Today
Today title card
Genre	News program, Live Action
Created by	Sylvester L. Weaver Jr.
Presented by	7:00am-10:00am Matt Lauer (1994-Present) Meredith Vieira (2006-Present) Al Roker (1996-Present) Ann Curry (1997-Present) Natalie Morales (2006-Present) 10:00-11:00am Kathie Lee Gifford (2008-Present) Hoda Kotb (2007-Present) Other Willard Scott (1980-Present) Gene Shalit (1973-Present)
Slogan	There's More Today Everyday
Country of origin	United States
No. A news program, news programme, news show, or newscast is a regularly scheduled radio or Television program that reports Current Sylvester Laflin "Pat" Weaver Jr ( December 21, 1908 &ndash March 17, 2002) was a former radio advertising executive who was Matthew Todd Lauer ( December 30, 1957) is an American television personality best known as the host of NBC 's The Today Show Meredith Louise Vieira (born December 30, 1953) is an American Journalist, Television personality, and Game show host Albert Lincoln "Al" Roker Jr (born August 20 1954 is an American television broadcaster best known as the weather anchor for NBC 's Today Ann Curry (born November 19 1956) is an American Television news Journalist and news anchor on NBC's morning television Natalie Leticia Morales (born June 6 1972 in Taiwan) is an American Television news Journalist and became an Kathie Lee Gifford (born Kathryn Lee Epstein; August 16 1953 is an American Television hostess Singer, actress, noted for her Hoda Kotb (commonly pronounced HO-dah COT-bee born 9 August 1964 in Norman Oklahoma) is an American Television news anchor Willard Herman Scott Jr (born March 7 1934 in Alexandria Virginia) is an American media personality and author best known for his work on NBC 's Gene Shalit (born March 25, 1932 in New York City) is the film and book critic on NBC 's The Today Show. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the  of episodes	20,718 (as of January 1, 2008)
Production
Executive producer(s)	Malcolm Solomon
Location(s)	Studio 1A, Rockefeller Center
Running time	240 minutes (4 hours)
Broadcast
Original channel	NBC
Picture format	480i (SDTV), 1080i (HDTV)
Original run	January 14, 1952 – present
External links
Official website
IMDb profile
TV.com summary

U. New Year See also New Year The Ancient Romans began their consular year on January 1st since 153 BC 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common The National Broadcasting Company ( NBC) is an American Television network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's 480i is the shorthand name for a video mode The i, which is sometimes uppercase stands for Interlaced, the 480 for a vertical frame resolution High-definition television (HDTV is a Digital television Broadcasting system with higher resolution than traditional television systems (standard-definition Events 1129 - Formal approval of the Order of the Templar at the Council of Troyes. Year 1952 ( MCMLII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. S. morning television shows edit
Networks
ABC	Good Morning America
CBS	The Early Show
NBC	Today
Cable
BBC	World News Today
CNBC	Squawk Box
	Squawk on the Street
CNN	American Morning
FNC	Fox & Friends
	America's Newsroom
FBN	Money for Breakfast
	The Opening Bell
HLN	Morning Express
MSNBC	Morning Joe
RFD-TV	Imus in the Morning
Spanish
UNI	¡Despierta América!
TMD	Cada Día
Syndication
	The Daily Buzz
	Live with Regis and Kelly
	The Morning Show

The Today Show, officially known as Today, is an American morning news and talk show airing weekday mornings on NBC. Breakfast Television, also known as BT, is a Canadian morning news and entertainment program which airs on the Citytv stations (in The American Broadcasting Company ( ABC) is an American Television network. Good Morning America ( GMA) is a morning news show that is broadcast on the ABC television network debuting on November CBS Broadcasting Inc ( CBS) is an American radio and Television network. The Early Show is an American Television morning news Talk show broadcast by CBS from New York City, 7 to 9 a The National Broadcasting Company ( NBC) is an American Television network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's BBC America is an American Television network owned and operated by BBC Worldwide Americas, and available on both cable and satellite World News Today is a current affairs news programme produced by BBC News CNBC (an abbreviation for the " C onsumer N ews and B usiness C hannel" its official name until 1991 is a cable and Squawk Box is a long-running business news Television program which airs at breakfast time on the CNBC network Squawk on the Street, which debuted on December 19, 2005, is a business show on CNBC that follows the first 90 minutes of trading on Wall Cable News Network, usually referred to by its Initialism CNN, is a major English language Television network founded in 1980 by Ted Turner American Morning is the morning television show on CNN. It premiered in 2002 For the Fasbinder film see Fox and His Friends. Fox & Friends is an American morning television show on the America's Newsroom with Bill Hemmer & Megyn Kelly is an American News / talk program on Fox News Channel, Fox Business Network is a United States -based cable and satellite News channel that commenced broadcasting on October 15 2007 Money for Breakfast is a morning Business program which airs on the Fox Business Network weekdays from 7-9am Eastern Time. The Opening Bell on Fox Business is an American business news program airing on the Fox Business Network at 900am Eastern Time and is hosted by Alexis Headline News is a Spin-off network from the original Cable News Network ( CNN) television news network in the United States. Morning Express with Robin Meade is a Morning Television news Program that airs on the Headline News television network in the MSNBC is a 24-hour cable television news channel based in the United States and available in Canada. Morning Joe is a Weekday Morning Talk show on MSNBC, hosted by Joe Scarborough with co-hosts Mika Brzezinski RFD-TV, or Rural Free Delivery TV, is a United States satellite and cable television channel devoted to rural issues concerns and interests Imus in the Morning is an American radio show hosted by Don Imus on ABC Radio Networks and Simulcast on RFD-TV Univision is a Spanish-language television network in the United States and Puerto Rico. ¡Despierta América! (Spanish for Wake Up America!) is a popular Spanish language morning show which has aired on the Univision Telemundo is an American television network based in Hialeah Florida a suburb of Miami Florida. Telemundo is an American television network based in Hialeah Florida a suburb of Miami Florida. In Broadcasting, syndication is the sale of the right to broadcast Radio shows and Television shows to multiple individual stations without going through The Daily Buzz is a nationally syndicated morning News program produced in Orlando, Florida by ACME Communications shown mostly Live with Regis and Kelly is a syndicated American television Talk show, hosted by Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa. The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet is a morning program. Produced by FOX, the show first aired on January 22, 2007 to a number The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Breakfast Television, also known as BT, is a Canadian morning news and entertainment program which airs on the Citytv stations (in The National Broadcasting Company ( NBC) is an American Television network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Debuting on January 14, 1952, it was the first of its genre, spawning similar morning news and entertainment television programs across the United States and around the world. Events 1129 - Formal approval of the Order of the Templar at the Council of Troyes. Year 1952 ( MCMLII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. A genre (ˈʒɑːnrə also /ˈdʒɑːnrə/ from French "kind" or "sort" from Latin: genus (stem gener-) is a loose set Infotainment (a Portmanteau of information and entertainment refers to a general type of media broadcast program which provides a combination of current A television program (US television programme (UK or television show (U The show is also the third-longest running American television series. Today has been the highest-rated morning news and talk show in the United States since the week of December 11, 1995. Nielsen Ratings are audience measurement systems developed by Nielsen Media Research to determine the Audience size and composition of television Events 359 - Honoratus, the first known Prefect of the City of Constantinople, takes office Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995 Originally a two-hour program on weekdays, it expanded to Sundays in 1987 and Saturdays in 1992. The weekday broadcast expanded to three hours in 2000 and to four hours in 2007; it currently airs for two hours on Saturday and one hour on Sunday.

Contents 1 History 1.1 Studio 2 Personnel 2.1 Anchors 2.2 News anchors 2.3 Weather reporters 2.4 Regular panelists 2.5 Today Girls 3 Controversies and transitions 3.1 "Memogate" 3.2 Pauley-Norville 3.3 Rumored Couric-Lauer feud 3.4 Couric leaves, Vieira enters 3.5 Jane Fonda's use of vulgar language 4 Brand extensions 4.1 Expanding to four hours 5 Music 6 Weekend Today 7 Special editions 7.1 1950s 7.2 1960s 7.3 1970s 7.4 1980s 7.5 1990s 7.6 2000s 7.7 Traditional special editions 8 Ratings 8.1 Week of March 18, 2008 [12] 8.2 Week of September 11, 2006 9 International broadcasts 10 See also 11 References 12 External links

History

The show's first broadcast aired on January 14, 1952. Events 1129 - Formal approval of the Order of the Templar at the Council of Troyes. Year 1952 ( MCMLII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. It was the brainchild of Pat Weaver, who was then vice-president of NBC. Sylvester Laflin "Pat" Weaver Jr ( December 21, 1908 &ndash March 17, 2002) was a former radio advertising executive who was The National Broadcasting Company ( NBC) is an American Television network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Weaver was president of the company from 1953 to 1955 (during which time Today's late-night companion, The Tonight Show, premiered), and then served as chairman of the board for another year. The Tonight Show with Jay Leno as appropriate --> The Tonight Show is a long-running Pat Weaver is the father of actress Sigourney Weaver. Sigourney Weaver (born October 8, 1949) is an Academy Award -nominated American actress, best known for her roles as Lt

Today was the first show of its genre when it signed on with original host Dave Garroway. A genre (ˈʒɑːnrə also /ˈdʒɑːnrə/ from French "kind" or "sort" from Latin: genus (stem gener-) is a loose set David Cunningham Garroway ( July 13, 1913 – July 21, 1982) was the founding host of NBC 's Today The show blends national news headlines, in-depth interviews with newsmakers, lifestyle features, other light news and gimmicks (including the presence of the chimpanzee J. Fred Muggs as the show's mascot during the early years), and local station news updates. Chimpanzee (often shortened to chimp) is the common name for the two extant Species of Apes in the Genus Pan. J Fred Muggs (b March 14, 1952, French Cameroon) is a Chimpanzee that was the Mascot for NBC's Today Show from 1953 to It has spawned several other shows of a similar type, including ABC's Good Morning America, and CBS' The Early Show. The American Broadcasting Company ( ABC) is an American Television network. Good Morning America ( GMA) is a morning news show that is broadcast on the ABC television network debuting on November CBS Broadcasting Inc ( CBS) is an American radio and Television network. The Early Show is an American Television morning news Talk show broadcast by CBS from New York City, 7 to 9 a

In other countries the format was copied - most notably in the United Kingdom with the BBC's Breakfast and ITV's Good Morning Britain and in Canada with Canada AM on CTV. David Cunningham Garroway ( July 13, 1913 – July 21, 1982) was the founding host of NBC 's Today The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Independent Television (generally known as ITV) is a public service network of British commercial television broadcasters set up under the Independent Good Morning Britain was TV-am 's flagship Breakfast television show which broadcast from 7am until 9am five days a week between 1983 and 1992 Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page Canada AM is a Canadian Breakfast television news show which has aired on the CTV Television Network since 1972 CTV is a Canadian English language Television network. It is Canada's largest privately owned network the main television asset of CTVglobemedia

When Today started, it was seen live only in the Eastern and Central time zones, broadcasting three hours per morning but seen for only two hours in each time zone. The Eastern Time Zone ( ET) of the Western Hemisphere falls mostly along the east coast of North America and the west coast of South America The Central Time Zone observes Standard time by subtracting six hours from UTC during standard time ( UTC−6) and five hours during Daylight saving Later, Today aired live for five hours a morning on Monday morning, but it was seen for only two consecutive hours in each of the four U. S. continental time zones. Since 1958, Today is tape-delayed for the different time zones. For many years it was a two-hour program from 7:00 a. m. to 9:00 a. m. in all time zones except for Alaska, Hawaii and U.S. Virgin Islands, until NBC expanded it to three hours (until 10:00 a. Alaska ( Аляска Alyaska) is a state in the United States of America, in the northwest of the North American continent The State of Hawaii ( or həˈwaɪʔiː Hawaiian: Mokuāina o Hawaii) is a state in the United States located on an Archipelago in the The United States Virgin Islands is a group of Islands in the Caribbean that are an Insular area of the United States. m. in all time zones but Alaska, Hawaii and U. S. Virgin Islands) on October 2, 2000. Events 1187 - Siege of Jerusalem: Saladin captures Jerusalem after 88 years of Crusader rule 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. In some markets (such as Boston, Massachusetts, on WHDH-TV), the third hour of Today is tape-delayed by an hour and airs at 10 a. m. A fourth hour was added on September 10, 2007. Events 506 - The Bishops of Visigothic Gaul meet in the Council of Agde. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.

