Talk Back Today
During “TODAY’s talk” this morning, an emotional Kathie Lee revealed that she had put her beloved pup, Regis Champagne Gifford, to sleep just yesterday. “It was just so peaceful and he was being held by people who love him,” said the host. (To further add to Kathie Lee’s pet trauma, her dog Lola was spayed the same day.)
Gifford went on to tell the story of how her pet acquired his name: “Years ago, Regis used to say to me, ‘Name the baby after me, name the baby Regis.’ And I would say, ‘I can’t believe your parents named you Regis, I’m not going to do that to my kids.’”
But the moniker that wouldn’t suit her children was perfect for the pooch she adopted 13 years ago.
So will Regis’s replacement be named Hoda? Probably not. “I adopted this gorgeous puppy, but Hoda did not want the dog to be named after her,” Kathie Lee said in a June 2008 USA TODAY interview. “So I just call her Hoda at home, not in public.”
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The first inkling I had that something was amiss was when I was informed my ride would not be picking me up from the Atlanta airport. And I could forget about my plans to visit the new baby panda cub at the Atlanta zoo – there just wasn’t any gas to spare.
As Hurricane Ike shut down Gulf Coast refineries dried up interstate pipelines, the Southeast is experiencing a shocking shortage that has residents lining up for hours at the few open stations, cancelling long-distance trips, and has some doing something that completely goes against Southern tradition – skipping football games. CONTINUED >>
From Janet Shamlian, NBC News correspondent
I arrived in my daughter's classroom for an end of the school year performance. A mom I'd met but didn't know well greeted me in a voice that ensured the entire room would hear: "It's great to see you in person instead of on television for a change.” While I was verbally rescued by other parents, she scored the intended bulls-eye. The truth is, I missed the Halloween party, the holiday party and all the field trips last year. And that doesn't include what I missed for my other four children! Her comment was months ago, but it still burns more than yesterday's workout.
I was reminded of that day by the chatter swirling around Vice-Presidential nominee Sarah Palin, also a mom of five. TODAY is reporting on the emerging criticism over her navigating a demanding job and campaigning for an even bigger one, all while raising a large family with special needs and unique circumstances. From "she's a bad mom" to "her daughter wouldn't be pregnant if she'd spent more time at home", there are hungry-man plates of judgment being served up from the corner cafe to the blogosphere. Here's a shocker, most of it is coming from other moms.
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Hello again! Today, for me, is an exciting day. In light of some of the questions and comments I received yesterday, here is some more inside info about how the show is put together, and some other personal background info. (Can you handle the suspense?)
Today is Tuesday, and I'm a little sleepy. My parents have come to visit this morning's show, and last night I took them out to dinner. That meant staying out past 9 pm, which, sadly, is usually my bedtime! So if the puffy eyes are a little more pronounced, well, now you know why! I'm such a rebel.
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During TODAY’s chat, Hoda mentioned her mother’s mild criticism of her cute and curly look from this past Friday’s show. Although we think it's adorable, Hoda swore off the carefree hairstyle in favor of her usual coiffed do.
What do you think? Should Hoda let loose and embrace her curls or should she continue blowing us away with her sleek, straight look?
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My name is Brian Balthazar. I currently oversee the fourth hour of TODAY with Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb. From time to time, you'll see me off to the side, chiming in about something coming up on the show that they've forgotten, or weighing in on something they're talking about. Even more often, I'm heard, not seen... laughing (or howling in shock!) during the chat. It's not because I want to be heard on television. (Although I'll admit I do enjoy a little face time!) But truthfully, it's that I really do find them that hilarious.
It's with a heavy dose of melancholy that I blog this week. As Kathie Lee and Hoda said today on the show, I'm leaving the show for new challenges. I've been so tremendously fortunate to work with such amazing people. This week I'll have the opportunity to reflect on them, and give
you a little inside scoop at what goes on behind the scenes.
I've worn a lot of hats over my eight years with the company. I began at MSNBC before coming over to the network to work on TODAY. Somewhere in there, I squeezed in time as a features reporter, entertainment booker and producer, Internet writer, and, as anyone at NBC can be, impromptu tour guide.
In that time, I've had some pretty amazing experiences.
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What We're Following for Tomorrow's Show:
Latest on the Chief Justice
Tomorrow Pete Williams will have the latest on the health of Chief Justice John Roberts. Roberts fell while at his vacation home in Maine.
Shuffled Back In
We'll bring you the story we told you about last week on end of the month cancellations for airlines.
What else is on tomorrow's show:
- The Myths About Boys
- FDA Keeps Avandia on Shelves Despite Heart Risks
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 week we’ve been treated to an unprecedented look at the British royal brothers – Princes William and Harry. Check out our special coverage
HERE. After watching Matt’s interview that aired on Today and Dateline – many of you wrote us to share your own reflections on Princess Diana’s life, her tragic death and your opinion of William and Harry. Here are some of your e-mails:
Mr. Lauer,
I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed your interview with William and Harry. Diana was a beautiful woman and mother and I still miss her to this day. She would be very proud of them. SHe did a fantastic job. Her legacy still lives on. They are as normal as normal can be. I usually find most royals stiff and formal they are not. For their position they are calm and relaxed. I taped in interview so I can rewatch it. WELL DONE I will be watching the concert honoring her memory.
--Nancy (Cleveland, OH)
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Here at Today, we are used to spectacles on the plaza. Summer concerts, celebrities, and fashion shows are all part of a normal day on the show. But walking out on the plaza this week had us all saying “wow.” For our week-long series “Today Goes Wild” we have had a huge giraffe, a giant salt-water aquarium, and today a tent full of thousands of butterflies.
WATCH VIDEO It was an awesome sight for all of us here, but many of you watching from home were quite impressed as well. Here are some of your e-mails:
Good morning Meredith,
My 7 year old, first grader is so thrilled this morning to see your segment on the butterfly migration. It couldn't have come at a better time, her class let their Painted Lady Butterflies free yesterday, here on the Gulf Coast of Florida, Venice in Sarasota County. It was beautiful, on a small scale!! They have raised them from that very first stage of life, nurturing them carefully. It was a wonderful experience for the children.
I can tell you that you were truly envied by a first grader this morning!! She is still begging to be right there where you were!
Have a wonderful day!
Allison Horsley and daughter, Rebekah
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After today’s
story on empty nesters, many of you told us about both the fears and freedoms of sending your kids off to college. Here are a few of your e-mails:
Survive the Empty Nest!! I am in tears here ... I have been struggling with this all week ... my only child is graduating on June 1st ... and she will head off to Drexel University in the fall. I am a single parent and I am a mess. I am so proud of my daughter for getting into the college of her choice and just for being who she is ... and I am going to miss her soooooooooo much!!! She knows this and she says she is going to miss me too ... Im not sure she knows how much this is bothering me and I really don’t want her to know. She says we are like the Gilmore girls and I don’t want her worrying about me.
Thank you,
Denise
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