Best guest
Dustin Hoffman dropped by the set this morning and once again I was reminded just how much I like him. And not just as an actor, but as a human being.
I’ve met him many times and I can tell you he’s a regular guy. He’s self-effacing, and fun, and doesn’t seem to take himself too seriously. And he always comes to an interview willing to give a little bit of himself--that is often not the case with celebrities.
Today, the entire crew greeted him with applause; it was their way of saying "thank you" for what he did after his last visit here. (Not only did he spend an extra hour chatting with each and every person in the studio, but the next day he catered a huge breakfast for the crew. It was totally unnecessary and it will never be forgotten.)
It’s a funny thing about fame--how it can turn some people’s heads and others are able to put it all in perspective. Dustin Hoffman is one of those celebrities. He’s just as comfortable talking to Matt about his new movie as he is stuffing a chicken with Jamie Oliver. And he doesn’t care one "tootsie" about "image."
I’m sure he doesn’t remember the first time we met. But I do. It was the early 80s and I had just moved to New York. I saw him walking down the street with his wife, and I went up to him and said "I think you’re great." I figured he might say "thank you," and keep walking, but he immediately engaged this unknown cub reporter in conversation for several minutes. He made my day.
And he made it again. Today.
Hi Meredith,
I love the blog! It's a great supplement to watching you on the Today show!
Anyways, thanks for linking the cooking segment from the show today. I only caught the first 1 and 1/2 hours this morning, and being able to watch that segment brightened up my day!
Dustin Hoffman does seem like an amazing person... can't wait to see his movie this weekend!
it's so nice to hear that he's just as wonderful and kind as he appears to be... you don't want to think he's one of "those" hollywood people. His eyes just look so kind and caring!
Meredith, I had the same type of encounter with Dustin Hoffman after seeing him in "Death of a Salesman" back in the mid-80's. He makes eye-contact with you and the warmth that's shared is amazing.
Also, it's ironic that you mention "fame" today as my own blog deals with it, the novel "Rise and Shine," and your terrific blog. ;o)
Meredith, YOU are one of those celebrities! You are bright, warm, caring and you make each person you come into contact with feel infinitly important.
You have been a role model of mine since I was really young and when I was 16 (I'm 24 now), my family and I went to see you on The View. At the end of the taping I walked up to you, tapped you on the shoulder and gushed on and on about how much I admired you. I assumed you would say 'Thanks' and I'd leave content.
Instead, you enveloped me in a hug and asked me where my family was sitting. I brought you over and you stayed talking to us for at least 5 minutes before signing my ticket: "Thanks for making my day. Call anytime. Love, Meredith" accompanied by your office phone number at The View.
I left on Cloud 9 that day and that meeting totally reinforced in me the importance of true role models. It is a value that today, as a 5th grade teacher, I try to instill in my students.
Thanks you so much, Meredith.
You'll always be my role model.
I am so glad that you moved to Today! You make the show worth watching. Your openness and honesty are refreshing. And the interview with Dustin was great. The applause was wonderful to hear! Keep up the good work!
Rebecca
Meredith, thanks for writing this Blog.
Lovely photo of you on the Front page of the site.
You write almost as well as your hubby. ;-)
I think YOU are one of those "celebrities" who are like Dustin -- real, generous, and fun to be with.
Keep up the great writing, LL
Meredith, I have never met you but I sense that just like Andrea said, you are one of those celebrities that keeps things all in perspective. I read your blog every day and am constantly touched by your warmth and humour. Thanks for brightening my days!
Yea - what Andrea said. I don't know, but from how you seem and how you write, you seem like you go the extra mile. Which I can only imagine is very hard due to the strain a schedule like yours puts on your abiltiy to truly interact with fans. But in the end, it does seem like the only thing that really matters. You "get it" Meredith - and you've won us all over!!
Hey Meredith - great idea to have a blog going.
I thought today's NYT article on cocktail playgroups was very interesting. You folks should look into this and maybe do a story. I need to find one of these groups - it's very quiet here in Northern VT!
Your reflections on being a soccer mom were moving - thank you. We all need to appreciate the preciousness of the time we have with our kids amid all the schedule craziness - it goes SO FAST.
Best of luck and Cheers!
Meredith, I agree with others here. You could very well be describing yourself. I see a lot of the qualities that you described about Dustin Hoffman, in you. You're real, funny, smart, caring, and charming. You come across as very normal. I can sense that you could care less about being a celebrity. Cause let's face it, you're one of the stars of America's #1 morning show, so yes, that makes you a celebrity. You're indeed celebrated. Please keep being you. It's a pleasure waking up to you in the mornings. The Today show has never been better and the ratings show that!!!
Good luck tonight in your Rockettes debut. Can't wait to see the clips on Monday. Btw, I was surprised to learn that you're only 5'3". You looked so much taller on The View. But now that you mention it, I could see that you're a shortie, especially when you stand next to Matt and Ann...I'm also looking forward to seeing you on Conan tonight. I've got the tivo set cause that's past my bedtime.
Finally, many thanks for doing this awesome blog
I'm enjoying TODAY with you on it so much. Also, love so you want to be . . . as well. It seems like Dustin H. and you both have figured out that the most important things in life are our relationships and how we treat each other. I just read your soccer mom post, and I just did the very same thing for my sr. son. This will be a bittersweet year, as so many firsts and lasts happen. My son just got a direct admit to the business school at the college he likes the best, and is hoping to get into their honor's program as well.
watching all of you with dustin and jamie oliver was so hysterical!
Did the ink really taste that bad? Loved you last night on Conan!
You are also a wonderful person, a kind human being. I've bnever met you, yet, it seems as though you are really "down to earth" a REAL person that cares about others. I miss you on the view, Barbara was right, you were the "glue", and are tryly missed.
I'm having trouble finding the shrimp recipie show on today's show (26-Apr). Can you link me... anyone?
Thanks,
Ken