The show is currently hosted by Matt Lauer and Meredith Vieira. Matthew Todd Lauer ( December 30, 1957) is an American television personality best known as the host of NBC 's The Today Show Meredith Louise Vieira (born December 30, 1953) is an American Journalist, Television personality, and Game show host Al Roker does national weather updates, signaling the thirty-second cutaway to local forecasting with the outcue, "That's what's going on around the country, here’s what’s happening in your neck of the woods. Albert Lincoln "Al" Roker Jr (born August 20 1954 is an American television broadcaster best known as the weather anchor for NBC 's Today " (If an affiliate has no weather update, there is no NBC affiliate in the area, or if viewers are watching the show internationally or from the Rockefeller Plaza, a national summary of temperatures from Roker is shown instead. ) Ann Curry reads news headlines. Ann Curry (born November 19 1956) is an American Television news Journalist and news anchor on NBC's morning television Natalie Morales is a national correspondent and co-host of the third hour, contributing throughout. Natalie Leticia Morales (born June 6 1972 in Taiwan) is an American Television news Journalist and became an Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford serve as the fourth-hour co-hosts. Hoda Kotb (commonly pronounced HO-dah COT-bee born 9 August 1964 in Norman Oklahoma) is an American Television news anchor Kathie Lee Gifford (born Kathryn Lee Epstein; August 16 1953 is an American Television hostess Singer, actress, noted for her Gene Shalit is the entertainment critic, and Peter Greenberg is the travel editor. Gene Shalit (born March 25, 1932 in New York City) is the film and book critic on NBC 's The Today Show. Peter S Greenberg is perhaps best known as the Travel Editor for NBC 's Today, but is an Emmy Award -winning journalist and producer in his own Roker, Curry, and Morales interview guests and take part in other segments in addition to their weather and news duties during the 9 a. m. hour. Vieira's role as host of the syndicated game show Who Wants to be a Millionaire contractually prohibits her from appearing on Today after the show's first two hours. Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? is a Television Game show which offers very large Cash prizes for correctly answering successive multiple-choice Also, former Today Show weatherman Willard Scott sends birthday wishes to centenarians twice weekly and occasionally subs for Roker. Willard Herman Scott Jr (born March 7 1934 in Alexandria Virginia) is an American media personality and author best known for his work on NBC 's A centenarian is a person who has attained the age of 100 Years or more NBC News White House correspondent David Gregory is a substitute host for Matt Lauer. NBC News is the news division of American Television network NBC, a part of NBC Universal, which is majority-owned by General Electric David Gregory (born August 24, 1970 in Los Angeles CA) is the current host of Race for the White House on MSNBC and is Newsreader Curry often subs for Vieira. Bob Dotson, Jamie Gangel, Jenna Wolfe, and Tiki Barber are National Correspondents for Today. Bob Dotson is an American broadcast journalist employed by NBC News. Jamie Gangel is a Television reporter in the United States. She became a national correspondent for the NBC News ' Today show in Jenna Wolfe (born in 1974 in Jamaica) is an American journalist For the Field hockey player see Kate Barber Atiim Kiambu Hakeem-ah "Tiki" Barber (TEE-kee (born April 7, 1975 Kelly O'Donnell covers the day's events at the White House while Tim Russert (host of NBC's Meet the Press on Sunday mornings) offers commentary on current political news (MSNBC's Chris Matthews sometimes subs for Russert). Kelly O'Donnell (b May 17) is a political reporter for NBC News. See also Executive Office of the President of the United States The White House, formerly known as the Executive Mansion, is the Official residence Timothy John Russert II (May 7 1950 &ndash June 13 2008 was an American television Journalist and lawyer who appeared for more than 16 years as the longest-serving Meet the Press is a weekly American television news/interview program produced by NBC. MSNBC is a 24-hour cable television news channel based in the United States and available in Canada. Christopher Matthews (born December 17 1945) is an American News anchor and Political commentator, known for his nightly hour-long Jean Chatzky, editor-at-large for Money Magazine, provides weekly financial segments. Money is a Time Inc Personal finance magazine Its first issue was published in October 1972

Studio

The show broadcasts from Studio 1A in Rockefeller Center, New York, just across the street from NBC headquarters at the GE Building. Rockefeller Center is a complex of 19 commercial buildings covering 22 acres between 48th and 51st streets in New York City. The City of New York The GE Building is an Art Deco Skyscraper that forms the centerpiece of the Rockefeller Center in Midtown Manhattan.

The Today program first originated from the RCA Exhibition Hall on 49th Street in a space now occupied by the Christie's auction house, just down the block from the current studio. Christie's is a leading art business and a fine arts Auction house The first set placed a functional newsroom in the studio, which Garroway called "the nerve center of the world. " Gradually, machines and personnel were placed behind the scenes to assemble the news and weather reports, and the newsroom was gone by 1955. In 1958, the show moved across the street to Studio 3K in the RCA Building, where it remained through the early 1960s. On July 9, 1962, the show returned to a streetside studio in the space then occupied by the Florida Showcase. Events 455 - Roman military commander Avitus is proclaimed Emperor of the Western Roman Empire. Year 1962 ( MCMLXII) was a Common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. On September 13, 1965, Today moved back to the RCA Building. Events 509 BC - The Temple of Jupiter on Rome 's Capitoline Hill is dedicated on the ides of September Year 1965 ( MCMLXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. The network's news programming went to all-color broadcasts at that time, and NBC could not justify allocating four (then-expensive) color cameras to the Florida Showcase studio. For the next twenty years, the show occupied a series of studios on the third, sixth, and eighth floors of NBC's headquarters; most notably Studio 3K in the 1970s, Studio 8G (adjacent to Studio 8H, home to Saturday Night Live) in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and finally Studio 3B from 1983 to 1994. Saturday Night Live ( SNL) is a weekly late-night 90-minute American Sketch comedy / Variety show based in New York City Today moved to the current streetside studio in June 1994, providing a link to the show's 1950s origins.

Since the premiere of the 1990s set, the morning shows of each of the major broadcast and cable-news networks has moved streetside -- including two of Today's Rockefeller Center neighbors, Fox News' Fox & Friends and CNN's American Morning. For the Fasbinder film see Fox and His Friends. Fox & Friends is an American morning television show on the Cable News Network, usually referred to by its Initialism CNN, is a major English language Television network founded in 1980 by Ted Turner American Morning is the morning television show on CNN. It premiered in 2002 (In summer 2005, CNN reversed the trend, abandoning its street-level studio and moving upstairs in the Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle. The Time Warner Center is a mixed-use skyscraper developed by The Related Companies in New York City. Columbus Circle, named for Christopher Columbus, is a major landmark and point of attraction in the New York City borough of Manhattan. ) ABC's Good Morning America broadcasts from Times Square Studios. Good Morning America ( GMA) is a morning news show that is broadcast on the ABC television network debuting on November Times Square Studios is a Television studio located in Times Square in New York City, New York.

In 2006, Studio 1A underwent a major renovation to prepare for 1080i high-definition broadcasting. High-definition television (HDTV is a Digital television Broadcasting system with higher resolution than traditional television systems (standard-definition After the departure of Katie Couric and while a new set was readied (Summer of 2006), the program was broadcast from a temporary outdoor studio in Rockefeller Plaza, the same set NBC used at the Olympic Games in Athens, Greece and Torino, Italy (see the Couric Leaves, Vieira Enters section below for more). Katherine Anne "Katie" Couric (born January 7, 1957) is an American Journalist who became well-known as co-host of NBC Athens (ˈæθənz Αθήνα Athina,) the Capital and largest city of Greece, dominates the Attica periphery as one of the world's ^[1] During the week of August 28, 2006, the show was moved to a temporary location outside of Studio 1A because MTV was converting the Outdoor Studio into their Red Carpet booth for the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards. Events 475 - The Roman General Orestes forces western Roman Emperor Julius Nepos to flee his Capital Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. MTV ( Music Television) is an American Cable television network based in New York City. The MTV Video Music Awards were established in the end of the summer of 1984 by MTV to celebrate the top Music videos of the year A mock set was set up in Dateline's studio, also used during inclement weather. Dateline NBC, or Dateline, is a US weekly television Newsmagazine broadcast by NBC similar to ABC 's Also, they used a temporary outdoor set at 30 Rock. NBC Studios was also a previous name for NBC's production division which is now Universal Media Studios, formerly NBC Universal Television Studio

On September 13, 2006, Today moved into its brand new set. Events 509 BC - The Temple of Jupiter on Rome 's Capitoline Hill is dedicated on the ides of September Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. The new studio is divided into five different parts on the lower level. It includes the interview area, the couch area, the news desk, the performance/interview/extra space area, and home base, which is where the anchors start the show. A gigantic Panasonic 103-inch plasma monitor is often used for graphic display backgrounds. A plasma display panel (PDP is a type of Flat panel display now commonly used for large TV displays (typically above 37-inch or 940 mm There is also an upstairs that is home to Today's kitchen. The blue background that is seen in the opening of the show in home base moves up and down to allow a view of the outside from the home base. The program’s concerts are now broadcast in Dolby Digital 5. 1-channel surround sound. The weekday director is Joe Michaels.

Personnel

Anchors

Today anchors started out as "Communicators. " Creator Pat Weaver envisioned a person whose responsibilities would go beyond the bounds of traditional sit-down news anchors. The Communicator would interview, report, moderate dialogue and generally tie the show together into a coherent whole. Garroway and his successors have all followed that model, with little variation. Today, the hosts are expected to do much the same, and on any given day will talk with correspondents, newsmakers and lifestyle experts; introduce and close each half-hour; conduct special segments (such as cooking or fashion) and go on-assignment to host the program from different locations. Although the "Communicator" nomenclature has since dropped out of favor, the job remains largely the same. The principal anchors/hosts of the show have included:

• Dave Garroway (1952–1961)
• John Chancellor (1961–1962)
• Hugh Downs (1962–1966)
• Hugh Downs and Barbara Walters (1966–1971)^[2]
• Frank McGee and Barbara Walters (1971–1974)
• Jim Hartz and Barbara Walters (1974–1976)
• Tom Brokaw and Jane Pauley (1976–1981)
• Bryant Gumbel, Jane Pauley and Chris Wallace (1982)
• Bryant Gumbel and Jane Pauley (1982–1989)
• Bryant Gumbel and Deborah Norville (1990–1991)
• Bryant Gumbel and Katie Couric (1991–1997)
• Katie Couric and Matt Lauer (1997–2006)
• Matt Lauer and Meredith Vieira (2006–present)

Barbara Walters became a co-host in 1966, but did not have the official title until 1974. David Cunningham Garroway ( July 13, 1913 – July 21, 1982) was the founding host of NBC 's Today John William Chancellor ( July 14, 1927 &ndash July 12, 1996) was a well-known American Journalist, who spent most of his Hugh Malcolm Downs (born February 14, 1921) is a retired American broadcaster Television host Barbara Jill Walters (born September 25 1929) is an American Journalist, writer and media Frank McGee (September 12 1921&mdashApril 17 1974 was a Television Journalist. Jim Hartz (born 1940 was an American Television personality during the mid- and late-1970s Thomas John "Tom" Brokaw (born February 6, 1940) is an American Television Journalist and Author, and Margaret Jane Pauley (born October 31, 1950, in Indianapolis Indiana) is an American Television Journalist, and has been Bryant Charles Gumbel (born September 29, 1948) is an American Television personality for news and Sports programs Chris Wallace (born October 12, 1947) is an American journalist currently the host of Fox News Sunday. Deborah Norville (born August 8, 1958 in Dalton Georgia) is an American television broadcaster and journalist Katherine Anne "Katie" Couric (born January 7, 1957) is an American Journalist who became well-known as co-host of NBC Matthew Todd Lauer ( December 30, 1957) is an American television personality best known as the host of NBC 's The Today Show Meredith Louise Vieira (born December 30, 1953) is an American Journalist, Television personality, and Game show host ^[3]

News anchors

From the show's inception, the idea of providing the latest news has been critical to the function of the program. In that vein, there has always been at least one person on set whose job it is to prepare and deliver newscasts. In 1952, that person was called Today's "news editor" or (informally) "news chief. " In modern parlance, the term "newsreader" or "news anchor" is preferred. Under the two-hour format, four newscasts would be delivered, once every half-hour. Now there are only three newscasts, delivered at the top of each hour. Some anchors, including Jim Fleming, Lew Wood, Floyd Kalber and John Palmer, were seasoned journalists before joining the program. Others, including Ann Curry, have used the position to increase their journalistic acumen, at times leaving the newsdesk behind to venture into the field. News anchors have included the following:

• Jim Fleming (1952–1953)
• Frank Blair (1953–1975)
• Lew Wood (1975–1976)
• Floyd Kalber (1976–1979)
• Tony Guida (1979)
• John Palmer (1982–1989)
• Deborah Norville (1989)
• Faith Daniels (1990–1992)
• Margaret Larson (1992–1994)
• Matt Lauer (1994–1997)
• Ann Curry (1997–present)

(*From 1979-1981, Jane Pauley and Tom Brokaw read the news headlines. Floyd Kalber (December 23 1924 – May 13 2004 was a noted American Television Journalist and Anchorman, nicknamed "The Big Tuna Tony Guida (born November 5, 1941) is a New York -based local television and radio personality John Spencer Palmer (born September 10, 1935, in Kingsport Tennessee) is a former news correspondent for NBC News. Deborah Norville (born August 8, 1958 in Dalton Georgia) is an American television broadcaster and journalist Faith Daniels ( March 9, 1957, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania) became nationally known for her role in anchoring some of America's most popular News Margaret Larson is a 25-year veteran of Broadcast journalism. Ann Curry (born November 19 1956) is an American Television news Journalist and news anchor on NBC's morning television )

Weather reporters

For the program's first 25 years, weather reports were delivered by the host or newsreader. Dave Garroway would draw the day's weather fronts and areas of precipitation on a big chalkboard map of the United States, based on information gathered earlier in the morning from the U.S. Weather Bureau in Washington, D. The National Weather Service ( NWS) once known as the Weather Bureau is one of the six scientific agencies that make up the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration C. Subsequent hosts John Chancellor and Hugh Downs dropped the chalkboard weather map concept and instead read a prepared weather summary over a still image of a weather map. When the show went to all-color broadcasts in 1965, weather maps were prepared and projected on a screen behind Frank Blair, who would deliver the forecast immediately after his news summaries. Under the old two-hour format, weather reports would be delivered every half-hour after the newscast. Today, the weather is still given every half-hour, but follows the news only at the top of the hour.

