September 2007 - Posts
(From Stephanie Becker, TODAY Producer)
There's nothing more fundamental to a full day sitting at my Today Show desk for hours than a good solid foundation. It's the undercover work I do before I even log in that gives me the important backing and support I need. I was reminded of this by this morning's story about the history of the brassiere. WATCH VIDEO
I've been thinking about it alot lately because I'm undergoing a bit of restructuring. The earth's gravitational force is having an excessive pull on certain anatomical pairs. My earlobes, nostrils and regrettably, my mammary glands. They're all in cahoots and are in the midst of easing their way down like an old barn.
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In case you missed any of the action on allDAY this week, here's a look back:
Bruce Springsteen Specials:
Regular TODAY Coverage:
For those of you who couldn't tune in this morning, a netcast will be available on todayshow.com around 10 a.m.
Here's the setlist...Bruce being Bruce, he threw in unexpected performances of "Night" and "Last to Die" for us:
1. The Promised Land
2. Radio Nowhere
3. Livin' in the Future
4. My Hometown
5. Night
6. Last to Die
7. Long Walk Home
Hope to see some of you on the rest of the tour!
The day is finally here...and we got our first glimpse of Bruce and the band at a soundcheck this morning around 6 a.m. The whole crew was out there, running through the five songs they'll be performing this morning.
Four of the songs will air today, one will air Sunday on Weekend Today.
UPDATE: Soundcheck setlist
1. The Promised Land
2. Radio Nowhere
3. Livin' in the Future
4. My Hometown
5. Long Walk Home
I wanted to share a couple photos I took from the soundcheck to whet your appetites for the performance (after the jump):
CONTINUED >>
What does it take to be a true Bruce fanatic? There are many ways to show your dedication, and a few people are literally proving it all night (pardon the Bruce pun) as I write this. At 4:30 p.m. on Thursday afternoon, about 20 people were already lined up to get prime spots for Friday's concert on the plaza.
So who is first? Two women from Cleveland, Shelly and Laura, who flew in for Shelly's birthday. They arrived on the plaza at 8 a.m. on Thursday morning, watched the show, and said, "Everybody form a line!" on 48th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues (I promise that will be my last Bruce pun). Here they are:
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This morning, Meredith interviewed a very inspirational young woman, 12-year-old Shea Megale. She suffers from a disease called spinal muscular atrophy 2, which causes her muscles to weaken over time.
But she hasn't let the disease slow her down, and she has written a children's book called Marvelous Mercer about her adventures with her companion dog, Mercer. WATCH VIDEO
The story behind the publication of the book is remarkable. One day, Shea's mother, Megan, accidentally discovered a series of stories Shea had written in a diary. Megan recognized Shea's storytelling talent and decided to self-publish the book as a way to bring attention and raise money to fight SMA.
Megan and Shea took the book to the toy fair and pitched the story to an FAO Schwarz representative, and the toymaker embraced the idea. Now, FAO Schwarz is offering an exclusive first edition of the book as well as a plush toy of Mercer.
CONTINUED >>
Set your TIVOs, it's premiere week for most of the major networks! In honor of the beginning of the fall television season, I sat down with Al Roker (weatherman extraordinaire and pop culture aficionado) to get his thoughts on the new shows and some old favorites:
Q: The fall TV season is starting this week, what's the show that you're most excited about watching?
AL: Heroes. When I saw the pilot last year, I remember thinking, there were a lot of shows that everyone was really excited about...and the two that I thought were going to be the best were Heroes and 30 Rock. And I feel vindicated, so I'm looking forward to both those shows coming back.
Q: What about the new shows? What will you be watching?
CONTINUED >>
We're just one day away from Bruce Springsteen's appearance on TODAY, and everyone here is abuzz with anticipation to hear some of his and the E Street Band's new material as well as two classic songs.
With that in mind, I asked some of the TODAY staff's biggest Bruce fans to share their top five songs and favorite Bruce memories. I invite you to scroll through our lists and post yours as well in the comments section below.
Take a look (after the jump):
Mel Evans/AP
Bruce and the band warmed up for the upcoming tour and appearance
on TODAY with the first of two rehearsal shows at the Paramount
Theater in Asbury Park on Monday.
CONTINUED >>
This morning, NBC News correspondent John Larson did a piece discussing who is happier: men or women. According to two studies by professors at Princeton University and the University of Pennsylvania, the results are in, and it turns out that men are happier than women. WATCH VIDEO
On average, the studies showed, women are unhappy about 90 minutes more per week than men.
According to The New York Times, this is a shift in happiness research since the 1970s, when women said they were slightly happier than men. One of the studies also indicates that since the 1960s, men have cut back on unpleasant activities and now relax more.
CONTINUED >>
What We're Planning For Tomorrow:
Dem Debate
We're watching the Democratic debate tonight out of New Hampshire. Tomorrow we will talk to Tim Russert and we'll have a complete wrap up for you.
Men vs. Women- How Do We Define Sexual Harassment?
Whenever there is a high profile sexual harassment case it raises the question on just what classifies as offensive. And it also makes you wonder why in 2007 after human resource sexual harassment classes, people aren't on their best behavior at work. Tomorrow we'll talk to Donny Deutsch and Heidi Sumner about this subject.
Blond Hair Girl
Was that Madeleine? We'll tell you tomorrow what investigators found out about the blond haired child in the picture from Morocco. And we'll hear from Ed Smart and John Walsh about what parents of missing children do when leads come in.
Other Stories Planned:
- Possible Bin Laden Sighting Last Month Leads To Military Operation
- Iranian Reaction to the Reception of Ahmadinejad
- The Mystery of the Missing Boaters
- Who Is Happier? Men or Women?
- Zagat's Airline Survey
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 Andre Poulin, TODAY Producer)
One of the privileges of living in the Big Apple and working on TODAY is having access to New York City’s spectacular cultural life. As a producer and someone who enjoys the arts, I’ve spent many an extraordinary night attending the best shows on Broadway and world class ballet and opera productions at Lincoln Center. The evening sometimes includes rushing out of the office and sprinting to the theater to catch an 8 o’clock curtain. A post-show dinner sometimes follows at one of the city’s great late night restaurants where friends and I will talk about what we’ve just seen. We don't always agree on a show’s merits. Everyone’s a critic you know! CONTINUED >>
In anticipation of Bruce Springsteen's live concert on the plaza on Friday, Matt and I sat down to talk about the man and his music. Here's our Q&A:
Q: There are a lot of people out there who would love to get the chance to hang out with Bruce Springsteen. You've gotten to do that -- so what's he like?
Matt: He's the real deal. He is a no-frills rock star with no major entourage and none of the trappings of what you usually expect from a rock star.
Lauer interviews Springsteen on "Dateline" in 2002
I interviewed him in Asbury Park a few years ago. He drove himself into the parking lot of the Stone Pony and walked in, totally unassuming. Just a real down-to-earth guy. He's not the kind of guy who is requesting to have only red M&M's in his dressing room.
CONTINUED >>
This morning, fashion designer Marc Ecko -- the guy who bought Barry Bonds's 756th home run ball -- was back to announce the results of his online poll to determine the fate of the ball. WATCH VIDEO
He paid more than $750,000 for the ball and asked people to go to vote756.com to determine what he should do with the ball:
a) Bestow It -- give the ball to the National Baseball Hall of Fame
b) Brand It -- branding the ball with an asterisk before giving it to the Hall of Fame
c) Banish It -- put the ball on a rocket and send it into space
CONTINUED >>
(From Elliott Walker, TODAY Producer)
Danger. Suspense. Brilliant lawyers. These are what John Grisham's many fans expect from his legal thrillers with the similarly punchy titles. THE FIRM. THE CLIENT. THE PELICAN BRIEF. Books that keep you up all night, nervously turning pages, seething at injustice.
