"Today" Show Announces Kathie Lee Gifford Will Host 4th Hour

In a move announced on air Monday morning, Kathie Lee Gifford will be joining NBC's "Today" show as the co-host of the fourth hour. TVNewser reported and Matt Lauer confirmed on air that what started as a rumor from FTVLive and quickly became a foregone conclusion would become the "major announcement" Matt Lauer promised on Friday. Gifford, who left "Live with Regis and Kathie Lee" in 2000, will be co-hosting the fourth hour with current host Hoda Kotb starting April 7.

Watch the announcement, and a montage of Kathie Lee's career, below:

According to the Washington Post's Robin Givhan, the change couldn't come soon enough. In a review printed yesterday, Givhan panned the fourth hour of "Today" for perpetuating antiquated gender stereotypes. "The country's premier morning show has defined women's dialogue as pablum," Givhan wrote. "And it's enough to make one gag."

From the AP:

NEW YORK -- Kathie Lee Gifford will soon be back on TV's early shift.

The former co-star of the syndicated "Live" talk show will join NBC's "Today" next Monday. She will be teamed with Hoda Kotb (pronounced HO-dah COT-bee), a current anchor of the program's seven-month-old fourth hour, which airs live at 10 a.m. EDT.

The announcement was made during Monday's broadcast, with Gifford seated alongside the program's established stars, including Matt Lauer and Meredith Vieira, co-hosts of the first two hours.

Gifford, 54, who left Regis Philbin and "Live" in 2000, joked that the timing of her TV return "couldn't be worse" in certain ways: "I'm eight years older, 10 pounds heavier, a half-inch shorter, and just in time for HD television."

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Long married to former NFL star and sports announcer Frank Gifford, she joked, "It's going to be good to be working. I'm really tired of staying home and watching Frank's old highlight films."

Ann Curry will continue her role as news anchor of the 7 a.m.-9 a.m. hours of "Today," as well as co-host, with Al Roker, of the 9 a.m. hour. Natalie Morales will join Curry and Roker as a third co-host at 9 a.m, and will serve as the show's national correspondent, the network said.

Previously:
Sources: Kathie Lee Definitely Coming To "Today"
Report: Kathie Lee Gifford Joining "Today" Show As Host

Related:
Kathie Lee Gifford Co-Hosts "Today" ["Today"]

Press Release:

KATHIE LEE GIFFORD JOINS THE FOURTH HOUR OF 'TODAY'

Gifford Joins Hoda Kotb as Co-Host of the 10 a.m. Hour of America's Favorite Morning Program

NEW YORK March 31, 2008 - Kathie Lee Gifford has been named co-host of the fourth hour NBC News' "Today." The announcement was made today by "Today" executive producer Jim Bell. Gifford will make her debut alongside Hoda Kotb at 10 a.m. on April 7, 2008.

"I am excited to welcome Kathie Lee to 'Today,'" said Bell. "She is a morning television icon and is on a short list of personalities known by her first name alone. 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."

"I am truly honored to join the 'Today' show family, many of whom have been friends and colleagues of mine for years," said Gifford. "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."

Launched in September 2007, the fourth hour of "Today" has continued with the program's rich history of setting the agenda for what Americans will be talking about in the office, at the watercooler and with friends all day. The hour is topical and timely, incorporating the news of the day with what people are buzzing about in a spontaneous, informative and dynamic manner.

Ann Curry will continue her role as news anchor of the 7-9 a.m. hours of "Today," as well as co-host, with Al Roker, of the 9 a.m. hour. Natalie Morales will join Curry and Roker as a third co-host at 9 a.m. Morales will also continue to serve as national correspondent for "Today" and all platforms of NBC News.

Gifford is best known as the former co-host of "Live with Regis and Kathie Lee," where in her fifteen years on the show, she received eleven Emmy nominations. Prior to "Live," Gifford was a correspondent for "Good Morning America," a position she held for three years. Gifford was also the first woman ever to guest host the "Late Show with David Letterman."

A playwright, producer, singer, songwriter and actress, Gifford has starred in numerous television programs and movies over the span of her 40-year career. In 1999, she started her own record label, On the Lamb Records. Gifford expanded her theatre resume in recent years by writing the musicals "Saving Aimee," "Under the Bridge," and "HATS! The Musical." She has also starred in several productions including Broadway's "Putting it Together" and "Annie" at the Theatre at Madison Square Garden, in which she played Miss Hannigan.

