Home > Kathie Lee Gifford Bids Farewell To Today Show

People
Kathie Lee Gifford Bids Farewell To Today Show

Description

Television icon Kathie Lee Gifford will bid farewell to NBC's "Today" show next April. "As we all know, Kathie Lee's plate has been overflowing lately with film, music and book projects, and after giving us eleven extraordinary years, she's decided to focus her attention full-time on those other creative endeavors," NBC News President Noah Oppenheim wrote in an internal memo Tuesday morning. Oppenheim called her a "legend" for her "enduring and endearing talents in morning television." From 1985 until 2000, Gifford co-hosted "Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee." In 2008, she became Hoda Kotb's co-host on the 10 a.m. hour of "Today." In the television world, the hour is known for funny conversations, celebrity guests and free-flowing wine. Gifford and Kotb are beloved by millions of viewers. And in the business world, it is known as a prime place to advertise. The morning-long "Today" show is a cash cow for NBC, generating hundreds of millions of dollars of ad revenue. So changes to the show's cast are always a big deal. In the coming months NBC will have to retool both the 9 and 10 a.m. hours. That's because 9 a.m. host Megyn Kelly was taken off the air in October after multiple controversies, including her offensive comments about blackface Halloween costumes. NBC and Kelly are still negotiating the terms of her exit. Gifford is leaving under very different circumstances. "We look forward to celebrating her in the months to come," Oppenheim wrote on Tuesday. Oppenheim said the network would share its plans for the future of the 10 a.m. hour before Gifford's final show in April. The hour "will, of course, continue to include Hoda," he said. When she's not a host, Gifford is a songwriter, a singer, a producer, an author, and an actress, among other roles. She has a movie in the works called "Then Came You." "I have something to share with everybody," Gifford said at the start of Tuesday's show. "It's bittersweet, as these things always are. But, I've been here almost 11 years. Thought I would stay one year. Something happened along the way: I fell in love with a beautiful Egyptian goddess." That's one of her loving nicknames for Kotb. "And now, when it's our 11th anniversary, I'm going to be leaving the 'Today' show," Gifford said. "It's an exciting time for me, and I'm thrilled about all the projects that are coming up. But it's also hard, because the reason I stayed longer than a year is because I love everybody here so much." In a statement, she added, "I leave 'Today' with a grateful heart but I'm truly excited for this new creative season in my life. Many thanks to all the wonderful people who made the years fly by." "Today" co-host Savannah Guthrie tweeted out, "A true pro, a true legend, a true friend. We love you, @KathieLGifford."

Added on the 11/12/2018 14:44:50 - Copyright : Wochit

To customise your video :

Or Create an account

More videos on the subject

  • Hoda Kotb: And The Worst Ever Guest On 'Today' Was...

    On 'Watch What Happens Live,' host Andy Cohen got Hoda Kotb to play 'Plead the Fifth' with her friend and former 'Today' co-host Kathie Lee Gifford. According to CNN, guests are asked three questions and can only 'Plead the Fifth' for one. Kotb pleaded the Fifth on answering what was the most annoyed she has ever been with Gifford before going on air. But she answered willingly when asked the identity of the worst guest she'd ever had on 'Today.' It's Frank Sinatra Jr. It was the worst guest we've ever had, bar none. He had a book he was promoting, and he didn't want to talk about it, so he didn't say anything. Hoda Kotb

    16/10/2020 - Wochit
  • Harvey Weinstein defended by Kathie Lee Gifford

    Harvey Weinstein has been defended by 'Today' show host Kathie Lee Gifford in the wake of the sexual harassment allegations against him.

    15/03/2018 - BANG Showbiz
  • Cher says her farewell tours are 'embarrassing'

    Cher finds the fact she keeps doing farewell tours "so embarrassing" because she "honest to God thinks she's never coming back".

    16/04/2019 - BANG Showbiz
  • Former U.S. President Clinton bids farewell to Singapore's founder Lee

    Former U.S. President Bill Clinton joins mourners to bid farewell to Singapore's founder Lee ahead of his funeral. Rough Cut (no reporter narration).

    28/03/2015 - Reuters EN
  • Former U.S. President Clinton bids farewell to Singapore's founder Lee

    Former U.S. President Bill Clinton joins mourners to bid farewell to Singapore's founder Lee ahead of his funeral. Rough Cut (no reporter narration).

    28/03/2015 - Reuters EN
  • Medellin bids final farewell to Colombian artist Fernando Botero

    Hundreds of people bid farewell to Colombian artist Fernando Botero in his hometown of Medellin, as his coffin is carried by soldiers in Botero Square to the Museum of Antioquia, which houses hundreds of paintings and sculptures that the artist donated to the city. IMAGES

    26/09/2023 - AFPTV - First images

More videosPeople