Now Grisham is publishing his 20th book and taking a short break from all that tension. "PLAYING FOR PIZZA" is a vacation, based in part on a real trip that Grisham took to Italy a few years ago when he was researching his novel "THE BROKER." He clearly had a great time. Now, in "PLAYING FOR PIZZA," the reader is invited to share in some of his most delicious memories which he discussed with us this morning. WATCH VIDEO
Yes, there's a plot, but it serves mostly to open a window on how lovely life is in La Bella Italia. Our hero, Rick Dockery, is an NFL quarterback who is not very good at his job. After a particularly humiliating episode, he is reduced to playing in one of the least-known outposts of American football: Italy, specifically Parma, Italy, just down the road from Milan. Yes, they play American football there, passionately, if not professionally.
CONTINUED >>
(From Curtis Vogel, TODAY Producer)
By now, you’ve seen the scene played out at least a dozen times in your local newscasts or among the favorite videos at YouTube. A bear is trapped in a tree after venturing too close to a residential neighborhood or suburban strip mall. Animal control officers or wildlife biologists are forced to shoot the bear with a tranquilizer to remove it not only from the tree, but also the urban environment into which it has wandered. WATCH VIDEO
The ensuing drama makes for great television, because the bear inevitably loses consciousness then falls like a rag doll out of the tree and onto the ground. While it is endlessly fascinating to watch these cat-and-mouse scenarios play out instead between people and bears, the spectacle belies what is actually a sad and desperate situation for the bears.
This summer, bears have been showing up in suburban backyards and dumpsters throughout the West in states like Colorado, Idaho and Montana, but the busiest hub of urban bear activity has been in the Biggest Little City in the World – Reno, Nevada. That is where I was sent last week to try to capture some of these bears in action.
It is a well-known axiom in broadcast television that when you decide to do a ride-along for a couple of days with police officers, firefighters, etc. to capture the essence of their daily routine, nothing interesting or newsworthy will happen during your watch. It has happened to me countless times. Maybe it is a sign of how prevalent this bear trend is right now that it only took us about 10 minutes for me and my crew to witness our first urban bear encounter.
CONTINUED >>
Here's What We're Planning for Tomorrow:
Ahmadinejad in America
So what did Iran's president have to say while he was on U.S. soil for his very controversial visit? Andrea Mitchell will have the whole story tomorrow.
Clooney Motorcycle Accident
The hunky movie star fractured a rib and his girlfriend broke her foot Friday after a motorcycling accident in New Jersey. The two were hit by an automobile that signaled to turn left, but actually turned right and hit Clooney and girlfriend Sarah Larson. We'll tell you more about the accident tomorrow.
Other Stories Planned:
- Some Breast Cancer Rates Decline
- It's a New Season of My Name is Earl- Jason Lee Stops By
- Queen Latifah Performs
We'll keep you posted if anything changes. Otherwise, see you in the morning.
(Want to know more about what we have coming up Tomorrow on Today? Text message TODAY to 46833)
This morning, Meredith opened the show at the United Nations alongside Andrea Mitchell, just a few blocks away from our studios here in New York.
John Smock/AP
Protesters gather outside Columbia University on Sunday to speak out
against Iran president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's scheduled appearance
at the school on Monday afternoon.
It's officially a nutty time to be here in the city, with some of the most talked-about world leaders convening at the UN this week. We've got embattled Iraqi prime minister Nouri Al-Maliki, new French prime minister Nicolas Sarkozy, and, yes, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the president of Iran. As a result, we've got more traffic, more police escorts and generally heightened security around town.
Ahmadinejad's arrival has touched off heated debates over whether he should be permitted to visit Ground Zero and whether Columbia University should have invited him to speak at the school's World Leaders Forum. There, he is to engage in a question and answer session with Columbia students and faculty members later today.
CONTINUED >>
Hello, I’m Jodi, a 41-year-old married mother of three.
I had been overweight since the age of 10 and tried numerous diets for 25 years. Losing a few pounds and then gaining those back plus more was a common occurrence. Add those extra pounds up over 25 years and that equals an obese person. I was at the point of believing that it was truly impossible for me to lose even 10 pounds, not to mention a miracle if I ever lost enough weight to reach my goal. When I read a magazine article or watched a television show that featured an individual who lost an enormous amount of weight, I thought that only happens to “other people;” it would never happen to me. I had given up hope.
Jodi, right, had given up hope of losing weight
Then “that” funeral – the one that made me realize that I had to find that hope again because not only was being overweight uncomfortable, it was life threatening, a thought I had avoided for my entire life. At the funeral I witnessed a 17-year-old boy looking into the casket of his mother. She was overweight too. I looked at myself and knew that I was carrying more extra weight on my body than she was. My heart felt fine, but I’m sure hers did too…until it was too late. Then I thought of my three children having to be in the same situation as her son. I realized a change had to be made, and soon.
CONTINUED >>
(From Eric Jackson, TODAY Associate Producer)
First, before I get into my anchor Q&A with Ann Curry, I would like to thank her for taking the time to sit down with me not once, but twice, due to technical difficulties. You see, in preparation for this interview, I went out and bought this new tape recorder. I even did the cheesy "test, test, test, test" audio check before going to talk to Ann. Seriously--ask my cubicle neighbors. Well, little did I know that this tape recorder has this feature where, if the audio in the room is too low, it stops recording. And wouldn't you know it--the audio, at times, was too low. So I finish the interview, come back to write it up, and as I'm listening to it, panic sets in. I had practically nothing. I felt like I had just been Punk'd. I e-mail Ann and her assistant, Claire, right away, mortified beyond belief. Ann e-mails me right back and says that it's no problem, we'll do it again tomorrow, later explaining that early in her career, she had a similar problem. So, thank you again to Ann. What follows is our conversation....take two.
Q: First off, this is the second week of TODAY’s fourth hour. How's it going so far?
Ann: It seems to be going OK. It's feeling more and more comfortable every day, I hope so at least. I hope that process will continue, that it will continue to get better and better. I hope it's useful more than anything else.
Q: What sort of topics do you want to bring to that hour?
Ann: I want to show our viewers the world. That's my wish -- to let our viewers know what's going on in the world. We're talking a lot about how to improve their lives, friendships. These are important topics. We'll see how this progresses, but we're really trying to understand what women at this hour need. We're going to do our best to fulfill their needs.
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This morning, the world-famous Duggar family arrived at little old studio 1A. 17 kids and 2 parents later, our biggest green room has never looked so small. When I heard that the family was on the show this morning, I rushed over to the green room expecting this blog to practically write itself. Images of kids running around and mass chaos breaking out ran through my mind. So you can imagine my disappointment when I walked in and the scene was quieter and more orderly than just about any other morning in the history of the Today Show. All the kids were sitting patiently, eating breakfast and watching TV. I'm not sure what instructions the parents gave the kids, but whatever they said, it worked. They were the best behaved group of 19 one could possibly imagine.
I chatted with dad Jim Bob and mom Michelle about their past few days here in New York, and how they keep track of everyone in one of the biggest cities in the world.
Q: How do you make sure no one gets lost when you are in the middle of Times Square with 17 kids?
Jim Bob: Well, we're constantly counting. Lots of counting off. Everyone has a buddy so we all help keep track of each other. And we haven't lost anyone yet!