Garroway, Blair and others had no practical experience or academic credentials in meteorology. Today weather reporters have included:

• Bob Ryan (1978–1980)
• Willard Scott (1980–1996)
• Al Roker (1996–present)

Regular panelists

The job of "panelist" has no set definition. Bob Ryan is a meteorologist, currently forecasting for WRC-TV. Willard Herman Scott Jr (born March 7 1934 in Alexandria Virginia) is an American media personality and author best known for his work on NBC 's Albert Lincoln "Al" Roker Jr (born August 20 1954 is an American television broadcaster best known as the weather anchor for NBC 's Today Panelist duties can range from conducting interviews to reporting on a number of topics in-studio and in the field. Regular panelists on the program include the following:

• Jack Lescoulie (1952–1965)
• Edwin Newman (1952–1984)
• Judith Crist (1964–1973)
• Joe Garagiola (1967–1973, 1991–1992)
• Gene Shalit (1973–present)

Today Girls

From 1952 to 1964, a notable member of the cast was a woman, often an entertainer, called the Today Girl. Jack Lescoulie ( November 17, 1912, Sacramento, California - July 22, 1987, Memphis Tennessee) was a radio and Edwin Newman (born January 25, 1919, New York City) is a Journalist and Writer. Judith Crist (born May 22, 1922) is an American Film critic. She received a B For this person's son the baseball executive see Joe Garagiola Jr Gene Shalit (born March 25, 1932 in New York City) is the film and book critic on NBC 's The Today Show. Usually, the Today Girl would discuss fashion and lifestyle, cover lighter-fare stories or engage in verbal jousting with Garroway. Estelle Parsons was the first person to hold the job, though her title was "Women's Editor" for the program. Upon her departure in 1955, the Today Girl name was adopted. The last Today Girl was Barbara Walters, who was promoted to co-host alongside Hugh Downs in 1966. No one was chosen to replace her.

• Estelle Parsons (official title: "Women's Editor") (1952-1955)
• Lee Meriwether (1955-1956)
• Helen O'Connell (1956-1958)
• Betsy Palmer (1958)
• Florence Henderson (1959-1960)
• Beryl Pfizer (1960-1961)
• Robbin Bain (1961)
• Louise King (1962)
• Pat Fontaine (1963-1964)
• Maureen O'Sullivan (1964)
• Barbara Walters (1964)

Controversies and transitions

"Memogate"

In 1989, Gumbel wrote a memo to Today Show executive producer Marty Ryan, which was critical of other Today Show personalities. Estelle Margaret Parsons (born November 20, 1927) is an Academy Award -winning American Theatre, Film and Television Lee Ann Meriwether (born May 27, 1935 in Los Angeles California) is Miss America 1955 and an American actress, appearing Helen O'Connell (b May 23, 1920 in Lima Ohio &ndash September 9, 1993 in San Diego California) was a singer actress Betsy Palmer (born Patricia Betsy Hrunek; November 1 1926) is an American Actress probably best known for her role as a panelist Florence Agnes Henderson (born February 14, 1934) is an American actress and singer perhaps best known for playing the role of Carol Brady in the Television Maureen Paula O’Sullivan ( 17 May, 1911 &ndash 23 June, 1998) was an Irish actress considered Ireland Barbara Jill Walters (born September 25 1929) is an American Journalist, writer and media The year 1989 in television involved some significant eventsBelow is a list of Television -related events in 1989. This memo was leaked to the press. In the memo, Gumbel commented that Willard Scott, "holds the show hostage to his assortment of whims, wishes, birthdays and bad taste. Willard Herman Scott Jr (born March 7 1934 in Alexandria Virginia) is an American media personality and author best known for his work on NBC 's . . This guy is killing us and no one's even trying to rein him in". He commented that Gene Shalit's movie reviews "are often late and his interviews aren't very good. Gene Shalit (born March 25, 1932 in New York City) is the film and book critic on NBC 's The Today Show. "^[4]

There was enough negative backlash in regard to Gumbel's comments toward Scott, that Gumbel was shown making up with Scott on The Today Show. ^[5]

Pauley-Norville

By 1989, Norville replaced Palmer at the Today newsdesk and he assumed her previous role on Sunrise. The year 1989 in television involved some significant eventsBelow is a list of Television -related events in 1989. She also began substituting for Tom Brokaw on NBC Nightly News. Thomas John "Tom" Brokaw (born February 6, 1940) is an American Television Journalist and Author, and NBC Nightly News is the flagship evening news program for NBC News and broadcasts from the GE Building, Rockefeller Center in New York City. Shortly after Norville's appointment as Today's news anchor, the decision was made to feature Norville as an unofficial third host. Whereas Palmer had read the news from a desk separate from where Gumbel and Pauley sat, Norville was seated alongside the program's hosts at the opening and closing of every show. Before long, gossip columns and media observers predicted that NBC would remove Jane Pauley from the program and replace her with Norville in an effort to improve the program's recently declining viewership by young women, the demographic most coveted by morning shows.

By late 1989, it was announced that 13-year veteran Jane Pauley would leave Today at the end of the year. NBC, as expected, announced that Norville would become co-host. An emotional Norville hugged Pauley on the air after the announcement was made, and many at NBC hoped the negative press generated by Norville's increased presence on the program would end. It did not. Prior to the announcement of Pauley's departure, much of the criticism had focused on Norville's youth and beauty, with many branding her "the other woman" and a "home wrecker," in a reference to what some felt seemed like her intent on "breaking up" the television marriage of Gumbel and Pauley.

Negative press only heightened after the announcement of Pauley's resignation, and Norville was put under a gag order by NBC brass which prevented her from defending herself from the widespread and erroneous reports that she somehow orchestrated her rise on Today. In January 1990, the new anchor team of Bryant Gumbel and Deborah Norville, minus Jane Pauley, debuted with disastrous results. Year 1990 ( MCMXC) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar) Ratings for the program began to plummet. Nielsen Ratings are audience measurement systems developed by Nielsen Media Research to determine the Audience size and composition of television Critics felt that Gumbel and Norville lacked chemistry and many loyal viewers began turning to rival ABC's Good Morning America (GMA). The American Broadcasting Company ( ABC) is an American Television network. Good Morning America ( GMA) is a morning news show that is broadcast on the ABC television network debuting on November

By the end of 1990, Today, the longtime dominant program, was officially the second place morning show behind GMA, and most of the blame was pinned on Norville. The year 1990 in television involved some significant eventsBelow is a list of Television -related events in 1990. By the outbreak of The Gulf War in 1991, Norville saw her role as co-host continually minimized. The year 1991 in television involved some significant eventsBelow is a list of Television -related events in 1991. Today aired special editions of the program called America at War, with Gumbel anchoring most of the show alone. It was not uncommon for Norville not to even make an appearance until the two hour show's second half hour. In addition, she was directed not to initiate conversation on the show and only speak when asked a question by Gumbel. Norville left the show for maternity leave in February 1991. Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar. It was announced that Katie Couric would substitute co-host during Norville's absence. Ratings for the program rose immediately following Norville's departure and Couric's arrival.

Midway though her maternity leave, Norville was interviewed by People. People (full name People Weekly) is a weekly American Magazine of Celebrity and human interest stories, published In the story, she avoided conversation about her recent trouble on Today, and instead focused on her newborn baby boy. She was photographed breastfeeding her son, a seemingly innocuous event, but NBC management was said to be greatly displeased by this, believing the photo to be in poor taste. By April 1991, in light of improved ratings on Today and NBC's displeasure at the People photograph, it was announced that Norville would not return to Today and that Katie Couric had been named the program's co-host. Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar. Norville, it was disclosed, would continue to be paid in accordance with her contract, although she would no longer appear on any NBC News programs. NBC News is the news division of American Television network NBC, a part of NBC Universal, which is majority-owned by General Electric

Rumored Couric-Lauer feud

Beginning in 2004 there were rumors that Katie Couric and Matt Lauer were in the midst of a feud. Reports say that this was due to Katie Couric's prominence, that she was generally perceived as handling the news program, and that she was the only person who could guarantee high ratings for a morning news program. Some reports also stated that Couric became a bit too proud (some say obnoxious) because of this and began to offend co-host Matt Lauer and the rest of the cast. Couric denied these reports, saying that she was rather hurt by them.

Couric leaves, Vieira enters

On Wednesday April 5, 2006, Katie Couric announced on her fifteenth anniversary as co-host of Today that she would leave Today and NBC News at the end of May to become the new anchor and managing editor of the CBS Evening News. CBS Evening News is the flagship nightly television news program of the American television network CBS. Katie Couric's final broadcast was aired on May 31, 2006. The day's show was dedicated to Couric's fifteen years as one of the show's co-hosts, and celebrated her move to the anchor chair at CBS, where she also became a correspondent for the network's Sunday night program 60 Minutes. Not to be confused with the BBC news magazine program Sixty Minutes (TV series. Couric said during the show, "It's been a pleasure hosting this program, and thank you for fifteen great years. " A special video presentation was broadcast, recapping her best moments and news stories on Today during her fifteen years.

The day after Couric's announcement, Meredith Vieira announced on ABC's The View, where she then served as a host, that she would take over as Lauer's co-anchor in September. The View is an Emmy Award -winning American Talk show created by Barbara Walters and Bill Geddie and broadcast on Lauer and Vieira began co-hosting together on September 13, 2006.

On June 1, 2006 (the day after Couric's departure) NBC News announced that for the summer of 2006 Today would move to a temporary outdoor studio as Studio 1A was going through renovations to prepare for high-definition. Events 193 - Roman Emperor Didius Julianus is Assassinated 987 - Hugh Capet is elected Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. On that same day, NBC News launched a new advertisement promoting Vieira's arrival. For the summer of 2006, Couric's anchor seat was filled with various hosts, mostly consisting of Campbell Brown, Ann Curry, and Natalie Morales (all of whom were considered candidates to replace Couric), until Vieira took over that fall. Campbell Brown (born June 14, 1968) is an American Television news reporter currently an Anchor and political pundit for Ann Curry (born November 19 1956) is an American Television news Journalist and news anchor on NBC's morning television Natalie Leticia Morales (born June 6 1972 in Taiwan) is an American Television news Journalist and became an

Lauer's contract has been secured for the future years. He has signed through 2011 and has gotten a sizable salary increase.

