Kathie Lee Joining The Today Show
After X years away from the talk show world, Kathie Lee Gifford is back in the game, joining The Today Show’s fourth hour. We first reported the possibility on March 6.
The program officially announced Gifford’s arrival this morning. Gifford was joined by nearly all Today’s regular hosts, and was formally introduced by Matt Lauer. She’ll join regular host Hoda Kotb. The fourth hour – almost a separate program – has been struggling against syndicated talk shows like Rachael Ray and Tyra Banks. Gifford stands to give the program some punch.
Gifford attributed her final decision to join the show to Kotb, who she said joined her for lunch at Rockefeller Center’s famed Rainbow Room and didn’t balk when she broke out in song.
With regard to coming back to television after nearly a decade absence, Gifford told her new Today Show family: “I'm eight years older, 10 pounds heavier, and a half inch shorter and just in time for HD television. It makes no sense.”
Talk show fans last saw Gifford when she was co-host of the wildly popular Live with Regis and Kathie Lee, now Live with Regis and Kelly. Gifford co-hosted the program with Regis Philbin when it first began as a local New York talk show. After a year, it was syndicated nationally. Gifford spent 15 years as co-host before retiring to spend more time with her family.
What do you think about Kathie Lee Gifford joining The Today Show? Give us your thoughts in the comments section!
Comments
Sorry to hear that you are bringing Kathy L. Gifford to this show. This has been our favorite show and watch it every day. Now we feel we won’t watch it or we will watch it less. We were happy to see her leave the Regis show it was the best thing that happened for them. I hate to see the Today show ratings drop but this may destroy this show. I know if she is on we won’t watch it. Sorry to hear of this change. We will miss this show.
I like the crew without Kathy, sorry that she is coming into the Today program. I like today as a two hour show. It was good to have it on with breakfast coffee, but now it is so over done, four hours, much to much. I will leave and go to Martha Stewart, at least she will give a good program, without so many advertisements. Plus she goes into greater detail.
Kathy Lee turns me off, boooo to who ever got that dumb idea to put her on.
Go back to the two hour, Today show. A little is good, four hours is much to much.
Esp. with that Kathy Lee.
I will have that turned off after two hours.
I saw her last evening on the J. Leno show…she is STILL obnoxious, vulgar and totally self-absorbed. That is one hour to MISS…too bad, love Hoda!
I WAS SORRY TO HEAR KATHI LEE GIFFORD WILL BE BACK ON TV. IT WAS GREAT WHEN SHE LEFT REGIS, LEFT HIM TO WIN HIS EMMY. THAT WAS A RIOT. I USUALLY TAPE THE TODAY SHOW AND WATCH IT ON THE WEEKEND. I WILL STILL TAPE IT MINUS THE LAST HOUR.
I am so sorry you could not find anyone better than Kathy Lee for fourth hour. You have lost me during
this time frame. She is so obnoxious and full of herself. I don’t want to begin hearing about Cody or her husband
every day along with her cocky attitude.
Oh no! Are we going to hear about those kids of hers all over again. Let’s see, she has been gone 10 years. It will never stop about how wonderful her children are. No wonder Campbell Brown left NBC. NBC can now be knows as, No Blanking Clue.
As a life-long viewer of the Today Show, I reacted to the addition of Kathie Lee Gifford by switching to Good Morning America and keeping my set tuned AWAY from NBC. Ms. Gifford’s dish is about as appetizing as melted aerosol-whipped cream on a sewage grate.
Gave it a try. Don’t like the new format. Don’t like Kathie Lee at all. Don’t care about her, Frank or their kids. Will no longer watch the last hour of the Today Show.
What were you thinking NBC? The TODAY show has always had classy people like Matt, Meredith, Katie, Al, Ann, to name a few. It has been informative and entertaining! That has all been ruined with bringing Kathie Lee to the show! She is NOT funny, has NO class, and is completely rude and obnoxious! Please get rid of her! Until then, I will be watching GMA-they have hosts with class!!
