about the jobs report that just came out. president obama will step up at 8:30 to discuss that. 200,000 new jobs added. unemployment rate is 8.5%. good morning. breaking news. unemployment sinks to its lowest level in nearly three years, 8.5%. as the economy adds 200,000 jobs last month. is the recovery finally gaining momentum? cold-blooded killer joran van der sloot goes on trial today for the brutal woman murdered in peru. this morning, the victim's father speaks out. and the golden guy, ricky gervais, caused quite a controversy when he hosted the golden globes last year. will it be an even wilder night this year? >> and they won't know what i'm

going to say until i say it. >> what the outspoken entertainer is saying to us today, friday, january 6th, 2012. captions paid for by nbc-universal television and good morning. welcome to "today." 7:00 a.m. on the west coast on a friday. i'm matt lauer. >> i'm ann curry. now everybody knows where you were on assignment thursday. >> i was in london yesterday with ricky gervais. when you heard he was coming back to host the golden globes, you said he's probably going to tone things down. get ready to lose your money. he's not going to. >> we'll batten down the hatches. that's coming up. also we'll talk about presidential politics. the new hampshire primary is just four days away, as many of you know. gop front-runner mitt romney is already setting his sights on

the big prize after that, which, of course, is south carolina, a move drawing criticism from some of his fellow candidates. we'll have the latest on that. also a very sad story. hundreds of mourners attend the funeral of three young sister who is died in that tragic christmas morning house fire up in connecticut. the emotional farewell led by a final tribute from the girls' heartbroken mother. we'll share her touching words with you later on. >> lost not only her three kids but her parents, as well. new fallout over the video featuring casey anthony. was it stolen from her computer, as one of her attorneys alleges, or was it a ploy for publicity? first this morning's better-than-expected jobs report, 200,000 jobs added last month lowering the unemployment rate to 8.5%. that's the lowest level since february of 2009. mary thompson joins us with details. good morning to you. >> good morning, ann. >> boy, this comes as welcome

news. let's think about first, before we get too excited about these potentially mitigating factors, number one, december seasonal hiring but also the reporting that so many people may have stopped looking for work. so how should we read this drop in the unemployment rate? >> well, a couple of things. first of all, let's talk about the seasonal employment. there are two numbers you should look at. courier jobs like u.p.s. or fedex, they added about 42,000 in the month of december, and also retail jobs because, of course, stores hire to handle the holiday rush. you might see some kind of giveback on that front in the month of january. in addition, as you mentioned, you know, in november, it was significant. a number of people basically dropped out of the workforce. they gave up looking for jobs. and that helped the unemployment rate. what we saw in december was that the long-term unemployment rate basically dropped, as well. it's still very high, though, 15.2%, and these are the people who have been looking for work for more than 27 weeks. so that part of the labor market or unlabor market, i guess

unemployed market, remains very, very high, and that is still a problem even though it declined. >> all right. that said, this is the fourth straight month for a drop. so what does that tell us? especially since it's a drop from 8.7% to 8.5%, which is significant. >> a number of economists are saying keep in mind this is still a positive report. it's not the blockbuster numbers that a number of people would like to see, but it does suggest steady growth in the economy and steady growth in the labor market. >> all right. and meantime, you know, there have been a number of hopeful signs lately. i mean, we've been hearing about positive news in terms of holiday shopping. the stock market seems to be doing well. in context of what's happening to our overall economy, what do these numbers mean? >> it's basically the latest piece of evidence that suggests the u.s. economy is continuing to expand at a modest pace. again, not a blockbuster pace, but the recovery is there. it's continuing. it's in about its sixth month of steady growth here. a number of people are

optimistic. there are still a number of concerns out there. >> of course we've been hearing that many businesses are also starting to hire again, so that may also soon affect the numbers. mary thompson, thank you so much for reporting on this breaking news this morning. >> sure. it is now 7:05 pacific time. here's matt. >> all right, ann, thanks very much. now the race for the white house. the new hampshire primary may be four days away, but gop front-runner mitt romney is already focusing on south carolina. he's attending a gas roots rally in conway, south carolina, today, where we find nbc's peter alexander. peter, good morning. >> reporter: matt, good morning to you and welcome to the peanut warehouse in conway, south carolina. this place was actually built more than a century ago to store tobacco. today it will be hosting a mitt romney rally. the state of south carolina is really for romney's challengers the romney fire wall, to prevent the front-runner from running away with this race. as one analyst put it, with two

back-to-back debates scheduled this weekend, romney may be treated like a political pinata. >> thank you very much. here's mitt romney. >> reporter: mitt romney so confident of a primary win tuesday in new hampshire is already campaigning in south carolina. >> that's a great endorsement and that's quite a speech. i should just stop there. that's fabulous, thank you. >> reporter: with the state's governor, nikki haley, who rose to prominence thanks to sarah palin, could help romney attract social conservatives to the state, who's correctly picked every republican president since 1980. >> off chance to change the world! >> reporter: jon huntsman criticized the front-runner from diverting his attention away from new hampshire voters. >> the people of new hampshire don't want a coronation, they want people to earn the vote as opposed to sitting tonight down in south carolina so certain of a victory. >> reporter: thursday night huntsman grabbed the endorsement of "the boston globe." that's romney's hometown paper. the editorial read, "while romney proceeds cautiously, strategically, trying to appease

enough constituencies to get himself a nomination, huntsman has been bold." also taking shots, newt gingrich saying he'll beat expectations once voters focus on romney's moderate record. >> he's not a conservative. it's a joke for him to call himself a conservative. it's a "saturday night live" skit. >> reporter: gingrich, who's criticized romney as the, quote, food stamp president for his welfare policies, says he wants to be the paycheck president. but his focus on african-americans, who make up only one-fifth of food stamp recipients, raised some eyebrows. >> i'm prepared, if the naacp invites me i'll go to their convention and talk about why the african-american community should demand paychecks and not be satisfied with food stamps. >> reporter: rick santorum is still trying to ride the surge from his strong iowa showing, but at one stop he was confronted by a crowd of combative college students. still, his message to new hampshire voters is to look beyond who's ahead in the polls

and vote their hearts. >> don't settle for what is sufficient to do the job. pick who you believe is the right person to take on that challenge to defeat barack obama. >> reporter: the two texans in this race, ron paul and rick perry, who have been off the trail since tuesday's caucusing in iowa, return today and tomorrow, matt, they will both participate in this weekend's debate. >> peter alexander in south carolina this morning, thank you very much. nbc's david gregory, moderator of "meet the press," has a timely debate sunday morning. >> good morning, matt. >> let's talk about mitt romney's strategy saying i've got momentum coming out of iowa. if i believe the polling in new hampshire i have a sizeable lead there, i'm going to go to south carolina and try to deliver a knockout punch. is it risky or smart? >> i think it's where the evidence takes him frankly at this point. nobody's ever won iowa and then new hampshire. he becomes a prohibitive favorite going into south

carolina if he goes 2-0. he knows that it's a super bowl for social conservatives down in south carolina, but rick perry still being in the race dilutes the field, going up gingrich, santorum and perry and paul and they're going to attack each other along the way particularly in south carolina. >> if he eases up in new hampshire and another candidate has a surprisingly strong showing, someone like a jon huntsman, doesn't that renew the doubt in the minds of people who are already sitting ochb fence about mitt romney? >> no question about it. as we saw in iowa, huntsman has made a decision to camp out in new hampshire. so we can't say before the voting stars what kind of connection he's had. we see he's still farther down in the polls and it seems to be a long shot and remember that romney has a network in new hampshire building for a long time which is why he has a sizeable lead. also note, what is romney doing in terms of attacking the others? he hasn't gone after rick santorum, he's poised to do so

both himself personally and then the tsuper pac that could do it on his behalf. we may see more of that in south carolina. until then, you don't see the romney camp overly concerned about santorum yet. >> back to huntsman. when you read the things the pundits are saying abhim and you listen to the campaign stump speech, "the boston globe" endorsement, joe kleine in "time" magazine wrote, "he has proposed the most thoughtful roster of policy initiatives of any candidate in the race," says," he has flipped none of romney's flops on social issues." people say this guy is a great candidate. why hasn't he broken through? i know he didn't spend a lot of time in iowa, but why aren't more people talking about him? >> i just think a lot of people view him as slightly discordant in this particular primary season. he doesn't have tea party support. he's certainly not a favorite among the conservative base. he worked as president obama's ambassador to china. he hasn't really taken off

within the establishment, where romney's been able to absorb all of that support. it's a question of how you get defined in a race. you define yourself, others define you. very little of either is happening for jon huntsman. it's kind of a threshold question. a lot of people like him taking a hard look are enough people taking a hard look. >> mitt romney, front-runner, new ad, let's take a look. >> romney's economic plan, timid. parts of it virtually identical to obama's failed policy. timid won't create jobs and timid certainly won't defeat barack obama. newt gingrich's bold leadership -- >> david, newt gingrich at this moment in your opinion, is he still a viable candidate or simply playing the role of spoiler? >> republicans i talked to kind of all levels do not believe that he can be the nominee. he certainly has a lot of fight in him, and we've got two debates including ours coming up on sunday where i think he will try to regain some momentum here.

he wants to cast romney as a moderate. here he tries to link him with president obama. there's been a quality to his campaign where he's casting back and forth, not being as focused as he, himself, said he needed to be. he still thinks beyond new hampshire, south carolina is a place he could have some impact. even if you're gingrich, you look at the diluted race. there is not one alternative to romney who has yet to emerge. that hurts those who are trying to be that person and makes it easier for romney. >> david, before you go, sunday you'll be moderating this candidates' debate. there have been a lot of debates, 16 the last count. what's your approach going to be? >> well, i want to try to break new ground and unlike the other debates the clock is ticking. voters are going to polls. it's the time to pin these candidates down on some areas where there is still some doubt and where they face obstacles to the nomination. i think there are so many americans anxious about where the country is headed. it's an important debate to try

to allow them to know the candidates better. >> good luck with that. we will be watching. david gregory, thank you so much. catch the debate this sunday on "meet the press." sounds interesting, but now let's head to the news desk and find out about the morning's top stories from natalie morales. hey, natalie. >> good morning, everyone. violence in southern afghanistan. five coalition service members have been killed in bombings today, this according to nato. the nationalities of the dead have not been released. hundreds gathered overnight in utah to remember ogden officer jared francom who died in a shoot-out thursday morning. five other offersers were wounded in the cross fire when they attempted to serve a search warrant. the shooting suspect is an army veteran whose family says suffered from post traumatic stress disorder. francom is survived by his wife and two young daughters. new reports from espn this morning that the offensive coordinator of the new england

patriots agreed to replace joe paterno as penn state's head coach. bill o'brien is expected to be announced as the new coach saturday. paterno was fired in the wake of the sex abuse charges against retired defensive coordinator jerry sandusky. three air force academy cadets are facing sexual assault charges for three unrelated incidents that took place on the colorado campus. this after the department of defense reported that sexual assaults are on the rise at american military academies. some 5,000 artifacts from the "titanic" are said to be auctioned off this april, nearly 100 years to the day the night the ocean liner sank back in 1912. items range from a tiny hairpin to a large chunk of the ship's hull. many had been plucked from the wreckage two miles below the surface of the ocean by remote-controlled probes. the collection was recently appraised at $189 million back in 2007. new research in our health

news that shows mental function begins to decline as early as age 45. previous studies had shown the brain's capacity for memory, reasoning and comprehension tapering off at the age of 60 but a joint study from institutes in france and britain showed a 3.6% drop in reasoning starting at age 45. and a bittersweet survival story when dave gaillard died in an avalanche while on a montana ski outing this past weekend. rescuers were sure that the family dog had been swept away with him. four days later he was found sitting outside the motel room the family had been staying on their ski vacation, four miles from the site of the avalanche. oly has been reunited with the family who say the pup provided a much needed moment of happiness. 7:15. back over to ann, matt, and al. still a very sad story.