Jane Fonda's use of vulgar language

At approximately 8:20 a. m. on February 14, 2008, Jane Fonda used the word "cunt" during a live interview on a segment about The Vagina Monologues. Events 842 - Charles the Bald and Louis the German swear the Oaths of Strasbourg in the French and German 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Jane Fonda (born December 21 1937 is an American Academy Award winning Actress, Writer, political activist, former Fashion Cunt ( IPA:/kʌnt/ is an English language Vulgarism referring generally to the Female genitalia. The Vagina Monologues is an Obie Award -winning episodic play written by Eve Ensler which ran at the Off-Broadway Westside Theatre “Well, it wasn’t that I wasn’t a big fan. I hadn’t seen the play. I live in Georgia, okay? I was asked to do a monologue called ‘Cunt,’ and I said ‘I don’t think so, I got enough problems. ’”

Apology

At approximately 8:40 a. m. before a commercial break, Meredith Vieira apologized for the incident. Meredith Louise Vieira (born December 30, 1953) is an American Journalist, Television personality, and Game show host She explained that neither Fonda nor NBC intended to offend any of the viewers. "It was a slip and obviously, she apologizes and so do we. We would do nothing to offend the audience, so please accept that apology. " For the Midwest, Mountain, and West Coast feeds, NBC silenced the word and covered Fonda's face with a still photo of her. ^{[6] [7]}

Reaction

“There is no excuse for airing one of the most patently offensive words in the English language on broadcast television, especially at the breakfast hour. If an NBC employee used the word 'cunt' to another employee, that employee would be suspended or even fired," said Parents Television Council President Tim Winter. The Parents Television Council (PTC is a US -based nonprofit organization founded by conservative activist L ^[8]

Brand extensions

The first brand extension was created in 1982. Brand extension or brand stretching is a Marketing strategy in which a firm marketing a product with a well-developed image uses the same Brand name in Early Today was conceived as a lead-in for Today. Early Today is the early morning news program on NBC. Christina Brown and Dan Kloeffler rotate as anchors of the program It even had the same anchors, Bryant Gumbel and Jane Pauley. The program was conceived so local stations could carry the full hour or one of the two half-hours. After a year NBC cancelled the program, after concluding that the show was too similar to Today. It was replaced by NBC News at Sunrise anchored by Connie Chung. NBC News at Sunrise was an early morning news program produced by NBC News from 1983 to 1999 Constance Yu-Hwa "Connie" Chung Povich ( born August 20, 1946) is an American journalist who has been an anchor and reporter

In 1999, NBC cancelled NBC News at Sunrise and created two brand extensions for Today. NBC News at Sunrise was an early morning news program produced by NBC News from 1983 to 1999 Brand extension or brand stretching is a Marketing strategy in which a firm marketing a product with a well-developed image uses the same Brand name in One was Early Today (not to be confused with the earlier incarnation). Early Today is the early morning news program on NBC. Christina Brown and Dan Kloeffler rotate as anchors of the program Replacing NBC News at Sunrise, the program originally was produced by CNBC and focused on business and financial news before switching to general news under the same production staff as MSNBC First Look; it continues to air on many NBC affiliates. NBC News at Sunrise was an early morning news program produced by NBC News from 1983 to 1999 CNBC (an abbreviation for the " C onsumer N ews and B usiness C hannel" its official name until 1991 is a cable and MSNBC is a 24-hour cable television news channel based in the United States and available in Canada. First Look is an early morning news program on MSNBC airing live at 5am The National Broadcasting Company ( NBC) is an American Television network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Also in the of fall 1999, Later Today, a talk show that was intended to air immediately following the then two-hour Today, was launched with hosts Jodi Applegate, Florence Henderson and Asha Blake. Today, also referred to as The Today Show, is an American morning news and talk show airing weekday mornings on NBC. A talk show ( American) or chat show ( Global) is a Television or Radio program where one person or group of people come together to Jodi Applegate (born May 2, 1964 in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania) is an American News anchor. Florence Agnes Henderson (born February 14, 1934) is an American actress and singer perhaps best known for playing the role of Carol Brady in the Television Asha Blake (b1961 is an Emmy award-winning Journalist. She was the anchor of the 900 p Sagging ratings for that show caused its cancellation in August 2000; it was replaced two months later by a third hour of Today. Nielsen Ratings are audience measurement systems developed by Nielsen Media Research to determine the Audience size and composition of television

Expanding to four hours

On September 10, 2007, NBC expanded the show to four hours, stretching the top-rated and highly profitable show into the late morning. Events 506 - The Bishops of Visigothic Gaul meet in the Council of Agde. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. NBC made the formal announcement Wednesday, January 17, at its press tour sessions, confirming a number of reports about the extra hour. Events 38 BC - Octavian marries Livia Drusilla. 1287 - King Alfonso III of Aragon invades Minorca The show currently airs from 7:00 a. m. - 11:00 a. m. on most stations, although some affiliates may air the fourth hour at another time of the day. Ann Curry, Natalie Morales and Al Roker currently host the third hour of Today; Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb currently host the fourth hour. Ann Curry (born November 19 1956) is an American Television news Journalist and news anchor on NBC's morning television Natalie Leticia Morales (born June 6 1972 in Taiwan) is an American Television news Journalist and became an Albert Lincoln "Al" Roker Jr (born August 20 1954 is an American television broadcaster best known as the weather anchor for NBC 's Today Kathie Lee Gifford (born Kathryn Lee Epstein; August 16 1953 is an American Television hostess Singer, actress, noted for her Hoda Kotb (commonly pronounced HO-dah COT-bee born 9 August 1964 in Norman Oklahoma) is an American Television news anchor The fourth hour of Today competes with ABC's The View and CBS's The Price is Right in most markets in the Central and Pacific time zones, but most Eastern time stations air it live one hour before those programs. The View is an Emmy Award -winning American Talk show created by Barbara Walters and Bill Geddie and broadcast on Widely Known Facts The Price Is Right is an American Television Game show that is currently owned by the FremantleMedia NBC cancelled daytime soap opera Passions (which moved to DirecTV-exclusive channel The 101) to make room for the fourth hour. Passions is an American television Soap opera created by DirecTV (trademarked as "DIREC' TV' " is a Direct broadcast satellite (DBS service based in El Segundo California, USA, that was founded The 101 is the name of DirecTV 's in-house channel on its satellite service available throughout the United States.

Music

Today Show host Dave Garroway selected Les Brown's Sentimental Journey as the program's very first theme, used during the entire Garroway era from 1952 to 1961. David Cunningham Garroway ( July 13, 1913 – July 21, 1982) was the founding host of NBC 's Today Les Brown Sr ( March 14, 1912 – January 4, 2001) and the Band of Renown are a Big band that began in the big band era "Sentimental Journey" is a popular Song, published in 1944. In 1962, when Hugh Downs became host, Django Reinhardt's Melodie au Crepuscule was chosen as the new theme; it was replaced in 1963 by Misty, an instrumental ballad composed by Erroll Garner and performed by Bobby Hackett and John B. Hugh Malcolm Downs (born February 14, 1921) is a retired American broadcaster Television host Jean "Django" Reinhardt ( January 23, 1910 – May 16, 1953) was a Belgian Gypsy jazz Guitarist " Misty " is a Jazz standard written in 1954 by the pianist Erroll Garner. Robert Leo "Bobby" Hackett ( January 31, 1915 - June 7, 1976) was a Jazz musician who played Trumpet, Seng. ^[9]

Misty served as Today’s theme until 1971, when NBC News correspondent Frank McGee joined the show. Frank McGee (September 12 1921&mdashApril 17 1974 was a Television Journalist. Composer Ray Ellis penned an entirely new instrumental theme entitled This is Today, a jazzy, up-tempo piece that served as the program's main theme until 1978. Ray Ellis (born July 28, 1923 in Philadelphia Pennsylvania) is an American Record producer, Arranger and conductor Because This is Today closely resembled the theme Day by Day from the musical Godspell, Ellis was successfully sued for copyright infringement and This is Today was revised. " Day by Day " is a popular song with music by Axel Stordahl and Paul Weston and Lyrics by Sammy Cahn. This article is about the musical For the movie see Godspell (film. The second version of This is Today incorporated the familiar NBC chime signature (G-E-C) in a bright, appropriately sunny arrangement that was used until 1981, at the close of the Tom Brokaw-Jane Pauley era. The NBC chimes of the National Broadcasting Company (NBC Radio network in the United States were the first ever audio Trademark (and the first Thomas John "Tom" Brokaw (born February 6, 1940) is an American Television Journalist and Author, and Margaret Jane Pauley (born October 31, 1950, in Indianapolis Indiana) is an American Television Journalist, and has been ^[10] The G-E-C signature was also used throughout the program to introduce and conclude segments, usually in combination with the familiar Today Show sunburst.

By 1982, Today had a new anchor, Bryant Gumbel, and a new version of Ellis' This is Today theme, a looser, more relaxed arrangement that continued to feature the NBC chimes in its melody. Bryant Charles Gumbel (born September 29, 1948) is an American Television personality for news and Sports programs A shorter arrangement of This is Today was used for the show open (featuring a rotating globe and Today sunburst) from 1983 to 1985. The main theme was used until 1985, and due to its popularity with viewers was resurrected as the show's secondary theme in January 1993.

1985 saw the end of the synthesizer era at NBC as composer John Williams wrote a series of themes for all NBC News programs, with a cut entitled The Mission serving as the principal theme for NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw. John Towner Williams (born February 8 1932) is an American Composer, conductor and Pianist. NBC Nightly News is the flagship evening news program for NBC News and broadcasts from the GE Building, Rockefeller Center in New York City. Williams also composed two themes for Today: an opening fanfare for the program that was derived from the opening of The Mission; and a two-minute closing theme for the show entitled Scherzo for Today, a dramatic arrangement that made heavy use of strings and flutes. Scherzo for Today (aka "The Mission Second Part" is a short two-minute piece composed in 1985 by John Williams for use as the closing theme of NBC In the late 1980s, Scherzo was played in its entirety multiple times daily during the weather scrolls that ran during local commercial breaks; however, most NBC affiliates preempted these segments with advertising. The new Today themes -- used in tandem with the show's new opening sequence featuring the Statue of Liberty and a new living room studio set -- gave the program a distinctly modern look and sound beginning in September 1985. A series of Williams-penned bumpers featuring the Mission signature were also used to open and close segments.

Scherzo for Today was used as the program's closing theme until 1990, and the Mission bumpers were used until 1993. (One of them could be heard as a station break lead-in on NBC's Meet The Press until 2004. Meet the Press is a weekly American television news/interview program produced by NBC. ) Today opening fanfare has opened the program ever since, with two exceptions. In the summer of 1994, to mark the debut of Studio 1A, the Williams-penned fanfare was replaced by another opening theme, but the Williams theme returned shortly thereafter. In 2004, the show's producers tried out yet another theme, which drew once again on the NBC chimes as its signature, but the Williams theme returned after only a few weeks. It is by far the most enduring theme in the program's history, having now been in use for over two decades.

The Scherzo for Today was iconically accompanied by Fred Facey announcing "From NBC News, this is Today. Fred Facey (1930 &ndash April 13 2003) was an American Radio and Television Announcer. . . " until his death in April 2003. His announce could be heard until Katie Couric left on May 31, 2006, except for special editions requiring special introductions. Events 1279 BC - Rameses II (The Great (19th dynasty becomes pharaoh of Ancient Egypt. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Facey's work is now only heard on the MSNBC program Headliners and Legends. MSNBC is a 24-hour cable television news channel based in the United States and available in Canada. MSNBC Documentaries is the umbrella title of a series of documentaries co-produced by NBC News and MSNBC. With the addition of Vieira, Les Marshak began announcing the introduction as of September 13, 2006 (Marshak had already been the announcer for Weekend Today). Events 509 BC - The Temple of Jupiter on Rome 's Capitoline Hill is dedicated on the ides of September Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ^[11]

Currently, a lighter theme employing the NBC chimes is used to open the show's 7:30 through 9:30 half-hour segments, and also used as a closing theme.

On June 1, 2006, Today launched a new ad campaign to let people know about their new co-host Meredith Vieira. Events 193 - Roman Emperor Didius Julianus is Assassinated 987 - Hugh Capet is elected Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. The "It's a New Day Today" campaign ran up until September 13, when Meredith officially became the new co-host of Today. Events 509 BC - The Temple of Jupiter on Rome 's Capitoline Hill is dedicated on the ides of September This theme was also used April 7, 2008 for the intro on the 4th hour to welcome Kathie Lee Gifford. Events 529 - First draft of Corpus Juris Civilis (a fundamental work in Jurisprudence) is issued by Eastern Roman Emperor 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common However, many stations continue to use the song to promote their local morning shows that lead in to Today.

