremely affordable - about $15 a pair. Many appreciative parents wrote in about this alternative to the pricey basketball shoe trend. Here are some of your e-mails:
Finally....somebody 'gets'it! I applaud Marbury for not forgetting where he came from and how truly hard it was growing up in that environment. It has been only a few short years ago when my son wanted $100+ shoes. We told him that was not only an unreasonable amount for a shoe that he will grow out of all too quickly, but it was completely out of our reach. If he wanted them, we would pay $50 (what we allowed in our budget), he would then have to pay for the remainder. He settled for a less expensive shoe. The one time he didn't, the shoe fell apart within 2 months. He learned a valuable lesson that day. He is a much more savvy hopper now. Thank you for reporting some good news today!
--Michelle (Ohio)
CONTINUED >>
(From Jennie Thompson, TODAY Producer)
When you work at TODAY, there are some days you have to stop, take a deep breath, pause for moment and really take in and appreciate all that is going on around you.
Take this morning for instance.
I was at the studio by 7am to set up for a live cooking spot with Giada De Laurentiis. WATCH VIDEO (Who, by the way, REALLY is as nice as she seems. And I would know! I've worked with her for almost 2 years now and in the last 6 weeks, I think I've spent more time with her than my husband.. and I know she's spent more time with me than her husband! Those pastas she's been making here all week from her new book "Everyday Pasta" are SOOOOO GOOD. Check out her Tagliatelle with Short Rib Ragu. It's got dark chocolate in it. RAVE reviews from our studio crew who always gobbles up all her food the moment she's off air. The recipe is on TODAYSHOW.com)
Anyway, the real fun didn't really start for me until 9am. As Giada's producer, I am responsible for making sure all the elements are organized for her live spot. We started "teasing" it at about 9am. (Teasing is a word we use for when our talent says "Coming up in our next half hour...") So there were live shots to deal with for that as well as making sure every little detail was set for the spot itself at 9:45.
CONTINUED >>
Here's the first crack at tomorrow's rundown:
British Sailors Freed
There was a lot of celebration today in the UK as the 15 Royal Navy Sailors returned to a military base in Devon where they were re-united with their families. A de-briefing will take place and all will receive a health check. Tomorrow we'll have a report on this story as several questions surround the diplomatic action that garnered the release.
Farm To Fork: Bagged Lettuce
It makes dinner easy. But how does it get to your dinner table? Madelyn Fernstrom will bring you all the facts about the bagged lettuce in your grocery store.
Up, Up and Away
How high can you fly? What if you had a jetpack strapped to your back. Tomorrow we'll have a LIVE demonstration from Central Park. Tune in to see how high a jetpack can shoot someone into the air.
Check back later to see which stories stick, which move and which get shelved for a later day.
(From Terry Schaefer, TODAY Producer)
Remember Sylvester Stalone as Rocky - and his triumphant, early morning run up those museum steps on a cold Philadelphia day, in the 1976 movie – his struggle to get in the best fighting condition of his life?
Well 19 year-old Rocky Tayeh is fighting too…but his battle is to beat obesity…a battle more than 12 million American children and teenagers also fight. We did a story about him, and obese kids in general, recently. WATCH VIDEO It was pegged to a wonderful Al Roker Productions documentary on the growing childhood obesity epidemic in this country, which aired on the Food Network. [It was called “Childhood Obesity: Danger Zone”] At 12, Rocky was big. By 18, he was morbidly obese….519 pounds. CONTINUED >>
After Matt's interview with Tina Fey at 8:19 this morning (WATCH VIDEO), I sat down with her for a Q&A session in her dressing room.
Fey (pictured left at the 59th Annual Writers Guild Awards) discussed a variety of topics, from her show, "30 Rock," to the balance between work and motherhood to former "SNL" co-star Will Ferrell's violent route to the top of the show business world.
Here's our conversation:
Q: You've had a lot of celebrity guests on "30 Rock," including our own Al Roker (WATCH VIDEO) in an upcoming episode. If you could get anyone to appear on the show, who would it be?
CONTINUED >>
Today Producer Stephanie Becker is blogging about her 21-day quest to quit complaining. She’s in her second week. Her assignment came after a 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.
(From Stephanie..)