CONTINUED >>
(From Bob Dotson, NBC News National Correspondent)
Longing can chart a better course than Mapquest. After 65 years, the Abele brothers have finally found their father. Jim Abele commanded the Grunion, a U.S. Submarine that disappeared off the coast of Alaska during World War II.
Five years ago, his sons made a deal with their hearts, not their heads, and went looking for him. It cost them a bundle.
“If this were to be an official Navy project,” John Abele chuckled, “I would guess that the taxpayers would be paying about ten times what we’re paying.”
“How much are you paying?” I asked.
“That’s a secret,” he laughed.
Just like the mystery of what happened to their father’s sub.
CONTINUED >>
(From Janet Shamlian, NBC News Correspondent)
Their home is large and lovely, but what I noticed first driving up to the Duggars house was the industrial dumpster alongside it. And why not? With 17 children, the family would need at least as many trashcans...and who wants to haul those to the curb twice a week? When I got the call to meet the family (right) in Arkansas, I briefly wondered about typecasting. I have my own full house -- five children under the age of twelve. A starter kit, mom Michelle Duggar would later call my family!
NBC's Janet Shamlian with MOST of the Duggar family
Inside, this home was nothing like mine. It was fairly quiet, even though everyone was home. They were going about their chores and schoolwork, and the younger children were putting a backyard trampoline to the test. It was also clean; no dirty dishes in the sink, no clothes on the floor of bedrooms or stacked atop the washing machine. Certainly, they must have tidied up for our visit, I thought. Their grandmother later shared the truth that made me squirm: it always looked this way.
CONTINUED >>
Here's What We're Planning for Tomorrow:
The Prez vs. MoveOn.Org
What news came out of the President's press conference this morning? Tomorrow we'll hear MoveOn.Org's and Laura Ingraham's take on what President Bush had to say today.
Brit vs. K-Fed
Reports this week indicated that the tension was building in the Spears-Federline custody battle. We'll talk to Kevin Federline's attorney tomorrow.
17 Kids in NYC
It takes a bus to transport the entire family. Imagine what it must be like to parent a herd of kids. We'll spend some time with the Duggar family in the morning.
Other Stories Planned:
- Dan Rather Speaks
- Jena 6 Latest
- Splurge vs. Steal Fashion
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)
Stage managers have it pretty rough. Besides making sure everyone is where they are supposed to be for each segment of the show, they get to taste all the good food, too.
AllDAY Vlog-espondent Dan Barbossa caught up with Leslie Fagan after tasting Sam's Lobster Roll. WATCH VIDEO.
For more on the America's Best Sandwich series, click here.
This morning we hosted many talented and inspirational people on our plaza in honor of Read for the Record, a campaign sponsored by the Jumpstart organization which aims to educate families on the benefits of reading to young children. Across the country today, political figures, parents, educators and celebrities alike are reading the same book out loud to children to promote awareness. First Lady Laura Bush was reading in Washington, Mayor Bloomberg stopped by the plaza before his morning meetings, and I caught up with a few other famous faces to ask them about their connections to literature and why they felt like reading for our record...
CONTINUED >>
Here's What We're Planning for Tomorrow:
OJ Simpson in Court
This morning we got a look at OJ Simpson wearing his prisoner jumpsuit at a hearing in Las Vegas. Then later in the afternoon we saw the former all-star football player in a light blue suit walking out of jail free on bond. Tomorrow we'll tell you what else is going on in OJ's latest legal and media blitz.
$70 Million for Network Scapegoat?
$70 million dollars is a large chunk of change. Tomorrow we'll tell you which newsman is suing his former network and what prompted him to file the suit.
Fall Travel
Labor Day has passed, school is in full swing and already some stores are pulling out the holiday decorations. No wonder we've all lost the summer vacation glow. Are you already itching to getaway this fall? Don't miss tomorrow's segment when we tell you the best bargains for autumn vacations.
Other Stories Planned:
- Why was Iran's President Rejected from Visiting Ground Zero
- Who is OJ's Girlfriend?
- The First Lady Reads for the Record
- The Jena 6 Protests
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)
Pulitzer Prize-winning humorist Dave Barry stopped by the show today to talk about his new book, The History of the Millennium (So Far), and to show off his skills with a Telestrator (thanks to the fertile mind of TODAY producer Ryan Osborn). WATCH VIDEO
You can read an excerpt from the book HERE.
After the segment, I had a chance to talk to him for a few minutes about his book, what he's up to these days, and one of the biggest stories of the last millennium, O.J. Simpson (in terms of important moments from 1001-2000, O.J.'s murder trial clearly ranks somewhere between the invention of the printing press in 1450 and the advent of penicilin in 1929).
Q: This book covers a lot of territory -- this entire millennium. So we're talking about seven whole years or so.
Dave Barry: Yes, it's all about this millennium. I figured it would be good to get the first book out covering the history of the millennium. Most people would wait until the end of the millennium, but those people tend to use facts anyway. I find facts just slow a person down.
CONTINUED >>
Last week, Burger King announced that it was introducing healthier fast-food items for kids, including flame-broiled Chicken Tenders and raw apples cut to resemble french fries. A 2.4-ounce serving of these "apple fries" will have 35 calories -- compared to a small serving of regular french fries, which has 230 calories.
We had a few cartons of the "apple fries" in the studio this morning for our hosts to sample. WATCH VIDEO
I snuck one myself, and here's the result of my taste test:
It tasted like an apple. Because it was an apple.
Is Burger King to be lauded for offering a healthier alternative to french fries for kids? Sure. Are kids going to be clamoring for apple slices over french fries? I doubt it, but I assume Burger King has done the research to know there's some demand for this.
CONTINUED >>
TODAY vlog-o-spodent Dan Barbossa goes behind the scenes with TODAY stage manager and Katz's Deli fan Dave Auerbach to find out what's so great about Katz's pastrami sandwich, one of the contenders in TODAY's Best Sandwich in America challenge. WATCH VIDEO
We're in Day 3 of the University of Florida "Taser" story, and this morning, Rob Griscti, the lawyer for Andrew "Don't Tase Me, Bro!" Meyer, spoke with Matt for a few minutes. WATCH VIDEO
Photo by Andrew Stanfill -- Independent Florida Alligator
As I've watched the coverage of this story unfold over the past couple days, I was kind of confused as to what exactly happened. It's sometimes hard to understand the context of one of these cell phone videos that gets released with only sketchy details.
Now that a lot more information -- including the police report -- has become public, we have a better understanding of what went down.
In my view, this was a publicity stunt -- but one with a message. That message has largely been lost in the questions of whether Meyer's free speech was infringed, whether police overreacted or whether he's simply desperate for attention (or all of the above).
CONTINUED >>
Here's What We're Planning for Tomorrow:
OJ Charges
We are continuing to follow the latest in the OJ Simpson case. More suspects came forward today as prosecutors filed 10 charges against Simpson for allegedly storming into a hotel room in Las Vegas and taking collectors' items last week. Tomorrow we will have more on the story and we'll hear from Fred Goldman.
A Little Boost from the Fed
Today on Wall Street, the Dow surged more than 330 points... the biggest one day rally in almost five years. What caused the pop? The Federal Reserve cutting interest rates. We'll tell you tomorrow how this will impact you and your wallet.
Other Stories Planned:
- Latest on the Student Tasered at Kerry Event
- Man Survives Bear Attack
- Today Throws a Wedding- Wedding Cake Choices
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)
Is 13 too young for a girl to become a fashion model? That's the question facing Australian teenager Maddison Gabriel, who was recently picked as the ambassador of Gold Coast Fashion Week.