Weekend Today

Main article: Weekend Today

The Sunday edition of Today debuted on September 20, 1987. Weekend Today is an American morning news and talk show airing weekend mornings on the NBC Television network. Events 451 - The Battle of Chalons takes place in North Eastern France. Year 1987 ( MCMLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar) Five years later on August 1, 1992, the Saturday edition debuted expanding the Today schedule to seven days a week. Events 30 BC - Octavian (later known as Augustus enters Alexandria, Egypt, bringing it under the control of the Roman Year 1992 ( MCMXCII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar) The show is broadcast from Studio 1A in Rockefeller Plaza, the same location as its weekday counterpart. The Sunday broadcast airs for one hour, and the Saturday broadcast for two hours. The Sunday edition originally aired for 90 minutes, but gave up half an hour to an expanded Meet the Press in 1992. Meet the Press is a weekly American television news/interview program produced by NBC. The weekend broadcasts continue the Today tradition of covering breaking news, interviewing newsmakers, reporting on a variety of popular-culture and human-interest stories, covering health and finance issues and presenting the latest weather reports. NBC airs the Saturday edition from 7:00 a. m. to 9:00 a. m. and the Sunday edition from 8:00 a. m to 9:00 a. m. (both Eastern Time), although many of the network's affiliates air local newscasts in those time slots and carry the network broadcast later in the morning. In addition, the show offers visitors to New York City a chance to observe firsthand the workings of a live television broadcast with its windowed studio on Rockefeller Plaza. Interaction with the crowd outside the studio is a major part of the program. Most recently, MSNBC correspondent Amy Robach succeeded Campbell Brown, who left NBC for CNN. Cable News Network, usually referred to by its Initialism CNN, is a major English language Television network founded in 1980 by Ted Turner

Weekend editions are tailored to the priorities and interests of weekend viewers—offering special series such as Saturday Today on the Plaza, featuring live performances by the biggest names in music and Broadway outside the studio throughout the summer.

Current anchors-

• Amy Robach
• Jenna Wolfe
• Lester Holt

Former anchors -

• David Bloom
• Campbell Brown
• Soledad O'Brien
• Maria Shriver
• Garrick Utley
• Boyd Matson
• Scott Simon
• Jodi Applegate

Special editions

The designation "special edition" often applies to instances wherein one or both hosts anchor the program from a location other than Studio 1-A, or in the event of significant news developments. Amy Robach (born 1973 in Michigan) is an Anchor and Correspondent at NBC and formerly at sister network MSNBC. Jenna Wolfe (born in 1974 in Jamaica) is an American journalist Lester Holt (born March 8, 1959 in Marin County California) is an American Anchor for NBC News ' weekend NBC Nightly David Bloom ( May 22, 1963 – April 6, 2003) was an NBC Journalist (co-anchor of Weekend Today and reporter Campbell Brown (born June 14, 1968) is an American Television news reporter currently an Anchor and political pundit for María de la Soledad Teresa O'Brien (born September 19, 1966 in St Maria Owings Shriver ( born November 6 1955 is an award-winning American journalist a prolific author and First Lady of California. Garrick Utley (born November 19, 1939, Chicago Illinois) is an American TV journalist Boyd Matson is the former anchor of National Geographic Explorer and a former co-anchor of NBC 's Weekend Today program Scott Simon (born 16 March 1952) is an American Journalist, and the host of Weekend Edition Saturday from National Jodi Applegate (born May 2, 1964 in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania) is an American News anchor. The expansion of an episode is not at all unusual, usually for planned long-duration news events such as presidential inaugurations or elections. The first such expanded edition came on January 20, 1953, with the inauguration of President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Events 250 - Emperor Decius begins a widespread persecution of Christians in Rome. Year 1953 ( MCMLIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The President of the United States is the Head of state and Head of government of the United States and is the highest political official in United States by Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower (October 14 1890 – March 28 1969 was President of the United States from 1953 until 1961 and a five-star general Breaking news can also extend the show's hours: during the London bombings on July 7, 2005, Today remained on the air for six hours, from 7 a. The 7 July 2005 London bombings (also called the 7/7 bombings) were a series of coordinated bomb blasts that hit London's public transport system during Events 1456 - A retrial verdict acquits Joan of Arc of heresy 25 years after her death Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. m. to 1 p. m. EDT.

Most special editions are introduced as "From NBC News, this is a special edition of Today".

These are just some of the special editions of Today.

1950s

When news of the death of Britain’s King George VI reached New York in the early morning hours of Wednesday, February 6, 1952, the plan for that morning’s show was thrown out and the program instead covered the monarch’s death. Events 46 BC - Julius Caesar defeats the combined army of Pompeian followers and Numidians under Metellus Scipio Year 1952 ( MCMLII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.

Coverage of Dwight Eisenhower’s inauguration dominated the Tuesday, January 20, 1953, edition. Dave Garroway, Jack Lescoulie, and news anchor Jim Fleming were in Washington for the day’s coverage. David Cunningham Garroway ( July 13, 1913 – July 21, 1982) was the founding host of NBC 's Today Jack Lescoulie ( November 17, 1912, Sacramento, California - July 22, 1987, Memphis Tennessee) was a radio and NBC correspondent Merrill Mueller demonstrated the network’s first portable Vidicon television camera, employed for the first time that day.

Today offered long-form coverage of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom on Tuesday, June 2, 1953. For the ship see RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Context States headed by Elizabeth II NBC coordinated with the BBC to provide live audio of the ceremonies. Still pictures taken from television screens in London were faxed to the RCA Exhibition Hall studio, where Garroway would show them to viewers. Multiple correspondents from both NBC and the BBC offered commentary and analysis, both in-studio and on location at Westminster Abbey. The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, which is almost always referred to by its original name of Westminster Abbey, is a large mainly Gothic church Coronation coverage began at 5:30 a. m. EDT and concluded at 9:00 a. m. EDT.

The Thursday, July 26, 1956, edition of the show covered the overnight sinking of the Italian ocean liner SS Andrea Doria, which foundered off the coast of Massachusetts. Events 657 - Battle of Siffin. 811 - Battle of Pliska; Byzantine Emperor Nicephorus Year 1956 ( MCMLVI) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. History Features Andrea Doria had a length of 212 m (697 feet) a beam of 27 m Home-movie film of the aftermath, shot by a passenger, was secured by a Today producer and broadcast on the show. Reporters Paul Cunningham and Dick McCutcheon provided analysis of the collision and subsequent sinking.

On Monday, August 20, 1956, Garroway and Lescoulie hosted the show from San Francisco, part of NBC's coverage of the 1956 Democratic National Convention. Events 636 - Battle of Yarmouk: Arab forces led by Khalid ibn al-Walid take control of Syria and Palestine Year 1956 ( MCMLVI) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The 1956 National Convention of the Democratic Party nominated former Governor Adlai Stevenson of Illinois for President and Senator Estes Kefauver

The week of September 2-6, 1957, Today originated from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, the first time an American network program broadcast from outside the United States for an extended period. Toronto (təˈrɒntoʊ colloquially pronounced or) is the largest city in Canada and is the provincial capital of Ontario Ontario (ɒnˈtɛrioʊ is a province located in the central part of Canada, the largest by population and second largest after Quebec Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page

The entire first hour of the Wednesday, October 2, 1957, edition was dedicated to a discussion of racial issues in America, moderated by Dave Garroway. Events 1187 - Siege of Jerusalem: Saladin captures Jerusalem after 88 years of Crusader rule Year 1957 ( MCMLVII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1957 Gregorian calendar) Guests included American Civil Liberties Union Chairman Ernest Angel, Reverend Theodore Braun, Mississippi Senator James Eastland, and National Urban League director Lester Granger. The American Civil Liberties Union ( ACLU) consists of two separate Non-profit organizations the ACLU Foundation a 501(c(3 organization which focuses James Oliver Eastland ( November 28, 1904 – February 19, 1986) was an American politician from Mississippi who served The National Urban League ( NUL) formerly known as the National League of black men and women, is a Civil rights organization based in New York City The hour mixed live discussion and commentary with taped reports from northern and southern cities.

The week of April 27-May 1, 1959, Today originated from Paris, France. Events 1124 - David I becomes King of Scotland. 1296 - Battle of Dunbar: The Scots are defeated Events 305 - Diocletian and Maximian retire from the office of Roman Emperor. The year 1959 ( MCMLIX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Paris (ˈpærɨs in English; in French) is the Capital of France and the country's largest city This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Garroway and company spent a week in the French capital, focusing on the art, culture, history and politics of France. Brigette Bardot and Charles Van Doren appeared on the show. Brigitte Bardot ( (born 28 September 1934 is a French actress, former fashion model, Singer and animal welfare/rights activist Charles Lincoln Van Doren (born February 12, 1926) a noted American Intellectual, writer and editor who was involved in a television Interestingly, in the days before satellite communications, the Paris shows could not be broadcast live in the United States. Each day's edition was filmed in advance, developed, edited and flown back to New York to be shown the next morning. Both the Paris 1959 and Rome 1960 remotes were broadcast in this manner.

The September 19, 1959, edition of the show was dedicated to an in-depth examination of the life and politics of Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev, tied to Krushchev's visit to the United States that week. Events 335 - Dalmatius is raised to the rank of Caesar by his uncle Constantine I. The year 1959 ( MCMLIX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Nikita Sergeyevich Khrushchev (April 17 1894 – September 11 1971 served as First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1953 to 1964 following Guests included reporters Martin Agronsky and Harrison Salisbury, along with George Allen, then-director of the U. S. Office of Information.

1960s

The eighth anniversary show, broadcast on Thursday, January 14, 1960, was taped entirely in Washington, D. Events 1129 - Formal approval of the Order of the Templar at the Council of Troyes. Year 1960 ( MCMLX) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. C. Garroway and company visited the Library of Congress. Garroway interviewed then-Senator Everett Dirksen and Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn. Everett McKinley Dirksen ( January 4, 1896 – September 7, 1969) was a Republican U Speaker of the House is a political term referring to a number of people In the United Kingdom and Canada, the Speaker of the House Samuel Taliaferro Rayburn ( January 6 1882 – November 16 1961) was a Democratic politician from Bonham Texas The cast toured the Supreme Court building and the White House, and Garroway delivered a commentary on the history of the White House while standing in front of the building. See also Executive Office of the President of the United States The White House, formerly known as the Executive Mansion, is the Official residence

In the last week of April 1960, Today traveled to Rome, Italy. Rome ( Roma ˈroma Roma is the capital city of Italy and Lazio, and is Italy's largest and most populous city with more than 2 Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest The Spanish Steps and the Coliseum were toured. Garroway interviewed actor Peter Ustinov, and examples of the culture and society of Italy were demonstrated. Sir Peter Alexander Ustinov (ˈjuːstɪnɒf or /ˈuːstɪnɒf/ 16 April 1921 – 28 March 2004) born Peter Alexander Baron von Ustinow

On November 23, 1963, Today aired a special three-hour Saturday program recapping the assassination of President John F. Kennedy the previous day. Events 800 - Charlemagne arrives at Rome to investigate the alleged crimes of Year 1963 ( MCMLXIII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The assassination of John F Kennedy, the thirty-fifth President of the United States, took place on Friday November 22 1963 in Dallas Texas Host Hugh Downs, Jack Lescoulie, and newsreader Frank Blair anchored the broadcast. Hugh Malcolm Downs (born February 14, 1921) is a retired American broadcaster Television host Jack Lescoulie ( November 17, 1912, Sacramento, California - July 22, 1987, Memphis Tennessee) was a radio and NBC News is the news division of American Television network NBC, a part of NBC Universal, which is majority-owned by General Electric In the opening minutes, Downs noted that the atmosphere that day "was very different" from what he had ever previously experienced. Lescoulie recalled how traffic in New York City after the assassination was at a standstill, and that telephone circuits were jammed. The City of New York Downs added that as the hours passed, the country's grief would turn into a "more historic kind of grief. "

The morning of February 22, 1965, saw a special expanded edition covering the assassination of Malcolm X the day before. Events 1495 - King Charles VIII of France enters Naples to claim the city's throne Year 1965 ( MCMLXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. Malcolm X (born Malcolm Little; May 19 1925 February 21 1965 also known as El-Hajj Malik El- Shabazz, was an African American Today ran coverage until 11:00 a. m.

Following the launch of NASA's Early Bird satellite on May 3, 1965, Today cast and crew traveled to Europe for a special live broadcast of the show. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration ( NASA, ˈnæsə is an agency of the United States government, responsible for the nation's public space program Intelsat I (nicknamed Early Bird for the Proverb "The early bird catches the worm" was the first (commercial communications Satellite to be Events 1491 - Kongo monarch Nkuwu Nzinga is baptised by Portuguese missionaries adopting the baptismal name of João Year 1965 ( MCMLXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. Host Hugh Downs was stationed at Westminster Abbey in London, Barbara Walters was in Paris, Jack Lescoulie was in Amsterdam and Frank Blair reported from the steps of the U.S. Capitol in Washington. London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. Pope Paul VI read a message live from the Vatican, marveling at the communications now possible between nations

The April 5, 1968 edition of the program covered the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. the day before, Today expanded until 10:00 a. Pope Events 456 - St Patrick returns to Ireland as a missionary bishop Year 1968 ( MCMLXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated in Memphis Tennessee on April 4, 1968, at the age of 39 m.

Thursday morning, June 6, 1968, saw a special edition continuing NBC's overnight coverage of the assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy. The assassination of Robert F Kennedy, a United States Senator and brother of assassinated President John F Today coverage ran until 10:00 a. m. EDT.