Good news! I completed my first full day of absolutely no complaining. Zilch. Zero. Nada. Not one single solitary whiny word. It only took ten days. I didn’t even have to duct tape my mouth shut. All that carpal tunnel-vision of a world without grousing finally paid off. That and I just cowered in my office most of Sunday, refusing to talk to anyone or to answer the phone. You’ve got to the respect the streak. Especially here at the Today Show as we enter 590 weeks of being number one.
I was expecting a lightness-of-being endorphin-charged nirvana-like feeling of calm. Instead I felt like a tightly wound chain smoker on the first day of cold turkey. No matter. It was 24 hours and counting. CONTINUED >>
This morning, the control room was a little livelier than usual, because we had breaking news occurring as we went on the air at 7 a.m. on the east coast -- with the plane carrying the recently freed British marines and sailors landing in London.
Correspondent Ned Colt was already in place to provide a live report from Heathrow Airport, and we were able to show live footage of the plane landing -- and to get perspective on the reaction in London.
As it turned out, nothing in our rundown changed, because we were prepared to handle the story as it happened -- and there was no further news to immediately report.
But in a breaking news situation, everyone working on the show -- from the producers to the anchors to the production assistants -- has to be flexible and ready to shift gears at any moment. Breaking news can throw our entire show into flux, causing some segments to be moved or eliminated from the show altogether.
It's basically like telling the members of a theater troupe to take their scripts and throw them out the window -- so the ability to improvise is vital.
CONTINUED >>
(From Dan Barbossa, TODAY Associate Producer)
I remember growing up playing basketball and wearing converse all-stars, no joke! They had zero ankle support and barely any sole on them, but hey if they were good enough for my hero at the time Pistol Pete Maravich when he was my age then they were good enough for me.
Times are different today of course, I have sold out since then and purchased my share of Jordan's, I mean they were cool and still are cool and everyone was wearing them. Sure my mom was a little apprehensive about buying me a pair of $120 sneakers when I was 14 and would grow out of them in a year, but hey she wanted to make her first born (and favorite) son happy. I mean what mother wouldn't.
CONTINUED >>
Here's The Latest On Tomorrow's Rundown:
Foods That Fight Cancer:
With the recent stories about cancer, it makes you think "what can I do to prevent the disease?" One way is through your diet. Tomorrow Joy Bauer will tell us what foods are cancer fighting foods.
Other Stories To Catch Tomorrow:
- Inside Starbucks' Flavor Lab
- NBA Star Comes Out With $15 Sneakers
- Tina Fey On Set
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)
(From Mike Fritz, TODAY Researcher, Washington, D.C.)
Dressed in my only suit and a borrowed black tie, I strolled casually into a world of power, money and influence. A world I knew nothing of.
The annual Radio and Television Correspondents Dinner, held last Wednesday at the Washington Hilton, attracted a wide-range of upper echelon government officials and the men and women who make a living covering them.
A perk of being a researcher for the Today Show in Washington D.C. is that, on rare occasions, you wine and dine with the big wigs. And last week the media spent an evening with the biggest wig of them all, President George W. Bush. CONTINUED >>
(From Feliciano Garcia, TODAY Tape Producer)
My name is Feliciano Garcia and I am the Tape Producer here at Today. I'm an early riser, arriving at work by 3:30 AM every morning. I work with a great team of talented editors, archivists, profile operators and ingest operators, to put the show together every morning..or rather before the morning arrives. I am responsible for the show opens, teases and video/digital footage you see everyday on the show. I begin by slurping up a few cups of coffee while we go over the writer's copy (a term for the scripts that the anchors read from) and teases prepared by the overnight researcher. Sometimes the teases are pretty close to ready for air, and other times they're not. Also, believe it or not, a lot news changes overnight and many of the stories we planned to run the evening before the show, change significantly by morning.
CONTINUED >>
Here's the first crack at tomorrow's rundown:
British Sailors Freed:
It was a peaceful end to almost two weeks of tension for Britain and Iran. The 15 British sailors captured for allegedly crossing into Iranian waters have been released. The sailors were handed over to the UK Embassy in Tehran today. We'll follow this story as the sailors are expected to arrive in London tomorrow around 7am EST.
Today 101- Campaign Fundraising:
This morning Barack Obama announced his first quarter fundraising total for his campaign. Just one million short of Hillary Clinton's record tally, Obama brought in $25 million to fund his campaign. Tomorrow we'll breakdown what all this money means for the '08 race.