What a train wreck! Can’t watch anymore! I have watched the 4th hr everyday, and loved watching Hoda. She has great chemistry with the guests and seems comfortable in her own skin. Kathy comes across as vein and disconnected. I really think they made a terrible decision.
I have been an avid fan of the Today Show for 20 years. The show has turned drastically for the worse since adding Kathie Lee Gifford. She is SO obnoxious, vulgar and totally self-absorbed. That is one hour to MISS…too bad for Hoda! Hoda is very good but with Kathie Lee talking about all the things you don’t want to hear I will be turning the tv to another channel. This past week I have heard everything from Bras showing to menstruation periods and menopause kits to just list a few. This is a family show and kids are home from school for the summer. Please remove Kathie Lee or tame her down. The 4th hour should not be parental guidance needed.
Would somebody please shut her up? Love Hooda but Kathie keeps interupting her. Horrible!! She has to go.
I can’t believe the negative comments re: Kathi Lee Gifford–she is the most entertaining funniest lady with so much class I watch the show faithfully and tape it when I am not home. She is so kind and warm how can anyone say she is full of herself? Kathi I hope you stay on this show forever with your intelligence and ways of laughing at yourself and joking with others
I have always enjoyed watching The Today Show, but since Kathie Lee Gifford has joined it, I have tried to watch and put up with her constantly trying to talk over and interrupt everyone from co-host to guests, but today when Sam the cook finally couldn’t take the constant disrespect of the hosts talking while he was trying to tell about his recipes causing him to slightly lose it, and although somewhat disrespectfully put them in their place, I thought finally someone has the nerve to tell THEM how to act more respectful. I want to hear what he has to say, NOT hear their constant attempt at cutesy jokes and comments that prevent the guests from speaking. It is NOT entertaining!It is rude, and they are role models. Please tell THEM to be respectful of their guests. Kudos to Sam for putting up with them, especially with Kathi Lee. I used to like her somewhat on Regis and Kathie Lee, but wasn’t sorry to see her go. She’s too loud and attention-seeking. A little about her family is OK now and then if pertinent. Please either tame her down, if that is possible,–Regis didn’t seem to be able to, or take her off. I won’t be watching otherwise. I think she’s basically a kind person, but too over the top! I’m sick of seeing her cross her eyes too, while I’m on the subject!
I love the Today Show with Kathy Lee Gifford and I “NEVER” miss it since she is on!!!!! She is so talented and fits in with Hoda perfectly!!!!!! Keep up the good work NBC!!!
What is NBC thinking? Kathie Lee is SO inappropriate. There is no wit to her constant chatter. There can be no serious content as she is always trying to add some comment in attempt at humor. These remarks are rarely ever funny and detract from the content. She has said some horrid things. I have watched her ruin show after show and can no longer view this segment of the show.
I am watching the today show at this moment, laptop upon lap, and couln’t help myself but do a google search for Kathie Lee Gifford and “obnoxious”. She is truly gross. I have counted 8 times so far that she has said “brilliant” in the last 5 minutes. She referred to Daniel Radcliffe’s penis as his “wand” in his latest broadway show. Oh, and her talking over Hoda is the worst. I simply cannot stand her.
I enjoyed the show today,”Do you know? I have a question that most of Americans do not know and will not beleive, Call me 601=606-8151.
Morning everyone,
The show is better without Kathy Lee. Nothing against her other than the fact we all get tired of the stupid faces she makes, sharp snippy comments and other things that would drive a chip monk to drink. Hooda is great, funny and has a level head… as Kathy acts like a goof ball and it isn’t cute or uplifting for your network. Just my opinion. Eric
I have tried to give Kathie Lee a chance but she still comes across as “all about Kathie”. Someone tuning in for the 1st time would think it was Kathie Lee’s show and that Hoda was some newbie struggling to get some camera time.
Kathie Lee is so irritating. You can just see the looks she gets from Hoda as she constantly interrupts her. Bad decision to put this self absorbed yammer trap on the air with beautiful Hoda. Shut up already Kathie Lee, and let the OTHER person talk.