>> the dog could find the family again. amazing. >> natalie, thank you very much. mr. roker is here with a first check of the weather. >> hi, matt and ann.>> let's take a look at what we have for you today.arm weather,% of the lower 48 going to be above normal as far as temperatures concerned. they were golfing in iowa yesterday. look for showers moving into the pacific northwest. we have a few snow flurries around the central great lakes and snow in northern new england. plenty of sunshine through the southeast, temperatures start to warm up, in the plains, temperatures in some areas 20 good morning to you. well the return of the fog have temperatures a little bit cooler this morning. we'll be a little bit cooler this afternoon as onshore flow has strengthened. count on 65 in redwood city. 65 in los gatos. and 64 in fremont.

we'll old onto comfortable conditions throughout the weekend and we have two slight chances for rain late tuesday into wednesday and late tuesday into friday. hope you have a fantastic weekend. s the prime suspect in the disappearance of natalee holloway in aruba but this morning joran van der sloot is going on trial for another high profile case in peru. lilia luciano is there. >> reporter: good morning, ann. after 19 months in prison joran van der sloot will stand trial accused in the murder of a young woman five days to the day natalee holloway disappeared in aruba. prosecutors said he confessed to cold-blooded murder. he states in the interrogation he admits he strangled his victim.

van der sloot is said to go on trial today for the murder of 21-year-old stephany flores. on the tape he says he beat her so hard with his elbow she started bleeding, then says he gripped both hands around stephany's neck until she stopped breathing. van der sloot's attorney says the confession was coerced, he hadn't slept in days and didn't know the language well. holding back tears stephany's father made a statement. >> translator: i hope when this is over i will finally be able to cry. >> reporter: van der sloot has never been charged in natley holloway's case and denies wrongdoing but holloway's mother blames him. >> both of our daughters met

their fate at the hands of the same killer. i would have done anything in order to have this day for natalie's case. >> reporter: charged with murder and theft in the peruvian case van der sloot faces a 30-year sentence if convicted. good behavior and time served would shorten the sentence. a guilty plea could end up with a few years behind bars. >> end up with 20 years which means he could walk out in eight to seven and a half. >> reporter: van der sloot's attorney says the dutch national was suffering from post traumatic stress disorder from the constant questioning in the holloway case. the peruvian attorney says that's not a good defense strategy. >> i think he thinks he's smarter than anybody in the koort room. >> reporter: a man came to gamble in casinos, now betting on his own fate. we spoke with van der sloot's

attorney late last night. his attorney says he's 80% certain van der sloot will plead guilty today. >> thank you so much. it is 7:19, here is matt. the emotional funeral for three young sisters killed in a house fire in stanford, connecticut. hundreds of mourners attended and listened to a heartbreaking eulogy from the girl's mother. in new york city, hundreds gathered on a dark, winter afternoon at this historic church, where a heartbroken matthew and madonna badger paid a final farewell to their three daughters, 9-year-old lily and 7-year-old twins sarah and grace. the pallbearers, 18 firefighters from the same unit that responded to the christmas day fire. they carried the caskets of each little girl, one by one, into the church as their parents, who are separated, followed behind, wiping away tears.

inside a very emotional madonna badger delivered the eulogy for her three little girls, breaking down several times. madonna recalled favorite memories of her children. describing 9-year-old lily as a girl who enjoyed song and dance, with moves that far outdid michael jackson. she told the crowd about 7-year-old sarah's fragile heart and how twin sister grace worried a thousand times she'd die before her mom but madonna assured her that would never happen. madonna said she used to wonder how parents could go on living after losing their children but then told the mourners, "here i am." placing her hand over her heart, she told the crowd, "they're right here and that's where they live now." she continued on saying, "in all the incomprehensible loss and chaos, all i can hang onto is that love is everything." madonna lost her parents in that fatal christmas day fire, too,

lomer and pauline johnson. investigators say badger's friend, mike borcena took embers out of the fireplace, because the children didn't want them to hurt santa. the grief stricken parents have been met with a huge outpouring of support from family and friends. among those at thursday's funer funeral, calvin klein and vera wang. klein worked with badger on an ad campaign. all guests were given these programs with the picture of the three smiling girls, just a small reminder of the love and innocence lost on that tragic christmas morning. the family has set up a foundation in memory of the girls, for more information and to offer your condolences, you can head to our website at today.com. we're back in a moment. this is "today" on nbc.

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[ normal voice ] you're welcome. get a free quote at progressive.com. just ahead, was a video from casey anthony stolen from her computer or did she want to get it out? and rickier have jay, how he'll behave at the golden globe, after your local news. iq. to keep skin smooth all day... all night. nivea. touch and be touched. flavored with real honey. powerful cold medicine that leaves out artificial flavors and dyes and instead uses something more natural, honey. new vicks nature fusion cold & flu. ♪

good morning to you. 7:26 now. i'm laura garcia-cannon. the window for the maverick's surf contest will be open today. everything else will be different this year. at a meeting last night mavericks invitational organizer laid out new plans. they include restrictions on where spectators can watch the competition. and it will not be from the beaches or the bluffs. jeff clark says people who try to get too close will nemeet a t of sheriff deputies. >> we're really looking to have a safe event for the community and really protect our

environment. >> organizers have until march 31st to call the contest. surfers in the community should get 48 hour s notice that the monster waves will be breaking. >> we have a high surf advisory in place for today. so we'll see how that fares. we're looking good now. so you can see deep pockets of fog develop overnight in the north bay. right now less than a quarter mile visibility in napa. san francisco watch out for fog before 10:00 a.m. 38 right now in san jose. on our way to the upper 50s in some cities by noon. 57 in fairfield. 55 in livermore. at noon rounding out the day with comfortable conditions. not quite as warm as it was yesterday. still staying really nice for the first week of january. you'll hit 65 in san jose. and staying comfortable right at the coast. 65 in san francisco. as we head through the weekend. no need to worry about rain

interrupting your outdoor plans. we're looking good. let's find out about your drive. >> you may need to worry about the big rig. get a live look out here. westbound with the taillights. reports of a disabled big rig around the substation seven. we see near the 92 i've been watching closely. it looks like some folks are moving one lane over to the left. there may be slowing. but on the maps the sensors aren't yet showing that. the south bay, mild slowing for northbound 101 into downtown. no big deals except for antioch. still slow there. >> for the latest traffic and news updates check out nbc bay area news on facebook. so, this is delicious okay... is this where we're at now, we just eat whatever tastes good?

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♪ i'm in new york 7:30 now on this friday morning, it's the 6th day of january, 2012. it's' beautiful morning as you can see looking at this view from the top of the rock. lovely. >> making a lot of progress there on 1 world trade center, it will be the tallest building. >> it's about time. we have a happy crowd down below, getting their last look at that magnificent tree across the street because guess what? it comes down tomorrow. >> have you walked by it up close lately? it's looking a little tired.

looking a tad on the tired side. >> inside studio 1a, i'm ann curry alongside matt lauer. are the fireworks going to fly once again at the golden globes? >> i'll give you a simple answer on that, maybe, and i think so. controversial host ricky gerv s gervais, will he tone down his act or might he push the envelope a little further? his answer is coming up. >> at the moment the two of you looked like you were going to make a hit. pretty tough. >> like a mob look. on a much different note the mystery on the high seas for many, many years now, what happened to a groom who vanished on his honeymoon cruise? there's new information come to light now that has the man's mom and sister convinced that foul play was involved, so they'll be talking about this in a live interview coming up. on a much lighter note, from time to time we show you a lot

of images of adorable little animals on "today." everyone finds them appealing but why? we'll go in search of the science of cute. >> oh, so stand by for cute. let's begin this half hour with new details on casey anthony's video diary that's popped up online. anthony's attorneys are claiming it was stolen, so we'll talk about that with legal expert savannah guthrie and star jones in just a moment. for now nbc's kerry sanders is in orlando with the latest. kerry, good morning. >> reporter: well, good morning, ann. casey anthony, who's been in hiding since july, when she was acquitted of murdering her daughter, caylee, remains in hiding but her lawyers now say they have increased fears for her safety bus they believe somebody stole the video from her computer, by hacking in, which means that that hacker would have access to the ip address which can lead to a pinpoint on a map of where casey is now living. >> and i'm just starting to

figure out my new computer. >> reporter: the casey anthony video diary was examined thursday by florida state officials. >> and now i have someone to talk to, because i'm by myself so i'm not bothering the poor dog, because i've adopted and i love. >> reporter: the legions have closely followed the story since the 25-year-old mother charged with killing her daughter. was the video flipped in a mirror image and if so why. she once wrote "should i go red or blond?" it appears the long-haired brunette now has a blond bob. casey wearing glasses had also once written she admired the librarian look. >> i'm extremely excited. >> reporter: in the diary, casey talks about herself more than 40 times. >> kind of nice finally being able to say that i have some

belongings that are mine and i'll be able to take with me. it's obviously a different ball game for me, because i've never used this before. i want to look directly at myself or look up. >> reporter: she never once mentions her daughter, caylee. casey's lawyer, cheney mason, says he believes the video was stolen from casey's hard drive. >> we want to find out who did it and how they did it, then they are going to be, i hope, answering to state and federal law enforcement agencies. >> reporter: casey's parents now fear for their daughter's security. >> my clients are just worried for casey's safety and hope that this video won't cause her any problems because now people know what she looks like again. >> reporter: who posted it on youtube? >> i'm the one that found it and posted it. >> reporter: john david bryly, who titled "boycott casey anthonys future earnings" says he first found the links asking for $3 to $5 to view the video

but then found a link that was free. >> now she ain't going to make a cent either because it's free for anybody that wants to see it. >> scary because i hate being on camera. >> reporter: if it was stolen from her computer as her lawyers believe internet experts say it could be a sophisticated hack or just as likely, simple operator error. >> i'm excited that i'll be able to skype and obviousry keep a video log. >> skype the new versions link directly in to facebook, it's a button you click one time and whatever you recorded to share with your friends on facebook. >> reporter: casey anthony is serving a one-year probation in the state of florida for passing bad checks but on that video diary she talks about getting a reduction in that probation. state corrections officials say that is possible. ann? >> interesting, kerry sanders, thank you so much. savannah guthrie "today's" legal correspondent and star jones, former prosecutor and

veteran legal commentator. good morning to both of you. >> good morning. >> tammy fein our producer put it correctly, "she's back." was this an authorized release or plot to boost her publicity? >> i can't wait to hear what star says. i'm skeptical this is a sophisticated strategy. she mistakenly put it up. i find it hard to believe. >> like the old people we had on the show two days ago that made a mistake and put their whole conversation on the video. that seems a little more likely than a sophisticated hacker that happened to discover her brand new computer. >> on the other hand, it is interesting, a couple things about this. why is it in black and white? that makes it harder to find the location, black and white obscure it is more and why are there the audio edits on it. that would be in argument of favor maybe she did release this. >> as a plot to cash in. >> she is still shopping interviews? >> it was pay-per-view initially

and then pulled back because it was not ready it makes a little bit more sense. >> meantime a lot of people watching, 4:15, and on it, it has been noted one of our smart producers basically counted she says "i" used the word "i" 48 times during this tape and makes the point she hates being on camera but that she needs to conquer this fear. the word narcissist has been tossed around. >> dr. nancy said she was a classic sociopath so of course i did my homework, i wanted to learn what are the symptoms, not learning from experience, no sense of responsibility, inability to control impulses, lack of moral sense no, change in behavior after punishment, emotional immaturity, lack of guilt, dr. nancy is right. it is the definition of a sociopath. >> we're lawyers, not therapists but she's certainly self-centered, so self-absorbed the video is kind of boring, and that's what makes me feel like

it isn't a pr strategy because if she's trying to entice interest or test the waters, this certainly is no draw, other than just looking at her and wondering what she looks like. >> i think she missed all of us. had she missed a little bit of being in the public consciousness. this is a way to get right back in. >> let's get give her any more this morning. we're going to go. savannah guthrie and star jones. now let's get a check of the weather from al. >> thank you so much, ann. we are talking about some real warm weather to talk about, in iowa. they were golfing in davenport. pretty good shot, very nice. biking? hard to believe. temperatures not quite as warm today but still pretty toasty. look at these records we're talking about. these are all-time highs for january, minot, north dakota, aberdeen, 63. above normal temperatures, 30s, 40s through the plains, teens and 20s in new england. we're looking at 70s into the gulf coast and on into texa

well, good morning to you. you made it to friday. the first friday of the year. and the fog has returned. so our temperatures aren't going to be quite as warm later on today as yechltd but just about as warm. temperatures in the mid 60s inland. you'll hit 64 in santa rosa. warm for this time of year. staying above our seasonal averages. as we head through the weekend we stay dry, we stay mild, and maybe a little bit of rain moves through tuesday into wednesday. >> and you know of course, we're done with sunday night football night in america but this is better, it's "wild card saturday!" the bengals at reliant stadium taking on the texans. retractable roof, partly cloudy, mild, temperatures in the mid-70s and our second game in the evening, it's another good one on "wild card saturday" the lions tear into the saints, at

the mercedes-benz superdome. mostly cloudy, upper 60s on "wild card saturday!" ann? >> thank you so much. coming up next, ricky gervais is back to holding this year's golden globe. should actors be afraid? matt will talk to the controversial host, right afte laces? really? slip-on's the way to go. more people do that, security would be like -- there's no charge for the bag. thanks. i know a quiet little place where we can get some work done. there's a three-prong plug. i have club passes. [ male announcer ] now there's a mileage card that offers special perks on united, like a free checked bag, united club passes, and priority boarding. thanks. ♪ okay. what's your secret? ♪ [ male announcer ] the new united mileageplus explorer card. get it and you're in.

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[ male announcer ] ask the doctor about once-daily nonstimulant intuniv. [ male announcer ] ask the doctor . we are back at 7:43. an estimated 250 million viewer also tune in to watch the golden globes a week from sunday. for a third year in a row, british comedian ricky gervais will serve as host. remember the fallout from last year? i caught up with him on monday for an exclusive interview. when ricky gervais took to the podium in 2011 to host the golden globe awards for the second time it was clear the gloves were off. >> please welcome ashton kutcher's dad, bruce willis. talking of the walking dead,

congratulations to hugh hefner, two heterosexual actors pretending to be gay. >> reporter: some of his remarks left the a-list audience speechless, he has the last laugh as he's invited to host round three. you like the tight wire? >> that's my adrenalin rush. >> did you feel that going into the second time hosting them? >> every time i go live or tv or an interview i think i could always say the wrong thing. the thing is with me is there's always two little people in my head, one's going, go on, say it, whatever you like. the other one's going why take the risk? might be funny. might be a hero. but you might be living in a car. you know? which wins. >> you did promise you were never going to do it again. >> i did, and this is, no one believes me now. now this will be the last time i think, last time for a while at

least. but what really tipped the balance was all the people who said i'd never be invited back. >> exactly. just dare me. >> people should know that reverse eye coming works better than that. i don't like it when he does that. don't you? well here's some more. >> here are some of the comments. robert downey jr. got up and called your jokes hugely mean-spirited with mildly sinister undertones. "time" magazine, there's a fine line and another, the front-runner for the show's worst host >> i suggested charlie sheen might like a night out. it's going to be a night of party and heavy drinking or as charlie sheen calls it breakfast. many of you know him best as the betty ford clinic and los angeles county jail.

please welcome robert downey jr. robert downey jr. spent some time in clinics and he did. i'm not judging him by that. it's a joke. >> and i don't want to make anybody think there weren't some rave reviews. jon stewart, a lot of people have an awful lot of respect for jon stewart. >> i was offended that a comedian could be that funny on the globe show. ricky was hilarious. >> as soon as i heard you were going to do it again, one of two things are going to happen, he's going to tone it down and not risk the controversy or he's going to go in there with his freaking guns blazing. >> again there's no contest, and the controversy is irrelevant to me. that's people's opinions outside my jokes. i do it my way, i get lead on everything. >> you get to do whatever you want. >> and they don't know what i'm going to say and won't know what i'm going to say until i say it.