Is this girl too young to model?
Supermodel Janice Dickinson spoke with Matt this morning, and in her view, 13 is indeed too young. WATCH VIDEO
Whenever I hear a story like this, I think of two things:
1. What is the role of the parents here?
2. What are the child labor laws?
Yes, there are stage parents out there who will do anything to make their kids (and, by extension, themselves) rich and famous. And Janice Dickinson would know better than I do about the physical and emotional travails of being a model. But at some point, don't we have to trust parents to make the right decisions for their children?
CONTINUED >>
(From Ron Allen, NBC News Correspondent)
Every now and again in this business you get the chance to meet someone who believes in magic. And, after spending a little time with them, you start to believe in the supernatural too.
Last spring a good friend of mine asked my wife and I to host an annual gala for a non-profit organization called Children's Village. It's a residential home for about 300 young boys who've had problems with the law, trouble at school or at home. Kids often labeled, "at risk."
Children's Village was honoring a woman named Pam Allyn, and her program “Books for Boys." Her acceptance speech was absolutely mesmerizing. Allyn said she believes books can change lives. Someone who's lost can be found through a book, she said.
A child who feels really alone can find companionship through a book, she added. People who feel disconnected, she went on to explain, can become connected to society, through a book. In short, that's how books do magical things. I immediately wanted to know what she'd been reading!!
Allyn is a literacy consultant who helps teachers and school systems figure out ways to improve reading. She has her own company called LitLife. Her latest book is called “The Complete 4”. Back when she was in high school, she volunteered and did some mentoring work with the boys of Children's Village. So, later in life, about 7 years ago, it was an obvious place for her to bring her love of books, and her skills to help young people become better readers.
CONTINUED >>
Here's What We're Planning for Tomorrow:
A Second Pass at Health Care
Fourteen years ago as first lady she unveiled her plan for health care reform. Now as a presidential candidate, Sen. Hillary Clinton has revealed her health care plan for every American. Andrea Mitchell will have all the details on Hillary Clinton's $110 billion plan.
How Young is Too Young to Model?
It's fashion week in Queensland, Australia and one model is certainly turning heads. It's not the clothes she's wearing, but the model's age that's causing the stir. Tomorrow we'll bring you the story that's having some fashion watchers asking how young is too young to walk the catwalk.
Was There a Hit on K-Fed?
The custody battle between Britney Spears and her husband Kevin Federline seemed heated to begin with. But now, a new report out today indicates that a hit was out on Federline's life. Does it have anything to do with the custody battle? We're looking into this report; we'll have more for you tomorrow.
Other Stories Planned:
- Latest on OJ's Request
- Student Tasered at John Kerry Speech
- Phuket Plane Crash Survivors
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)
Remember Kyla Ebbert? She's the young woman who was on the show on September 7 to talk about her experience flying Southwest Airlines -- a Southwest customer service representative deemed her outfit too revealing to fly, and she eventually had to cover herself with a blanket during the flight.
Her appearance on TODAY received a tremendous amount of attention, including more than 1,000 comments here on allDAY.
Well, Southwest has decided to turn a potential PR fiasco into a marketing idea. WATCH VIDEO
CEO Gary Kelly apologized to Ms. Ebbert and released this statement: "Some have said we've gone from loving hot pants to having hot flashes but nothing could be further from the truth. The publicity caught us with our pants down, quite frankly. The story has such great legs, but we have an even better sense of humor, so we're going to jump out there and lower our fares to match the mini skirts we've all been hearing so much about."
CONTINUED >>
In a Sotheby's auction, fashion designer Marc Ecko paid $752,467 for Barry Bonds's 756th home run ball. He visited Matt and Ann this morning to talk about it. WATCH VIDEO
Photo by Buck Ennis
Instead of keeping the ball, he has created a website -- vote756.com -- where he has asked people to vote on whether they want him to a) donate the ball to the National Baseball Hall of Fame; b) brand the ball with an asterisk, then send it to the Hall of Fame; or c) send the ball into space.
I think I would vote for "b" myself, since the ball definitely belongs in the Hall of Fame, and branding it with an asterisk would force the curators there to address the performance-enhancing drugs issue when displaying the ball.
After the segment, I chatted with Marc for a few minutes. Here's our conversation:
CONTINUED >>
This morning, former Fed chairman Alan Greenspan came on the show to talk about his new book, The Age of Turbulence, which has made headlines for his criticism of the Bush administration. CNBC's Maria Bartiromo profiled Dr. Greenspan (WATCH VIDEO) followed by the live interview with Matt (WATCH VIDEO).
Dr. Greenspan with his wife, Andrea Mitchell of NBC News.
Among the subjects Matt broached with him -- whether we're heading for a recession and the role of oil in the Bush administration's drive to war in Iraq.
But Matt couldn't cover everything with Dr. Greenspan, so I asked him a few more questions via email. I wanted to give people some insight into "another side of Alan Greenspan." So here are his responses to my questions:
Q: Something people might not know about you: You were a clarinet and saxophone player, you attended the prestigious Julliard School and played professionally in a touring jazz band. How did you get into music? Who were some of your musical idols growing up? And why did you get out of the music business?
CONTINUED >>
(From Sean Reis, TODAY producer)
Producer Sean Reis, a self-professed "hick from a Massachusetts," traveled to Iran for TODAY's special coverage on Thursday. These are his observations...
Weather
When I saw the weather.com report that said it was going to be 95 every day, well, I didn’t think that was great news, especially as summer was beginning to give ground in New York, and it was cool enough to leave just your windows open at night. People always talk about it being a dry heat in Phoenix, and how that’s not exactly the case. Well, here it’s actually true. The sun’s hot, but not oppressive. 95 feels like about 85 with zero humidity. Good times. The air is another story. It’s like smoking a pack of cigarettes a day. You know why? Up until only recently, cars weren’t required to have catalytic converters. It’s bad. You’re going to want to take a bath in Purell when this is over.
The City
Now, I’m a hick from Massachusetts, but this is the biggest city I’ve ever been in and ever hope to be in. The last census put the population at 12.5 million. It’s a lot more than that now. A conservative estimate is about 16 million people. Some say it’s as much as 19 million, and they are planning for something on the order of 25 million people by 2025. That breaks down like this:
CONTINUED >>
This morning we had Fred and Kim Goldman, Ron Goldman's father and sister, on the show to talk about O.J. Simpson's controversial book, "If I did It" which hits shelves today after a year of legal battles over its publication. WATCH VIDEO
There are two large components to this controversy: the legal implications that led to the Goldman's getting the rights to the book and then publishing it, and the emotional and passionate fight that all sides involved have made over the the text. I spoke with the Goldman's lawyer, Peter Haven, before the segment to hear about the legal situation, and followed up with Fred and Kim after their segment to ask a little more about their personal journey.
CONTINUED >>
Mandy Muniz, the first member of the Joy Fit Club, lost over 170 pounds in just over a year and is sharing her journey with TODAY. TODAY nutritionist Joy Bauer talked to Mandy about her current lifestyle and then gave her assessment of Mandy's chance of successfully keeping the weight off....
Joy Bauer: While losing, did you ever fall off the wagon and if yes, how did you motivate yourself to get back on your weight loss plan?