Kathi Lee is so rude. She will not shut up. She interrupts everyone and thinks she is so funny. I purposely watched Monday to learn about a subject they had on. But she kept interrupting so the time I spent trying to learn something was wasted.
I tried to be open minded and watch Kathy Lee on the 4th hour, but every time I did, was so frustrated. She seems very condesceding towards Hoda, tries to dominate every conversation and is way too opinionated for this type of show. Maybe she should be on The View instead.
Kathy Lee after eight years is still a bimbo in heels. Every one is using the same words to discribe her and that is obnoxious and self obsorbed. I remember her on going rants about Cody this and Cody that even though she had more than one child, that was all you heard! I would have hated to have been the other child in that family. Then it was on and on about Frank, Frank, Frank, Frank, and then Frank. Kathy? No one cares and Frank is not that great of a catch dear remember he was not total honest in your marriage from what we were all hearing. Any way I will stay away from the show until you can find a person that does not make me grind my teeth until I hit a nerve! Ouch Stop It!!
I really enjoyed Kathy Lee’s “I Am A Ballerina” last week and hearing the soprano with such a beautiful voice!!! Both the lyrics and music really spoke to me. Has this wonderful song been published? I would love to obtain a copy of the song.
Thanks.
Carmen Acosta
Regarding Kathie Lee Gifford and her being co-host with Hoda – GET THE HOOK and get her off of the show. I have really given it a chance and watched since she came on board, but she is really grating on my nerves lately and find her absolutely intolerable to watch.
Poor Hoda having to share the show with her. How does she do it? Hoda has an amazing amount of grace and patience to put up with Kathie Lee.
Kathie Lee needs to go back to being a stay at home mom -
i use to watch kathie lee when she was with regis and did not find her rude or obnoxious as she is with hooda, i cant believe that the woman won’t let someone else speak she interjects and down right puts hooda down both in conversation and in context. a god loving person she claims to be then she should learn how to be polite and not critize others and learn some respect and i agree stop crossing those eyes and get a neck lift your skin is hanging
Please take Kathie Lee Gifford OFF the Today
Show. I have stopped watching because of
her snide, sarcastic remarks to her co host Hoda.
Also, she displays Narcissistic qualities.
She inserts herself into the conversation either
by bragging or trying to be self deprecatory.
Attention has to be diverted to HER. I don’t
know how Hoda puts up with her. I tried watching the show again today but right away
Kathie Lee made a stupid remark to Hoda, and
referred to her as Miss Missie. She is not
smart enough to be witty. I turned on Martha
Stewart because of my distaste of Kathie Lee.
Please remove her and get someone who would
be a partner worthy of Hoda. Hoda does not
deserve this kind of abuse.
Thanks for allowing me to make my comment.
Carolyn A
On October 30, 2008 Kathy Lee Gifford and Hoda had Dora on “Everyone has a Story” segment. I am interested in the song CD, Music or whatever for “I am a Ballerina”
Thanks
We love to watch Kathy & Hoda.
I have had enough of Kathy Lee! She is rude to Hoda and she will not show respect.Hoda has asked her nicely to stop insisting that she drinks too much, today she begged her to stop and Kathy blew her off and told her mom to lighten up. Kathy is obnoxios and Hoda is adorable! Hats off to Hoda, I can’t stand to watch Kathy anymore.
KYATHY LEE GIFFORD,,, THE SHOW WOULD BE GREAT,,, IF SHE WASN’T SO STUCK ON HERSELF. “THE WAY SHE IS NOW” SHE IS VERY ANNOYING.
Why does Hoda allow Kathie to make such negative remarks towards her? I truly admire Hoda, however her lack of assertivness and compliance to annoying Kathie makes her look inferior. Also why does kathie seem to make passes and such poor gestures towards the male guests? Makes her husband seem LACKING!