>> when you're on stage, am i watching ricky gervais or am i watching a cha, that you've created who happens to share the same name? >> the guy on stage is a lot brasher, more arrogant, more confident than me. i tack a deep breath and go out with swagger. >> sunday night the 15th we'll see that swagger? >> yep. i might even really be drunk. >> we're going to have much more of our interview with ricky next week, more on his rise to fame and foray into pop music. are you hardwired to adoring baby animals like siku the polar bear? we'll talk about the science of cute, right after this. annual b! so you earn 50% more cash. according to research, everybody likes more cash. well, almost everybody...

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he's the latest young animal to attract legions of fans. but why? here is nbc's michelle kosinski. >> reporter: siku, the unbearably cute baby polar bear became a worldwide sensation in a matter of days. [ ooh, baby, baby ♪ >> reporter: and if it's not him sending our hearts a-flutter, it may be the puppy or any of those viral videos online. surprise kitty, 58 million views, more than the entire population of england. even this thing, 56 million. why do we react like this? >> oh, it's so cute! >> reporter: why is it a part of us to care so much about a sleepy puny or hungry hamster? ♪ on the piano >> reporter: in oxford university top researchers may know. here is your brain looking at a person, and here is your brain

on "cute," a burst in its pleasure center, when subjects  look at babies. >> in the higher regions of the brain where emotion and reward is processed, at tremendous speed. >> reporter: in a seventh of a second a rush from chocolate or a drug. >> the size of the infant's eye there, the bulging cheeks, much larger forehead. >> reporter: animal babies share the same ratio, in some ways more exaggerated, more helpless and hit hard on our hardwired love of the baby face. ♪ baby face, you've got the cutest little ♪ >> reporter: and it seems our bar is so low that we can take anything, add a huge forehead, big eyes, cute chubby mouth and the carrot is now cute. and alan stein and kristine parsons found the response to

cuteness and how long chose to look at baby faces was the same in men as women. there's a science behind this? >> there is and you see the same propotions in the baby photo. >> reporter: we give in, and keep on clicking on what our brains adore. for "today," michelle kosinski, nbc news, london. >> oh! >> we can just play that story all over again. >> a hit on theecweb. rord>> fo than the cat. >> just a mild portion. >> more after your local news. i think it might be broken. or maybe it's trying to tell you something. yeah, but what could it be -- oh! i left my 401(k) at my old job. and i left a jacket on the back of my door. but i think the line's talking about my 401(k). leave a 401(k) behind? roll it over with the company that's helping more people reach retirement than anyone else. call or come in for a free portfolio review today.

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when bp made a commitment to the gulf, we knew it would take time, but we were determined to see it through. today, while our work continues, i want to update you on the progress: bp has set aside 20 billion dollars to fund economic and environmental recovery. we're paying for all spill- related clean-up costs. and we've established a 500 million dollar fund so independent scientists can study the gulf's wildlife and environment for ten years. thousands of environmental samples from across the gulf have been analyzed by independent labs under the direction of the us coast guard. i'm glad to report all beaches and waters are open for everyone to enjoy. and the economy is showing progress with many areas on the gulf coast having their best tourism seasons in years. i was born here, i'm still here and so is bp. 'lf for everyone who loves it, and everyone who calls it home.

good morning to you. i'm laura garcia-cannon. ford matter company is looking to go high-tech. the company is announcing plans to open a facility in palo alto in the coming months. it follows others that have set up local centers to work on automotive technology. ford ceo is expected to discuss the plan next week at the consumer electronic show in las vegas. want to check the forecast right now. >> i'm here. >> there you go. >> with christina loren. good morning to you. visibilities are dropping across the board. we can tell you that fog is not going to last very long. a quarter mile in novato. a quarter mile in napa.

and down to two miles in concord and livermore. the marine layer is pushing on shore. in addition we have fog creeping in from the delta. it won't last long. high pressure is still in control of the weather pattern. we'll see comfortable conditions as a result. 65 in san jose. 67 in gilroy. and 64 in santa rosa. this weekend stays dry, stays comfortable. 64 by monday. keeping the sunshine in the mix. maybe some showers in the north bay tuesday into wednesday. we immediate the rain. we'll take what we can get. let's find out about the drive with mike. >> we'll look to the peninsula where we have a little bit of slowing, southbound 101 around 92. that's the only issue coming down out of the san mateo and off of 92. we talked about the sunrise slowdown. that might be part of what's happening. it might be a factor and distractions. so the slowing in both directions between menlo park and redwood city. and oakland and 880 past the

coliseum. nice drive in both directions. very little backup. >> and for the latest traffic and news updates check out nbc bay area on facebook.

8:00 now on a friday morning, it's the 6th day of january, 2012. as we come out to say hi to our friends out here on the plaza. 39 degrees, lots of blue skies. out on the plaza i'm matt lauer along with ann curry and al roker. lots to get to you. we're going to have new information in the story of george smith, a man who disappears on a cruise during his honeymoon. we'll talk about new information with his mom and his sister in our studio. >> also we're going to bring you up to date on the story we had, a grandmother who was falsely accused of stealing her own identity after her appearance on

the "today" show, actually another suspect was arrested. we'll hear from her coming up. >> and we've got a milestone to mark with this young man here. yes. absolutely. >> very young. >> we're excited. >> lots to get to. natalie is standing by with a check of all of the headlines. >> good morning everyone. all eyes on the u.s. economy today with the labor department releasing december jobless figures. they come one day after an encouraging report that showed the number of people seeking unemployment benefits fell last week for the fourth time in five weeks. >> the mother of three little girls who died in a christmas day house fire in connecticut told more than 500 mourners thursday that her daughters now live in her heart. the funeral was held in new york city where the mother madonna badger works as an advertising executive. songs included this little light of mine and over the rainbow. a private service was held for

the two grandparents who also died in the fire. >> this morning at the vatican pope benedict named 22 new cardinals who will be elevated in a ceremony next month. among them timothy dolan. he will be here later this hour. cardinals serve as the pope's closest advisers. congratulations to cardinal dolan. here's brian williams with a look at what's coming up tonight. brian. >> natalie, coming up on nightly news we're going to do something special, look at the road to rye tirement. how can you bounce back, what can you do now to get on the right track for then to protect and grow your nest egg in this awful economy. we'll have that for you tonight on nightly news, for now back to you. >> thank you, brian. for a look at what's trending our roundup of what has you talking. tiger woods' e kperx is a top s after bull dozing the mansion she bought in florida.

she got $100 million settlement from tiger plans to build her own dream home on the exclusive waterfront property. >> president obama's campaign has joined the 50 million users of instagram. it lets users add special effects to photos and easily share them on social networking sites. >> and take a look at this video of a spell bound harrison ford supposedly watching his raiders for the first time. going viral on youtube. the video was created by a prankster who spliced together clips from an ad recorded for a computer game. very cute. creative. 8:03. back out to al, checking the weather. >> i love that. now we could get mark hamill

watching star wars. we'd be set. look at this cute family. where are you from? >> panama city beach, florida. >> and? >> that's cute. >> who is this? all right. thank you. thanks so much. nice to see you guys. i love that. let's check it out. our pick city of the day, san antonio, texas, woai, saturday, sunny and mild which is great because they are going to be hosting the u.s. army all american bowl here on nbc tomorrow at 1:00 eastern, and we salute all of the folks who take part in that including our soldiers. showers in the pacific northwest, and that' showers staying north of the bay area, yeah, and taking that track right into the northwest. we'll see a nice, comfortable, dry weekend. temperatures not quite as warm as they were yesterday or the previous day.

and we have a little more fog to contend with. overall, looking forward to a really comfortable afternoon and we'll hold on to those 60s all week long. for today, onshore flow increases, pushing that marine layer back onshore. the next couple of hours, by 10:00 am, mostly clear. >> and that's your latest. matt lauer? new information tied to the disappearance of a connecticut man who vanished on his honeymoon in 2005. we'll talk to his mother and sister right after this. [ male announcer ] every day, thousands of peoe

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back now at 8:08 with new details on the mysterious disappearance of a young man on his honeymoon cruise, 26-year-old george smith vanished in 2005 and newly released investigative documents are finally providing his family with some answers. we're going to talk to his mother and his sister in just a moment. but first, nbc's dennis murphy is joining us with the latest on the story. dennis, good morning. >> good morning, ann. detectives like nothing but a rock solid time line and we don't have that in this cruiseship mistily but this is anything but case closed. >> he made our family complete and now the family is split and every day i miss him. >> reporter: the question, what happened to george smith, a fatal accident or foul play? it's been a mystery ever since that night on a royal caribbean cruiseship that started with george and his bride, jennifer

hagel, trying their luck in the ship's casino and ended with the groom missing and presumed overboard, ugly blood stain on the ship's awning and a host of unanswered questions. >> every day we work on his case. >> reporter: now investigative files released to the family as part of a civil settlement with the royal caribbean cruise line and obtained exclusively by "dateline" provide new information the smiths and their attorney hope will crack the case. among the revelations, jennifer hagal was not considered a suspect early on in the investigation. >> jen passed her polygraph. >> reporter: "dateline" has spoken exclusively with the passengers who remember george telling those in the casino he had money stashed in the state room. >> he was telling people he had $17,000 in his safe cash and we were like why are you saying that? >> reporter: his family wants to know, did the wrong person overhear george? was the commotion that ear witnesses heard that night coming from the smith's cabin evidence of a struggle in this

never before released photo from inside the smith's cabin shows two specks on the bed, specks that turn out to be blood. >> there's blood on the sheets that really it's not explained and no one knows how it got there. >> reporter: george's mother and sister think the true story can now be stitched together. >> i have 100% certainty it was foul play. >> reporter: he was murdered? >> he was murdered. >> i think it was botched robbery. >> reporter: the fbi never made public its own theory of what happened to george or named a suspect but the bureau is actively investigating, which brings the smith family renewed hope. so what about the supposed wad of cash joshlg was carrying? there's no evidence he had any amount like that on him. as the family points out it was the belief on board he was loaded is what matters. >> dennis murphy thank you for your reporting on this. we're joined by george smith's mother and sister, maureen and bree smith and also joining us is michael j. jones, the attorney for the smith family.

good morning to all of you. >> good morning. >> good morning. >> maureen is now your having a theory of what may have happened to your son, is it as painful as not knowing or does it give you a modicum of relief? >> it gives me a certain amount of relief, because we've been fighting for six and a half years to find out what happened to george on that royal caribbean ship, and i think we're getting closer and closer to finding out now what happened to him. and we need to know. >> it gives you a sense that there might have been a motive. >> yes. >> but let me ask you this, we just heard dennis say there's no evidence that he had this kind of money in the cabin, george. would your son have talked about having money in a cabin? does this make sense, that he would boast about having a tremendous amount of money in his cabin? >> not really like him, but you know, you don't know what people are doing when they're away on vacation, you know, he may have said something about some money back in the cabin that he may

have said, yes. >> as far as we know, was anything taken from the cabin at all? >> i don't honestly know that. >> and before he vanished, bree, he wrote an e-mail to your family about his trip. i mean, he wrote "i'm having the time of my life. don't get in contact with me unless it's the end of the world or unless someone dies." does it give you some peace that, to think how happy it sounds as though he must have been in these last few days? >> he was so happy. he married the woman of his dreams. he married his soulmate. you could tell from the pictures on his wedding day that he was thrilled, and he was having a great time on the cruiseship, and all of a sudden, something happened, and we don't know what it is, and that's very difficult, but i think we're getting closer. >> meantime, are you on talking terms with his soulmate, the woman he married, jennifer, and are you confident she had nothing to do with the disappearance? we just heard dennis report that

that was decided early on by investigators. >> she's been cleared by the fbi, along with lloyd, both were cleared, the casino dealer. no, we haven't had contact with jennifer in six years. >> that must be a painful part of this as well. >> it is painful and it's unfortunate. still fighting and so as a result, we've lost contact with her, but all we know is that on a day that george married her, he was madly in love with her and he was really enjoying his honeymoon and that's what we have to remember. >> so now the fbi as we're hearing is involved and it's investigating. what is the upshot, michael? what is it that the family can hope for at this point? >> well, what's interesting and encouraging is that over the last three or four months there's been a significant uptick in the activity that i've been involved with, in terms of discussions with the fbi, the

new york office of the fbi has also expressed some interest in getting involved as well as the assistant u.s. attorneys in new york. so that indicates to us that there's a possibility that the new information that we've provided to them has helped to increase interest from law enforcement authorities. >> so you're looking at some point for an arrest and a prosecution and justice for your family. maureen, it's been a long time. >> a long time, but that's what kept us going. >> well, thank you for being here this morning. it's a pleasure to know you and thank you both for coming in. michael, thank you for joining us. you can see more of the story on an all new "dateline" tonight at 10:00, 9:00 central time on nbc. coming up next, the grandmother who was falsely accused of stealing her own identity, how she finally helped police solve this case, right after this. eet... and more. if you replace 3 tablespoons of sugar a day with splenda®, you'll save 100 calories a day.

