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It's official: Kathie Lee joins Today
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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