Mandy: Occasionally, I would go with friends and family out to eat and have some extra wine or a dessert, but I never got back into binging. What kept me going? For one, the accountability of weighing in three times a week with a counselor. There was no time to cheat. I’m traditionally a people pleaser and loved the praise when I did well (each visit, I’d show my counselor my food logs and step on the scale). The last thing I wanted was a negative session. And I never cancelled or postponed a meeting… partly because of monetary incentive… LA Weight Loss Center offered to give me back half my start up money (about $320) if I didn’t miss one single meeting.
CONTINUED >>
When your career spans nearly 60 years, five minutes is NEVER enough to do a full interview.
AllDAY Vlog-o-spondent Dan Barbossa sat down with Ed McMahon and Al Roker pos
t-interview to hear more stories and insight from the television legend.
WATCH VIDEO.
Today marked the one year anniversary of Meredith Vieira joining our team at TODAY, and it seemed like an opportune time to catch up with her about the past year and what is coming up for her this fall.
Q: So today is the day -- one year ago -- you started here at NBC. Highlights or lowlights from the year?
Meredith: I honestly can't believe it has been a whole year! So much has happened, and the range of opportunities I've been given are unbelievable. It's really been a wild ride. What amazes me is the arc of the year. I started off with some great fun, but then soon after covered the school shooting in Colorado and spoke with Emily Keyes' family. I've been thinking about everything that family has been through over this year.
And I did some goofy things. I'll never forget dancing with the Rockettes. And falling on the ice with Will Ferrell, and then having the control room roll it over and over and over again. I think a lot about the wide-range of topics covered, and especially some of the political coverage which will pick up now heading into the election.
CONTINUED >>
(From Curtis Vogel, TODAY Producer)
During my 20 years of producing stories for broadcast television, I’ve probably done a couple of hundred stories on education, and the logistical problem with doing those pieces is always the same. You’re trying to put a face on a story that is usually pegged around test scores, school board politics or a Supreme Court decision. The task is made all the more difficult because you have a limited amount of time to visit the school and try to see how all of these external forces affect the teachers’ efforts in the classroom.
Two parents of my closest childhood friends were teachers. One of my close childhood friends became a teacher herself. Now, my wife’s sister is in her third year of teaching elementary school. For years, I have listened to stories from these teachers about some of the amazing things that happen in the classroom, but they are moments that very few people outside of teachers get to see.
Earlier this year, the Today Show’s executive producer, Jim Bell, put out a memo about our show being #1 for 600 weeks in a row and challenged us to maintain that success by doing meaningful stories for our viewers. I married that challenge to my desire to show how teachers do their very difficult jobs, and the result is a new Today Show franchise called “Class of 2020”.
CONTINUED >>
(From Steven Ascher, TODAY producer)
I wasn’t prepared for this. I’d seen countless pictures and watched hours worth of video but still here I was, completely unprepared.
The four-hour drive from Phoenix brought me through desert landscapes and mountain passes. It eventually brought me to the entrance of Grand Canyon National Park. The time was 5 p.m. and the sun was beginning its descent. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. Finally, the canyon appeared on my right-hand side. I stopped the car and got out for my first look out over the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
I stood and stared for tow hours, mouth agape…just staring, literally. It’s breathtaking. People describe the experience as spiritual. The first thing that gets you is its big, I mean really BIG, as in HUGE. Its also beautiful. Words can’t describe the colors, the shapes, the vastness.
CONTINUED >>
High school drama teacher Mandy Muniz lost over 170 pounds in just over a year. This is her daily maintenance routine...
CONTINUED >>
(From Nick Palladino, TODAY Associate Producer)
In response to a July 25th TODAY segment and live discussion on the topic of brand name vs. generic drugs, WATCH VIDEO the Generic Pharmaceutical Association, a trade organization that represents the manufacturers and distributors of finished generic pharmaceutical products, provided TODAY with a list of points that they would like consumers to know about generic drugs:
CONTINUED >>
This morning we had a segment with guest Laura Ingraham who has just come out with a new book titled,
Power to the People. Laura's book addresses, among other issues, the "pornification" of America and the need for parents to take action to protect their children from offensive and lewd images in popular culture.
WATCH VIDEO
While many parents, I'm sure, will agree with Laura's points, it is interesting to note that Laura herself is not a parent and has not stepped into a parent's shoes before stating what parents should do.
Here is a sampling of some of the things you had to say about the segment from our viewer email folder - send us your thoughts as well:
CONTINUED >>
Mandy Muniz is documenting her weight loss journey with Joy's Fit Club on TODAY. After years of living an unhealthy lifestyle, she went from a size 24 to a size 2 in just over a year. Her life changed immensley...
I know I will stay faithful to this healthy lifestyle because I feel so much better. My confidence is up, my willingness to try outdoor activities has increased and I am so excited about the changes in my health. My blood pressure, cholesterol and risk factors are all reduced, and I am in the healthy category for patients. I am eager to make my yearly exam because I know the report will be excellent.
So many changes have come from the weight loss. I was recently asked to speak at a Theatre conference at the University of Texas and many instructors commented on the change in my appearance and vitality. People who had never heard me speak before were impressed by my lessons and the physical activities I was able to demonstrate. I have received several calls from people wanting to hire me to come and teach workshops for their students. I have also re-entered the professional acting world. With my new look, I am playing younger roles and I have more opportunity to be cast.
CONTINUED >>
This morning, Today contributor Dr. Gail Saltz stopped by to discuss a new book she has written, titled "Changing You: A Guide To Body Changes And Sexuality." WATCH VIDEO. I caught up with her afterwards to ask some more questions about this topic that is so difficult for many parents to face.
Q: Why is it so important to talk to kids about sex and puberty early?
Dr Gail: There are a couple of reasons. One is to lay the groundwork and establish the fact that you, the parent, are the source of information. If you wait, someone else, usually another kid, will provide that info, and it might be incorrect info. That's where kids get crazy ideas from. And when the questions get harder, you want them to feel they can come to you. They need to know they can ask more difficult questions. The other reason is that they are seeing a tremendous amount about sex in the media, and lots of it has to do with unhealthy sexual activity. If you don't have any discussions to counter that, telling them the real info and your own values, then that's dangerous. You need to tell them what you believe and what you want them to know, because that is not what they are getting from the media. CONTINUED >>
So what's the real root of our increasing obesity and health crisis in this country? Some officials in Los Angeles believe that a large part of the blame rests on the shoulders of fast food restaurants, who offer cheap, easy, unhealthy food to patrons who are neglecting to watch their nutrition. Studies have shown that southern Los Angeles has the highest concentration of fast food restaurants of any area of that city. Furthermore, check out these statistics... 30% of adults in that that part of the city are obese, whereas the rest of the county has adult obesity levels of 20.9%. Childhood obesity levels follow similar trends. This has made some officials propose a two-year ban on new fast food restaurants in Southern LA, which the City Council will evaluate this fall.
Many people are having strong reactions to this idea. WATCH VIDEO. Is the fast food in
dustry itself to blame for what's going on with our health, or are we to blame? After all, more and more fast food restaurants are offering salads and other low-fat options, so you aren't exactly forced to order the double-bacon-cheeseburger with extra fries. But if it's right in front of your face, is the person offering it to you partly at fault? So I'll go out on a limb and say that the Los Angeles City Council should support this moratorium on fast food restaurants in the southern part of the city. Why not? Give it a couple of years and see what happens. Maybe we'll find out that absolutely nothing has changed. People will keep finding unhealthy food in existing restaurants, regardless of whether new ones are popping up under their noses. Or maybe, just maybe, we'll see a slight slide in obesity rates. Wouldn't that be encouraging, to find a partial cause of a trend that is hampering the health and well-being of our country? We'll never know until we try. So who can it hurt to keep new fast food out for a bit?
