Achy Breaky Voice
Today was Kathie Lee Gifford’s first day on Today, and I think she and Hoda Kotb make a great team. I actually laughed out loud, and for me that is usually a good sign of things to come. So congratulations, gals—keep up the good work.
We all know Kathie Lee likes to sing. Well, I thought I did too, until I heard myself sing "Achy Breaky Heart".
I had gone to a fundraiser on Saturday for "Love Our Children", a non-profit organization whose mission is to break the cycle of child abuse by working closely with families. It’s a wonderful group and I agreed to sing karaoke with all the little kids.
I just assumed I’d be singing in a booth, not on a stage with an audience. Maybe the name of the venue should have been my first clue since it’s called Spotlight New York . The fact that I had been there before with Ann Curry and had done a whole segment on us singing karaoke should have been the second clue. But somehow I never put two and two together until it was too late.
So there I was on the stage, singing this song I didn’t know with some of the staff who work at Spotlight New York—it’s their job to make you look good. And they kept smiling at me so I actually thought it was going well. Wrong.
Of course, the footage surfaced on the internet and the folks at Today couldn’t wait to air it this morning. So in case you missed it ...
The good news is that I got to give a shout out to the "Love Our Children" organization. If you want to learn more about them, go to www.loveourchildrenusa.org
I’d sing their praises, but I think I’ve done enough singing for a while.
We all know Kathie Lee likes to sing. Well, I thought I did too, until I heard myself sing "Achy Breaky Heart".
I had gone to a fundraiser on Saturday for "Love Our Children", a non-profit organization whose mission is to break the cycle of child abuse by working closely with families. It’s a wonderful group and I agreed to sing karaoke with all the little kids.
I just assumed I’d be singing in a booth, not on a stage with an audience. Maybe the name of the venue should have been my first clue since it’s called Spotlight New York . The fact that I had been there before with Ann Curry and had done a whole segment on us singing karaoke should have been the second clue. But somehow I never put two and two together until it was too late.
So there I was on the stage, singing this song I didn’t know with some of the staff who work at Spotlight New York—it’s their job to make you look good. And they kept smiling at me so I actually thought it was going well. Wrong.
Of course, the footage surfaced on the internet and the folks at Today couldn’t wait to air it this morning. So in case you missed it ...
The good news is that I got to give a shout out to the "Love Our Children" organization. If you want to learn more about them, go to www.loveourchildrenusa.org
I’d sing their praises, but I think I’ve done enough singing for a while.
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Hello Meredith!!
I thought it was funny, but unfortunately it was at your expense...karoke is something I would never attempt so I give you credit and it was for a great cause.
I have to say this....your interview with George Clooney last week was the best....I envy you....he is just so gorgeous..he is like a fine wine that gets better with age. Oh I don't know if I could have been able to ask any questions without being way too giddie. You did great!! Is he as nice in person as he seems? I know it has been said that most celebrities put on a good act until you see them in person.
hey meredith-
i'm 16 years old and a big fan of Family Feud and TODAY. i think for Al's celebrity family feud, there should be a TODAY show edition. there could be a guys TODAY family of matt, lester, david gregory, tiki barber, and peter alexander. And a girls TODAY family of you, ann, natalie, hoda and kathie lee.
I think that would turn into quit the feud...don't you?
-mike
This is a test...since my last 5 comments have ended up in cyber space instead of on the message boards. Anyone else having problems? If so, I'll probably never know because you can't post either. Writing comments takes time too ya know! Thanks for listening. Maybe I'll figure out what I'm doing differently that has caused this recent problem.
I was also smiling when I heard this. Kudos to you though. You were brave!
I just have one question....Why Kathie Lee?
Isn't there any better choices?
Someone who is smart, fresh, interesting and new.
Maybe even a man.
I think she was a poor choice. I hope you don't regret it. I won't be watching her.
Been there, done that.
Dear Meredith,
I am writing this on your blog although it has nothing to do with your posting. I just needed to find a way to contact you and ask a question. I auditioned for Who Wants to be a Millionaire on May 10, 2007 at 5 or 5:30. I passed the initial test and went on to the 5 minute interview. I was upbeat and happy and thought it went well. I waited 3 weeks for the postcard and it never came. I would have been fine with a "no" postcard and went on with my life. But I just never ever got a postcard at all.
Meredith, I was upbeat and happy that day for the audition as I am every day of my life. The fact that I present to the world that I am happy is a lie. I am 45, mother of 4, with a miserable marriage. Married to an physically and emotionally abusive "recovered" alcholic. Although he hasn't hurt me in many years, the scars of the emotional abuse never leave. I have post traumatic stress just thinking about what I have put up with. My home that I worked hard for is going to foreclosure soon because my husband treated the equity like a piggy bank and he subprimed us into a $3750 a month interest only payment. I have been a failure at divorcing him. I have tried twice and for financial reasons, have thought that being together would be better than alone. Basically, we are just room mates. After being a working mother for years, I found myself jobless 18 months ago. I now have a job making a third of what I used to make. My 18 yr old daughter is accepted to some great colleges. She (and all my children) are my greatest happiness. However, I can't afford to pay her tuition. I always thought that I would be able to afford it with the equity from our home. If I won on Millionaire, I would be able to pay off the mortgage, pay tuition and divorce him and truly be a happy person.