1970s

October 15, 1971, saw an expanded edition of the show, broadcast live from Persepolis, Iran. Events 533 - Byzantine General Belisarius makes his formal entry into Carthage, having conquered it from the Year 1971 ( MCMLXXI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. Persepolis ( Old Persian: Pārsa, Modern Persian: تخت جمشید/پارسه Takht-e Jamshid or Chehel Minar) was the ceremonial The show commemorated the 2,500th anniversary of the Persian Empire. The program ran until 10:00 a. m. EDT.

On January 24, 1973, Today expanded to 3 hours and broadcast from Washington as Frank McGee and Barbara Walters reported on the latest developments in the cease-fire agreement to end the U. Events 41 - Gaius Caesar (Caligula, known for his eccentricity and cruel Despotism, is Assassinated by his disgruntled Year 1973 ( MCMLXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the 1973 Gregorian calendar. Frank McGee (September 12 1921&mdashApril 17 1974 was a Television Journalist. Barbara Jill Walters (born September 25 1929) is an American Journalist, writer and media S. involvement in the Vietnam War, as President Richard Nixon gave a speech to reach the agreement the night before. The Vietnam War, also known as the Second Indochina War, or the Vietnam Conflict, occurred in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia They also reported on the preparations in Washington for the state funeral of former president Lyndon B. Johnson, whose body was flown to Washington from Texas that morning. A state funeral is a public funeral ceremony held to honour Heads of state or other important people of national significance

The following day, Today expanded and broadcast from Washington in order to allow McGee and Walters to anchor live coverage of the state funeral for President Johnson. At 10:00 a. m. , EST, the Today portion of coverage ended, with newscaster David Brinkley in Washington taking over from that point until the conclusion of the ceremony and analysis. The Eastern Time Zone ( ET) of the Western Hemisphere falls mostly along the east coast of North America and the west coast of South America David McClure Brinkley ( July 10 1920 &ndash June 11 2003) was an American Newscaster for NBC, and McGee said before the handover, "This concludes a special extended edition of Today for final ceremonies for President Lyndon B. Johnson. NBC News will continue its coverage with commentary by David Brinkley after a quick pause for station identification. "

On August 9, 1974, Today was expanded to 5 hours and broadcast from Washington to cover the resignation of President Richard Nixon. Events 48 BC - Caesar's civil war: Battle of Pharsalus - Julius Caesar decisively defeats Pompey at Pharsalus Year 1974 ( MCMLXXIV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. NBC News correspondent Douglas Kiker provided live commentary during Nixon's final speech from the White House and the family's departure via helicopter to California that morning. Douglas Kiker (born January 7, 1930, Griffin Georgia; died August 14, 1991, Chatham Massachusetts) was an American author As with the funeral for President Johnson a year earlier, the main division of NBC News took over coverage from Today about thirty minutes or so before Gerald Ford took the oath of office, with then-Nightly News anchor John Chancellor and then-correspondent Ron Nessen commenting. Gerald Rudolph Ford Jr (July 14 1913 December 26 2006 was the thirty-eighth President of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977 and the fortieth Vice President John William Chancellor ( July 14, 1927 &ndash July 12, 1996) was a well-known American Journalist, who spent most of his Ronald Harold Nessen (born May 25 1934) was White House Press Secretary for President Gerald Ford from 1974 to 1977

A special three-hour edition on July 15, 1975 covered the launch of Souyz 19. Events 1099 - First Crusade: Christian soldiers take the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem after the final Year 1975 ( MCMLXXV) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Soyuz launch, a part of the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project, was the first Soviet launch ever telecast, a first for American television. Jim Hartz and Barbara Walters anchored.

1980s

The show airing on December 9, 1980 was a special edition from New York as co-anchors Tom Brokaw and Jane Pauley covered the assassination of singer/songwriter and former Beatle John Lennon the night before. Events 536 - Byzantine General Belisarius enters Rome while the Ostrogothic garrison peacefully leaves the city Year 1980 ( MCMLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar) Multiple NBC News correspondents reported from The Dakota building in which reporters reported on Lennon's assassination, and the reaction of the shooting by his wife Yoko Ono.

The show airing on March 31, 1981 was broadcast from Washington, as part of its coverage of the assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan the day before. Events 307 - After divorcing his wife Minervina, Constantine marries Fausta, the daughter of the retired Roman Emperor Year 1981 ( MCMLXXXI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Brokaw and Pauley anchored.

On May 14, 1981, Tom Brokaw was stationed in St. Peter's Square in Rome to cover the assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II the previous day. Events 1264 - Battle of Lewes: Henry III of England is captured in France making Simon de Montfort the Year 1981 ( MCMLXXXI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Saint Peter's Square, or Saint Peter's Piazza ( Italian: Piazza San Pietro) is located directly in front of St Pope

On July 29, 1981, the program originated from London with Tom Brokaw and Jane Pauley commenting on the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana. Events 1014 - Byzantine-Bulgarian Wars: Battle of Kleidion: Byzantine emperor Basil II inflicts a decisive defeat Year 1981 ( MCMLXXXI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. Additional analysis was provided by Tina Brown. Tina Brown Lady Evans (born Christina Hambley Brown on November 21, 1952, in Maidenhead, England) is a Journalist,

Just before the 7:24 a. m. station break on the morning of October 6, 1981, word reached NBC of the shooting of Egyptian president Anwar Sadat. Events 105 BC - Battle of Arausio: The Cimbri inflict the heaviest defeat on the Roman army of Gnaeus Mallius Maximus Tom Brokaw announced what was known at the time, then threw to the commercial break. Upon returning at 7:30, Brokaw began what turned out to be eight-and-a-half hours of coverage--a Today record. NBC's Cairo bureau chief Art Kent provided live telephone reports, as Egyptian television stations ceased broadcast in the chaotic aftermath of the shooting. Cairo () which means "the Vanquisher" or "the Triumphant" is the capital and largest city of Egypt. In studio and over the phone, Brokaw interviewed experts on the Middle East, foreign policy and international relations until 3:00 p. m. , Eastern Time.

The Today staff received news of the death of Soviet President Leonid Brezhnev on Thursday, November 11, 1982. Events 308 - The Congress of Carnuntum: Attempting to keep peace within the Roman Empire, the leaders of the Tetrarchy declare Year 1982 ( MCMLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar) Already planning an extended broadcast in order to cover a space shuttle launch, the program stayed with both stories, providing frequent updates until noon Eastern Time.

The week of May 20 to 24, 1985, Gumbel, Pauley and Scott took the show on the rails. The "Today Express" was a specially-outfitted passenger train that took the cast and crew to special broadcasts in Houston, New Orleans, Memphis, Indianapolis and Cincinnati. New Orleans (nʲuːˈɔrliənz nʲuːˈɔrlənz French: La Nouvelle-Orléans) is a major United States port city and the largest city in Louisiana Memphis is a City in the southwest corner of Tennessee, and the County seat of Shelby County.

August 19, 1985, brought Today back to its streetside roots with "Today at Night," a special primetime broadcast from the Channel Gardens at Rockefeller Center. Events 43 BC - Octavian, later known as Augustus compels the Roman Senate to elect him Consul. Year 1985 ( MCMLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar) Guests for the nighttime broadcast included then-House Speaker Tip O'Neill, and Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas of Miami Vice. Thomas Phillip "Tip" O'Neill Jr ( December 9, 1912 &ndash January 5, 1994) was an American politician. Don Johnson (born Donnie Wayne Johnson, December 15 1949 Personal life Relationships and family At 22 Johnson began a four-year liaison Philip Michael Thomas (born May 26 1949) is an American Actor. Miami Vice is an American Television series produced by Michael Mann for NBC.

On Wednesday morning, January 29, 1986, a special edition covered the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster the previous day. Events 904 - Sergius III comes out of retirement to take over the papacy from the deposed Antipope Christopher. Year 1986 ( MCMLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar) The Space Shuttle Challenger disaster took place on January 28 1986 when ''Challenger'', a Space Shuttle operated by NASA, broke apart Former astronauts David Scott and Alan Bean, former Flight Director Gerry Griffin and Senators Jake Garn and Pete Domenici were among the guests providing analysis and commentary on the tragedy. David Randolph Scott (born June 6, 1932) a former NASA astronaut was one of the third group of astronauts named by NASA in October 1963 Alan LaVern Bean (born March 15 1932 is a former NASA Astronaut and became the fourth person to walk on the moon at the age of thirty-seven years in November Edwin Jacob Garn (born October 12, 1932) is an American politician a member of the Republican Party, and served as a U Pietro Vichi "Pete" Domenici (born May 7, 1932) is an American politician currently serving as a Republican Senator

On October 18, 1989, a special edition covered the Loma Prieta earthquake the day before. Events 1009 - The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a Christian church in Jerusalem, is completely destroyed by the Fatimid Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar) The Loma Prieta earthquake, also known as the Quake of '89 and the World Series Quake, was a major Earthquake that struck the San Francisco Bay

1990s

The show airing on April 20, 1995 was a special edition covering the Oklahoma City bombing the day before with Bryant Gumbel reporting from Oklahoma City. Events 1303 - The University of Rome La Sapienza is instituted by Pope Boniface VIII. Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995 The Oklahoma City bombing was a domestic terrorist attack on April 19 1995 aimed at the U Oklahoma City is the capital and largest city of the US state of Oklahoma.

The show airing on January 3, 1997 was a celebration of Bryant Gumbel's run on the program, the day before the 15th anniversary of his debut on January 4, 1982. Events 1431 - Joan of Arc is handed over to the Bishop Pierre Cauchon. Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar Bryant Charles Gumbel (born September 29, 1948) is an American Television personality for news and Sports programs Events 46 BC - Titus Labienus defeats Julius Caesar in the Battle of Ruspina. Year 1982 ( MCMLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar)

On September 6, 1997, the show was expanded in order to cover the funeral of Princess Diana. Events 3114 BC - According to the Proleptic Julian calendar the current era in the Maya Long Count Calendar started Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar Matt Lauer anchored from Studio 1A in New York, while Katie Couric and Tom Brokaw anchored from Westminster Abbey in Britain. At 10:00 am, Brokaw took over coverage from inside Westminster Abbey.

The show airing on April 21, 1999, covered the Columbine High School Massacre with Matt Lauer in Studio 1A In Rockefeller Center in New York, and Katie Couric in Littleton, Colorado. Events 753 BC - Romulus and Remus found Rome ( traditional date) Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) The Columbine High School massacre occurred on Tuesday April 20 1999 at Columbine High School in Columbine in unincorporated Jefferson County, The City of Littleton is a suburb of the Denver-Aurora Metropolitan Statistical Area and a Home Rule Municipality in Arapahoe County, Jefferson

2000s

The show airing on November 8, 2000, the morning after the contested presidential election in the United States, was the most-watched edition of the program in its history, with 12 million viewers, double the normal audience, tuning in. Events 1519 - Hernán Cortés enters Tenochtitlán and Aztec ruler Moctezuma welcomes him with great a Celebration 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. The United States presidential election of 2000 was a contest between Democratic candidate Al Gore, then Vice President, and Republican The United States of America —commonly referred to as the

When terrorists attacked the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11, 2001, Today was on the air. The World Trade Center in New York City, United States (sometimes informally the WTC or Twin Towers) was a complex of seven buildings in Lower Manhattan The City of New York Events 9 - The Battle of the Teutoburg Forest ends 506 - The Bishops of Visigothic Gaul Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. Matt Lauer announced that there was a breaking story in progress at 8:52 a. m. EDT, but threw to a commercial break when pictures were not available. The Eastern Time Zone ( ET) of the Western Hemisphere falls mostly along the east coast of North America and the west coast of South America Today returned indefinitely at 8:53 a. m. ET with Lauer, Couric, and Roker commenting on the events from the couch area of Studio 1A, initially reported as an accident. Today, also referred to as The Today Show, is an American morning news and talk show airing weekday mornings on NBC. When United Flight 175 crashed at 9:02:58 a. United Airlines Flight 175 was a scheduled US domestic passenger flight from Logan International Airport in Boston Massachusetts to Los Angeles m. , it was seen live on the program. Katie Couric handled the initial reports of the attack on The Pentagon as Lauer joined Tom Brokaw at the anchor desk. The Pentagon is the Headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, located in Arlington County, Virginia. Thomas John "Tom" Brokaw (born February 6, 1940) is an American Television Journalist and Author, and The broadcast restarted at 10:30 a. m. EDT, moments after the collapse of One World Trade Center. The Eastern Time Zone ( ET) of the Western Hemisphere falls mostly along the east coast of North America and the west coast of South America The World Trade Center in New York City, United States (sometimes informally the WTC or Twin Towers) was a complex of seven buildings in Lower Manhattan Couric, Lauer and Brokaw anchored live coverage under the production of the Today team until 1 p. m. EDT when Brokaw anchored an NBC News Special Report from NBC News Headquarters in 30 Rockefeller Plaza. The Eastern Time Zone ( ET) of the Western Hemisphere falls mostly along the east coast of North America and the west coast of South America The GE Building is an Art Deco Skyscraper that forms the centerpiece of the Rockefeller Center in Midtown Manhattan. NBC News Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent Andrea Mitchell wrote in her memoir Talking Back that her husband, then Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, received his first briefing on the attacks when she summarized events for Brokaw on the air with her cell phone in her lap. Andrea Mitchell (born October 30, 1946 in New York NY) is a Washington D Alan Greenspan (born March 6 1926 in New York City) is an American Economist and was from 1987 to 2006 the Chairman of the Federal Reserve of Couric and Lauer anchored a special report from 5 p. m. until 6:30 p. m. so Brokaw could prepare for a special, expanded edition of NBC Nightly News, airing from the observation deck atop 30 Rockefeller Plaza, and continuing NBC News live coverage throughout the evening. NBC Nightly News is the flagship evening news program for NBC News and broadcasts from the GE Building, Rockefeller Center in New York City. The GE Building is an Art Deco Skyscraper that forms the centerpiece of the Rockefeller Center in Midtown Manhattan. In the days following the attacks, Today was expanded to 6 hours each day for the remainder of the week that followed the attacks. On September 11, 2006, the fifth anniversary of the attacks, MSNBC replayed Today from five years earlier as it covered the attacks. Events 9 - The Battle of the Teutoburg Forest ends 506 - The Bishops of Visigothic Gaul Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. MSNBC is a 24-hour cable television news channel based in the United States and available in Canada. MSNBC did it again on September 11, 2007. Events 9 - The Battle of the Teutoburg Forest ends 506 - The Bishops of Visigothic Gaul Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.

