On Friday 1/11/08 almost around 9am (or at the end of the 8am hour) Today showed a mixed video clip of the past week...a couple scenes were of Matt, Meredith, Al, and Ann in a van or car or something. When is that from? Is the video online? I think I saw Al blow a noise maker, it looks like from New Years and Ann or someone was holding cups of coffee in the back and it looked like it was dark out? I don't think everyone rides to work together so what was it all about. I would like to watch the complete video. I love the candid off camera moments with the anchors.

Hi, Meredith

Kudos on your recent interview with Hillary Clinton. A couple of related questions for you as the national candidates move on to NV, SC, MI, FL, Tsunami Tuesday. Have you ever held an elected office within any group or organization? Have you ever had aspirations for running for political office youself? Cheers.

Hi Meredith!

I'm living with a chronic illness and I just had a major setback this week. Your blog keeps me laughing and thinking and I look forward to it more than ever now. I can't wait to get a copy of Richard's book. I think it is just what the doctor ordered!

Meredith you are absolutely adorable. You have it all!!!! I have noticed a big difference in Matt since you began -- he seems to laugh more and has loosened up a bit. It must have something to do with you.

Nick, that video was all of them car pooling, just to see how it would work out but I doubt they will be doing that again. Poor Meredith had to get up an hour earlier and Matt was the last one to be picked up so he didn't have to get up any earlier then he usually does.Anne brought the coffee and I don't know what Al was doing. I bet they don't drive together to work again.
Joan K.
Wisconsin

As Tim Russert pointed out to Hillary Clinton on Meet The Press, the New Hampshire woman who asked the question that brought on Clinton's tears actually voted for Obama. She said that the tears had stopped so quickly that they looked contrived.

If the tears weren't staged, they were a reaction to a personal loss. Some Democrats feel that both Clintons think ultimately of themselves and power, with those tears reflecting that.

Some give her the benefit of the doubt this one time, but as Maureen Dowd noted, Hillary Clinton is playing the "woman-as-victim card". That is a tremendous turn off to many.

A number of women have worked with women who use tears to gain an advantage. They harbor long held resentments for females who quickly turn the tears off and on.

Hi Meredith,

I was wondering do you and your family go out together on a weekend just to hang out and go shopping ? I also wanted to know where do you and your family like to go shopping at ?
Thanks for sharing your life and thoughts with us.

Hi Meredith!

Exciting news here in Midland, Texas for the 2008 Walk MS events; they're going "green" (along with Bike MS in July). I got up the gumption to ask them to add recycling, and they said yes =)

Also, added a group called the "MS Enviro Walkers" who will be walking at the end of everyone to make sure everything is as nice as before we came along.

Just wanted to share. Continued success for you, and all the best to you & yours.

Take care, blessings and peace, Rebecca

4 cities
(Midland/Odessa/Lubbock/San Angelo)
3 ways to help (donate/walk/volunteer)
2 causes (MS & the Earth)
1 month (April)

...and, you!

I'm just wondering what you guys classify as "middle class" on the Today show. A segment this morning about "Are your kids making you broke?" says that the average middle class family spends close to $160,000 on their kids by the time they are 17. My husband and I are both professionals and there is now way we will be able to spend that much of our income on our kids. That is an average of nearly $200 a week. That's a lot of cash to be shelling out. Not only can we not afford to do that but I think it's ridiculous to spend that much on your kids! We use our money wisely and don't struggle with it. We've always considered ourselves middle class but I guess we were mistaken.

Mereidth, I enjoyed seeing Richard on the show. There are a lot of us out thAre, but we dont get out much. Im battleing 7 differant Chronic Illness.(with the heartache (heartbreak?) of watching a loved one suffer, deteriorate)I can tell you the first thing we need to learn is to count the things we STILL Can Do. I wrote Dars Toy Story, after Richard was on last year, to help him with the ones hes working with, and all of us, becouse we cant tell the Healthy People what it's like stuck in our bodies. You Look Fine, YA But ! Link at the end.Hope Richard got it, and use's it. It took me a long time to except what little I have left."Now I Worry About What I Can Change " Althoe It's Hard. One thing I have found out, It's Harder On The Care-Giver&Family, than on the broaken one. We know how bad we are, Our Love'ed ones See How Bad We Are.