Was It Worth Losing Sleep Over?
We all made the spring ahead almost four weeks ago to conserve energy and help Mother Earth, or so we were told. But was it worth our precious energy to lose that hour of sleep so early in the season? Peter Alexander will tell you tomorrow if the government's decision to move daylight saving time is really helping the environment.
Check back later to see which stories stick, which move and which get shelved for a later day.
(From Antoinette Machiaverna, TODAY Producer)
I don't like writing about myself very much, or trying to explain what I do because I've been doing it for so long that it's like breathing. But I love sharing stories about my kids. You don't know me, but you have seen my kids grow up.
I first came to the Today Show after spending ten years at NBC Sports. I switched jobs because I had a toddler son and was spending 200 days a year on the road. So when I joined the Today Show staff, I was the only mom at the time (the same was true in Sports for that matter.)
My son was about to turn three. After a few months at the Today Show, I got called in by one of our senior producers and was told research showed that viewers wanted parenting information. "You're the only mom here," she said, "so can you produce them?" I said, "All of them?" She said well, yes and maybe we can get you some help.
I asked her, "What kinds of stories do you have in mind?"
CONTINUED >>
The week of college acceptance/rejection my senior year definitely stands out in my memory. Every night I walked into the kitchen where an assortment of envelopes sat waiting for me. My parents were also waiting for me, but in the other room. They let me have my moment of opening small envelopes and feeling defeated. The weight of the world was in these envelopes, and I kept getting waitlisted at schools. My parents would then walk into the kitchen, reassure me my life would turn out ok, and listen to me freak out before I went to bed.
Today we had a segment on how parents can help their teenagers face college rejection. WATCH VIDEO One of the key points that Loyd Thacker, author of "College Unranked", made was that kids should not take rejection personally, because it is not a personal process - there are a lot of elements that go into the dean's office's decision and there are a lot of politics involved. Dr. Janet Taylor, psychiatrist and mother of four, also made the point that it is not the time for comparison - try to steer clear of letting your child look at other students' scores, GPAs, etc. because in the end, it is not a fair process. In the same vein, you should avoid the "blame game" and try to pin the outcome on anything or anyone specifically.
I also think it's worth noting that both guests emphasized the point that where you go to school has very little to do with the quality of education you'll receive, and also what kind of person you will become. Loyd pointed out that education has a lot to do with a student's confidence, comfort and inspiration, which are things that come with an environment that suits the individual. This environment may not be the most competitive environment, or the highest ranked college in their application pool. These things come from an individual, not from a school's ranking.
While I can appreciate these points now, I certainly had a much different perspective in the thick of it, especially feeling the pressures from a competitive high school environment. I think it's very important for parents to talk to their high school seniors about their choices in school and to try and impress upon them the now-obvious truth that it's really not where you go, but what you do with your experiences that will make your college years meaningful, and fun!
There is a section every week in Us Magazine entitled Stars: They're Just Like Us which shows photographs of high profile celebrities participating in the mundane, unglamorous and boring activities of everyday life. The point, it seems, is to show us that celebrities are human too. I have to say, I do get a kick out of seeing an A-list movie star carrying laundry to a Laundromat, but you have to wonder how many of these pictures are the exception to the rule.
This morning we did a spot on one of the newer trends to hit the public eye: celebrities enrolling in fancy rehab centers for anything from drug and alcohol addiction to eating disorders. Some of these centers cost as much as $40,000 a month for treatment, and come with amenities nicer than many five star hotels. The goal of the luxurious surroundings is to coax the celebrities that need help to take the most challenging first step: checking in.
We had Dr. Keith Ablow, psychiatrist, and Janice Min, Editor-in-Chief of Us Magazine on live to discuss this phenomenon, and it was interesting to hear them discuss both the pros and cons of rehabilitation centers moving into the limelight of celebrity gossip. One of the biggest pros, is that having high profile celebs in rehab brings the topic of drug abuse and addiction into our everyday lives, and validates the severity of these addictions and behaviors to the public.