The show airing on January 14, 2002 was a three-hour long celebration of the show's 50th anniversary. Events 1129 - Formal approval of the Order of the Templar at the Council of Troyes. See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. It was branded "A very special edition of 'Today. '" Anniversary shows often abandon typical format (outside of top-of-the-hour news updates) in favor of clips of old shows, interviews with previous hosts and other special segments tied to the occasion. For this show, the original opening music and intro to the show from 1952 was used, and several retrospectives were aired from former anchors, guests, producers, and handlers of J. Fred Muggs.

On September 11, 2002, the show was extended to six hours (broadcasting until 1 p. Events 9 - The Battle of the Teutoburg Forest ends 506 - The Bishops of Visigothic Gaul See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. m. Eastern Time) for a special edition covering the anniversary of the terrorist attacks from one year earlier.

On April 9, 2003 Today aired live until noon EST when U. Events 193 - Septimius Severus is proclaimed Roman Emperor by the army in Illyricum (in the Balkans) Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. The Eastern Time Zone ( ET) of the Western Hemisphere falls mostly along the east coast of North America and the west coast of South America S. Troops entered Baghdad. Lester Holt was sitting in next to Katie Couric for Matt Lauer. Lester Holt (born March 8, 1959 in Marin County California) is an American Anchor for NBC News ' weekend NBC Nightly Katherine Anne "Katie" Couric (born January 7, 1957) is an American Journalist who became well-known as co-host of NBC Matthew Todd Lauer ( December 30, 1957) is an American television personality best known as the host of NBC 's The Today Show Today coverage was restarted as an NBC News Special Report at 9:12 a. m. EST and Tom Brokaw joined Couric in Studio 1A until taking over the coverage from NBC News Headquarters in 30 Rockefeller Plaza at noon

When Pope John Paul II died on Saturday, April 2, 2005, Katie Couric and Matt Lauer anchored the weekend editions of the Today show. Thomas John "Tom" Brokaw (born February 6, 1940) is an American Television Journalist and Author, and NBC News is the news division of American Television network NBC, a part of NBC Universal, which is majority-owned by General Electric The GE Building is an Art Deco Skyscraper that forms the centerpiece of the Rockefeller Center in Midtown Manhattan. The funeral of Pope John Paul II was held on April 8 2005, six days after his death on April 2. Events 68 - Galba, Governor of Hispania, names himself legatus senatus populique Romani, breaking the line of Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Lauer anchored from the Vatican with Campbell Brown offering reports by his side. Vatican City, officially the State of the Vatican City (Stato della Città del Vaticano is a Landlocked sovereign City-state whose territory Campbell Brown (born June 14, 1968) is an American Television news reporter currently an Anchor and political pundit for On the day of the Pope's death, Couric anchored a special report on a Vatican statement updating the Pope's dire condition and Lauer reported for the special report anchored by Brian Williams when the Pope was officially dead. Brian Douglas Williams (born May 5, 1959) is the seventh anchor and managing editor of NBC Nightly News, the flagship evening He returned to New York as Couric traveled to Vatican City to co-anchor coverage of the Pope's funeral with Williams. Vatican City, officially the State of the Vatican City (Stato della Città del Vaticano is a Landlocked sovereign City-state whose territory

Today aired a live, six-hour special edition similar to that of 9/11 after the 7/7 transit bombings in London on July 7, 2005. The 7 July 2005 London bombings (also called the 7/7 bombings) were a series of coordinated bomb blasts that hit London's public transport system during London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. Events 1456 - A retrial verdict acquits Joan of Arc of heresy 25 years after her death Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The program began at seven a. m. EDT as usual, but then went live in all time zones until one p. m. EDT, instead of the usual tape-delay format. The next day's show was labeled a special edition. Campbell Brown's large presence during that day's coverage, in addition to her presence on the show during the death of Pope John Paul II fueled speculation she would replace Couric in the near future.

Shows in the wake of Hurricane Katrina often carried the "special edition" branding, as Katie Couric, Campbell Brown, Lester Holt and others were stationed along the Gulf Coast instead of Studio 1-A. Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was the costliest hurricane, as well as one of the five deadliest in the history of the United States Lester Holt (born March 8, 1959 in Marin County California) is an American Anchor for NBC News ' weekend NBC Nightly

The show airing on May 31, 2006 was a three-hour long celebration of Katie Couric's run on the show. Events 1279 BC - Rameses II (The Great (19th dynasty becomes pharaoh of Ancient Egypt. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.

On July 12, 2006, Matt Lauer traveled to St. Petersburg, Russia, airing his interview with Russian President, Vladimir Putin. Events 1191 - Saladin 's garrison surrenders ending the two-year Siege of Acre. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Saint Petersburg ( tr: Sankt-Peterburg,) is a city and a federal subject of Russia located on the Neva River Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending

On August 10, 2006, in response to the foiled terror plot in London, Today broadcast live in its timeslot for all timezones, and Matt Lauer anchored three NBC News Special Reports live in all time zones, at 6 a. Events 612 BC - Killing of Sinsharishkun, King of Assyrian Empire Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. m. EDT to report on the details of the story, at 8 a. The Eastern Time Zone ( ET) of the Western Hemisphere falls mostly along the east coast of North America and the west coast of South America m. EDT when U. S. counter-terrorism officials held a news conference at the Department of Homeland Security in Washington, D.C., and at 11:45 a. Washington DC ( formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D m. when President George W. Bush made remarks upon landing in Wisconsin from just outside Air Force One. George Walker Bush ( born July 6 1946 is the forty-third and current President of the United States. Wisconsin ( or wɪˈskɑnsɨn (French Ouisconsin) is one of the fifty United States of America, located in the north central part of the United States WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout

On Tuesday, August 29, 2006, Today marked the first anniversary of Hurricane Katrina's landfall. Events 708 - Copper coins are minted in Japan for the first time (Traditional Japanese date: August 10, 708) Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was the costliest hurricane, as well as one of the five deadliest in the history of the United States Matt Lauer and Ann Curry anchored from 30 Rock in New York, while Brian Williams, Campbell Brown, Lester Holt and many other NBC News correspondents reported from the Gulf Coast. NBC News is the news division of American Television network NBC, a part of NBC Universal, which is majority-owned by General Electric The show featured interviews with New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin and former FEMA Director Michael Brown, and first lady Laura Bush. New Orleans (nʲuːˈɔrliənz nʲuːˈɔrlənz French: La Nouvelle-Orléans) is a major United States port city and the largest city in Louisiana Clarence Ray Nagin Jr (ˈneɪgɨn (born June 11, 1956) is the Mayor of New Orleans. The purpose of FEMA is to coordinate the response to a Disaster which has occurred in the United States and which overwhelms the resources of local and state authorities Michael DeWayne Brown (born November 8, 1954) was Undersecretary of Emergency Preparedness and Response (EP&R a division of the Department of Homeland Laura Lane Welch Bush (born November 4 1946 is the wife of the forty-third and current President of the United States, George W

Another long-format special edition was aired on Monday, September 11, 2006, to mark the fifth anniversary of the 2001 attacks. Events 9 - The Battle of the Teutoburg Forest ends 506 - The Bishops of Visigothic Gaul Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Matt Lauer anchored the coverage from Ground Zero and was joined by Tom Brokaw and Campbell Brown. Ann Curry was at the anchor desk in the temporary outdoor studio in Rockefeller Plaza. Lester Holt reported from the Pentagon and Natalie Morales was stationed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Shanksville is a borough in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, United States, with a population of 245 as of the 2000 census For viewers in the New York Market, WNBC broke away from Today at 8:25 a. WNBC Channel 4 is the flagship station of the NBC television network located in New York City. m. EDT to give detailed coverage of the observance at Ground Zero, anchored by Chuck Scarborough, as they have done every year. Charles "Chuck" Scarborough (born November 4, 1943) is an American veteran television news anchor

Wednesday morning, September 13, 2006, Today and NBC News welcomed new co-host Meredith Vieira. Events 509 BC - The Temple of Jupiter on Rome 's Capitoline Hill is dedicated on the ides of September Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Meredith Louise Vieira (born December 30, 1953) is an American Journalist, Television personality, and Game show host

The show airing on January 2, 2007 covered the funeral of former president Gerald Ford with Meredith Vieira in Studio 1A in Rockefeller Plaza in New York and Matt Lauer in Washington and was cut to two hours to allow Brian Williams to assume coverage also from Washington. Events 366 - The Alamanni cross the frozen Rhine River in large numbers invading the Roman Empire. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Gerald Ford died on December 26, 2006 at his home in Rancho Mirage, California, at 645 p Brian Douglas Williams (born May 5, 1959) is the seventh anchor and managing editor of NBC Nightly News, the flagship evening

The April 17 and 18, 2007, editions of the show covered the Virginia Tech massacre with Matt Lauer and Meredith Vieira reporting live on the campus of Virginia Tech. Events 69 - After the First Battle of Bedriacum, Vitellius becomes Roman Emperor. The Virginia Tech massacre was a School shooting consisting of two separate attacks approximately two hours apart on April 16 2007 that took place on the campus of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, better known as Virginia Tech, is a public land grant polytechnic University in Tuesday's show ran for at least four hours, until 11 a. m. EDT.

On September 10, 2007, Today ran its premiere of the 4th hour with anchor Ann Curry and correspondents Natalie Morales, Hoda Kotb, and Tiki Barber. Events 506 - The Bishops of Visigothic Gaul meet in the Council of Agde. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Ann Curry (born November 19 1956) is an American Television news Journalist and news anchor on NBC's morning television Natalie Leticia Morales (born June 6 1972 in Taiwan) is an American Television news Journalist and became an Hoda Kotb (commonly pronounced HO-dah COT-bee born 9 August 1964 in Norman Oklahoma) is an American Television news anchor For the Field hockey player see Kate Barber Atiim Kiambu Hakeem-ah "Tiki" Barber (TEE-kee (born April 7, 1975

From November 5 to 9, 2007, Today launched a miniseries of unprecedented broadcasts. "Today Goes to the Ends of the Earth" was a broadcast in which Matt Lauer reported from the Arctic Circle, Al Roker reported from the Equator and Ann Curry reported from McMurdo Station in Antarctica and on November 9 from the South Pole via videotape. Matthew Todd Lauer ( December 30, 1957) is an American television personality best known as the host of NBC 's The Today Show The Arctic Circle is one of the five major circles of latitude that mark maps of the Earth. Albert Lincoln "Al" Roker Jr (born August 20 1954 is an American television broadcaster best known as the weather anchor for NBC 's Today The equator (sometimes referred to colloquially as "the Line") is the intersection of the Earth 's surface with the plane perpendicular to the Ann Curry (born November 19 1956) is an American Television news Journalist and news anchor on NBC's morning television McMurdo Station is an American Antarctic research center located on the southern tip of Ross Island on the shore of McMurdo Sound, 2200 Events 694 - Egica, a king of the Visigoths of Hispania, accuses Jews of aiding Muslims sentencing all The South Pole, also known as the Geographic South Pole or Terrestrial South Pole, is the southernmost point on the surface of the Earth. Meredith Vieira tied the segments together, anchoring live from Studio 1-A. Meredith Louise Vieira (born December 30, 1953) is an American Journalist, Television personality, and Game show host The effort was designed to highlight the causes and effects of global warming as a part of NBC Universal's "Green is Universal" campaign. NBC Universal is a media and Entertainment company formed in May 2004 by the combination of General Electric 's NBC with Vivendi Universal

On Tuesday, November 20, 2007, a split edition billed as a "Thanksgiving Travel Countdown" placed Meredith Vieira at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, the nation's busiest. Events 284 - Diocletian was chosen as Roman Emperor. 762 - Bögü Khan of the Uyghurs, Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Other correspondents reported Chicago O'Hare International Airport and LaGuardia Airport. LaGuardia Airport (ləˈɡwɑɹdiə is an airport located in Queens County on Long Island in the The City of New York. Matt Lauer remained in Studio 1-A.