Mandy Muniz is chronicalling her weight loss journey as part of TODAY's Fit Club.
Yesterday she wrote about hitting rock bottom when she realized she was 5'5'', 298.6 pounds. She decided it was time to change her life...
I felt awful and ashamed, and knew I had to do something. I looked at the card for the gastric bypass clinic, but I just couldn’t think of trying the surgery without fully committing to a diet and exercise plan first. I had seen ads for L.A. Weight loss on TV and knew that the program involved real food so I decided to try it. I was almost crying as I steadied my defense mechanism in order to call L.A. Weight loss. At 293.8 pounds, talking about my weight was difficult and I remember uncomfortably laughing when the woman at the Bandera Center asked me how much weight I wanted to lose. I was pretty sure she was going to say, “You’re too heavy, you need to see a doctor about surgery.” Getting ready for her response, I chuckled and said 100 pounds. I was taken aback by her response : “Ok, come on in and let’s get started.”
CONTINUED >>
This morning we told the story of Jill Finley, a thirty-two-year-old woman who suffered a heart attack and went into a coma, only to wake up after her husband took her off life support. WATCH VIDEO.
I chatted with Jill and Ryan Finley after their segment, because it truly is an amazing story and hard to wrap your head around. After watching his wife remain in a coma for fourteen days, Ryan Finley made the difficult decision to take his wife of four years off of life support. Shockingly, Jill began responding and waking up once life support was removed. Within six days she was back to - for all intents and purposes - 'normal'.
While it is amazing to hear Jill speak and go through her first memories (her first real memory after waking up was in rehab), and talk about the first thing she said (she asked to be taken to her favorite Mexican restaurant), I wanted to hear from Ryan, her husband, who was forced to make one of the hardest decisions and experienced the most miraculous outcome.
CONTINUED >>
From TODAY 4th-hour Correspondent, Hoda Kotb:
Ok, if you could see me right now, you would see a huge grin plastered across my face. It has been there since August 9th when the head honcho of NBC NEWS, Steve Capus, called me into his office and offered me the job as host of the 4th hour of TODAY.
I had a pinch me moment…and have had one every single day since. I feel very very lucky.
I have been at NBC for several years mainly covering hard news for DATELINE: Baghdad, Katrina, Afghanistan, Turkey, the tsunami in Thailand. I do love the big story, but I also love something else: having fun. There, I said it. I love that. And this show will be chocked full of that. I love girl-talk. I am one of those people who can sit on the phone for hours with a girlfriend and try to solve the world's problems...and our own. Guys, politics, relationships, love, weightloss -- all of it. We will do some of that in the 4th hour, and we hope to inspire you.
The last couple of nights I have had a recurring nightmare though: I open my closet and I have NO CLOTHES to wear on the show except for one single pink sweater. And then I notice the pink sweater has a huge hole in the back. The reason I have that nightmare is because in real life I have a wardrobe full of glamour 'don’ts'. I am in the process of buying some new stuff, so let me know what you think of the duds.
More later...
Associated Press
This morning we had an update on the case of missing Madeleine McCann, the four-year-old who disappeared in Portugal from a rented apartment while her parents, Kate and Gerry, had dinner at a nearby restaurant. The McCann parents have recently been named formal suspects by the Portugal police and are waiting to hear if they are charged with accidentally killing their oldest child.
Madeleine's disappearance gained widespread media attention when she first went missing in early May. Looking at the photographs of four-year-old Madeleine is heartbreaking, and it is hard to imagine her parents would ever harm her. That said, the disappearance sparked a debate about whether her parents were irresponsible leaving their three children home alone that night. Similar to the story last week of an Ohio mother who left her toddler in the backseat of her car resulting in the child's death, the question is have these parents suffered enough in their loss without the public scrutiny and finger-pointing?
CONTINUED >>
My name is Mandy Muniz and I am 32 years old. This is the story of how I went from almost 300 pounds to 126 in just over a year.
Growing up, a great deal of family time was spent enjoying food. Saturday mornings were started with Dad’s homemade waffles with plenty of yummy butter and syrup or cream-filled and glazed donuts hot from the store. We often celebrated successes with food, such as hot fudge sundaes for good grades. As a family we did not eat fast food often but enjoyed the luxury of eating out at restaurants and getting appetizers and desserts with our entrees. I have always associated food with family, feeling good, socializing and comfort. I have seen food as a reward and a luxury to be enjoyed.
CONTINUED >>
Here's What We're Planning for Tomorrow:
Madeleine's Parents Return Home
After both were questioned and held as suspects in Portugal, Gerry and Kate McCann returned home to England today. At the airport Madeleine's father denied having anything to do with his daughter's disappearance. Gerry McCann said, "We have played no part in the disappearance of our lovely daughter Madeleine." We will have more on this story tomorrow.
How to Avoid the "Freshman 15"
They've found their lecture hall. They're getting into the groove of studying. Now comes the time that most college freshman start packing on the pounds. Tomorrow Joy Bauer will give tips on how to avoid the "Freshman 15."
Britney Spears Performs
Is she making a comeback? Did Britney's performance at tonight's MTV Video Awards WOW the audience? Or did it just fall flat? Jennifer London will show us tomorrow.
Other Stories Planned:
- Are We Heading for a Recession?
- Miracle Coma Survivor
- Man Survives Fuel Tanker Truck Crashing Into Home
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're Planning for Tomorrow:
Bin Laden's Tape
The most wanted man in the world presented himself in the form of a video today. The videotape message was Osama bin Laden's first in tape form in three years. President Bush reacted to the tape from the APEC conference in Australia. He said this is a reminder "of the dangerous world in which we live." We will have more on this story tomorrow.
Madeleine's Parents Now Suspects?
Are they complying with Portuguese law? Or did the parents of Madeleine McCann really have something to do with the disappearance of their daughter. Portuguese police questioned the parents after traces of blood were found in the family's rental car. We will have the latest on the story this weekend.
The Guilt
This week we brought you the story of the mother in Ohio who left her daughter in a car for eight hours. The day of nearly 100-degree temperature outside was deadly for the 2-year-old inside the car. It could undoubtedly be the worst nightmare of a parent. And while it may have been a true accident, how does a parent get over the guilt of leaving their child in a car? Tomorrow we will talk to one couple that went through such a tragedy themselves.
Other Stories Planned:
- Sat: Market Plunges After Bad Jobs Numbers
- Sat: Latest on the Search for Steve Fossett
- Sat: Developments in the Case of the Missing BYU Student
- Sat: Lester's Trip To Africa
- Sun: Oprah Hosts Obama Fundraiser
- Sun: Today at Work: How To Quit Without Burning Bridges
- Sun: How Did Amy Spend Her summer?
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 Kelly McEvoy, Today Assistant)
This morning, we had a fashion show with four inspirational makeover winners. WATCH VIDEO
Each model was chosen by Weight Watchers, flown to New York for a spa weekend, and styled by Isaac Mizrahi. I was able to chat with a few of them before the segment about their incredible weight loss, their fabulous week in New York City, and the motivation that keeps them striving toward their goals.
Health and Fitness teacher Jason Coles, age 35, lost 124 pounds!!
Jason has four daughters under the age of five. He said they, more than anything else, inspired him to get in shape.
“I didn’t want to be ‘the fat dad,’” he said. Jason didn’t want his girls to be embarrassed to be seen with him, but he also didn’t want them to grow up and be overweight.
