Anchor Talk
Forget the Wonderbra! Kathie Lee modeled the latest in provocative underclothing – The Wine Rack, a handy sports bra equipped with a drinking tube that holds the ladies’ wine (and increases your chest by two sizes). In case you were curious, Kathie Lee’s “bra” was filled with cranberry juice.
Not one to let the men off the hook, the 4th hour duo let TODAY producer Brian Balthazar try out the male equivalent – the beloved Beerbelly, which works as a removable spare tire to help men sneak their favorite beverage into public areas. If you need to hide your habits – at the ballpark, movies, or on the TODAY plaza – these crazy kitchen gadgets are for you.
Click here to watch the segment.
With Father's Day two days away, I sat down with Matt to get his musings on the weekend ahead.
DF: So what have you got planned for this weekend?
Matt Lauer: I do the same thing every year. I tell my family that I'm more than happy to do a great breakfast, and all that stuff, but I really like to just go without plans.
Because of the schedule we all work during the week, there's nothing better to me than a weekend with nothing planned.
So hopefully on Sunday that will be the course of the day. We'll have a little lunch, maybe take a ride on the boat, maybe hit a few golf balls, sit by the pool, and just relax. For me, it's about getting to spend some uninterrupted time with family.
CONTINUED >>
Let me begin this by saying that if I ever shot 100 on a U.S. Open course, I would retire from golf a happy man.
With that said, Matt Lauer shot an even 100 last Friday at Torrey Pines, host of the upcoming U.S. Open, and he was not happy about it.
He took part in the Golf Digest U.S. Open Challenge, an exhibition that was sparked by a comment Tiger Woods made a year ago: that no 10-handicapper could break 100 on a course set up for the U.S. Open. (Note: You can watch highlights of the event on Sunday, June 15, at 2 p.m. ET on NBC, right before live final-round coverage of the U.S. Open.)
Two-time British Open champion Greg Norman served as Matt's caddy
at the Golf Digest US Open Challenge. (AP Photo/Christopher Park)
Matt (6.2 handicap) played with Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (2.2), pop star Justin Timberlake (6.0) and "everyman"John Atkinson (8.1), who won a Golf Digest essay contest to try his hand at the championship layout at Torrey Pines.
Atkinson is not only a very good golfer, but he is also dealing with a serious medical issue just to play: he's undergoing treatment for advanced inoperable lung cancer, making him an inspiration for everyone watching, regardless of his finishing score.
At the end of the 6 hour and 15 minute round, Romo had shot 84, Timberlake 98, and Atkinson 114 (in addition to Matt's 100).
Altogether, the foursome did not record a single birdie on the 7,600-yard course, which featured diabolical pin placements, extreme rough around the greens and lightning-fast putting surfaces.
I spoke with Matt this morning about the experience (after the jump):
CONTINUED >>
Your eyes were not deceiving you this morning.
Two years after she left TODAY to anchor the CBS Evening News, Katie Couric was back in our studio -- along with Brian Williams of NBC Nightly News and Charlie Gibson of ABC World News Tonight -- to announce the launch of the Stand Up 2 Cancer initiative. WATCH VIDEO
There is no truth to the rumors that Katie challenged Meredith to an arm wrestling contest, made fun of Matt's haircut or "walked around like she owned the place." In fact, it was simply a nice -- and quick -- reunion.
(Matt and Meredith's reaction after the jump)
CONTINUED >>
A month has passed since Ann Curry's father, Bob, passed away. Readers of allDAY showed an outpouring of love and support in the aftermath of his death, writing more than 500 tributes in the comments section.
This week, Ann turned over videos and photos from the last days of her father's life, and was interviewed for a piece that aired on NBC Nightly News last night and on TODAY this morning. WATCH VIDEO
While it can be difficult to watch, it's very moving...and you can read Ann's thoughts about it on the Daily Nightly blog.
Yesterday, Meredith Vieira had the honor of delivering the commencement address at her alma mater, Tufts University. She also received an honorary degree, so she's now Dr. Vieira.
Though as Meredith is quick to point out, "I could not get in [to Tufts] today if I tried."
She talked about the experience this morning with Matt. WATCH VIDEO
Here are some highlights from her speech (after the jump):
CONTINUED >>
Over the weekend, Hoda had the honor of delivering the commencement address at her alma mater, Virginia Tech. Here's the text of her speech:Hello, graduates!
I asked my friends one question before I came here, and that question was, "Who spoke at your college graduation?" Do you know not one person could remember? No one could remember who stood at a podium like this one and spoke at graduation. They couldn’t remember the speaker, but they all remember the message. It was always the same. It was always poignant, always memorable and it went like this...
"Wa wa ..wa wa...wa wa” (a-la Charlie Brown’s teacher)
Class of 2008, I am going to remember you and I want you to remember me.
I am Hoda Kotb -- and I am a HOKIE!
I am a TODAY Show co-host -- and I am a HOKIE!
I am a breast cancer survivor -- AND I AM A HOKIE!
CONTINUED >>
It was with great sadness that we learned Ann Curry's father, Bob Curry, passed away on Sunday after a battle with cancer.
This morning, Matt and Meredith paid tribute to Mr. Curry. WATCH VIDEO
You can also read this lovely piece that Ann wrote about her father last year, when she reported for the "Trading Places" series on NBC Nightly News.
Ann has told the great story of how her parents met and married, and it bears repeating. Mr. Curry was in the U.S. Navy for 20 years, and while stationed in Japan after World War II, he met a ticket taker on a street car. The 6-foot-3 American saw the 4-foot-11 Japanese woman three times before he mustered the courage to ask her out.
CONTINUED >>
Updated with a note from Kathie Lee....
Well, I survived my first week and apparently America did, too! There’s a lot to get used to but Hoda and I are getting more comfortable each day. The crowds have been fantastic and they’re giving us much-needed energy and enthusiasm. I want to thank everybody for tuning in and I hope we’ll become part of your morning routine.
This just in: Matt Lauer likes things to be clean.
If you're an avid watcher of TODAY, you know about Matt's almost pathological quest to exist in an orderly and a germ-free environment.
Over the weekend, you may have seen this article in USA Weekend detailing Matt's quest for cleanliness and order in his own home.
If you missed it (or don't subscribe to a local newspaper on Sunday), check it out.
