Hoda Kotb
From Rina Raphael
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Kathie Lee and Hoda should feel flattered instead of battered by all the spoofs of them “Saturday Night Live” has done. A new one aired live from New York over the weekend, once again showing our morning heroines – played by Kristen Wiig (as Kathie Lee) and Jenny Slate (as Hoda) – doing a rather boozy version of the chat that opens TODAY’s fourth hour.
But this time there was something new added: A spoof of “Everyone Has a Story,” the segment in which Kathie Lee salutes in song ordinary people who have surmounted extraordinary challenges. The real KLG had a few choice words to say about that, particularly when a clip ran showing Wiig-as-Kathie Lee crooning “Everyone Has a Story,” only to be vigorously pummeled by musical guests the Black Eyed Peas (Taboo even removed a shoe to get his point across).
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On Friday’s show, we reported on a 24-year-old woman who claimed she was undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer, even going as far as to shave her head and raise $10,000 for treatment costs. It was later revealed she was faking it — just to get some money for a boob job.
After the show, TODAY correspondent Sara Haines caught up with fourth-host and breast cancer survivor Hoda Kotb for her response to the astonishing story. Hoda admitted she was not only shocked, but nauseated by the news.
“The idea that someone would pretend to have [breast cancer] makes you just sick to your stomach,” said Hoda Kotb in a web-only video. “I can’t believe someone would do that." Watch the clip:
What was your response to the story? Were you also shocked?
Related: She faked breast cancer to get breast implants
Discuss: What kind of punishment should the faker get?
Hoda Kotb on being empowered after breast cancer
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As TODAY begins to explore
A Woman's Nation, the show's anchors, guests and producers offer their opinions about the state of women in America, from family life to the professional world.
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From TODAY correspondent Sara Haines
KLG and Hoda frequently talk about their social movement from greeting with a handshake to greeting with a bump of the bums.
It is their answer to reducing the spread of germs and if chef Tom Colicchio didn't know about it before, he knows now.
This morning, Kathie Lee and Hoda took a look at the evolution of their tresses through the years. As expected, there are both hair hits and mane misses (hey, the '80s took many fashion victims). What do you think? Which styles do you like best?
Click on the images to see enlarged versions.
See the co-hosts' reactions to their photos:
TODAY's Hoda Kotb was honored at last night's DreamBall, a black-tie fundraiser held to support
Look Good ... Feel Better, a public service program that aims to help women cope with the appearance-related side effects from cancer treatment. She was named this year's "DreamGirl" at the Waldorf-Astoria event for her courageous and public battle with breast cancer. Congrats, Hoda!
The TODAY co-anchor also introduced the five "Women of Hope is Beautiful," who were honored for their inspiring essays about their personal battles with cancer. Check out Hoda's recap of the event here:
Read an essay from Hoda about her own experience with cancer
here. And click
here for more information on the Look Good ... Feel Better program.
On Sunday, Natalie and Hoda competed in the “War at the Shore” triathlon in Long Branch, N.J., which consisted of a .4K swim, 9.5-mile bike race, and three-mile run. Natalie finished fifth in her age group, and Hoda surprised herself with her performance – partially thanks to
all the great prep work from trainer “Hot Rob.” See them in action here and send in your congratulations!
Video: Natalie, Hoda finish triathlon
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