Meredith, I know you must get people trying to get on the show and bothering you. I realize that I am desperately grasping at straws in sending this and don't know if you will even read it. I do know that you are a true authentic person that has a heart of gold and I wish you all the best.
Thank you, Maryellen
OH MY GOSH!! This morning when I got up and saw that girl getting beaten by those girls I was so outraged. Every single one of those girls should be thrown into jail. I have two teenage daughters and I was sickened by what happened to that girl. More than just disgusting. Let me into a room with all of them and see how they would feel. Terrifying!
L
Dear Today Show crew,
I think your showing the video tape was important to an extent! I feel that you were irresponsible in how you did this and owe the viewing audience a public apology for your irresponsible way of handling of the incident. First you should have posted I disclaimer first to warn people of the violent content and allowed them the choice to view it. Second, you could have said you will only play this once so as to not over dramatize the incident and that they could go to your website to see it again. Third you sensationalized the whole thing by playing it over and over 3-4 times! Come on have you guys no sense of decency? Once is surely enough. Oh, I forgot this is public information and you are the media and have the right report the news! The problem with the media is that you all have become desensitized at the the moral values that should exist and your moral values are based on the wrong almighty, the almighty dollar! Too bad! In the future use some judgement and don't let the worlds twisted value system over rule your guys conscience, if you still have one!
Disgusted
Hi Meredith,
It isn't how you sounded, it was how you looked that counts and you always look great, so there, Matt.
I don't watch the later part of Today so I won't be seeing Kathy Lee, for some reason I never enjoyed listening to her, maybe she has changed.
Love ya, Meredith and if and when you do stop blogging I will miss coming here to see what you had to say
Joan K.
Wisconsin
I have loved Kathie Lee's singing since long before she was a TV personality. I am glad she is back on tv, and so far it seems like her and Hoda are a good match, they looked like they were having fun.
I have always wanted to go to New England and Providence also, seeing the Diner today on TV, is just one more reason! My son moved to PA from the midwest so I might just make that trip at last. Always wanted to see the east in the fall, so that is my target this year.
Have a great day!
Blessings,
Linda
Dear Meredith,
I think bringing in Kathy Lee Gifford is a HUGE mistake. She is loud and typically trashy when she talks and I think it really distract from the more sophisticated and quiet conversation I enjoy from Ann, Natalie and Koda together. They are your dream team and Kathy just ruins it for me. I can say that I have been a Today show fan for the past 10 years and I will not continue to watch segments that include Kathy Lee as I do not enjoy her input. Sorry, but this is something you should consider seriously. Your hype of her starting has blinded you to how a large segment of your viewers feel. Take a poll. You may find that eyeballs are rolling.
Hi! I loved the Today Show. It WAS an informative news program until you put Kathy Lee Gifford on! Why did you have to turn it into The View (which I absolutely cannot stand!!) and Live with Regis(which I don't like either). I want a morning news program that is informative and SOME fun, but no OPINIONS from silly women!!I want serious women!! I am a women and want women to act like intelligent responsible women!!!
Please get rid of her!!
Thank you.
7 years ago I suffered a parents worst nightmare. My 7 year old son Tyler James was a victim of 2 Felony crimes that resulted in his death. Although Tyler WAS a victim, it was determined by the authorities here in N. Calif. that Tyler,"caused his own death". My question is this;
DOES A POLICE AGENCY THAT WE TRUST TO UPHOLD THE LAW AND PROTECT THE INNOCENCT HAVE THE RIGHT TO IGNORE 2 FELONY CRIMES COMMITED AGAINST A CHILD OF 7 ? I am hoping that a news agency will investigate this mockery of Justice and expose this blatant Abuse of Power. To read more about why my son was blamed and what I am trying to achieve please visit, www.tylerjames.org Sincerely,
Father Seeking Justice
Even as a good singer, Kathie Lee hardly sang while on the air with Regis. Katie Couric was not a good singer but she took every opportunity to show viewers that she thought she was. It was one of the reasons for the drop in her popularity....the me me me me syndrome.
Meredith,
Hey, stylish Mama! Were you wearing nude, patent leather Decollete Christian Louboutins today??? You looked great, how are those to walk in?
Maryellen, you are a joke, do you think Meredith is going to pay for your daughter's college tuition, sure sounds like that is what you are asking her for. How can you come here and beg, go find help somewhere else.
Joan K.
Wisconsin
Hello Meredith,
I just was able to watch the piece that Natalie did on families being safe in Nursing Homes and it brought me to tears. My mother made me promise her that I would never put her in a Nursing Home. After watching this there is no way that I think I could bring myself to do it. I have been lucky with my job that I have been able to take time off to care for her when needed and I will continue to do so as long as it is possible. This also scares me knowing that one of my Aunt's is currently in a Nursing Home for Alzheimer's. I will have to make sure to bring this information up to my relatives. Thank you to Natalie, You and the Today Show for bringing much needed attention to this matter.
Maryellen, just a few words of encouragement. Try out for Millionaire again. Don't give up. A lot of people don't make it the first time. You just have to go for it again. Good luck!
Dear Meredith I have a 34 year old daughter whom looks so much like you she could be your child> I think that would make a very good Who Wants to be a Millionaire week. Meredith look alikes.