The hip-hop artist Flo Rida has a lot to celebrate these days: he's got a new album out, 'Only One Flo: Part I,' and a single, 'Club Can't Handle Me,' that's climbing the charts. He stopped by 'Today' (Weekdays, 7AM on NBC) this morning and talked about his life growing up and how he got to where he is today.

Flo Rida credited his mom for helping him move out of the projects and make something of himself. She was a disciplinarian, he said, who gave him and his sisters an example to follow. "She's very loyal," he said, "and she spoke to me and my sisters every day about always sacrificing towards all positive things."

The discussion then turned to his romantic life, and what will happen when he finally brings that special woman home to meet his mother. Kathie Lee couldn't help herself: she kept saying dropping Hoda's name, jokingly trying to set the rapper up with her co-host. "Of course Hoda will (be good enough for Mom)," replied Mr. Rida. Hoda Rida does have a nice ring to it.

I don't know about you, but I was surprised -- floored! -- to see Frankie Avalon on American Idol the other night. Granted, they always have to stretch to fill the one-hour results show, which could truly be done in five minutes, but how odd was it for Flo Rida, Kellie Pickler and Frankie Avalon to be on the same show?

And Frankie kicked off the show! The Idol producers dug up a 1959 video of Frankie Avalon singing "Venus," which of course, lead to the real Frankie appearing on stage to finish the number. With the exception of the dream sequence in Grease (1978) singing "Beauty School Dropout," has Frankie done anything relevant to warrant such major exposure?

(S04E09) Mia cried. Mary kept relatively quiet (Thank God!). Nigel lectured. Cat wore a green dress. And we eliminated another two dancers last night on So You Think You Can Dance. Off we go!

Opening Performance
"Elevator" by Flo Rida featuring Timbaland (choreographer: Shane Sparks)

What a great hip-hop performance! And I'm so glad that Shane Sparks is lending his expertise to the show again. I was worried he'd be totally wrapped up in America's Best Dance Crew this summer. The girls part on the floor was great but a few of them messed up the arm movements. The best part of the piece was Comfort with the three guys. It was near perfect. My eyes never left Comfort. I wasn't impressed with her krumping on Wednesday but this opener proved to me why she's there.