Gifford devotes much of her time to humanitarian work, lending her support to several organizations that help abused, neglected, sick and poverty-stricken children. Among those charities are Childhelp, which Gifford serves as spokesperson, and the Association to Benefit Children (ABC), which spawned Cassidy's Place and Cody House in New York City, named after her two children.

Gifford received an honorary degree from Marymount University for her humanitarian work in labor relations, and she was honored with the National Conference of Christian and Jews Irvin Feld Humanitarian Award for her commitment to bettering the lives of others. Gifford also received Childhelp's Hearts of Compassion Award for her efforts on behalf of children.

Photos and an interview with Gifford are available on TODAYshow.com at: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/23871853. Additional photos will be available by contacting Megan Kopf, [e-mail].

NBC News pioneered morning news programming when it launched "Today" more than 56 years ago, with Dave Garroway as host. The four-hour live broadcast provides the latest in domestic and international news, weather reports and interviews with newsmakers from the worlds of politics, business, media, entertainment and sports. After more than 48 years of the standard two-hour format, the third hour of "Today" was launched in October of 2000. With the continued success of the third hour, a fourth hour was launched in September of 2007 making "Today" the only four hour national morning show broadcast. The program is unparalleled in its ratings dominance in the morning news arena, serving as America's overwhelming favorite for more than twelve consecutive years.

Comments

[khristmaskathy]

I am very happy that Kathie Lee will be back on television. She is talented and has had a lot of experience on talk shows etc. I look forward to seeing her on the Today Show!

[momofsonofwar]

Today is going to tank with this stupid move.

[aFlyoverPerson]

All the middle-aged women in politics and the media these days (and I applaud that) but not one grey female hair or deep wrinkle in sight. These Franken-faces with dye jobs are really freaking me out.

[TXfemmom]

Lord, I hope we don't have to listen to an hour of her telling us every time her kids go to the bathroom, or something stupid, like she did on Regis and Kathy Lee. Tell me that they are going to have some adult and good entertainment which doesn't entail an on-air blog about her life?

[emilyk]

Ditto. I've always liked Hoda and consider her a professional. Kathy Lee dwells in a narcissistic bell jar, believing everyone is interested in the minutiae of her life. What exactly does she do except work out and go to her plastic surgeon?

[snowie]

I agree. Before she was on for one minute whe was talking about herself and Cocy. I think this was a big mistake having her come back. There must be some new fresh person out there that could add to the amazing group you now have. I will switch stations when she is on.

[RedWhiteandBrooklyn]

What are they thinking? This old "Me! Me! Me! Me! Me! Me! Me! Me! " witch is even more disliked than Katy Couric was. Ugh!!!!

[LoRiseAntlers]

What is the thing for old ladies that the Today show has?

[Moshe]

It's like roaches: You keep spraying, but they just keep coming back!

[MA]

Lucky Frank! now he'll know where she is for a couple of hours.
"Hey Cody! here's a couple of bucks, go out for a while so I can talk to this nice lady"!

[thejoshuablog]

I just upchucked a bit.

[dr4Will]

thanks for the warning--now I never have to watch Today during the fourth hour---or the third or the second or the first..............

[NoSillyName]

Whatever happened to their big "score" with that sports guy? Kiki Barber or some such girly name. He was supposed to be on that damn fourth hour. NBC should just start a new cable show and have it be "All Today, All the Time".

[faretheewell]

It seems every day that our decision to get rid of TV 4 1/2 years ago was a really great one! Kathy Lee is truly a repugnant character. Eliminating the possible misfortune of being exposed to her voice is truly a blessing.

[jneems]

She is being hired precisely because she is 54 years old and the viewers who turn the show on during the 10-11 a.m. time slot are mostly middle-aged women. Kathy was picked because she is the darling of advertisers. She has been known to shill for everything from Carnival Cruises to Slim Fast. She will serve to entice middle-aged women to buy whatever she is pitching. It is all about the advertisers, not what viewers want. I remember when she worked for NBC/Disney that she was used to further Disney's interests (Regis & Kathie Lee LIVE at Disneyland; multiple Kathie Lee appearances on the Disney Channel and even a Disney music album, etc.).

[smokeystover39]

Is NBC THAT hard up that they have to go to the recycle bin and fish out Kathy Lee? A new low! My mother-in-law used to watch this moron blat about her son and daughter and the "tremendous" family life all the while Frank was laying pipe off the reservation. Forget about a career Kathy Lee - it's over for you - pay attention to your family. In the end it's the only thing that matters.

[craneman]

How long will it be before Frank shows up?