On Tuesday, January 29, 2008, a special split edition live from London with Meredith Vieira anchoring from outside Buckingham Palace. Events 904 - Sergius III comes out of retirement to take over the papacy from the deposed Antipope Christopher. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common She had an exclusive interview with Prince Andrew featuring updates on the British Royal Family.

On February 4 and February 5, Today covered the Super Tuesday primaries and caucuses with Matt Lauer, Meredith Vieira, Andrea Mitchell covering the Democratic side, and David Gregory covering the Republican side. Events 211 - Roman Emperor Septimius Severus dies leaving the Roman Empire in the hands of his two quarrelsome sons Events 1576 - Henry of Navarre converts to Roman Catholicism in order to ensure his right to the throne of France. Andrea Mitchell (born October 30, 1946 in New York NY) is a Washington D David Gregory (born August 24, 1970 in Los Angeles CA) is the current host of Race for the White House on MSNBC and is Anchors were sent out to the big states, like California and Arizona.

On February 12, 2008, Meredith Viera and Al Roker were both live at Georgia Aquarium. Events 1429 - English Forces under Sir John Fastolf defend a supply convoy carrying rations to the army besieging Orleans from attack by the 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common The Georgia Aquarium, located in Atlanta, Georgia at Pemberton Place, is billed as the "world's largest aquarium" with more than 8 They gave reported on information covering the aquarium and had reports on the fish and, how the crew feeds them and keep them healthy. This special edition was a split edition with Matt Lauer live in Studio 1-A.

On February 21 and February 22, The Today show left Studio 1A and start a two-day special called "Today Takes a Winter Break". Events 362 - Athanasius returns to Alexandria. 1245 - Thomas, the first known Bishop of Finland Events 1495 - King Charles VIII of France enters Naples to claim the city's throne On the first day, Lauer, Vieira, Curry and Roker broadcasted from Sugarbush Resort in Warren, Vermont. Sugarbush Resort is a Ski resort located in the Mad River Valley in Warren, Vermont. Warren is a town in Washington County, Vermont, United States. On the last day, the anchors broadcasted from South Beach in Miami, Florida. This article is about the section of Miami Beach known as South Beach

On the April 7, 2008 edition of the program, Today and NBC welcomed Kathie Lee Gifford to the show. Events 529 - First draft of Corpus Juris Civilis (a fundamental work in Jurisprudence) is issued by Eastern Roman Emperor 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Kathie Lee Gifford (born Kathryn Lee Epstein; August 16 1953 is an American Television hostess Singer, actress, noted for her She will host the 4th hour of the show with Hoda Kotb. Hoda Kotb (commonly pronounced HO-dah COT-bee born 9 August 1964 in Norman Oklahoma) is an American Television news anchor Natalie Morales and Ann Curry will appear more during the first 3 hours. Natalie Leticia Morales (born June 6 1972 in Taiwan) is an American Television news Journalist and became an Ann Curry (born November 19 1956) is an American Television news Journalist and news anchor on NBC's morning television

On Wednesday, April 16, 2008, and Saturday, April 19, 2008, special editions of Today featured Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the United States, billed as "The Pope Visits the USA. Events 1178 BC - A Solar eclipse may have marked the return of Odysseus, legendary King of Ithaca, to his kingdom 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1012 - Martyrdom of Alphege in Greenwich London. 1529 - At the Second Diet of Speyer 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Pope Benedict XVI ( Latin: Benedictus PP XVI; Italian: Benedetto XVI; German: Benedikt XVI; born Joseph Alois Ratzinger " On April 16, the pontiff's 81st birthday, Today had a special split-edition. Events 1178 BC - A Solar eclipse may have marked the return of Odysseus, legendary King of Ithaca, to his kingdom Meredith Vieira stayed in Studio 1A in New York and Matt Lauer hosted the show from the south lawn of the White House to cover the pope's meeting with President George W. Bush. See also Executive Office of the President of the United States The White House, formerly known as the Executive Mansion, is the Official residence George Walker Bush ( born July 6 1946 is the forty-third and current President of the United States. On April 19, Benedict's third anniversary as pope, Weekend Today anchors Lester Holt and Jenna Wolfe moved outside to Rockefeller Center to cover the first papal mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. Events 1012 - Martyrdom of Alphege in Greenwich London. 1529 - At the Second Diet of Speyer Lester Holt (born March 8, 1959 in Marin County California) is an American Anchor for NBC News ' weekend NBC Nightly Jenna Wolfe (born in 1974 in Jamaica) is an American journalist Rockefeller Center is a complex of 19 commercial buildings covering 22 acres between 48th and 51st streets in New York City. The City of New York

On Tuesday, April 22, 2008, a special edition of the third hour of Today was co-hosted by First Lady Laura Bush, the first time a first lady hosted a morning news program. Events 1500 - Portuguese Navigator Pedro Álvares Cabral becomes the first European to sight Brazil. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Laura Lane Welch Bush (born November 4 1946 is the wife of the forty-third and current President of the United States, George W

On Saturday, May 10, 2008, Weekend Today featured a special split edition coveing the wedding of Jenna Bush at the President's ranch outside Crawford, Texas. Events 1291 - Scottish Nobles recognize the authority of Edward I of England. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Jenna Welch Hager, Née Bush, (born November 25, 1981 in Dallas Texas) the daughter of U Crawford is a town located in western McLennan County, Texas, United States. Co-anchor Lester Holt remained in New York City, while Amy Robach covered the wedding from Texas. The City of New York

Traditional special editions

Every Thanksgiving Day (since 2000), Today is truncated to two hours as the Today crew host the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. In the United States, Thanksgiving or Thanksgiving Day is an annual one-day legal holiday to express Gratitude for the things one has The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is an annual Parade presented by Macy's Department store. The parade, produced by NBC's entertainment division and not NBC News, occupies what would normally be the show's third and fourth hours. During the two hours Today is on the air, Lester Holt and Ann Curry host Today from Studio 1A as the Today crew prepare to host the parade.

During coverage of presidential inaugurations or other major events scheduled in Washington, D. Inauguration Day is the day every four years on which the President of the United States is sworn in and takes office. C. , the show broadcasts from NBC's Capitol Hill studios at 400 North Capitol St. in Washington, D. C.

When special events such as award shows take place in Los Angeles, one or more anchors will host the show from NBC's Los Angeles bureau. Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West For example on February 26, 2007, Al Roker reported live from outside the Kodak Theater the day after the Academy Awards. The Kodak Theatre is a live theatre in the Hollywood and Highland retail dining and entertainment complex on Hollywood Boulevard and North Highland Avenue

Ratings

Week of March 18, 2008 ^[12]

• Today: 5,600,000 viewers
• Good Morning America (GMA): 4,400,000 viewers
• The Early Show (TES): 2,700,000 viewers

Week of September 11, 2006

• Today: 6,320,000 viewers
• Good Morning America (GMA): 4,730,000
• The Early Show (TES): 2,800,000

International broadcasts

NBC News programming is shown daily on the 24 hour news network Orbit News in Europe and the Middle East. Orbit News is a 24 hour satellite and cable channel offering American news programming to viewers abroad primarily geared towards an Arab audience This includes a live broadcast of Today.

In Australia, NBC Today airs 4:00-6:00am Tuesday to Saturday on the Seven network. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. The Seven Network is an Australian television network, owned by the Seven Media Group. Sunday's edition is broadcast at 4:10 a. m. Mondays, followed by Meet The Press. Meet the Press is a weekly American television news/interview program produced by NBC. The program is condensed into a two-hour broadcast, with no local news inserted, however since April 2008 a news ticker (which later appears on Sunrise has appeared at the bottom of the screen. Sunrise is an Australian Breakfast television program broadcast on Channel Seven. A national weather map of Australia is inserted during cut-aways to local affiliates for weather. Today is pre-empted by paid programming on regional Seven affiliates Prime and Golden West Network. Prime Television is an Australian television network owned by Prime Television Limited. The Golden West Network, often abbreviated to GWN, is an Australian television network owned by Prime Television Limited that is based in The top three U. S. breakfast programs air simultaneously on Australian television with the CBS Early Show airing on Network Ten and Good Morning America on Nine. The Early Show is an American Television morning news Talk show broadcast by CBS from New York City, 7 to 9 a Network Ten, or Channel Ten, is one of Australia 's three major commercial television networks. Good Morning America ( GMA) is a morning news show that is broadcast on the ABC television network debuting on November The Nine Network, or Channel Nine, is an Australian television network based in Willoughby, a suburb on the North Shore of Sydney

Today is also shown in the Philippines on 2nd Avenue on RJTV with the weekday editions immediately airing after Early Today, which airs at 7. 2nd Avenue (formerly ETC 2nd Avenue) is a Philippine cable television produced and founded by Solar Entertainment Corporation which also created its sister stations ETC 00 local time Tuesdays to Saturdays. Weekend Today airs Sundays and Mondays at 7. 00 local time.

In the United Kingdom and across Europe, Today originally aired on Sky News between 1989 and 1993, and from 1993 and 1998 on NBC Europe. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Sky News is a rolling TV news channel providing 24 hour news coverage including the latest breaking news NBC Europe (formerly Super Channel and NBC Super Channel) was a Satellite television channel based in the United Kingdom that broadcast The show was initially aired live in the afternoons until 1995, when it was delayed until the next morning.

See also

• NBC News
• Weekend Today
• Early Today
• "Where in the World is Matt Lauer?"
• Good Morning America
• The Early Show
• Breakfast television

References

1. ^ A New Dawn for 'Today’ - 8/21/2006 - Broadcasting & Cable
2. ^ Barbara Walters Bio (html). NBC News is the news division of American Television network NBC, a part of NBC Universal, which is majority-owned by General Electric Weekend Today is an American morning news and talk show airing weekend mornings on the NBC Television network. Early Today is the early morning news program on NBC. Christina Brown and Dan Kloeffler rotate as anchors of the program Where in the World is Matt Lauer? is a segment on NBC 's Today show which features co-host Matt Lauer traveling the world to Good Morning America ( GMA) is a morning news show that is broadcast on the ABC television network debuting on November The Early Show is an American Television morning news Talk show broadcast by CBS from New York City, 7 to 9 a Breakfast Television, also known as BT, is a Canadian morning news and entertainment program which airs on the Citytv stations (in abc. com (2006). Retrieved on 2006-09-05. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1590 - Alexander Farnese 's army forces Henry IV of France to raise the siege of Paris.
3. ^ Barbara Walters Bio (html). abc. com (2006). Retrieved on 2006-09-05. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1590 - Alexander Farnese 's army forces Henry IV of France to raise the siege of Paris.
4. ^ Monica Collins, "Memo to NBC: We Love Scott", USA Today, March 1, 1989. USA TODAY is a national American daily Newspaper published by the Gannett Company. Events 86 BC - Lucius Cornelius Sulla, at the head of a Roman Republic army enters in Athens, removing the Tyrant Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar)
5. ^ Brian Donlon, "On Today, it's kiss and make up", USA Today, March 14, 1989. USA TODAY is a national American daily Newspaper published by the Gannett Company. Events 1489 - The Queen of Cyprus, Catherine Cornaro, sells her kingdom to Venice. Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar)
6. ^ http://www.redlasso.com/ClipPlayer.aspx?id=45607794-9819-40e8-908e-a72101d8c22a Jane Fonda Video
7. ^ Newsvine - Jane Fonda Uses Vulgar Slang on `Today'
8. ^ NBC Assaults Families with Offensive Language on Today Show
9. ^ The Today Show / NBC Today Show
10. ^ The Today Show / NBC Today Show
11. ^ mediabistro.com: TVNewser
12. ^ mediabistro.com: TVNewser

External links

• “Today” official site
• “The Today Show viewers home page and forum” The Today Show viewers home page and forum
• Today at the Internet Movie Database
• Weekend Today official site
• “Today” Music History page

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