Is Kathie Lee Gifford coming back to daytime? Does Regis know; does he care? Well, whatever the case with Reeg, there is talk that La Kathie Lee may be ready for a new talk show gig. In the Hollywood Reporter, Today executive producer Jim Bell said Kathie Lee Gifford is on the short list as a co-host for the fourth hour of the show. "I think she's a great talent," he said of KLG, while adding that other names are in the hopper as well.Kathie Lee is very experienced when it comes to TV chat. In addition to her decade long stint as Regis Philbin's partner on Live with Regis and Kathie Lee, last fall she co-hosted with Today regulars Ann Curry and Hota Kotb on at least once occasion.
Currently, Today has been ahead of its competitors in the Nielsens, besting both ABC's Good Morning America and CBS's The Early Show in the February sweeps.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
3-08-2008 @ 12:02AM
Michael said...
I realize I'm not the desired demographic watching The Fourth Hour of Today, but Jim Bell, if you are reading this, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...
I'm a loyal NBC News viewer, but even I have my limits, and she's it.
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3-31-2008 @ 9:24AM
Cory said...
I agree. It's ABC from now on. I can't tolerate Kathy Lee and her "perfect" family. Within five minutes of being on the show this morning, she started talking about Cody. What is the network thinking?
3-16-2008 @ 12:24PM
Linda Leeco said...
I adore Kathie Lee & look forward to her on the show.
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3-31-2008 @ 9:23AM
Viv said...
Kathy Lee? She was on The Today Show for five minutes this morning, and already she talked about Cody! I think it's time to turn Today off!
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4-01-2008 @ 11:27AM
kc said...
What'd they "drag her back" for?? One of the most self centered & egotistical people to EVER hit the airwaves. God help us. My husband (cheating/Regency Hotel NYC) my kids (spoiled CT brats) my clothing line (child labor), my this - my that and all that psuedo Christianity & those crossed cow eyes too. What is TODAY thinking? Thank God we can switch to ABC.
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3-31-2008 @ 6:22PM
Elpida said...
Oh my word! I can't believe they're bringing her back. She has to be the most annoying TV personality in history. I stopped watching Regis because of her, and I just had a call from one of my friends who said she'd never watch the Today show again! We need to contact the show and let them know how we feel. I, too, will watch something else in the morning.
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3-31-2008 @ 6:24PM
R Cook said...
The day Kathy Lee starts on the Today Show is the day I turn it off. Cody, Cody, Cody...please!
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3-31-2008 @ 6:52PM
Ryan said...
I think Today just did themselves in. I took a survey in the office. Out of 24 people, only one said they thought it was a good idea to bring Kathy Lee to the show. Sure, it's not the most accurate survey, but I think it's a good indication that lots of people don't like her. The only TV person who tops her as being hated is Giada. Today also seems to like her because she's frequently on the show. What's up with the bad decisions being made? Count me in as turning off the show and watching something else.
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3-31-2008 @ 9:26PM
catie said...
Spare us the exposure of Kathy Lee Gifford. We thought when she resigned from Regis, we would never have to hear about her kids again or anything else she had to say.
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3-31-2008 @ 9:32PM
Bobbi said...
Koda--Why would you want to share the 4th hour with Kathy Lee Gifford? She will steal the hour from you and more. Her jibberish does not resonate with anyone.
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4-01-2008 @ 9:48AM
Renee said...
Oh Please! Why Kathy Lee? Anyone but her would be fine. In only a few minutes yesterday, we had to hear her brag about Cody already. I thought she would have learned what everyone hated about her when she was on Regis, but alas, she has no clue!
She constantly interrups everyone because, of course, only what she has to say is important. She is very annoying, and I won't be watching the 4th hour!
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4-01-2008 @ 12:32PM
Wil said...
Add me to the list of people who won't be watching The Today Show anymore. Actually, I've been meaning to see what the other networks have on in the morning, and now I have an excellent reason. Kathy Lee is the most annoying person they could have selected for that job. They seem to be out-of-touch with reality. That fourth hour will be the Cody hour...just wait and see.
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6-28-2008 @ 12:32AM
Bobbie said...