GET RID OF ANNOYING KATHIE. HOODA GET SOME BACK BONE AND STOP ALLOWING HER TO PUT YOU DOWN.
PLEASE, PLEASE get RID of kathie Lee so I can once again watch your show. Get some one with class who would not try to dominate and insult Hooda. Can’t you see how obnoxious and tasteless Kathie Lee is? Who made the decision to have her there. About 150 of the people Mles & females) in my complex are so disgusted with her that we have stopped watching. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. LET HER GO
I was stuck in the airport due to a cancelled flight. Took out my laptop and came across Hoda and kathie Lee. What a poor, tacky co-host Kathie is. Even though I was bored and upset re. cancelled flight, I simply could not tolerate kathie Lee. She is awfull next to Hoda. Perhaps her personalflity could be utilized FAR AWAY for Classy Hoda and OFF the camera. Imagine choosing to be bored in an airport rather than watch DISGUSTING KATHIE. Her poor husband and children.
Kathy lee is a trip she has bought the show ratings down she is rude and mean Hooda is a nice person I do not watch the show any more I can not stand to look or listen to kathy lee
I like Kahty Lee actually. She is funny and doesn’t take anything to seriously.
I love Kathy and Hoda….They honestly are both very funny, bounce off each other with humor, and I really enjoy watching them every morning…With everything that is going on in the world , they still can find humor in their jobs, working together, and make me laugh every am….Thank you
KATHIE LEE ANNOYS ME SO MUCH….SHE DOES NOT SHUT UP DURING INTERVIEWING…SHE IS NOT A NEWS WOMAN….JUST A HAS BEEN ENTERTAINER. PLEASE HIRE SOMEONE WHO WON’T BUTT IN…WHO DOES NOT TALK ABOUT HER “WONDERFUL LIFE” AND WONDERFUL KIDS, SOMEONE WHO ACTUALLY INTERVIEWS THE GUEST, NOT TAKES OVER EVERY SEGMENT….SHE IS REALLY BAD CURRENTLY I AM LAID OFF SO I HAVE THIS TV TIME AND I TRY TO WATCH IT…PERFECT TIME SLOT, NOT MANY OPTIONS BUT BELIEVE ME CAN’T DO IT…JUST CAN’T SIT THRU AN HOUR OF HER….WHY IS NO ONE SEEING THE PROBLEM BUT ME???? GET RID OF KATHIE LEE!
Love the Today Show. Enjoy Hooda’s geniune
sincerety. Please be rid of Kahty Lee. Se
over talks her guest. She only wants to advertise what she knows. She won’t listen to
the quest’s infortmation.
Allowing Kathie Lee Gifford to share the ’stage’ w/Hoda is an insult not only to Hoda but to viewers of the Today Show. I work from home and simply have to turn the show off at 10am when that imbecile comes one. Please get rid of her – she is, quite simply, an ass.
NBC has lost credibility by hiring Kathie Lee. Kathie Lee is a self absorbed, annoying HACK that does not deserve to be on TV at all, let alone next to the intelligent Hoda on the Today Show. WILL SOMEONE PLEASE START A “FIRE KATHY LEE” MOVEMENT?
To Bad, to ruin your show with having someone such as Kathie Lee, join as a host. That is one way to degrade your show. She MAY be a nice person BUT she sure isn’t showing it. Can she not keep her big mouth shut? Why would you choose someone like her????
i love hooda and kathy lee- i wish i didn’t have to work so i could watch them every morning!!!!!
I date alot of guys on the internet and this lady is nuts. Most men need to loose weight at the age of 60 and up. I have been meeting men who are single and they send me their pictures the pics are when they were in their 20’s so when I meet them they are either bald or going bald. Fatter then the picture. Wrinkled in person and not in the picture.
Most men want a skinny woman and they have the nerve to ask for this when they need to do something about their looks.
I love your show you are both a hoot and I hope your show stays on a long time. You ladies are so great to learn things daily.