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>> i've run the gamut of feelings. i've been mad, i've been angry, i've been sad. i'm very, very happy it's over. i'm sorry it took so long for them to realize what i knew all the time, that i was innocent. >> reporter: you see along with her wallet, her identity was stolen, and though the retired wells fargo bank vice president did everything she was supposed to do, canceling her cards and even visiting the bank in colorado where her money was stolen to report the theft, a year later, the 66-year-old was the one led out of her home in handcuffs. she was charged with 19 felony counts of theft and criminal impersonation. >> i absolutely fell apart. >> reporter: the evidence? mostly circumstantial, including handwriting on some of the checks. >> they never fingerprinted checks, they never looked at my bank accounts, they never seemed to really look at me as a person. >> reporter: two years and $60,000 in legal bills later, the charges were dropped, but only because prosecutors decided there wasn't enough to convict

her. that's when summerville took her story to the "today" show and got a break she could only wish for. >> had she not appeared on your show we never would have caught andrea harris frazier. >> reporter: harris frazier is this woman shown on bank video looting margo's account. investigators thought she and summerville were working together but an investigator in chicago was watching and recognized the woman in the picture. harris frazier was linked to an i.d. theft ring, convicted and sentenced to 24 years. >> i'm pleased that we were able to blame the true suspect bling suspect to justice and she'll be behind bars for a very long time. >> reporter: summerville is unlikely to recoup most of her legal fees or the time she spent fighting to are her innocence. >> those were my last two years with my husband, so it was something that i feel i was robbed of. >> reporter: robbed of more than a wallet, or her identity.

finally proven innocent, but still paying the cost. for "today," kristen dahlgren, nbc news, los angeles. >> margo summerville is back with us along with her son, republican strategist todd harris. good morning to you. >> good morning. >> todd, i remember april 2009 you brought your mom to the show. was it hard to convince her to tell her story? because it was embarrassing on national tv. >> alcohol probably. >> i know it was, she did not want to do it. >> no, you did not want to come on this show. i remember how nervous she was. yes, when you're accused of a crime like this, it's bad enough to go through it but then to talk about it in front of the world. >> and margo the charges were by that time dropped but you were concerned there would be no way you could get your good name back. >> they were dropped but at that point they still thought i had done it because they didn't have anybody else, so it was, i was innocent but i really wasn't innocent.

>> what was your reaction when, after appearing here, you heard that in fact a true suspect had been identified in this case? >> actually it was very exciting, because almost immediately, after i was on this show, my husband actually got a call from a detective in chicago saying "we know who that woman is. we've been trying to find her," and that's what started it. it took up to two years. >> a long ordeal. so many people heard about identity theft and probably think they would know what to do, but let's go back over some of the things you did. you cooperated. you went to the bank where the money was being taken from in colorado while on a trip there, you submitted handwriting samples and even took a lie detector test. you must have thought you were being the model victim. >> i was the model victim. i just couldn't prove to them that i didn't do it. >> was there anything -- now that you look back hindsight being 20/20, is there anything you might have done differently? >> i don't think so, except the original handwriting test.

i don't know now if i should have done that, but know one would know that. you don't know -- they asked me to take a handwriting test and that's what started the whole thing. >> you were being cooperative. >> i thought everybody did things like that. >> you've lost time, you've lost legal fees. you've lost all kinds of money. you say you were robbed of that time with your husband. >> i was. those were the last two years of his life. >> you're angry still? >> i'm angry because of what we went through and what it put our family through. i'm happy with the result. >> todd, talk to me about what this has done to your mom and it may be easier for to you talk about it than for her to talk about it. what's it done to her and the family? >> it's a nightmare to go through, to imagine, you know, laying in bed, thinking about your mom, i remember the night she was arrested and had to spend the night in jail, i was awake all night thinking about, you know, her in a jail cell, and as we talked about, my father passed away the end of

2009 and this really did put a cloud over those last couple of years, because this was the centerpiece of, i mean she took a second mortgage out on the house. there were vacation plans that were being put on hold because we just didn't know. >> so next time todd tells you come with me on national tv, you will say? >> i will be delighted. and thank you for having me. >> thank you for coming back. todd thanks very much. we appreciate it. we're going tore of "today"y morning, after your local news.

good morning to you. 8:26 right now. i'm laura garcia-cannon. strange night in san francisco as police track down two people who allegedly shooting from a rifle from the roof of a building. it happened on 9th street after 11:00 last night in san francisco. police say neighbors reported gunsh gunshots in the area. police surrounded the building, tried to talk the suspects down. police say the suspects eventually came down a fire escape and surrendered. no one was hurt and no word yet on a motive. want to check the morning commute right now, here's mike. light as it may be on this friday. slowing on the peninsula. southbound 101 into menlo park.

easing up by the time you get to palo alto. pattern along the peninsula, sunrise as well. show you the bay bridge. nothing going on here. so much of nothing that they turned off metering lights. that's a treat. coming over from the north bay, golden gate bridge, we have lower clouds lingering around the golden gate bridge. fog advisory for that span. back to you. >> thank you very much, mike. we'll have another local news update for you in half an hour. meantime, check out nbc bay area news on facebook. it's the perfect time to find great deals

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now get twice the data for the same low price. hurry in, this offer ends january 15th. verizon. ♪ from nbc news, this is today with katie couric and matt lauer, live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. >> and welcome to "today" on this monday morning, a very special monday morning for our friend, matt lauer. so how did that sound? want to hear it again? one more time. >> play it back, can you?

>> this is "today" with katie couric and matt lauer. and matt lauer. >> do not adjust your set. we did not go back in time. we're actually playing this because today is the 15th anniversary of matt's first day on the "today" show. [ cheers and applause ] >> you don't look any different. >> exactly the same. it's a carbon copy. what are you laughing at? anyway, no. >> 15 years later, congratulations. >> i've loved every day and it's still fun, really is. it's great working with you guys. it's nice. anyway -- >> doesn't seem like it's been 15 years. >> yes. >> we've got a big anniversary next week as well. >> that's right. >> 60th. >> before we get to that, you're going to hate this but we've posted the top 15 matt moments here on our "today" website. i don't know if you'll agree

with our website. >> i can only come up with three. >> we had trouble choosing top 15 but if you want to go to today.com you can find out what we decided to narrow is to. just ahead an exclusive look at prince charles' favorite scottish retreat. we'll take you inside dunfree's estate. that is beautiful. we'll go there in a couple of minutes. >> talk about your fixer-upper. john gresham is here, 20 years since his novel "the firm" launched his career as an author. now it's going to be a tv series here on nbc. john's going to fill us in and explain the series. >> i'm excited about that. it's going to be great. also the 100 girls shares her pick for the right and healthy snacks under 200 calories. let's get a check of the weather. 40 degrees on the thermometer. >> absolutely correct. >> correct, good. >> up into the low to mid-50s

today. >> wonderful. >> let's check your forecast and look ahead to the weekend, for tomorrow we have snow showers in northern new england. showers in the pacific northwest. snow in the rockies, skiers will be happy. then on sunday, lake-effect snow around the great lakes, and plenty of sunshine to the southwest, showers still lingering in the coastal pacific northwest. that's what's going on in the countr you made it to the first friday of 2012. really great weather for this weekend. over the bay bridge toll plaza, no problems here. nice, smooth sailing and all that cloud cover we're dealing with is already starting to break apart and the sun is starting to shine through the city by the bay. 66 in los gatos. we'll see that sun come out over the greater bay area by about 10:30, staying dry over the course of the weekend with the mid 60s, maybe some rain tuesday into wednesday.

. >> don't forget check your weather any time of the day or night, especially this weekend, weather.com or online. next we check the favorite retreat of prince charles, but first this is "today" on nbc.

♪ so, where do the royals go when they need a week to understand unwind? prince charles prefers one of the greatest country houses in scotland. here with an exclusive look at the dunfee's house is margaret russell, editor in chief ofitec" >> good morning. >> 18th century house, on the cover a setback in time. what is the story about why it is architecturally and historically significant? >> it's a beautiful example of

adam architecture, a fine house from the mid 18th century that happens to have one of the most extraordinary collections of british furniture mostly chippendale, and in a rather dramatic 11th hour save a few years ago, prince charles put together a loan from a foundation and helped to raise funds. it was up for sale. it was being, all the contents being sold at christie's and nothing happened before. the furniture was on a truck going to the sale rooms, everything had been priced. the family that inherited thes house had a substantial house and couldn't keep it. so it was saving a scottish treasure. >> when you say saving the worst that would have happened if they sold the house to a private investor, somebody else would have lived in it but the furniture would have been taken. were they thinking about dismantling the house, when you say save, what do you mean? >> anyone who goes into a house often puts something in about themselves and not about restoring it and what's interesting about this house is

that right now it exists exactly as it was in the mid 1700s, when it was finished. all the furnitures in the rooms, they were designed for. it's as if at that time there were 13 colonies in the united states. imagine what it's like, so to save it, it was completely restored and the furniture was kept together. it's an extraordinary collection and that is an important thing for the united kingdom. >> were you able to go into the home or reporters to get a sense what have it must be like? looking at the images, they are of course stunning but there must be a particular experience from being in these rooms that are so preserved as they existed in the 1700s. >> well, it's just glorious there. and we spent a weekend there and had access to the prince of wales and it was really a very, very special experience for our team. >> and he was very active in this renovation process. of course he's been known for wanting to restore and preserve older estates, older buildings,

and i understand that he came into the sitting for your photograph and you thought you had, what, three minutes or something? >> i think we thought we had about 30 seconds, and he spent about half an hour, and it's clearly because you know, he's very keen on urban design and historic preservation and this is that story. >> um-hum. and so when you walk through the rooms, how many square feet is this would you say? >> it's quite large. i forget exactly how many square feet. it's 2,000 acres. it's a substantial house. it's not a palace but it's a big house. >> and the prince also spends time in this house, and still is going to be able to do so as a result of having saved it, is that right? >> absolutely. it's open to the public which is a marvelous thing but he does spend time there. >> so the rest of us can maybe go there. >> you can. >> you can have a we hadding there if you want. >> you can have a we hadding there. >> good, well it's nice to know. the house is called the dunfee house written about in

"architectural digest." thank you for being here to tell us what it's all about. >> thank you. coming up next, best selling author john grisham on turning "the firm" into a tv series. [ female announcer ] back to school means back to busy mornings. that's why i got them pillsbury toaster strudel. warm flaky pastry with delicious sweet filling my kids will love. plus i get two boxtops for their school. toaster strudel. the one kids want to eat. and these are the ones you'll love on a school night. pillsbury ham and cheese crescents. with just a few ingredients, you have an easy dinner. pillsbury ham and cheese crescents. school night ideas made easy.

we are back with author john gri haim. his novel "the firm" became the best selling novel of 1991. the movie starred tom cruise. 20 years later "the firm" is heading to the tv, picks up the story of mitch mcdeer and his story ten years after the events of the book. mcdeer has left the witness protection program but can't seem to escape his former life. take a look. >> adieu, misieur.

what number are you calling from? >> we need to get out of here, code red. >> what? why? who could be listening? what are you talking about? >> john grisham welcome back. >> always a pleasure. >> i want to get to where the story picks up and takes us in a second. the story of "the firm" the book and eventually the movie is fascinating. somebody actually bootlegged a copy of that book before it was published and took it to movie companies. >> yeah the book laid around publishing offices in new york for a few months and nobody wanted "the firm." my agent showed it to a couple of publishes and nobody wanted to buy it and then it was bootlegged in hollywood. we sold the movie rights first. >> before the book was published. >> the first call i got was in

january of 1990. my agents said we sold the film rights to "the firm." i said what about the book rights? he said that will come now. >> it launched your career. have you ever had a chance to thank that copy boy who bootlegged the copy? >> no one would ever take credit for it. we sort of know who did it, who got the bootleg, used to happen all the time. >> security a little tighter now? >> it's the internet now so everything is out there. the bootleg copies used to happen all the time. >> when you were approached to bring requesting the firm" to television or with the idea the characters would come back your response was what? >> i read the script. a young writer wrote a spec script and it was really good, and i read that and i don't read a lot of scripts and you rarely see a good one but i read luke's and it's well written and going to work. >> remind me, did the book and the movie end the same way? >> no, the book is much better.