The Today show has been going down hill for quite some time and if Kathy Lee joins the staff it will go to hell in a hand basket !! She is THE most annoying person to hear and see on tv and it will certainly be one of the biggest mistakes the show makes. I wish she could be barred from the screen and the radio.
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4-01-2008 @ 4:50PM
Violet said...
Actually, I watched ABC this morning because I knew I'd be switching when Kathy Lee comes on, and I think ABC is just as good. I was surprised I liked it as much as I did.
It's funny that when they had Kathy Lee on that first day they announced she'd be joining them, I thought to myself, well, at least she won't mention Cody and her perfect family. Obviously, I was wrong. By watching ABC, I'll never have to hear her brag about her family again.
Since Hoda said she was partly responsible for suggesting Kathy Lee, I believe she will certainly be sorry once Kathy Lee tries to take over. Believe me, she will try. The person who made this huge mistake should be fired immediately.
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4-03-2008 @ 1:09AM
jbeety said...
I just saw Kathy Lee on Jay Leno and boy, did she bomb!
She was so rude and condisending. This did nothing to help, and surely hurt her coming back to television. I will never watch her!
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4-03-2008 @ 7:56AM
Ray said...
Stop the madness! Honestly, there is no one more annoying than Kathy Lee. Why on earth is Jim Bell bringing her back on TV? She bombed big time on Leno and I'm sure she'll do the same for Jim Bell. I refuse to watch the fourth hour, and I may skip the entire show just because I'm so upset that she's back on the air.
You're all right about the Cody thing. We'll never hear the end of Cody. Turst me, NO ONE CARES!!!!!!!
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4-07-2008 @ 10:13AM
gerri said...
Today is yesterday as far as I am concerned I will never turn it on again,,,,Kathy Lee is repulsive and should never be on T.V. again. I guess her comments about her perfect family has already took a nose dive. What is Today thinking?????
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4-07-2008 @ 10:52AM
Larissa said...
When I heard Kathie Lee was coming back to TV and on the Today show, I loudly groaned. Kathy is like a termite problem; once they've been eliminated; you never want to see them again!
She is not a bad person. She is just not tv personality material.
There is nothing about her that makes me want to spend what limited time I have watching her. There is no sparkle and she is just not "one of the masses." Lastly, I don't think there is chemistry between Hoda and KL.
However, with the money Today has, they will spend a lot to get coaches, PR people, etc to transform KL as I am sure they've invested big dollars on her contract. So Today fans, you'll have to take the good with the bad.
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4-07-2008 @ 2:00PM
Rachel said...
I watched the show today and I will never turn on the 4th hour again. Kathy Lee is extremely annoying and self-centered. She is not a TV personality by a long shot and Jim Bell made a terrible mistake by bringing her on. This is a mistake that will have viewers turning Today off by the masses. Yes, I agree with everyone above. What are they thinking?
Hoda said that she was the one who suggested Kathy Lee because they get along very well. My comment to Hoda is this: Not for long, Hoda. Before you know it, Kathy Lee will be taking over completely and you will be either trying to claw your way back, or you will be off in the distance saying, "What on earth just happened?" The fourth hour seems to already be viewed as the Kathy Lee hour. You were sitting off to the side today as Kathy Lee sat "close-up-and-presonal" next to the guest. Just keep adding the score. Right now it's Kathy Lee 1, Hoda 0.
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4-07-2008 @ 2:07PM
Ginger said...
I saw the show today and Kathy Lee was as annoying as ever. If someone would ask me to pick the most annoying person who was ever seen on TV, I'd select Kathy Lee. Does anyone besides Jim Bell like this phony? It doesn't seem that way.
When she left Regis, all my friends and I were absolutely thrilled! We couldn't wait until the day she left. Now what do we have? Yeah, she's back. She pulled a "con" and convinced Jim Bell that she's as perfect as she (and only she) says she is. By the way, I just can't wait to hear her talk about Cody every singel day. I'm sure all of America can't wait to hear about how perfect he is and how well he's doing in college. Perhaps she can post his schedule on-line so we can all keep track of what he's up to. Oh, my word. I still can't believe anyone would want her on their show. Big mistake Jim Bell.
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