On the flip side, these centers also glamorize the harsh reality of conquering addiction, which inevitably involves some degree of pain and struggle. There is concern that having some of the younger stars that are role models for young people checking in and out and back into rehab centers publicly makes light of the business of quitting substance abuse. Both Dr. Keith and Janice agreed that rehabilitation is an ongoing process. Dr. Keith closed the segment with the advice for addicts to, "Look for something that hurts a little bit," because, in the end, the struggle will help you conquer your addiction.
Today we looked at a drug company battle between Pfizer which manufactures Lipitor, a cholesterol-lowering drug with annual sales over thirteen billion dollars, and Zocor, a competitor from Merck which costs significantly less than Lipitor (a three-month supply of the generic version Zocor costs a little over thirty dollars, compared to over two hundred dollars for the equivalent amount of Lipitor). With an estimated fifteen million Americans currently taking a cholesterol drug, this is a huge issue for the country.
While the spot touched specifically on statins (cholesterol-lowering drugs), it also raises the overriding issue of generic brand medications. I feel like it is tough to know which drugs can be substituted with a generic brand and which you should stick to the name brand.
In this spot Dr. Steven Nissen from the Cleveland Clinic put in his two cents: "When there are not proven benefits we oughta try to reduce the cost of healthcare by using the least expensive drug that will get the job done."
I'm interested in your thoughts on this topic - good or bad experiences you may have had with generic drugs, any confusion you've faced in choosing medication...send in your comments.
Here's The Latest On Tomorrow's Rundown:
Record College Rejections:
These days it takes more than a top score on the SAT and a high GPA to get that thick envelope in the mail from the college of your choice - this year's flock of high school seniors are getting more bad news than expected. Tomorrow we'll look at what might be causing this unhappy occurrence and how you can help your child get through it.
Other Stories To Catch Tomorrow:
- Chris Matthews Breaks Down The Latest Political news
- Detox The New Vacation?
- Actress Hillary Swank
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)
Our e-mail inbox is filled with feedback from mothers responding to the new book “The Feminine Mistake” by Leslie Bennetts.
WATCH VIDEO Read more from Leslie Bennetts in an interview on iVillage
HERE. Many of you disagree with Bennetts’ take on work and motherhood, expressing anger and even frustration. Here are some of your e-mails and a response from the author:
To Ann:
Thank you for representing stay-at-home moms so well in your interview with the author of "The Feminine Mistake." You did an excellent job of being considerate to the author, but you still asked questions and made comments that made the homemaking "profession" out to be an attractive, caring choice. You're right--we just want to care for our kids! I completely disagree with the author. It seems that she is speaking out of bitterness and fear. I do not want those things to guide my choices. I think she also is assuming that money and career-building is the top priority for all women. When my life is done, I will ask myself if I loved my God and family the most that I could, not whether or not I was self-sufficient, wealthy, and stood up to men. Thanks again for considering us at-home moms! I love your show!
--Amy Maples
CONTINUED >>
Here's the first crack at tomorrow's rundown:
Political Money & Battles:
Tomorrow we'll have two reports looking at the very latest on the political scene. Right now the big story is Obama not yet announcing his 1st quarter fundraising total. The buzz is that he has exceeded Hillary Clinton's record $26 million. We're also watching the President as he squares off against Congress on Iraq.
What Did A 3-Year-Old Girl Do To Get Her Grandparents Evicted?
Find out tomorrow why one community in Florida is telling young Kimberly Broffman to pack her bags.
Wheels For Chicks:
Who says cars are just for men? Tomorrow CNBC's Phil LeBeau will take a look at the latest wheels and gadgets for the ladies in the car showroom.
Check back later to see which stories stick, which move and which get shelved for a later day.
(From Don Tsouhnikas, TODAY Weather Producer/Meteorologist)
Have you ever wondered how to put together a weather forecast? I will try to answer some of those questions. I have been working in the field of weather for over 25 years and I find experience to be invaluable. The old days of hand plotting surface maps, coloring in warm and cold fronts and areas of precipitation are only distant memories. Anyone can log onto a weather web site with tons of information available to the user. It’s here where the problems start. Computer models can supply information for the next hour or the next month. Years ago there was only one computer model that the weather forecaster looked at. Currently there are over 10 computer models each one offering different solutions. Need I say anything more.