when the book ends, they're sailing off into the caribbean and we're not sure what's going to happen to them. in the movie i'm not sure what's going to happen, they've kind of packed up and left memphis and went back to wherever. >> boston, something like that? >> yes. >> so when the tv show picks up, they have spent ten years in kind of the witness protection program. >> yes. >> and now feel it's kind of safe enough to come out. >> well, they're tired of being in the witness protection -- they want a real life. okay, we're going to forget this. mitch says to heck with the past and they step out. >> what actual input are you going to have on this? you say it wasn't your idea. do you have input from this point forward? >> it's kind of like the movies, i stay away from it. if it's great i take all the credit. if it's terrible i say it's somebody else's idea. >> you're well practiced. >> no, here's what i'm doing. i'm reading the scripts. i'm concerned -- not concerned, the writing is really good. i want to watch the writing and make sure it stays at a certain level. i help out, i give ideas, if i like something fine, if i dislike it, i say that. they give me as much input as i

want. >> it's tough, you've got an actor named josh lucas we saw in the clip, taking on the role of tom cruise, that's an uphill battle. how do you think he does? >> he does great. this guy is a movie star. this guy has got the presence, the charisma, the talent, and the looks and he's really good. i mean i've seen the pilot. it's going to premiere sunday night on nbc. >> so you're not just sitting here saying you like this. you're excited about it. >> i wouldn't be here if i didn't like it. and i've had bad experiences on television. >> not here. >> not the "today" show. the client came out 15 years ago and was not very good and i didn't really like it, but "the firm" is another story. this is going to be a hit. >> john grisham, it's exciting and nice to have you back. >> always a pleasure matt. >> happy new year. catch the two-hour series o premiere of "the firm" sunday night at 9:00 p.m. on nbc. up next, snacks under 20

♪ cause i'm hungry for the good things, baby ♪ this morning on "eat smart today" satisfying snacks that are all under 200 calories. lisa williams the star of "hunger girl" on the food network and founder of hungrygirl.com. lisa, good morning and i'm hungry. >> good morning. good because there's lots to eat today. >> a lot of people are concerned about eating snacks because it's going to pack on the pounds.

you say it can help you keep the pounds off. how? >> it can. when you snack throughout the day you keep your metabolism up and when you goet to meal times you're not super duper hungry and won't overeat. eat every few hours. >> all the justification i need. the first thing is jerky. that's an interesting thing. >> jerky gets a bad wrap. >> it does. >> it's not cool, not beautiful. people don't love jerky but it's a good snack because it's low in fat, it's high in protein and low in calories. >> jerky is low in fat? >> low in fat. this is gourmet jerky. >> it is. >> so it's special. this jerky is the best, comes in chicken flavors and beef and the cool thing, it has dried fruits in it and some have beans and cheeses. it's simply snackin' and available online only. this is a vary jerky. i love it. >> i really like salmon jerky. i eat that a lot. let's move on and talk about h m hummus. >> this is super hummus. twice the protein and half the

fat. four grams of protein, which is a lot of protein thanks to the chick peas but it also has soy beans in it as well. that's rare for hummus. >> and also i'm eating it here with a nut thin, is it a nongluten cracker? >> this is a gluten free cracker. you can eat 16 or 17 of them for 130 calories. they're made with almonds and rice, all-natural, and blue diamond makes them and a lot of bang for your calorie buck. >> what about these? >> we all like portion controlled pizza key. these are made by amy's, toaster pops. pizza flavored pop tarts. they're delicious, savory pop tarts, all-natural great for moms and kids. >> i'm surprised, having pizza is a surprise to me. >> it's a snack. >> you got to limit enough to the tiny pizza. >> portion control. >> and cheese you want to make sure you limit your cheese. this is weight watchers. >> this is weight watchers but

what i like about the string cheese it's easy to grab, portable, very low in calories, 50 calories a stick and smoked cheese flavor which no other string cheese out there i've tried tastes as good as this. >> you also think soup, we have to move on because we're running out of time. soup could be a good snack? >> people who eat soup throughout the day take in 25% fewer calories throughout the day. great snack, fills you up. >> let me hear that again. you're kidding. we have soup all the time. why is that, liquid? >> it's liquid, water and you look for broth-based soup, read the labels. >> that is good information. >> throw that in the microwave, super easy. >> now you're cooking. >> 100 calories, it's good. we all like almonds. these are cocoa roast almonds dusted with cocoa if you want sweetness. >> don't have a thick chocolate coating? >> no. you get a little sweetness and a little bit of cocoa, a natural amazing nut fix, 100 calories. >> now an eggo.

>> waffles. >> as a snack. >> did you ever think you could have two waffles and give you 35% of fiber for the day? nine grams of fiber for two waffles. >> and chocolate chip. >> you don't need syrup. you can have breakfast or a snack or you want a little chocolate fix. >> i would eat ten of them. you have no idea i would totally eat the box. i don't have -- anyway, so if you could limit yourself to two you're fine. >> these are bars, i know there are a lot of bars. i love these, taste like chewy peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, it's light bars and cranberry crunch, under 200 calorie, a great mini meal replacement or a snack. >> as a snack you could eat the whole thing in. >> yes, it's a 200 calorie snack. very satisfying. >> thank you so much, lisa. >> thank you. now here's matt. >> ann, thanks very much. we're honored to have the archbishop of new york timothy dough lon, also president of the u.s. conference of catholic

bishops and he was our guide at the vatican not long ago when i had an audience with the pope. your excellency, happy new year to you. >> what a segment from the dietary snacks. >> no harm intended i promise you. >> before and after. >> you come this morning with really wonderful news. >> well, thanks. yes, i was today at the vatican pope benedict xvi, announced the epiphany, january 6th is the 12th day after christmas we don't celebrate it this america but he announced he was making new cardinals. >> are you allowed to high five a new cardinal? >> thank you, al. >> you got a phone call? >> i got a phone call yesterday so i only found out 24 hours in advance. archbishop called so i only knew 24 hours ago. i promised you when we were in rome last may that great visit, thanks again, i promised i'd let

you guys know so i gave you advanced notice. >> archbishop, what will your differences be in duties as you go forward? >> my major duty is still the archbishop of new york so that's the biggie but there may be a few added responsibilities to the wider church, the church universal. i would probably be for instance appointed to a couple of what they call congregations, the vatican's versions of cabinets to the pope. duty wise not much of an increase. >> huge responsibility in the cardinal in the event of a election of a new pope takes place you take part. >> you're right, that's the weightiest responsibility for the cardinal. when the pope dies, it's the cardinals under 80 who enter conclive to elect him. god willing i'm not going to have to do that in a while. that's the heaviest responsibility a cardinal has. >> you'd be spending more time in rome? >> you want to come? let's go.

>> yes, he's already ready. >> i remember the restaurant down the street from the vatican. >> so do i. exhibit "a." >> will you be there more often than you are now? >> probably, because as i mentioned to al the appointment is some congregations on the vatican, their version of cabinet offices. i might have to go a little bit more often. so. >> you are called by some the face of the catholic church. >> thanks. >> in the united states, and this is a terrific honor just for people biographically if you're not as familiar with this man, born in st. louis. >> stol st >> st. louis, missouri. >> fan of the cardinal? >> i said the only cardinal i wanted to be was stan muciel. >> since you're a fan of the cardinals now you have this brand new honor we'd bestow this upon you. >> champions of the world. you saw what someone gave me today a baby cardinal. >> how cute is that? >> al you want to pass the head?

>> congratulations. >> thank you, matt. happy new year. let's go back to rome. >> absolutely. >> soon to be card know timothy dolan, thank you. we're back after your local news and a look at your forecast. good morning to you. it's 8:56 right now. i'm laura garcia-cannon. are investigating the first homicide of the new year. it happened on alexander avenue east san jose 8:30 last night. police say when they arrived on scene, they found a man with gunshot wounds. he died at the hospital.

police think the shooting was gang related. here's meteorologist christina loren. keep that spring wardrobe handy, laura. a really comfortable weekend right here in the bay area. 65 degrees in san jose, 64 in fremont. slightly cooler with patchy fog. not by much. hazy sunshine sunday. a few showers up in the north bay tuesday. have a fantastic weekend. [ mom ] hey guys. guys... [ female announcer ] pillsbury cinnamon rolls with cinnabon cinnamon are an irresistible sunday morning idea. nothing calls them to the table faster. sunday morning ideas made easy. here's a better idea... pillsbury grands! flaky layers biscuits. in just 15 minutes, the light delicate layers add a layer of warmth to your next dinner. pillsbury grands! dinner ideas made easy.

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we're back with more of "today" on this friday, the 6th day of january, 2012, and we've got a very energetic crowd out on the plaza this morning and also out on the plaza i'm matt lauer along with ann curry and al roker and savannah guthrie. >> thank you so much, i appreciate you like my stockings. >> hold on just a sec. there you go. >> i have never had anybody do that, do you it. >> savannah's stockings. >> how about my socks. >> a lot of people asking this morning, economic recovery on

the horizon, the jobs report for december out, some reasons for americans to feel a little bit more optimistic, we're going to have details on that coming up in just a couple of minutes. also ahead, who released that youtube video of casey anthony? her lawyers say she was hacked. others suspect maybe this is all a public stunt that she's the one behind it so we're going to get into that story. just a little bit we'll talk with barbara corcoran, she'll take us house hunting and see what you can get around the croix for $300,000 or less. you may be surprised how far your money can go these days. also taking care of your health. if you have symptoms that may seem mild but actually may be more serious, we'll be talking about what those may be on our "daily dose" coming up this morning. >> lots to get to. natalie is standing by with the headlines of the morning. hi, natley. >> good morning, everyone. strong december hiring has pushed the u.s. unemployment rate to its lowest level in nearly three years. the labor department says employers added 200,000 jobs

last month, that lowered the december jobless rate to 8.5% from a revised november rate of 8.7%. some trouble on the campaign trail for rick santorum this morning as a former pennsylvania senator faces new scrutiny over his record. on thursday, santorum was booed at a college in concord, new hampshire, when he compared gay marriage to polygamy. meantime in iowa, reports showed there may have been vote counting errors that would mean santorum had actually beat mitt romney. santorum shrugged off that possibility. the mother of three little girls who died in a christmas day house fire in connecticut told more than 500 mourners thursday that her daughters now live in her heart. the funeral was held in new york city, where the mother, madonna badger, works as an advertising executive. songs played at the service included "this little light of mine" and "over the rainbow." a private service was held for the girls' two grandparents, who also died in the fire.

and now to florida, and more on that casey anthony video diary posted to the internet. the anthonys' lawyers claim the video was stole and if they can determine who stole it they will demand authorities arrest who is responsible. kerry sanders has the story. >> and i'm just starting to figure out my new computer. >> reporter: the casey anthony video diary was examined thursday by florida state officials. >> and now i have someone to talk to, because i'm by myself, so i'm not bothering the poor dog i've adopted and i love. >> reporter: the legions who have closely followed the story since the 25-year-old mother charged with killing her daughter caylee, also searched the video for clues. does the setting reveal where in florida she's hiding? why was it in black and white? was the video flipped in a mirror image and if so why. casey once wrote in a jailhouse letter, "should i go red or blond?" it appears the long-haired

brunette now has a blond bob. casey wearing glasses had also once written she admired the librarian look. >> i'm extremely excited. >> reporter: in the diary, casey talks about herself more than 40 times. >> kind of nice finally being able to say that i have some belongings that are mine and i'll be able to take with me. it's obviously a different ball game for me, because i've never used this before. i don't know whether to look directly at myself or look up or -- >> reporter: she never once mentions her daughter, caylee. casey's lawyer, cheney mason, says he believes the video was stolen from casey's hard drive. >> we want to find out who did it and how they did it, then they are going to be, i hope, answering to state and federal law enforcement agencies. >> reporter: casey's parents now fear for their daughter's security. >> my clients are just worried for casey's safety and hope that this video won't cause her any

problems because now people know what she looks like again. >> reporter: who posted it on youtube? >> i'm the one that found it and posted it. >> reporter: john david briley, an ohio man who hosts a facebook page titled "boycott casey anthony future earnings." says he first found the links asking for $3 to $5 to view the video, but then found a link that was free. >> now she ain't going to make a cent either because it's free for anybody that wants to see it. >> scary because i hate being on camera. >> reporter: if it was stolen from casey's computer, as her lawyers believe, internet experts say it could be a sophisticated hack, or just as likely, a simple operator error. >> i'm excited that i'll be able to skype and obviously keep a video log. >> skype actually the new versions of it link directly in to facebook, and it's very easy, there's a button you click one time and whatever you recorded is shared with your friends on facebook. >> that was nbc's kerry sanders

reporting. philadelphia police hope this video of a new york rangers fan being severely beaten after last week's winter classic hockey game will help them find the culprit. the victim is a new jersey police officer and a roiraq vet who was awarded a purple heart. italy's mt. etna is putting on its first spectacular show of 2012. fountains of lava and a column of smoke are seen rising from mt. etna, europe's tallest active volcano. officials say at this point it does not pose any danger to nearby villages or air traffic. and one man's treasure is just a chew toy to a dog. when richelleed akinson's wedding band went missing from her night stand they knew the culprit, the basset hound coraline. when it failed to come out the natural way they headed to the x-ray and lo and behold there it was. the vet was able to get the ring back and now this hound is back on the hunt for the next tasty

and expensive treat. i think it may have learned its lesson. now six minutes after the hour. over to al for a check of your weather. now let's check it out, natalie, see what we've got as far as your weather is concerned for today. fairly quiets, showers moving into the pacific northwest, a few showers, northern new england, the warmth still hanging out in the plains, although not quite as warm. 115 cities yesterday, set new records for high temperatures. we're looking at plenty of sunshine, mid-atlantic states into the gulf coast, showers aening lo the texas coastline. that's what's going on in the countr yeah, we actually broke temperature records right here in the bay area yesterday under the same strong ridge of high pressure. this morning, we do have more fog out there than we had to deal with yesterday or the day before. that will keep temperatures a touch cooler. but still, unseasonably warm. 43 in santa cruz. by about 3:00 pm, our highs come in, 67 in gilroy and 67 degrees