As a health and physical fitness teacher, Jason said he was conflicted about teaching people how to eat when he wasn’t being a good example.
Now, he strives to stay healthy, to make smart choices, and to stay physically active. According to Jason, “Reaching this goal is not a finish line… It’s a lifestyle.”
New Mom Libby Foster, age 25, lost 85 pounds!!
Libby decided to get in shape two weeks after her daughter was born. Originally, she wanted to get back to her pre-pregnancy weight, but after reaching that goal she lost another 28 lbs!
To stay motivated, Libby goes to meetings every week and maintains healthy eating habits. Her advice to new moms? “It’s one day at a time. Every day is a new chance for you to incorporate new foods into your diet, or to walk for five extra minutes. You don’t have to start out eating salads and running two miles a day.”
A self-described “farmer’s wife,” Libby has had a great time running around New York City this week. “It’s a different lifestyle,” she said. “But I absolutely love it!"
(From Lester Holt, TODAY Anchor)
Now that we're past that summer/fall divide, otherwise known as Labor Day, it seems everybody's asking the question: "What did YOU do this summer?" My answer: "I went on an African safari."
Of course that begs the question, "Was it vacation or work?" And each time I have to pause, and think about it. For the record it was work. But between you and me (and unfortunately my bosses who will likely be reading this) it sure felt like vacation at times.
CONTINUED >>
If you missed anything this week here on allDAY, here's a look back at the stories we covered:
This morning, Matt interviewed Kyla Ebbert, a 23-year-old college student who works as a waitress at Hooters. WATCH VIDEO
Two months ago, she boarded a Southwest Airlines flight from San Diego to Tucson. Before the flight took off, she was escorted into the jetway by a customer service representative, who asked her to change her clothes.
She didn't have any other clothes with her -- she had no luggage -- so the customer service rep told her to go home and change, then get a later flight. She said she had an appointment that she couldn't change, so after getting a lecture on appropriate attire, she was allowed to re-board the plane. But once back in her seat, she had to cover her legs with a blanket for the entire flight.
Kyla wore the same outfit to the show this morning (see after the jump).
CONTINUED >>
Note: This is the first installment of our "TODAY's Anchor Chat" special series. Every week, we'll feature a blog post from one of our anchors, giving some insight into their lives both on and off the camera. Today we begin with Matt Lauer, and next week, we'll check in with Meredith Vieira.
Remember when you got back to school from summer vacation, and your teacher had you write the classic essay, "What I Did on My Summer Vacation"? Well, today, I'm the teacher and Matt Lauer is the student. But I took it easy on him -- instead of making him write an essay, we did a Q&A:
Q: So Labor Day has come and gone, we're headed towards fall and summer is in the rearview mirror. Anything in particular stick out for you from your summer?
ML: After years of resisting, I finally relented and my family and I got a boat. Not a big boat. It's definitely a beginner boat. I thought it was going to be a time-consuming nightmare to have a boat, but it turned out to be the home run of the summer. We got an enormous amount of use for it. We went on picnics, went tubing, fishing, just had a lot of fun with it.
Matt was pretty excited when he made his first catch, a 7-inch sunfish...
Q: How big is it?
ML: It's a 19-foot Boston Whaler. Definitely a beginner boat.
CONTINUED >>
Yesterday we brought you the tragic story of a 2-year-old girl who died after her mother left her in a locked car for eight hours as the temperature approached 100 degrees outside -- and came close to 150 degrees inside.
The mother, Brenda Nesselroad-Slaby, had changed her daily routine that morning before going to work as an assistant principal at a middle school in Ohio. Instead of dropping off her daughter with the babysitter, she went to buy donuts for her fellow teachers, then went to work -- forgetting that her daughter was still asleep in the back seat.
Police brought Nesselroad-Slaby in for questioning after the incident, and her pain and guilt are apparent, as this video shows (it's tough to watch). WATCH VIDEO
CONTINUED >>
Here's What We're Planning for Tomorrow:
Bin Laden Tape Coming?
With the sixth anniversary of September 11th, the terror mastermind behind the attacks is expected to release a new videotape. A posting on a terrorist website indicates that a video of the al Qaeda leader will be released in the coming days. Bin Laden has not appeared in a video since 2004. We will have the latest on this story tomorrow.
Too Hot To Fly?
What could a woman possibly have worn on an airplane that would cause her to get kicked off the flight? We'll show you the outfit tomorrow that almost left Kyla Ebbert on the ground.
What Makes Kids Hyper?
Mom could have been right... there just may be something in that candy that makes the kids bounce off the wall. But is it the sugar? Tomorrow we'll tell you what one recent study found.
Other Stories Planned:
- Latest in the Search for Steve Fossett
- Madeleine McCann's Mom Questioned
- Interrogation Tapes: Mom Forgets Child In Car
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 Stephanie Becker, TODAY Producer)
If you saw today's America the Beautiful segment about the Gulf Coast, you know we traveled from Santa Rosa Island's sparkling white sand beach to New Orleans. WATCH VIDEO Getting assigned an "America the Beautiful" segments is one of the perks of working at the Today Show. But that phrase "be careful what you wish for" is now ringing in my ears.
CONTINUED >>
(From Tiki Barber, TODAY National Correspondent)
If you’re planning to buy my new book because you think it’s a tell-all airing of the New York Giants’ dirty laundry, don’t.
Despite some reports, Tiki: My Life in the Game and Beyond, is a deeply personal memoir about the experiences that have shaped me, my relationships, and in the case of my father, our non-relationship. Of course the Giants are a part of that story -- I was a member of the team for a third of my life, after all -- but it's more a glimpse of who I am.
Lately, a lot of attention is focused on why I retired, what pushed me away from this game that I loved so much. The easy answer is that there is no easy answer. I feel that people are looking for one specific reason. Frankly, I'm not that shallow; life and decision-making is much more complicated and conflicting.
CONTINUED >>
Here's What We're Planning for Tomorrow:
Search Continues for Fossett
Rescue teams went out today to search for missing adventure seeker Steve Fossett. The millionaire took off Monday morning in Nevada to scout sites to break the land-speed record in a rocket-propelled car. The winds in the area of Sierra Nevada desert where Fossett was flying are known to be powerful. The aviator was wearing a Breitling Emergency watch with a pin that he could turn to signal a problem. No signal has been detected. George Lewis is in Minden, Nevada. He will have the latest on this story tomorrow.
Cell Phone Contracts
They can be binding... restricting... sometimes even more difficult to get out of than a marriage. Yes, we're talking cell phone contracts. Tomorrow we'll tell you what you can do to make sure you're not handcuffed by your wireless provider.
Chemical in Popcorn?
You most likely eat it when you go to the movies. You might even eat it as your afternoon snack. But can that popcorn you enjoy so much be bad for your lungs? We'll tell you tomorrow.
Other Stories Planned:
- Fred Thompson Says He's Running
- Women & Cancer- Breast Cancer
- America The Beautiful... We're Down to the Last Two!
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)
Editor's note: Maria Menounous filed this blog entry after her very moving and personal report on the Greek fires that affected her family. Watch video of her TODAY report here.
by Maria Menounous, NBC contributor
Saturday August 25, 2007. I was on set producing a short film when I got word from my mother that Greece was on fire. I immediately went online to seek out as many details as possible. I quickly realized the magnitude of the disaster as it was the top story all over the world. My mother frantically tried to reach family in Greece while many more calls from concerned family members in the States poured in. My Uncle Taki was visiting Greece and witnessed his and my mother's village burning. He was able to save their home but unfortunately others weren’t as lucky.
