Let me tell you a story about Kathie Lee Gifford, one of TV’s most beloved personalities. Believe it or not, she almost didn’t become the co-host of the Today Show’s fourth hour—the one we all adore so much! When NBC first offered her the job, Kathie Lee surprisingly turned it down. But here’s the twist: her now-good friend Hoda Kotb stepped in, sat her down, and convinced her to give it a shot. And thank goodness she did!
How Kathie Lee Almost Missed Out on TV Gold
As the show celebrated the 10th anniversary of Kathie Lee and Hoda’s iconic hour, the 64-year-old opened up about the moment she almost said no. It all started when an NBC producer approached her with the idea of joining the team. Naturally curious, Kathie Lee decided to tune in to the show to see what it was all about. What she saw, though, wasn’t exactly her cup of tea. “There was Ann Curry—such a lovely woman—with five white shirts on those form things [mannequins], and she and an expert were discussing which white shirt holds up best in the wash,” Kathie Lee recalled during a special event at the Rainbow Room. She was surrounded by some of the biggest names in TV, including Savannah Guthrie, Megyn Kelly, Willie Geist, and Carson Daly. By the third shirt, Kathie Lee admitted, “I wanted to kill myself.”
Hoda’s Honest Take on the Early Days of the Show
Hoda Kotb was the first to admit that 10 years ago, the fourth hour of the Today Show wasn’t exactly the lively, entertaining segment we know today. “When this show started out, it was Ann Curry, Natalie Morales, and me. And the show was a little bit of a snooze. Everybody knows that’s the case,” she confessed. So when Kathie Lee called the producer back and said, “I love you, but I would rather rip my toenails out than have to do that,” Hoda probably wasn’t too shocked. But she wasn’t about to let her friend pass up this incredible opportunity.
Read also:Unveiling Freddie Mercurys Legacy In Bohemian Rhapsody
Persistent Persuasion: How Hoda Won Kathie Lee Over
Hoda wasn’t one to give up easily. She invited Kathie Lee out to lunch—appropriately at the Rainbow Room—and spent two and a half hours chatting with her. By the end of their conversation, Kathie Lee had a change of heart and agreed to take the job. And let’s be honest, we can’t imagine the 10 a.m. hour of the Today Show any other way now. It’s packed with fun, laughter, and, of course, plenty of wine. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?
Join our Facebook group for all the latest news, updates, and behind-the-scenes scoop on the Today Show. You don’t want to miss a thing!
