Three weeks ago it was a hot rumor. Now it's a fact. NBC announced that Kathie Lee Gifford will co-host the fourth hour of Today beginning Monday, April 7th. She'll be teaming up with Hoda Kotb for an hour of chit-chat, info, interviews and what have you. I doubt she'll be singing, but then again, if Kathie Lee can cajole them into rolling a piano onto the set, watch out."I am truly honored to join the Today show family, many of whom have been friends and colleagues of mine for years," said Kathie Lee via release. "And I'm especially looking forward to working with Hoda, a bright and beautiful woman I admire very much. Together I hope we will bring a fresh and fun perspective to the topics that affect all of our daily lives."
Although Today is not the kind of show to provoke mischief or debate, a la The View, you have to wonder if Kathie Lee has not been brought in to be a bit of a provocateur. After all, in her days side by side with Regis Philbin -- pre-Kelly Ripa -- there was usually lots of banter and squabbling in a fun and playful way. That may be more of Regis' schtick, which he continues now with Kelly, but it was part of what made Kathie Lee Gifford interesting.
Jim Bell, Today's executive producer was talking only about nice times with Kathie Lee when he said, "We are looking forward to her signature warmth and sense of humor in the fourth hour. Her addition to the Today family makes us stronger than ever, and she and Hoda will continue the Today tradition of smart, topical and fun morning television."
So, I guess then we'll have to wait and see how the chemistry coalesces, whether it will be happy happy joy joy, or something more volatile. I vote for the latter, but that's just me.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-31-2008 @ 11:24AM
Ralph said...
And the world yawns.........
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3-31-2008 @ 11:22AM
Alicia said...
Just another reason why I will not be watching the Today show.
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4-02-2008 @ 4:22PM
D said...
I'm thrilled that I don't have to see her. Not sure if she's more boring than she is fake.
4-09-2008 @ 6:00PM
Elizabeth said...
I love the Today Show but will switch the last hour to Rachael Ray
3-31-2008 @ 11:26AM
kevjohn said...
Just last week I wrote "All the morning show hosts are insufferable." I didn't know how right I was.
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3-31-2008 @ 1:19PM
rick cokely said...
I have no issue with this. I mean who watches the fourth hour anyway, housewives and the unemployed?
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3-31-2008 @ 1:23PM
David said...
So much for Tiki Barber becoming the next Matt Lauer!
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3-31-2008 @ 2:53PM
Chris said...
Sorry won't be home to see her......Kelly Rippa is a "brown noser" on LWR&K...atleast Kathy Lee wasn't!
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4-10-2008 @ 12:42PM
Carol said...
I would love to see the fourth hour of the Today Show, but I get Regis & Kelly at 10 a.m. on NBC. Where can I find the fourth hour?????
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4-14-2008 @ 12:57PM
j said...
I have watched The Today Show for most of my life. My mom watched it every morning as we got ready for school. I saw the aftermath of all sorts of important events. I remember seeing all of the sadness when John Lennon was killed. I remember watching the Royal Wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana ... as well as her sad untimely death. The 9/11 craziness was buffered by The Today Show team. The show brought comfort into the confusion of those days.
When I heard that Today was adding Kathie Lee Gifford to their show, I got a sick, sinking feeling. She is so obnoxious!!! Memories of her from the past make my skin crawl. I can hear her rambling on about her son, with barely a mention of her little girl. Her voice grates my nerves almost as much as Rachel Ray. Today had a wonderful group. I know I won't be watching the hour with Kathie Lee, and I have heard many others say they will not be watching anymore at all. She is not an asset to the Today family. Quite the opposite.
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5-07-2008 @ 7:30PM
Nancy said...
When Today announced that Kathy Lee Gifford would be co-hosting the fourth hour, I though I must have heard it wrong. How could anyone at NBC think their viewers would enjoy her obnoxious, nasal -voiced opinions. Kathy Lee is arrogant and condescending to Hoda whom I enjoy watching very much. The fourth hour will end up being cancelled because of NBC's mistake and Hoda will pay the price, unfortunately.
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