Are Today Show viewers - even the most loyal Today Show viewers - asking for a fourth hour of the show every single day?
Looks that way. As we reported earlier, NBC is going ahead with their plans for a fourth hour of the morning show, and Broadcasting & Cable is reporting that the hosts have been named: Ann Curry, Natalie Morales, and Hoda Kotb. Giada De Laurentis and Tiki Barber will be correspondents on the show.
I assume that NBC has done some sort of market research that pushes them in this direction, but as a viewer I'm kind of nauseated. Look at all that TV space that's being taken up by having four hours of Today on Monday through Friday (and another two hours each on Saturday and Sunday). Yikes.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 19)
8-13-2007 @ 2:45PM
Elf said...
I can't say that I've seen any full three-hour block of the Today Show, but it's my understanding that the third hour is much lighter in news content compared to the first two hours. Considering what a fourth hour would replace on the individual stations, like Jerry Springer reruns, other crappy talk shows, judge and courtroom shows, and informercials, I think expanding Today another hour sounds like a vast improvement. Hll, let them repeat segements from the first two hours of the show for people who missed them, It would still be an improvement.
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8-13-2007 @ 5:37PM
Bob said...
Outside the first 30 minutes, Today is basically 2.5 hours of soft news and beauty tips. I can't imagine the additional hour being any different. Not my cup of tea, but it has certainly found a formula that works.
Economically, expanding the show makes sense. The cost of expanding an extra hour is negligible compared to the additional ad revenue. I wouldn't be surprised to see it expanded even further in the near future.
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8-13-2007 @ 3:53PM
Bob said...
Hell, I'd watch it just to see Giada De Laurentis. mmmmmmmmmmmm, yummy.
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8-13-2007 @ 3:55PM
TVGenius said...
Ann Curry. Blecch.
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8-13-2007 @ 4:11PM
Avi said...
Elf is right. Even if I don't watch Today now, if I was home watching TV, I'd rather see a fourth hour of Today than the garbage on TV at that hour right now.
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8-13-2007 @ 4:12PM
Sara said...
I agree with Elf. Another hour of The Today Show beats anything that the local yokel affiliates could come up with. I am growing tired of having my morning television dumbed down. This will be a welcome improvement.
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8-13-2007 @ 4:14PM
Matt said...
Four hours of Today does sound kind of bloated, but I agree with the previous comments that this is would better than some of the talk show fare that's out there. Speaking of talk shows- it seems like this fourth is meant to compete with programming like Ellen, The View, and Regis & Kelly. The cost of putting out another hour of Today should be much less expensive than launching and advertising new programming?
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8-13-2007 @ 6:14PM
Sara said...
You are right Bob. The Today Show has found a formula that works and it beats the pants off shows like The View, The Price is Right and Regis & Kelly. So much morning programming is nothing but syndicated babble (like The Rachel Ray Show) designed so affiliates can run ads to increase their bottom line.
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8-13-2007 @ 6:32PM
Bob Sassone said...
I agree a fourth hour of "Today" is better than Jerry Springer or another show with a judge, but why does it have to be either? There are many other TV shows that could run in the morning. Why not just have five or six or seven hours of "Today" every morning? And before you say "that would be silly," think of what you would have said 10 years ago if we said there would be 4 hours of "Today" some day.
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8-14-2007 @ 1:55AM
Valerie said...
Great, now we can hear another hour of "Good Morning, Good Morning, everyone, Good Morning", from Ann Curry.
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8-14-2007 @ 8:45AM
Craig McKinney said...
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8-14-2007 @ 8:49AM
Craig McKinney said...
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8-15-2007 @ 8:50AM
Virginia Wightman said...
I am so delighted to hear the news about Ann Curry.
She is a lovely lady and will be bringing some much needed class and high fashion to the Today Show.
Lots of luch and very best wishes to Ann.
Best wishes,
Virginia
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8-14-2007 @ 8:57AM
Lisa said...
The forth hour is the only one I will watch since Merideth won't be hosting it! Ever since they put HER on, I have had no desire to tune in. (why didn't they just use Ann after Katie left, to begin with?) I also agree a forth hour is SO much better then what is on now. Those *mindless* shows (ie: Jerry Springer) shouldn't be aired during the day anyway...when small children are at home.
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8-14-2007 @ 8:50AM
elisslee said...
Yuck --- Giada De Laurentis.
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8-14-2007 @ 8:50AM
S.Toncic said...
An additional hour of the Today show is great-It's an educational, informative production, and also some entertainment. NBC upholds the most professional commentators and newscasters, I have watched my whole life, now approaching fifty five years old. Hats off to the Today show, and my favorite-Ann Curry!!!!
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8-14-2007 @ 8:52AM
Craig McKinney said...
I love Ann Curry
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8-14-2007 @ 8:53AM
Jayne said...
It's not four hours of Today, per say. The topics and style format chage dramatically from the 2nd hour to the third. I love it. It's like Today being the parent company, I think the show is well diversified. If their is a fourth hour, I don't think we need news and weather updates, though. I'm thrilled for Ann, I'd like to see her take over Meridith's spot!
Your stiffest competition will be Ellen...good luck to you.
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8-14-2007 @ 9:25AM
Rich Kistrup said...
Well it's nice to hear that NBC finally awakened. Ann Curry will prove to be the best host, ever.!
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8-14-2007 @ 9:00AM
David Young said...
Talking about the Today show, it's time NBC cut the umbilical cord with Al Roker. He's become immature and silly on the show and although he's a long time presenter, comes over as being very nervous by constantly tapping his notes vertically on the desk.
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