CONTINUED >>
This morning at 8:09, Ann Curry interviewed Leslie Bennetts, a writer for Vanity Fair and the author of "The Feminine Mistake" (READ AN EXCERPT HERE). Ms. Bennetts argues that the generation of women currently in their 20s and 30s has rejected the path blazed by women now in their 50s and 60s, who had children but also worked and focused on their financial futures.
Many of these current young mothers, Ms. Bennetts writes, have chosen to stay at home to raise their kids, making themselves financially dependent on their husbands -- a decision that could have dire consequences if their husbands should lose their jobs or if another catastrophe were to happen.
Whether a mother goes back to work or stays home is obviously a very personal decision, and I wonder if it's a bit harsh to reflexively call being a stay-at-home mother a "mistake." What do you think? I suspect that many of you can speak from experience on both sides of the issue.
One of the interesting things about this job is that every day is different. Some days, I'll grant you, are more different than others. Friday was one of those days.
In case you missed Meredith's week, let me give you a quick recap. On Tuesday, she fell and banged her head on the ice during a segment with Will Ferrell promoting his movie, Blades of Glory.
On Thursday, Meredith woke up and discovered that her front teeth had somehow gotten chipped (some people think her noggin hitting the ice was directly related to her teeth problem).
So that brings us to Friday. Meredith has already blogged about what happened when Eric Jackson, the overnight researcher, and I were in her dressing room that morning around 5:50 a.m. (Read that before you continue)
Now I'd like to back up a little more than two hours.
CONTINUED >>
A lot of us know the feeling -- the uncontrollable sneezing, the red and watery eyes, the scratchy throat. That's right, allergy season has arrived.
We ran a tape spot this morning at 7:15 in which correspondent Martin Savidge reported that the pollen count is at unprecedented highs for this time of year in many areas around the country.
One expert in the spot suggested that climate change -- and the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere -- is responsible for the rise in the pollen count and the increase of allergy symptoms.
CONTINUED >>
"...A purse of gold most resolutely snatched on Monday night and most dissolutely spent on Tuesday morning..."
That line comes from Shakespeare's King Henry IV, Part I, which, for my money, is one of the Bard's most entertaining history plays. During this scene (Act I, scene ii), Prince Henry and Falstaff discuss how they're men of the night, governed by the will of the moon -- that, for example, they'll make a big score on a Monday night, then just throw the money away the very next morning.
That's kind of how I feel on this Tuesday morning. But I'm getting ahead of myself.
I'm using Prince Henry's line as a means of introducing myself. My name is Dan Fleschner, I'm a producer at "Today," and I'm the newest blogger on this block, joining the crew from "Live From Studio 1A."
Now let me explain why I'm throwing Shakespeare at you this early in the morning.
CONTINUED >>
Here's The Latest On Tomorrow's Rundown:
Mitt Romney Interview:
It's always great when a booking comes through, especially when it corresponds with a segment already in the works. Tomorrow we'll talk to the candidate who is leading the Republican field with first quarter fundraising.
Itchy Eyes and Runny Noses:
The allergy season has started with a vengeance. Parts of the country have such thick amounts of pollen that cars are covered with a dirty film. It's even hindering crime investigations because fingerprints cannot be found using black dust to lift the prints. Martin Savidge will bring you this story tomorrow.
Other Stories to Catch:
- Martina McBride Performs LIVE
- The 5 Essentials For Your Spring Wardrobe
- The 12-Year-Old Vacuum Expert
- Guy-Approved Gadgets For Ladies
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)
(From Donna Richards, TODAY Wardrobe Department Supervisor)
Hello people of blog world. Since I have never blogged, this is all new to me. As a matter of fact today is the first time I have ever been to any blog site. It's quite interesting.
My name is Donna Richards. I'm the wardrobe department supervisor for the TODAY Show.
Since the mid '90's I have worked in the wardrobe dept of "Saturday Night Live.".Different than the Today show, "SNL" falls under the category of Entertainment TV where as the Today Show falls under the NEWS category. Both are live shows, but very different. I will try to explain.
CONTINUED >>
Here's the first crack at tomorrow's rundown:
GOP's Money Race
We're talking big big money here. After Hillary Clinton established a new record on the campaign money trail with $26 million for the first quarter, GOP candidate Mitt Romney announced his strong showing today with $23 million in donations. Republican front-runner Rudy Giuliani brought in $15 million, while Sen. John McCain did not disclose his total. We'll gage the cash race tomorrow as these candidates have more than a year and a half to go until Election Day.