today in santa rosa. holding on to the mid 60s all weekend long. this morning on "today's real estate" homes for under $300,000 around the country. our own brick house "today" real estate contributor barbara corcoran here for are the first time this year with the best bargains on the market. >> nice to be back. >> you, too, happy new year. >> thank you. >> let's get somebody a new house. in the midwest a nice family community, brookfield, wisconsin, a four-bedroom home for $288,888.88. >> enough on the 8s. families love brookfield because of its outstanding schools and abundance in parks, seven in total in the town and this is a traditional ranch style house on a grassy lawn with four bedrooms, three baths and two and a half car garage. the contemporary interior has hardwood floors and marketry

incen incense. too bad they didn't put the crown moulding all the way on the top. large windows let in plenty of light. the kitchen is plain and simple with natural maple cabinets and a tile floor and tiled back splash. you see it there and the master bedroom has cathedral ceilings, a gas fireplace and sadly, two chairs set up for an interview back there. who would want to sit in the chairs, excuse me, al, how long have you been working here? that beautiful backyard slopes downhill to a woodland of your own. not a bad house. $288,000. >> you might go bananas for the next how. >> a few bananas going by. >> okay. let's go to wood creek, kentucky. heart of daniel boone national forest, a home with a view that goes for $285,000. >> a lakefront cedar home that blends into the woodland setting. comes with two acres and next to

you 672 acres of water, beautiful reservoir. the eating kitchen is neat as a tin with custom cherry cabinets and hardwood floors, the open floorplan has a great room with vaulted ceilings and wood burning fireplace and a loft on the right-hand side with the vaulted ceiling of its own same blond wood as the floors. two large porches on the water and the biggest large mouth bass fish in kentucky, nearly 14 pounds, al, was caught directly in front of the house off that diving rock, part of your property. deepwater, they jump right in. >> spectacular. >> placides, new mexico, quiet acre of land $265,000. >> this is near the sandia mountains near l albuquerque. the southwestern style home is tailor made for those who love desert living. this is the desert. tongue and groove ceilings, very

popular, hardwood floors and fireplace. the open kitchen has an arch pass-through and granite counters and big sunny dining areas. i love that room. the master bedroom is oversized with a customer shower and garden tub. there's also a tile sunroom that i think needs a lot more comfortable furniture. have a look at that. doesn't look friendly and warm. >> kind of sparse. >> looks like the doctor's office but the radioment itself is beautiful and has one of those, i can see forever type mountain views. >> ooh. >> and the deck is a perfect place for anything, a yoga mat, a chair or two, something, anything, please, but that is a beautiful deck that needs a piece of furniture. >> let's head south to cumming, georgia, $279,900 brick home and unbelievable landscaping. >> cumming is a small community next door to atlanta with great schools and the house is situated on its own cul-de-sac which increases the value on any house. the proper taxes are just $2,813 a year and you get 2,974 square

feet, less than a dollar a foot to live in the house. come on, this doesn't look like a cheap house to me. it's beautiful. the family room has two palisades windows flanking the fireplace, it's elegant and comfortable, the pretty formal dining room i got to believe must never be used because there's not a spot on the white carpet. how do people live like that? >> take their shoes off. >> and never eat on the table. >> the eating kitchen has a granite island and glass mosaic back splash. the master bedroom has a vaulted ceiling. flower bed isser itible, everything has to be solid. what were they thinking? look at the big backyard that comes with the house as well. it's beautiful and got to be the envy of that smaller house next door. they must hate their neighbor there i got to believe with the great big -- i would. >> good fences make good neighbors. barbara corcoran always great t.

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quicken loans understood all the details and guided me through every step of the process. i know wherever the military sends me, i can depend on quicken loans. "today's daily dose" is brought to you by chex cereal, simply nutritious. >> this morning on requesting today's daily dose" curious medicine, from a crease on your earlobes to a line down your nails some unusual health symptoms may be a sign of something potentially more serious. nbc's chief medical editor dr. nancy snyderman is here with more. nancy good morning. let's get to them. first curious system is hair loss p not so curious because a

lot of us go through it especially as we age. when is there cause for concern? >> it's called alopecia. most of us lose a couple hundred a day. after you get pregnant, after certain kinds of treatment. you can lose more hair and the things we're talking about today are the sort of medical oddities, but if a woman starts losing a lot of hair and perhaps has other symptoms like a heart racing, skin feels dry, have your doctor check you for hyperthyroidism. thyroid problems are one of the most underdiagnosed problems in women and sometimes hair loss is the first tip. >> what is the correlation between thyroid and hair loss? >> thyroid, the butterfly shaped gland in your neck runs your body. without it nothing else works. it's miraculous, from how well your heart goes, how well your bones are, how well your brain

works and how pretty your hair is, that thyroid keeps things connected. >> some other symptoms, sudden weight loss, rapid heartbeat, nervousness, sweating, fatigue. >> it doesn't have to be all of these things. fatigue is really important. a lot of women think there's something wrong with me. i'm not getting enough sleep. if you're pooped, losing hair, if your skin suddenly changes, if any of those things aren't quite right, simple, cheap, cheap, cheap test for thyroid. >> absolutely. next a mark down your nail which could be a sign actually of skin cancer. >> this is a medical oddity and for most of us if you see a bruise under your nail, you see -- >> a line like that. >> don't assume that you hit your nail in the kitchen or with a hammer. however, if it doesn't go away, that can be malignant melanoma. we talk about melanoma related to exposure to sun and moles on your skin. for hispanics and

african-americans may not be at the same risk as you and i that can be a melanoma. it's rare, makes up 5% to 10% to cases, however since its it's und underdiagnosed it's a deadly form. the real message for people is if you have a discoloration under your nail and doesn't go away over a month get it checked out. >> the abcdes of skin care. >> american cancer society, any mole, asymmetry, border or bleeding, any change in color, change in diameter and anything that's changing or moles that you see have gone away have that spot checked, too. >> okay, and this one sounds crazy. i never knew this, the diagonal crease in an earlobe that some people may have, actually could be a sign of heart disease. >> this is not something i learned in medical school. this came years later and it really is almost a transverse crease in the earlobe.

for those of us who -- >> we have a graphic. >> it has nothing to do with pierced ears. it is an ear lobe with a straight crease across. more common in men. it does not mean cause and effect. this is a classic example, a straight crease but there's a correlation with heart disease so if you have a family history, smoker, overweight or just have that crease check with your doctor. it really warrants a checkup for your heart. >> it's an odd thing, who knew. >> this one bad breath and bad breath can be a symptom of a lot of illnesses. >> a lot of things. >> you say it could particularly signal cancer. >> you and i know when you have babies, babies don't have bad breath. they have sweet breath. our breath evolves as we get older. young adults have bad breath because they can have chronic tonsillitis. but it has a pungent smell and we know dogs that can smell 100,000 times better than a human can pick up on the breath of people, cancer of the lung,

cancer of the breast, cancer of the ovary so the scent of someone's breath can be a tipoff. if you've noticed that your breath has changed or your partner notices it, and you can't scrape it off, and you can't brush it away, talk to your doctor about it. it could be everything from diabetes to nothing to tonsillitis, to cancer, but your breath can be a great window into what's going on in your body. >> telltale signs. >> weird but true. >> weird but true. thanks so much. very curious. still ahead, they're almost out of hair and makeup. we'll reveal the results of our instant ambush makeovers for two lucky ladies. first these messages. just a little bowl of cereal, it's kind of a big deal. to find nutritious and gluten-free cereals actually loves? well, the word "wow" comes to mind. and then a friend told me chex has five flavors that are gluten-free. even a cinnamon one the kids love.

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collective -- oh. >> we'll look at cuteness. plus chef todd english making food delicious so you won't miss the fat. first your local news and weather. [ female announcer ] splenda® no calorie sweetener is sweet... and more. if you replace 3 tablespoons of sugar a day with splenda®, you'll save 100 calories a day. that could help you lose up to 10 pounds in a year. and now get even more with splenda® essentials, the only line of sweeteners with a small boost of fiber, or antioxidants, or b vitamins in every packet.

just another reason why you get more... when you sweeten with splenda®. ♪ >> good morning, everyone. the time now is 9:26. i'm jon kelley. fremont bidding an emotional farewell to its mayor today. bob wasserman served for 45 years, police chief for 16 years before being elected to the city council and then mayor in 2004. he is credited with transforming fremont from a sleepy suburb into a major player in the silicon valley. he died last week at the age of 77 from pneumonia. today's service will be at 4:00 at the harbor light church in fremont. brand new play will debut tonight, focusing on the

assassination of san francisco mayor george mosconi. ghost light is directed by his son, jonathan and looks at the life and death of mosconi through his son's eyes. jonathan was just 14 years old when a city supervisor walked into san francisco hall shooting and killing harvey milk and marsconi. we'll have a check of traffic and weather after this break.

welcome back. 9:28 now. more fog today, courtesy of a stronger onshore flow that brought us into the records yesterday and the day before. it will drift off to the east a touch today. it will be a touch cooler as a result. 67 in gilroy and 63 in san francisco today. holding on to dry, comfortable conditions through this weekend. little bit of shower activity in the forecast, only in the north bay and that will arrive tuesday. christina, back to the south

bay, northbound route. most of those have little glitch remaining from the morning commute. however, southbound side 101, i just got word of a two-car accident in lawns right now southbound 101. sounds like both drivers are getting out of their respective cars but an ambulance has been called, currently blocking your two left lanes. further up the peninsula, ease you drive heading to the lower bay shore. 101 across the water, golden gate bridge, low clouds hovering around. not a problem for the commute. more folks heading to the city friday into the weekend. that's what happens, jon. back to you. >> thank you very much. and thank you for joining us. another local report for you in one half hour. the "today" show rolls on.

♪ that of course president obama, the first lady, mrs. obama, one of the most photographed couples in the world. what's it like really living inside the white house? monday on "today" we're going to talk to the author of a new revealing book about life at 1600 pennsylvania avenue. >> should be good. coming up in this half hour, what is hot for 2012 from bold prints to old hollywood glamour. which styles you'll want to scoop up on your next shopping trip and they won't break the bank either. >> i like that old hollywood

glamour. plus we can't help bringing you the stories you can't help watching them so why are we so drawn to those cute little babies, baby animals. >> oh! oh! >> everybody says oh, when we show you these. i love this. the science of cute, coming up. tickle, tickle, tickle. >> is that a mouse? >> it's a hamster. >> already we're glued to this. we could just put this on a loop. we can go now. >> we're mesmerized. then we've got a very cute chef, todd english, he's here to show us how light fare doesn't have to be light on flavor. it's all about using bold spices and he's going to be sharing three delicious recipes with us. first we've got the very cute lester holt and amy robach with a preview of what's coming up this weekend on "today." >> how do we top it? cute politics. the political season off and running with the next set of debate this is weekend in new hampshire. who will shine? who will stumble? who will be cute?

we'll be live in concord with the latest. plus from "american idol" to america's weight watchers weight loss person, jennifer hudson reflects on her life, image and what it took to overcome her family tragedy. it will be live on monday here on "today." >> the rise of the pawn shop. inside the wildly popular tv show "pawn stars" and introduce to you the men behind the reality hit. and then kate middleton turns 30 this weekend so how will the duchess of cambridge celebrate her birthday? we'll give you every detail i'm sure, no stone unturned. >> set the alarm. >> thank you guys. have a great weekend. you have a check of the weather. >> what we've got for the weekend, sunshine mid-atlantic states. showers pacific northwest, frigid as we get into the plains, on sunday, sunday! more weather in the plains, mild through the southwest. showers expand through the

southeast and gulf coast, sunny good morning to you. 9:32 now. temperatures are starting to warm nicely, especially in the cities that aren't dealing with that low cloud cover. still cold in novato where we are dealing with deep pockets of fog. low visibilities are creeping up, slowly but surely everywhere else. temperatures in the mid 60s yet again. 66 in los gatos. 65 in san jose. 64 in fremont. nice and mild. great outdoor activity weather this weekend. maybe a chance of rain on tuesday. tomorrow? i know what you've got planned. you'll be in front of the tv set watching nbc because it's wild card saturday! the bengals taking on the houston texans. outdoor weather, dome stadium, retractable roof, partly sunny and mild, temperatures in the mid-70s. let's head to new orleans where the lions are going to try to

tear up the saints. mostly cloudy and mild, upper 60s. get yourself ready for wild card saturday! >> scratching your arms? >> get a shot right there. >> that would be cute. >> thanks, guys. >> no. coming up next, from clothes to accessories to the hottest trends of 2012, right after this. [ female announcer ] when you realize that depression has left you nowhere to go. when you've lost interest in everything. when you've had one too many days feeling sad or anxious, aches and pains, fatigue. when it becomes hard to ignore that you need help. that's the day you do something. depression hurts. cymbalta can help with many symptoms of depression. tell your htctyorig awa y pr ifr deouession worsens, you have unusual changes in behavior or thoughts of suicide. antidepressants can increase these in children, teens, and young adults.