Hi, Meredith. Long time reader of your blog. I have a question that I hope you can answer since your husband is an author. I write blogs on myspace and my friends have said a series that I had been writing on my blog about workplace survival tips should be made into a book. If I consider doing you or Richard would have any tips on how I would even get started. Thanks.

2 sides to very story...the power of suggestion..imply lies about someone to instill question and arose suspicision about a person especially if they have celebrity status...why? I beleive we all have responsibilty for how easy it is to rumor about another...whether you are a news ancor person, a writer, a celebrity...to over come adversity should be praised not admonished...to become a powerful influence and regard others as well as Tom Crusie does is for us all to notice and ask how he is able to do this. He meets everyone with genuine grace and appreciation. That takes a certain level of regard and appreciation for fellow human beings..it means Tom has cleared away his own triggers or self judgment to create a beautiful glow of success and stardome around himself. If his studies with Scientology provided information about how to do this more power to him. Most of us would be better and live better lives if we studied the way our minds work, challenge ourselves to be the best we can...I beleive Tom Crusie has

Hi, Meredith. I'd like you to know how happy we are that you're on the show. We were sure we wouldn't like anyone who would replace Katie, but we were wrong.
I want to complain about something -- I really don't like the graphics that are being added to the screen during the features. They block parts of the picture and display unnecessary lists. Worst of all, when you have something like a fashion show, a big orange bar is slapped across the outfit. Or everything on a table is covered, and so on. Can you get somebody to check on what they're doing?

Hey Mere!!!! I have a question!! You interview all these famous people – and hang around famous people all the time. Do you ever get starstruck still? Like if I met Justin Timberlake ever, I would FREAK!!! Do you have anyone like that? Someone you got nervous to interview?

Love yr blog!
--McGee

Meredith - I loved your "Don't Chicken Out" blog!! Can you post the recipe in full? I'd like to try it tonight!

Your the best!! ~Mariah

Hi Meredith!
My husband and I both watch the Today Show every morning. You are truly a gift to many viewers. I just watched you and your husband Richard Coen on Larry King. My husband suffers daily from pain due to cervical dystonia. I have crohns disease. It has been a challenge and I will admit that we have had more bad days than good. We had so many dreams when we met 20 years ago. Within 2 years we both were diagnosed with chronic conditions. I will read Richard's book and perhaps I will be inspired to once again dream and take steps to make those dreams come true. Thanks to you and your husband for giving so many people hope.

I haven't seen Lenny lately. Have I just missed him in the crowd?

Dear Meredith,
A little late, but wanted to thank you for being apart of the holiday concert show for the armed forces. It's hard to be so far away, especially at the holidays. As a Navy wife, it's always nice to feel acknowledged and supported from other non-military folks. When was the show taped? Also, not sure if you're aware of it, but AFN (armed forces network) chooses the Today show as the morning news show to broadcast live. Granted, it's at one in the afternoon, but is still great to get my daily news fix. Thanks again. Lauren.

Meredith,

Kudos to all of u at The today show.
I wake up with my hubby to watch Darlene Rodriquez and the guys.
My request is can u just tell Darlene that we love her so. And missed her last week. We always look forward to
seeing what she wears that morning. Cause me and my hubby who adores her..just love when she wears her viejita outfits...we say it lovingly..She wears some dresses that remind us of Moms outfits with all the prints. I hope and repeat that we say this to her with much love and respect.
Thank u!!!

Julie and Al
Queens,N.Y.

Hi Meredith, I watch the 1st hour of your show each AM before leaving for work. As well as loving you, Matt, Al, and Ann, I've developed an fondness for Lenny. Actually I look for him each day. I (& 13 co-workers)was in NYC last weekend (courtesy of employer, Rutherford Orthopadics as a Christmas gift!!!) We visited the TODAY show Sat morning (with signs expressing gratitude to the docs). Although we weren't "on-air", the highlight of my day was getting to meet LENNY and have my picture taken with him; he did comment on my southern accent Then, this week I learned he had gone to Washington DC for a check-up at the VA Hospital. All of this background is leads up to the question - "Is Lenny OK?" I wish I could email the picture of us, but it was not taken with a digital camera. I'd still like to send a copy for him...may I?

Thanks to all of you for starting off my days..........YOU'RE ALL GREAT!!!

Pam Lee
Forest City, NC

Why are The Today Show hosts wearing black or dark colors nearly everyday through the winter? Dressy, classic, slimming and lovely in formal settings - yes but a steady wardrobe diet of black is a downer and dark and bleak.

