Kathie Lee Gifford to "Today:" It's Official
Oh, praise be: She's here. Finally. I really couldn't wait another hour - and you do know that it's been just about a month (March 5) since we first told you this announcement was going to come.
It's here. Kathie Lee Gifford is joining "The Today Show." Her new gig was just announced on the air - the impending bombshell (no silly, the NEWS, not HER) was teased prominently on the local news and then by Matt and Meredith. Then, boom, there it was, or rather, there she was: KLG. First day is April 7, and she'll be host of the fourth hour of "Today."
(No, this is not an April's Fool Joke; April 1's tomorrow.)
She's fearless, said Matt, "and from time to time a little untamed. She's always marched to the beat of a different drummer." (Cliche alert!)
She appeared on set with the rest of the crew, and actually had an amusing pre-written joke: She's back "just in time for HDTV."
Come on! She looked pretty darned good,actually. Matt asked her why she's coming back now: Her answer was something along the lines of, kids are older, Hoda Kotb talked her into it, Cody's going to college, etc.
"Timing is everything in life," she said.
OK.
Matt asked if Frank (the Giff) was "cool with this?" "Are you kidding," KLG responded, yukking it up already with the new gang.
Of course he's cool with it, and he's writing a book too, etc. She cracked a lame joke about him being a "tight end" (old joke, she used it before), got groans, said "I'm in trouble already," and some more blah blah blah, and that was it.
You didn't miss anything. Trust me.
Why KLG? Why not? Like her or not, she's a pretty good broadcaster and knows how to roll with the nuttiness of morning TV. Plus, the fourth hour of "Today" (FHOTS) has been essentially forgettable, until now: It's kind of a watered down version of the third hour, which is kind of a watered down version of the second,which is...
Here's quickly what I posted March 5, when this news first broke (a Fla-based site, FTV, had the news first; we confirmed): Hard to believe but it's been nearly eight years since KLG lost her bully pulpit ("Live!); her last day was July 28, '00, and during that last frenetic farewell broadcast, Reeg said: This "was the most relentless, exhausting farewell in the history of TV." She also told him she wanted to return some day (she did a few years later, for a reunion). "I hope there will be an opportunity to come back" as co-host, she said. "To think I couldn't come back would break my heart more than leaving."
During that show, Reeg or someone also asked her about the relentless tabloid coverage, which (supposedly) hastened her departure after 15 years on "Live!" Those reports, she said, "always come from a miserable heart; I can only feel sorry for a miserable heart." (Actually, those reports came from a truthful heart, but maybe miserable too.)
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Comments (19)
Now we have another reason not to watch Today.
I'm changing to Channel 5 iin the morning!!!!!!!!!
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Mmmm.... KLG in HD!
This might be an unpopular statement, but I'll say it anyway: "I like KLG." I look forward to her appearances on the Today Show.
Whyyyy? I'm switching channels!
KLG is funny articulate and very bright..She is usually criticized by people less likable than she is
praise the Lord
Verne Gay has got to be one of the worse tv critics out there. To even suggest that Kathie Lee will help the fourth hour is pretty much asinine. When the ratings pretty much stay the same or even drop, I want Mr. Gay to promise to write a column stating how wrong he was and how incompetent he is at critiquing shows and talent. Nobody is going to really give a crap about the fourth hour just because some has been like Kathie Lee all of sudden decides to start hosting. GET WITH IT VERNE!!!
KATHY LEE GIFFORD?? P-U-L-E-E-Z.
THANK GOD IT'S ONLY THE FOURTH HOUR..
YOU RUINED A PERFECTLY GOOD SHOW...
SHE MENTIONED GAINING TEN POUNDS SINCE HER
LAST DAILY SHOW....SHE FORGOT THE BAD FACE JOB..
When I heard about KLG coming back......... I threw up in my mouth a little bit............... YUCK!!!!!!!! Please, haven't we had enough of her over the years? It's time for fresh new faces!
Who watches the fourth hour anyway!
Hey Kathie- love you in the short skirts and heels. Don't forget your sex appeal because you're not going to make it if you are relying on talent. No, really- short skirts, heels- flash those pearly whites.
What a mistake.....NBC, Listen to the people's opinions!! Kathie Lee is egotistical, self absorbed and annoying!! I hope she isn't on before the 4th hour...
O my- Please not her. There we are again listening about her sex life and her family. I really feel sorry about her grown kids. Nothing will be unsaid. Um!!
Do the world a favor and put a stop to this before it really begins !! KLG is over the hill and should stay there. She puts on this christian front and in the heart of it all is a real b----h!
The Today Show used to be a real news show with talented news people and it has become a zoo for the has beens. Bring back some pros like Barbara Walters, Tom Brokaw, etc. Real professionals that knew how to conduct themselves in a professional manner and really give the news.
You will definitely loose viewers now.
KLG should go back home and entertain the senior citizen that she calls her husband, Frank! She is annoying and has been! Go peddle your cheap clothes at WalMart!
I enjoy Kathie Lee and am glad she is back.I 'm upset if I miss the today show with her and Hoda.I missed her on the Reeg show,but also enjoy Kelly.Welcome back to tv Kathie!
Watch her on other talk shows and see what kind of welcome she gets. She has to be one of the most derided personalities ever. 8 out of 10 people either can't take her or don't know who she is.
Leno even gave her the brush off. It's funny haha.