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hollywood glamour, dailycandy.com has the must have new looks for the new year and friendly prices too. good morning, it's good to see you.. >> good morning, thank you so much. >> first trend is bold prints and loud stripes. >> yes. >> we saw a little bit of this last year but they're taking it to the next level. >> absolutely. at the beginning we like to do at dailycannedy.com and talk abt the trends for 2012. bold stripes, 2012 is not shy. >> this is the layered look. you're saying you can put them together. >> this is for your friend doesn't mind being a fashion risk taker and being the center of attention. make sure you wear it with something neutral on the bottom so you don't look too crazy. this is a great way to wear it. >> we have accessories. >> that's right. a second way a think a lot of people especially women are afraid maybe patterns and prints aren't for them. this is a great way to

incorporate it into any wardrobe with the accents, accessories, layer it with the scarf, we have the bags from express and lord & taylor. easy way to wear the trend. >> even your iphone for this trend. >> it's nice when you have a splash of color especially coming into spring and coming out of winter, it's a really great way to wear the trend. >> any tip on putting these things together? are you looking for the same color story? is it going to mix the pattern? >> you want to pick one color and pull it through as a thread. if you're looking for accents and accessories you can have fun. >> speaking of fun the next trend is disspoke. >> it's all about you, customizing something that really expresses who you are. it's my favorite trend. >> for the first time these are do-it-yourself fabrics? >> from a website called fooflower.com. upload photos, image, anything you want and they turn it into a fabric. here is an example, we used one of daily candy's famousily

strayings and you can make this into a scarf. i thought it would be cute, a ruffle around a vanity so you really want to have fun with it. get creative and this is a great way to incorporate fabrics. >> clever. shoes you can jazz up your ballet flats here. >> this is a great, simple, affordable idea. we have some shoes from payless, went to forever 21 and got the clips. put the clips onto the shoe like this and suddenly you have a flat that goes from sort of very simple and plain to something that says you. >> are those little clips from forever 21 supposed to go on shoes? >> they're supposed to go on pins but you can invite friends over, swap and this whole look less than 20 bucks. really simple to do. >> this is exciting, do-it-yourself makeup. looks like mad scientist. >> mad scientist meets glamour, vogue. making makeup is actually really

simple. i know it sounds really complicated about you it isn't. you start with a really simple base and you can add any pigment, so you have these pigments here to create any color you want. like how many of us have been out to drugstores and you say this isn't the color i thought in the store. this is the way to fix that problem, inexpensive and you can have a lipstick color that says you, savannah and nobody else in the world will have that. >> what a fun thing to play with, too. >> what i love about the trend it lets you be creative. >> for our last two looks, this is old hollywood glamour. marilyn monroe inspiration, all over hollywood these days. tell us about the first look. >> we have two models, first look is on larkin, and this is sort of channeling the inner marilyn. the thing about marilyn she loved the feminine silhouette. she wasnentasn't afraid to show. sweetheart neckline and paired it with a pearl necklace and pumps from nine west and this is incredibly glamorous.

we love that look. >> the cute red lips which maybe were do-it-yourself looks and the second more casual look. >> this is lindsay and classic marilyn monroe but also classic in general, a turtle neck from vera, light pants from express and we jazzed it up with access i a ryes, shades from the gap and a lot of women want versatility, you can go to the office and lunch with the ladies or weekend out, i thinkñi it's a really grt look for anyone. >> anyone could wear that. the glasses are great. thank you so much. >> absolutely. >> suchin pak, great to have you here. coming up next, the science of cute. adorable. later from appetizer to dessert, three healthy meals from chef todd english. according to research, everybody likes more cash. well, almost everybody... ♪

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well we've seen it on this show over and over again, babies doing funny things on youtube or small animals that are just too darned cute to pass up. >> why are we so obsessed with babies? >> their puffy little cheeks, lots of skin and flesh, so cute. nbc's michelle kosinski went in search of the science of cute. >> reporter: siku, the unbearably cute baby polar bear became a worldwide sensation in a matter of days. ♪ ooh, baby, baby >> reporter: and if it's not him sending our hearts all a-flutter, it may be the puppy or any of those viral videos online. surprise kitty, 58 million views, more than the entire population of england. even this thing, 56 million. why do we react like this? >> oh, it's so cute!

>> reporter: why is it a part of us to care so much about a sleepy bunny or hungry hamster? ♪ on the piano >> reporter: in oxford university top researchers may know. >> this is over the frontal cortex. >> reporter: here is your brain looking at a person, and here is your brain on "cute," a burst in its pleasure center, when subjects looked at babies. >> in the higher regions of the brain where emotion and reward is processed, at tremendous speed. >> reporter: in a seventh of a second, a rush like that from ch chocolate or a drug. >> the size of the infant's eye there, the bulging cheeks, much larger forehead. >> reporter: animal babies share the same ratios, in some ways even moor exaggerated, more helpless, they're likely also hit hard on our hardwired love of the baby face. ♪ baby face, you've got the

cutest little ♪ >> reporter: and it seems our bar is so low that we can take anything, add a huge forehead, big eyes, cute chubby mouth and the carrot is now cute. and alan stein and kristine parsons found the response to cuteness and how long people chose to look at baby faces was the same in men as women. there's a science behind this? >> there is. there absolutely is and you see the same proportions in that baby photo there. >> reporter: we give in, and keep on clicking on what our brains adore. for "today," michelle kosinski, nbc news, london. >> i can watch that kitty cat going ahh over and over again. >> roll over the sweet baby foota footage. >> somebody has to clean up after those babies. >> the displeasure center of the brain lights up when they poop or vomit. coming up next, todd english. >> that was a good segue.

with some hype. >> oh, that's so cute! it's an eggplant. >> my brain is lighting up right now.

good morning, in "today's kitchen" what's for dinner? celebrity chef todd english says the key to making healthy food taste great is using the right spices. >> spices are very hot, very hip. i love spices. i've always loved the mediterranean flavors. this is a spice, al, this is roasted eggplant. char them on a fire on the grill, right on, in a pan. and what happens you cook them until they deflate. keep turning them. you see how the skin is dark. doesn't matter.

scoop it out like ganouche. we'll add the spices. add spices while you're cooking and this is -- >> how come? >> it blooms and brings out all the flavors and all the essential oils. what i have here is caroway, tur meric, ginger, paprika and a little oregano. a teaspoon or so of olive oil. >> you're sauteing some -- did onions, add the eggplant meat to that, a little bit of stock over the top and let that cook for about 10 to 12 minutes, so it's nice and soft. puree it, and what we do is after you puree it, scoop it out of the bowl and do a garnish here. >> okay. >> this is one of my favorites. this comes from more rack co, called rasalanute. i always forget what's in it, all of these spices in here and this is what it smells like when it's finished here.

>> ooh, great. >> it has ginger, the whole spice trade route, you can buy this at specialty spice stores but it definitely is like that. we've got shrimp sauteed with fennel, olives of course, can't do mediterranean cooking without the olives. a little bit of balsamic vinegar. >> good for the restaurant. >> a great idea. a little balsamic and sesame seed with the shrimp. we'll let that cook down a little bit. here we've got this cooked with the chick peas, and a little bit of vinegar, a little acid to cut through the richness of the eggplant. basically what we do is put this on top. >> looks fantastic. >> it's a wonderful way, very light, very low in calories. let me show you i have another one back there. all right, and so over here, again, using asian flavors which again great spices, a red thai curry with the red curry paste you can buy, it's chilies,

ground shrimp and a little lemon grass, you can buy that in specialty stores. you steam the mussels with ginger, with carrots, and if you like spice, spice it, get the metabolism going, burns the calories as well. these are little thai chilies. >> pretty strong. >> yes, be careful. these you have to be careful with. you can use milder chilies as well, jalapeno or mexican chili. san leandro to reand scallion. scoop that in here. >> what about dessert? >> and dessert always, always one of the things about eating light is you don't want to feel deprived. try the broth, it's delicious. add a little coconut milk to finish it and dessert. >> hi. >> the piece de resistance. >> this is a smore redone.

use a semisweet bitter chocolate. this is same idea, helps keep the metabolism going, great flavor and chorcolate sorbet. i took marshmallows, a little bit of praline here and mixed it in, puree that, put that over the top. >> gorgeous. >> yummy. can't wait to dig in. >> whole thing about losing weight is having the flavor without -- >> good spice. >> dive into that. >> you got it. kathie lee next.

good morning, everybody. it is 9:56. i'm jon kelley.

a world war ii veteran and his wife can thank complete stranger force saving their lives. their home caught fire thursday morning. two men were nearby, saw the smoke and immediately called 911. they then saw the elderly couple trying to get out of the house and ran over to help them get away from the flames. >> we're not firefighters or anything. we know each other, work with each other and we were just in it to try to help somebody. >> we didn't think about it. it was just instinct. as people, that's what we have, you know, to rely on for each other. >> heroes and a raiders fan. haley's home charred right now. many family heir looms, unfortunately, were lost, including sam's uniform from world war ii. he wants to give them a big-time thanks. one person key with thank all weekend long is meteorologist christina loren. >> it will be nice again today. not quite as warm as it was yesterday. a stronger onshore flow. more cloud cover pushing onshore. that big ridge of high pressure that kept us so warm has moved to the east a little bit.

your temperatures will work out pretty comfortably today. we'll get rid of the fog by 10:00 am. 64 in fremont. 65 in redwood city. overall, three to five degrees cooler than we were yesterday. we'll keep dropping off toward the weekend but not by much. showers late monday into tuesday. probably staying in the north bay. refreshing weather. also refreshing my screen, i see this sigalert southbound 101 at ellis has just cleared the roadway. look at the backup as you head southbound. considerable. that will take 20 to 30 minutes to clear from the southbound side. it is clear as far as the roadway is concerned. northbound 85 around fremont, accident there just clear to the shoulder. oakland, patchy sunshine. we'll be optimistic about that. another look further north, bay bridge. metering lights are off, jon. thank you very much, mike. for the latest traffic and news

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captions paid for by nbc-universal television hey, everybody. hoda and i wish you a very happy january 6, 2012. what is this, try day? what are we going to try today? >> how about this. this is what we're trying. >> in honor of the fact elvis would have turned 77 this weekend, this is, we'll call it an elvis mojito. speaking of that -- >> it's a big day for other reasons.

we are celebrating other things today. today is significant because on this very day 15 years ago, matt lauer sat down on the "today" show and started his reign. unbelievable. today on this very day. >> that is great. >> here he is back in the day. >> live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. >> some things never change. oh, my gosh. that's his before look. >> katie's changed a lot, too. >> oh, my gosh, look how cute. >> adorable. >> katie couric and matt lauer and matt lauer. >> very cute. look at matt before as you see him here. and let's look at him today. >> i think he is like a fine wine. he has fermented beautifully. >> i think he looks sexier and more handsome now. >> he grew into the smile. >> he sure did. >> we love him around here.

>> we also love jimmy fallon. >> not lately. >> lately has been digging on us. >> yeah. for all the wrong reasons. take a look. >> tv news in advance of the season premiere tonight mtv started airing 12 hours of "jersey shore" at 9:30 this morning. seriously, if i wanted to see people getting drunk and acting weird at 9:30 in the morning, i would just turn on hoda and kathie lee. it's easier. i love you guys. i'm kidding. >> we have a news flash for you. >> we're not on at 9:30. >> we're on at 10:00. >> that's when we start getting drunk and weird, okay? >> that's right, buddy. there, jimmy. >> i do love that little commercial he does with the little boy. you want more money? no. that's very cute. >> if you were flying this weekend, we have news for you. there's one of those annual airline surveys out. they ranked the airlines in terms of how often they lose your bags, how often they leave

on time. >> flights cancel. >> yes. the number one airline according to this survey goes to alaska airlines. that is a small domestic airlines. they probably have fewer bags to handle and fewer delays. >> less people. >> good for them. congratulations. >> number two. this surprised some. >> yes, it did. this is the airline that ran out of wine on our flight. >> delta is number two. southwest is third. southwest did lose my bag last time, but it does happen. >> it does have the second worse rate after american. >> usair is fourth. it has the second highest amount of customer-filed complaints. jetblue which used to be the go-to airline, the inexpensive one with the corn chips and tv is now fifth. >> it got too big, too fast and you lose a little bit. >> united is sixth.

it has the most customer complaints and it merged with continental, so it got all their complaints. >> those mergers take a while to flow nicely. the one around here with comcast was like, you don't even know, not a blip on the radar. >> the worst airline is american. they say they have the worst record of making sure bags made it to where they need to be and had the highest percentage of canceled flights in 2011. every time i think of these flights i think of the movie "meet the parents." is that what it is? "meet the foxers?" >> i'm in row eight. >> please step aside, sir. >> it's just one row. don't you think it's okay? >> we'll call your row momentarily. step aside, sir. >> thank you for waiting. we would like to continue boarding the aircraft now.

we are now boarding all rows, please, all remaining rows. >> hello. enjoy your flight. >> come on. it is hard er and harder all th time now. you get so frustrated. the stewards and they're frustrated. everybody's on edge. >> once you're at the airport, you already have anxiety. >> you know you're old when all you do is talk about the good old days. we'll talk about one time we took the concord. it was called the concord, right? concord. you're in europe in three hours and it was just such a phenomenal, sexy experience. those days are over. >> all right. there is a woman and she is called the human barbie.