Parents who wear black consistently tend to raise “shadowy” children who lean toward depression and social disorders. The colors we wear definitely affect moods – our own and those around us and those who see us.

Meredith and Ann look great in other colors – greens, blues, red, magenta – colors that will lift our spirits in the bleakness of winter. Al and Matt could stand some color too!!

Stay away from black, dark colors. Do your part to lift spirits and bring happiness to your viewers!

Cheers!

2 Questions for you:

1. Is NBC News planning at this point to transform the plaza into Democracy Plaza for the elections?

2. What happened to the nightly updates on the Today Allday blog about what was coming up on the show the next day?

Thanks
Matt from Michigan

I really enjoy watching The Today Show. You guys are like family! I saw your interview with Barack Obama today and I was disappointed. I do believe the hard questions should be asked, but your demeanor the entire time had an edge of hostility toward Obama. What was that about? I don't know much about journalism, but your interview would have been more thought provoking and less offensive for me had you not looked and sounded like you had a personal ax to grind. I watched your recent interview with Hillary to see if that is your standard interview style for the candidates. Nope! Yes, I am an African-American female, but I was initially torn between Clinton and Obama. I'm really tired of the media's insinuations that African-Americans only vote according to the color line. In the words of former President Clinton, "It's the Economy." I've decided to vote for Obama because I believe he is the best candidate to bring us out of the economic and international distress we are in now.
- Eddie Jewel from NC

Meredith:

I must share with you how extremely disappointed I was with your "interview" of Sen. Obama this morning -- Wednesday 1/23. As a white woman in SC, I have been working hard for the Senator as he is by far the best candidate for President. What a sophomoric interview, pandering to the Clinton race-baiting machine. I was so embarrassed for you! This is NOT about black folks and white folks. You know better, you just took the easy and quite offensive way out. There are so many legitimate questions and concerns to be addressed and you actually asked about Edwards siphoning "white votes" off from Clinton as helping him, clearly suggesting that he will not get those votes on his own. I'm sorry if I am ranting, but I was SOOO disappointed. If you can't (or won't) do real news, stick to the lite stuff. Please don't be a part of the noise machine. You are so much better than that. Show some insight. You owe it to your viewers.

Hi Meredith,

I wanted to bring up an issue that you mentioned earlier in the week, regarding compact fluorescent lightbulbs. All I ever hear from the news is that they are great because they save energy.(I'm all for that) But what about health issues with them. Aren't they just like fluorescent bulbs from the past and contain mercury?? I know someone who broke a fluorescent bulb in her home and it cost $2,000 to have it properly cleaned up because of the mercury. I see that as a MAJOR downside that no one is discussing. Please correct me if I am wrong in thinking that these new compact fluorescent bulbs contain mercury. If they do, I think that needs to be mentioned more often. If you have children at home, it can be a huge hazard. Actually, it can be a huge hazard even if you don't have children. If you just throw away old fluorescent bulbs with your garbage, it can easily break and then leak mercury where ever your garbage ends up. I would love it if you could address this. Thank you so much!

Meredith, I watched your interview of Democratic Presidential Nominee Barack Obama and I must say you attacked him with such ferociousness that I was shocked! As a 48 year old African American woman, I too, understand the desire to see a woman president, however, my experiences as a woman completely differs from non-African American women in that I wasn't born into "privilege". No matter how educated I am, I still must prove my competency as a woman both in a male dominated society (gender), and a female society dominated by women, who discriminate against me because of my "race". I believe that before you and America ostracized African American women for supporting an African American candidate, that you consider where Women of Color have been and how far we still have to go in seeking equality for ALL women regardless of race.

I'm curious how the Today show and the anchors rationalize some of the shows about being green and eco-concious, then hire a plane to fly over New York and fly a banner after the Super Bowl. While a little plane and it's fossil fuel burning is not huge, doesn't it send a mixed message to the audience? I had the same feelings when the broadcasts were from Antartica, Greenland and the equator. How much waste was there in flying people all over, setting up for the broadcasts, power for all the equipment, etc.? What type of discussions take place over this to bring some sort of balance to the subject?

Am I the only one who has noticed that Meredith, Matt, Al, and Ann wear black every day? Natalie gets to wear white sometimes. Is this a new dress policy? It looks like everyone is in mourning. At least the NBC peacock logo has color...

Did someone die? Everyone has on Black... Are you all making a statement by wearing the black???? Just wondering!