I especially like all your news and information for ladies. Thanks for being on tv.
shirley
Wow, Kathie Lee is a hot mess…I hate for anyone to lose a job, I’m sure her family won’t go hungry like, mine since I’m unemployed. Please put her behind the scenes to work or something. I tuned in today to see some real foolishness! Get rid of her. She makes Hoda look bad! And whoever writes the material…move them to another department also.
i wish they’d fire her alread. that’s the only part of the today show i hate. and i really hate it. matt, al, hoda, and anne are great.
please get rid of kathie lee, why doesnt she just friggin retire with her old goat of a husband, good grief you are not funny, its all about you, the best thing you ever did was leave the great regis philbin, how did he ever take you for all those years,poor gilman im glad you away from such a sweet man, and kelly is just perfect, you have alot to learn from her, i do not watch the show, i watch it from 7 to 10 and turn it off , hopefully to sink the ratings, which i hear is bad, everyone that fills in for you are so great, they let people talk for goodness sake, JUST SHUT THE %^$$# OFF!
Krappie Mee Guffawd is just that full of @^$%. How she stays on the tube is beyond me. I bet she’s got sonting on some bigwig.
Never watching again because today Kathie Lee made a rude remark about Hoda’s bra. Fire that woman NOW!
I have stopped watching that last hour of the today show because of Kathie Lee. I personally feel she brings down Hoda’s good reputation.
“Today” used to be THE am show. Found FOX, and Kathie Lee would never measure up. Rather see Hoda on the Todayy show. She has much more presence than Kathie L. Hoda has an awful time, with KL “one-upping-her” and going “overboard” with this. Let her stay at home with hubby and the kids.
NBC has lost it! That stupid crap these idiots spout off are fodder for SNL! Ohhhhh, I get it now!
I understand, NBC, that you must have a contract with KLG, but I sincerely hope it was for two years only. Surely some talented producer there has noticed that Hoda has MUCH better chemistry with many of the gentlemen co-hosts! I imagine (especially in view of ALL of the negative feedback about KLG) your ratings would soar in the 4th hour with 2 competent co-hosts (Hoda being one of them), especially if a little sexual tension were introduced (i.e. when Piers co-hosted). I watch when KLG is not there and enjoy the show very much. If not a male cohost, why not Sarah? She is darling, appropriate and seems to have good chemistry with Ms. Kotb. Also, please slow the show down a little; where’s the fire? Hoda is a talented interviewer, and the 4th hour would be an excellent slot for more in-depth interviews, even cooking segments, and a welcome change of pace from the first 3 hours. Hoda could become another Barbara Walters! I you’re not paying attention to this, NBC, I hope Hoda is. NBC is wasting you!
Please remove KLG from the Today Show. She is causing viewers to refrain from watching the show. She is talking about herself, her daughter, and other personal comments that have nothing to do with the show. She is also speaking over Hoda and the guests. By the way, I will no longer watch the show as long as she is part of it.
Two Words — “DUCT TAPE” …. get rid of that annoying self-involved moron!
I work evenings and sometimes fall asleep with the tv on. That is the only show that wakes me up. KLG is the most annoying person on TV. I agree with lisa d “DUCT TAPE”
Okay, this is the first time I’ve EVER posted on something like this……BUT, I have to comment because I do believe the Today show is doing itself a BIG disservice. Here goes — I love the Today show but after about 10 minutes into the Hoda/KLG show, I change the channel. I get tired of listening to KLG interrupt Hoda (who I love). I get offended at KLG’s sexual innuendo’s. Tired of the references to alcohol. And I get tired of her self-serving attitude…me me me. Please, do something so I can return to leaving my TV on the Today show…..
This has been asked in every interview I have ever had, even if I was not applying for a job. ,
A public water system that does not serve the same people year-round. ,
I can not stand Kathy Lee, she is so loud and annoying. I watch because I love Hoda but always end up turning it off because Kathy grates my nerves. The sad thing is I can see Hodas’ reaction to her is much the same as mine. I can not believe the powers that be can not recognize that there is an issue and replace her!