To Catch an ID Thief:
He's caught the sexual predators, now he's going after the criminals that are stealing your identity. Tomorrow we'll talk to Dateline's Chris Hansen about his latest installment in To Catch an Identity Thief.
Booze For Teens:
Alcoholic energy drinks? Liquor in lipstick bottles? Are alcohol companies targeting your teens just in time for prom season? We'll check out this story tomorrow.
Check back later to see which stories stick, which move and which get shelved for a later day.
(From Sara Pines, TODAY Editor)
I write the TODAY show. Yes, a lot of what Matt, Meredith, Al, Ann and Natalie say is scripted.. particularly the start of every half hour when they tell you what’s coming up and the introductions to each segment. They do a lot of ad libbing, don’t get me wrong.. and they do a great job, but they need something to work with.
Then, there are writers who work overnight and while the show is on the air to make any changes, correct any typos and do any edits that are needed.. particularly when the show changes due to breaking news.. or time constraints.. or whatever craziness ensues. It’s an ever-evolving, ever-changing show. I did that job for six years.. in at 4am, adrenaline pumping from about 6:30 to 10.. and later, if we have to update for the West Coast. Fun, stressful, but fun. Now, I have a young daughter.. so I’m grateful for the hours I work these days.
While I try to be direct and to the point when writing the hard news segments.. creative when called-for, even wacky at times, one of the things I have to keep track of is how the anchors throw to a commercial break. You may have noticed that sometimes they say.. “We'll be back, after this.” Or “After these messages.” And sometimes they say "This is Today on NBC."
Well, you think to yourself, duh, I'm watching the show and have been watching for 25 years, I know "This is Today on NBC." But, you see, it's code.
CONTINUED >>
Can you imagine a bald Donald Trump?
Well, it almost happened. Trump and WWE owner Vince McMahon had a bet last night at Wrestlemania in Detroit. They each chose a side, and the guy whose side lost had to shave his head. Trump came out on top, however, leaving McMahon bald and the rest of the world with the pleasure of still looking at Trump's hair.
Both gentlemen were on the show this morning to discuss the results. WATCH VIDEO. But here's the good news.. through the magic of our graphics department, we can look at a picture of what Trump would have looked like if he had lost the bet. In this case, a picture certainly is worth a thousand words.
When I pulled up to Studio 1A at 6:30 this morning, the line to get into the Beyonce concert was wrapped around the block. People were waiting on 49th Street, heading towards Fifth Avenue... turning down Fifth to 48th Street... back across 48th Street and into the plaza from the back. Yes, that is quite a long line. Then I realized that the line was being let in a little at a time, and there were already some people in the plaza. After a little chatting with the crowd, I found the people who were first in line. What time did they get here, you ask? 6... PM. LAST NIGHT. Oh, did we mention that it rained last night here in New York? All I can say is congrats to them. I really hope they enjoy the concert. Maybe they'll get on TV a few times. At least they can get a shout-out here on the blog, because with dedication like that, they deserve something. Watch the concert HERE and HERE.
Here's what we're looking at for Monday on Today:
UK-Iran Standoff Intensifies:
It has been 10 days since Iran seized 15 British sailors and the conflict is engaging all levels of international relations. Over the weekend, President Bush called for the release of the sailors. He deemed the seizure as "inexcusable behavior." Dawna Friesen will bring you a report from London tomorrow.
Latest Internet Craze:
Think "The Truman Show" meets the Internet and you've got Justin.TV... the only difference is the subject is doing the taping himself. Justin Kan developed technology that allows him to strap a camera to his head and stream live video on the Internet. We'll talk to Justin tomorrow and he'll tell us about 24/7 "lifecast."
Beyonce Performs LIVE on the Plaza:
She's one of the hottest musicians on the charts these days and tomorrow she's on our Plaza. Don't miss an unforgettable performance from Beyonce.
Other Stories To Catch Tomorrow:
- The State of the '08 Race
- Dr. Snyderman Looks at Vaccines and All You Need to Know
- Razor Bet: Who Will Shave His Head? Tomorrow We'll Talk To Donald Trump and WWE Owner Vince McMahon About The Battle of the Billionaires
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)