I immediately knew I had to be there. Most people know me for my work in entertainment news, maybe some occasional acting roles, and my dedication to my charity work. The truth is I studied journalism because I was the girl who wanted to chase the fire trucks. My heart bleeds for people during tragedies and always has. It kills me to just watch the news on television. I want to be there to help in whatever way I can. My first job was at Channel One News. It was an unbelievable opportunity to travel the world and to cover stories that were important to the world. I visited an impoverished South Africa and covered the Aids epidemic. I visited El Salvador the day after being ravaged by a massive earthquake. There, I not only reported on it, I dug in and assisted however I could. I made sandwiches for rescue workers, and tried to comfort families who lost loved ones. Because I speak Spanish, the people of San Salvador begged me to contact their families in Miami and other places to let them know they were alive. And so I did. This is why I love what I do.
I know its tough to listen to the news. It can get depressing. I knew I could be the difference between people caring about this disaster in Greece, and them overlooking it. I knew I had an advantage being Greek and speaking the language. I also have my family there to help in any way they could. I got the call from my Executive Producer Jim Bell and within three hours I was on a plane to Greece to cover the tragedy for “the Today Show.”
Photo: Looking at what's left. Maria with her family in Greece after the fires. Click photo to watch video.
CONTINUED >>
It's hard to know exactly what else to say at this point about President Bill Clinton. His supporters call him a "rock star," a keen political strategist and his wife's best asset in her campaign for president. Detractors, of course, point to his impeachment and the array of scandals he faced while in the White House, questioning not only his politics but also his conduct.
But whether you agree or disagree with what he says, it's hard to not find him an engaging speaker. If you missed it this morning, check out Matt's interview with him. WATCH VIDEO
I'm not going to wade into Clinton the political being. There's not enough space here to try deconstruct him as a politician or as a man. But I will say that after reading his book, it's hard not to be inspired to act -- to give -- to try to make the world a better place.
The book, Giving: How Each of Us Can Change the World, outlines five ways that people can give back to the global community -- they can give money, give time, give things, give skills and give gifts of reconciliation and new beginnings.
CONTINUED >>
Here's what we're planning for tomorrow:
Fossett Missing
Search teams are looking in western Nevada for millionaire Steve Fossett. The adventure seeker went missing Monday after going out on a land scouting flight. Fossett was the first person to fly solo around the world in a balloon, he also became the first person to fly around the world in a plane without refueling. We will have the very latest on the search tomorrow.
Two Hurricanes Hit Central America
The category 5 hurricane Felix hit Nicaragua early this morning and Hurricane Henriette hit Baja California. This is the first time hurricanes have made landfall from the Atlantic and the Pacific in on the same day. We will have full coverage on these storms tomorrow.
Missing BYU Student
The fall semester just got underway and one family is searching for their missing daughter. Brigham Young University senior Camille Cleverley went missing last Thursday. Tomorrow we will have an exclusive interview with Camille's parents.
Boy Survives Plane Crash
A 7-year-old boy is lucky to be alive today. Joel Hutchinson was the only survivor aboard a plane that crashed into Lake Erie last night. His father and brother are missing. The boy was rescued by a man who watched the plane crash into the lake. Tomorrow we will talk to Chuck Herndon, the good samaritan that got into a rowboat and rescued the boy.
What Else We're Working on for Wednesday's show:
- Bill Clinton stops by to tell us about his book, Giving: How Each of Us Can Change The World. We'll maybe even throw in a few questions about his wife's run for the White House.
- TODAY Throws a Wedding- Wedding Dress Selection
We'll keep you posted if anything changes. Otherwise, see you in the morning.
(Want to know more about what we have coming up Tomorrow on Today? Text message TODAY to 46833)
This morning, author, journalist and professor Alan Weisman talked about his new book, The World Without Us, which asks the provocative question: What would happen to Earth if humans were to vanish tomorrow?
That's right, we, as a species, are gone tomorrow. Wiped out by something. Doesn't matter what. All that matters is that we're gone. What happens next? And if we're gone, why whould we care about what happens?
Professor Weisman and Matt discussed those questions and more this morning. WATCH VIDEO
Last week, in preparation for the segment, I had the chance to chat with Professor Weisman a bit more.
One point that did did not come up in the interview with Matt was that Professor Weisman believes for humans to return to living in harmony with the planet, we need to drastically reduce our population. He suggests that all female humans be restricted to having a maximum of one child. If we were to implement such a plan, our population would drop from 6.5 billion today to 1.6 billion by 2100. At our current rate, we'll reach 9 billion people by the middle of this century. (More on this argument below.)
Here are some more notes from our conversation:
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We did a story yesterday on the New York couple that recently won the lottery for the second time. Today, we profiled another family that has had two long-shots come in -- the Mangold family of Ohio.
It's rare enough to have a son who becomes a starting center for an NFL playoff team (especially as a rookie). It's even more unique to have a daughter who becomes a contributor on the offensive line for a state championship-caliber high school football team. But that's exactly what Vern and Therese Mangold have in their children, 23-year-old Nick and 17-year-old Holley. WATCH VIDEO
Nick's story is a fairly familiar one -- he was a high school legend, an All-American at Ohio State and is now entering his second season as the starting center for the New York Jets.
Holley's tale is a bit different. Seeking to follow her brother to the gridiron, she started playing football in the second grade over the initial objections of her father. But she soon won over her father (who was also her first coach) and has stuck with it, overcoming the inevitable jokes and taunts that come with a girl playing football -- especially a big one (as she told Meredith this morning, "I'm a really big person").
Though it hasn't necessarily been her goal, she has become a role model for anyone -- male or female -- who wants to go against convention and has the determination to pull it off.
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(From TODAY producer Terry Schaefer)
As Today show producers, we often we have the privilege of meeting wonderful people doing good things. And experience helps us develop a sense of whether or not those things really impact the lives of others.
Peace Players International
Peace Players International – once called Playing for Peace – does just that. It is a remarkable non-profit organization, which was started by two young Washington, D.C. brothers, Brendan and Sean Touhey, to bring children in areas rife with conflict together on…of all places, a basketball court. WATCH VIDEO
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This morning, correspondent John Larson profiled the Web site Kiva.org, which allows everyday people to make small loans ("microloans") to entrepreneurs in developing countries. WATCH VIDEO
Susan Walsh/AP
Bill Clinton will appear on TODAY on Wednesday to
discuss his new book, Giving: How Each of Us Can
Change the World, which hits bookshelves on Sept. 4.
I was first compelled to visit Kiva last weekend, while reading President Clinton's new book, Giving: How Each of Us Can Change the World (he's going to be on TODAY on Wednesday, so I was preparing to produce the segment). I was struck by the simplicity of Kiva but also its potential to impact lives in a meaningful way.
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Can you imagine winning the lottery? How about winning it twice? Well, Gene and Addie Angelo can do more than just imagine becoming two-time winners, because they've already done it.
They joined us this morning to talk about winning the $5 million jackpot from the New York Lotto on Thursday. WATCH VIDEO
In 1996, they won $2.5 million, and according to a lottery official, this is only the third time in Lotto's history that someone has won the jackpot twice.
Addie said that she and Gene, who live in Carmel, New York, plan to take the lump sum payout of $2.5 million. They'll share the winnings with their three sons, so the five of them will clear a cool $513,000 before taxes.
The odds of winning the lottery twice? Twenty-two million to one. And the Angelos aren't finished there -- they plan to keep on playing in the hope of winning a third time.
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