>> we talked about her before. >> she is from britain. >> she had the most surgeries, i guess, and paid a fortune for them and there she is. >> here is the breaking news about her. she decided to give her 7-year-old daughter a gift this holiday season. she gave her a voucher for lipo suction worth about $10,800. >> to be used on her what birthday? >> well, 16th, it says here. when she is of legal age to get lipo. she did give her a boob job last year and she can use that when she is 18. >> poor kid gets nothing at christmas she can enjoy now. you can pierce your ears. >> who is giving their kid -- >> the same woman who has such a horrendous body image, self image or hates herself so much she needs to do all this or loves herself too much. i don't know. i would be interested in delving into the woman's personal history, because it would

explain a lot. >> but to give it to your child? >> yeah. >> but, survey says, hoda woman, one in three of us rate ourselves an eight, a nine or ten in looks. >> i can't believe that. most of us say we are a seven or better and we are better looking than the average joe. >> joe is better looking. va vainous is miami. hottest is cleveland. most common is a boob job followed by laser, hair removal and botox. >> and spray tan. >> we were talking about what do you think you are. what did you say? >> you didn't answer it. >> i don't think about -- i don't know. i never think about that. not great. i don't think great. >> jay says you're a 10. >> that's jay, baby. probably in the middle somewhere. you know?

>> you're at least a six. >> what are you? what are you? >> i think you're beautiful. i am a five on a good day. okay. it's time for my friday funny. >> chuckle up, everyone. >> i haven't seen this. a nutritionist -- so far it's hysterical. a nutritionist addressing a large audience in florida said the material we put in our stomachs is enough to have killed most of us sitting here years ago. red meat is awful. soft drinks corrode your stomach lining, none of us realizes the long-term harm caused by germs in our drinking water. however, there is one food that is the most dangerous of all. can anyone tell me what causes the most grief and suffering for years after it's been eaten. >> what is it? >> an elderly lady in the front row raised her hand. yes, said the doctor? the lady replied, wedding cake. >> all right.

>> i'm going to start reading these before we go on the air. >> it's time for bobbie's buzz. >> what would you rate yourself? most people around here think you're 10 1/2. >> before or after the two hours of hair and make-up. >> when you're walking down the street. >> maybe five, six. >> let's ask the crew on three to tell us what you think bobbie is. one, two, three -- >> ten! >> we love our bobbie's buzz. >> i don't feel that way. i'm on a major fitness revolution. this is for my girlfriends out there with girlfriends like myself. this is the -- >> that's why they give you a ten. five points for both of them. >> here goes the minute. this is called the no-bounce bra. it claims to reduce the jiggle while you jog up to 83%. for my lady friends who have a hard time in the gym, this is

great. workout wear doesn't have pockets. this is the kangaroo that has a pocket inside the water bottle. you can put your keys. last but not least these are laces with knots in them so you never have to tie your shoes again. i almost killed myself when your shoe lace comes untied on the treadmill. these are great, only $15. >> awesome. happy new year. she is going to start joining us soon for tuesday trends. >> nice! >> we are doing something a little bit different. usually the first tuesday in every month we do our everyone has a story, but because of the holidays and such we made it a week later. we start celebrating next year the 06 years of the "today" show. that is going to be a big deal next thursday. we are going to have our everyone has a story song next wednesday. we needed to meet our winner today. let's listen to me for a moment.

♪ everyone has a moment that changes their life ♪ >> miss carolee carmelo who is in "sister act" will be singing for us. on the phone we have johnny maupin and betsy gentry. when betsy was 4 her mother gave birth to her brother george who had severe birth defects. the doctors said take him home and let him die. johnny refused to. she took him home, cared for him and loved him for 53 years till he passed away this past october. betsy wants to honor her mother. congratulations. >> hello. >> we are so excited you're coming to see us in new york city. >> we are so excited to be coming to see you. >> they're from cleveland. >> cleveland, tennessee. >> oh, tennessee. i didn't see the tennessee. oh, good, good. you lost your beloved george

this past october, wasn't it? >> yes, we did. >> how are you doing? >> day by day. >> we are going to lift your spirits when you come and see us. >> have you ever been to new york before? >> no. i've been through new york, but didn't stop. >> we are going to ask you to stop for a couple of days. we look forward to honoring you. you're an incredible lady. i'm sure you are an amazing mom. we are going to listen to betsy and give you your day and your song, all right? >> thank you. >> we are so excited. thank you for picking her. she deserves it. >> you wrote a beautiful letter, betsy, thank you. next, three women who have become half their size weigh in on how they did it. >> head-to-toe overhauls we call ambush makeovers. for years i've dealt witaltypes of t problems. onthg has never changed: pele want to kw their taxeve been ne right.

to hp,ou can get fre one--one tax advic if you have a question, just cal or dannline ch wi onef . eguare th all turbotax calculationare acce man: goturbotax.c. thrilled. wait. we can have shakes? and boston cream pie. did you say pie? pie. she said pie. pie. [ male announcer ] get back on track with low prices on everything you need. backed by our ad match guarantee. walmart. flavor, meet food. introducing swanson flavor boost. concentrated broth in easy to use packets. mix it into skillet dishes, for an instant dose of... hell-o! [ female announcer ] new swanson flavor boost.

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♪ [ female announcer ] take the special k challenge. lose up to six pounds in two weeks. get your free, delicious personalized plan at specialk.com. what will you gain when you lose? every year "people" magazine scours the country for americans who have used only diet and exercise to become exactly half their size. >> the magazine is out and three of the ladies featured are here with us today. this is amazing, they lost more than 500 pounds. >> this is the tenth year "people" magazine have done this. this is going to be our first lucky lady wendy mcconkey. this is her before picture. she lost 302 pounds. now, guess what?

she weighs 147. wendy, come on out. >> oh, my gosh. look at her. she deserves applause here. come over and have a seat. we'll talk to you in a moment. congratulations. >> thank you. >> who is next? >> next up is yolanda marshall from houston, texas. she dropped 146 pounds. here is her before picture. she now weighs 146 pounds. >> come on out. let's see yolanda. oh, my gosh. >> fantastic! >> come on and have a seat. >> you're enjoying standing there. >> finally, karen from denver, colorado, a hairstylist, mother of four. she lost 72 pounds. here is her before picture. she now weighs 122. come on out, karen. >> oh, my goodness. i thought it was vana white. come on over. have a seat.

congratulations, ladies. >> wow, wow, wow. diet was a big part of it. who are the two zumba people. this exercise is one of the few exercises a lot of people enjoy doing. >> it's fun. so much fun. >> how much of an impact did it have on your weight loss? >> i use it for maintenance because i started afterwards. it's so much fun. i know i'm not doing exactly what she is doing. >> but you're moving. >> in my mind i'm doing exactly what she is doing. >> how long did it take to drop the weight? >> five years. >> five years. >> mine was a little bit less, about six months. >> did you guys have specific diets that you did or did you follow weight watchers or one of the others? >> weight watchers. >> weight watchers. >> my own diet and exercise. >> what did you cut out and change? >> just calories. just calories. didn't eliminate anything from my diet other than the calories. >> was it the food you cut out?

the amount? >> the amount, absolutely. >> what did you start doing for exercise? >> i started out three half hour walks three times a week. then i increased it every week. then i increased intensity, then i increased what i was doing and started adding in. >> your family must have freaked out. >> i being a teacher, i run into former students and they don't recognize me at all. you don't remember your kindergarten teacher. the best is my mom, she takes my pictures wherever she goes. my before and after. >> i imagine just the ailment, just the knees and all that stuff that was painful. >> i was always in pain. i woke up in pain. i would work the kinks out. if i was standing more than ten minutes my back would hurt. i would have to sit. when you sit for a few minutes and stand back up, everything stiffens back up. 450 pounds. i took a lot of advil.

>> i guess you had to. >> what about for you? >> i was uncomfortable. a lot of it for me was psychological. i'm the biggest person here. especially income college and in a sorority. you're uncomfortable. you don't want to talk to people. i don't think people even like you because of what you look like. >> what do your sorority sisters think of you now? >> whose life changed the most, would you say? >> i don't know. we were talking about zumba, i'm a zumba instructor now. certainly five years ago i thought i would have been here. >> i went from not exercising to, doesn't matter what's going on, i've got to get to the gym four times a week and zumba twice. >> a lot of people are fighting this battle. this is the time of year. they are discouraged. what is that little bit of advice for everybody? >> my advice would be just to

keep physically active. maintain. >> start getting active. >> start getting active, but make that move. make that part of your new journ journey. >> that's good advice for everybody. it does get easier. the first step is the toughest one. >> you guys all like terrific. so happy for you. >> you can find their stories in "people" magazine. up next, sara has that crowd full of questions ready to ask us anything they want.

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is really my mother. they keep asking me if the dirty guy is really my son. huh -- what do you tell 'um? holy smokes, these viva towels really are tough, even when wet! [ mike ] for the record, that's my real father, cleaning up a real mess on a real grill. see? very impressive! you're a natural. oh that's much better... dad's got his tough mess, i've got mine. [ female announcer ] grab a roll and try it on your toughest mess. i think you got it. can i have the definition? swapportunity: the opportunity to swap a higher calorie snack for a yoplait light. can you use it in a sentence? mmm. swapping a 300 calorie donut for this 110 calorie strawberry shortcake is a good swapportunity. that's not a real word. oh haha it's real. [ female announcer ] delicious, creamy, yoplait light. over 30 flavors each around 100 calories. do the swap today.

it is time for three, two, one live with sara haines who is hanging with the crowd at the nbc experience store. >> we hope you did a good crowd screening this crew. >> yeah. first up michaela from florida with a new york city question. >> this is for both of you. i'm a senior in high school considering moving to new york city. what advice would you give to someone like me from florida moving all the way here? >> besides packing warm clothes for the winter time, bring a lot of money. it's an expensive city. >> give it time to adjust. i moved from new orleans and it

was a big and scary place. you realize the city is divided up into neighborhoods. you'll get to know your newspaper delivery guy. all within the three-block area don't be overwhelmed by how huge it is. >> that is great advice. >> next up john from chicago. >> how you doing, kathie lee and hoda? >> hey. >> how do you feel about "snl" skits portraying you guys? >> if only they were funny. we don't mind being parodied, but make them funny. unfortunately, everybody who plays hoda gets fired. >> i like the last one. i think she is going to make it. >> thanks, sara. >> thank you, guys. >> still to come, those amazing transformations, our ambush makeovers are coming up. >> another story of reinvention proves you can do it. you can start today. >> if you're having those post

holiday blues, we are here to party! >> if you're in the move for a funny "saturday night live" guy, fred armisen is back. ly? slip-on's the way to go. more people do that, security would be like -- there's no charge for the bag. thanks. i know a quiet little place where we can get some work done. there's a three-prong plug. i have club passes. [ male announcer ] now there's a mileage card that offers special perks on united, like a free checked bag, united club passes, and priority boarding. thanks. ♪ okay. what's your secret? ♪ [ male announcer ] the new united mileageplus explorer card. get it and you're in. here's a better idea... pillsbury grands! flaky layers biscuits. in just 15 minutes, the light delicate layers add a layer of warmth to your next dinner. pillsbury grands! dinner ideas made easy.

you can always do something better for yourself. and better is so easy with benefiber. the fiber that's taste-free and grit-free... so you can feel free to add it to anything. and feel better about doing it. better it with benefiber. good morning, everyone. the time is 10:26. i'm jon kelley. ford motor company looking to go high tech, setting up a research center in silicon

valley. the company announcing plans to open up a facility in the coming months. to work on mu automotive technology. ford ceo expected to discuss this some tim next w week at th show in vegas. honey...? [ mom ] yes. honey, i can't find my internet cord. oh, i'll borrow hailey's. you're downloading movies. fast! from here? where is her cord?! we switched to at&t high speed internet and got wireless access. no more cords. wireless, okay, honestly, can i just get a cord, please? dad, the cord's invisible. [ female announcer ] call at&t today to get high speed internet for just $14.95 a month for 12 months

with a 1-year price guarantee. it's the fastest internet for the price. oooh. videos online? here? how much is that? nothing. at&t high speed internet at home includes access here. our invisible cord is really long, dad. oooh. [ female announcer ] get access to the entire national at&t wi-fi hot spot network for no extra charge. so call today to get high speed internet for just $14.95 a month for 12 months with a 1-year price guarantee. aren't you glad we switched to at&t? yes...but i want my own invisible cord. you already have one. oh. ♪ onshore flow strengthened today. that's why we have low clouds.

temps will be a little cooler. we're back to offshore flow by the end of the weekend. all the fog we had to deal with will be a thing of the past come this weekend. 65 in san jose today. 64 in fremont. through the weekend, we'll hold on to the mid 60s. tuesday, maybe some rain in the north bay. let's talk to mike about your drive. >> all right, christina. last bits of slowing southbound 101 heading to 85 in mountain view. northbound throughout the south bay looking pretty good. not much of a problem this friday. northbound 880 at main street accident moving to the shoulder. back to you. >> thank you very much. coming up on nbc bay area news at 11:00 am, good news on that jobs front as we see unemployment numbers dropping. scott mcgrew breaks down the numbers and what it means for you. plus, caught red handed, police arresting a real estate

agent for stealing and the cops can thank a 12-year-old girl and her web cam. marla tellez and i will be along to tell all. see you then. friday with our first installment of plaza ambush makeovers in the new year, the first friday of 2012. we plucked two lucky ladies from the youd and surprised them with a whole new look. >> the team responsible is "today" contributor and stylist to the stars luis lacari and "us weekly" contributor and author jill martin. >> good morning. >> how was it? not freezing out there. >> no, today we were lucky. i thought it was going to be cold. there were still plenty of people and we could see them because they weren't completely covered up. >> let's start with melinda

watson, 53 years old from san diego, california. she hasn't changed her look in 0 years. her daughters decided to push her for a brand-new style. >> we have the sign, we have the daughters. tell me why you want this for your mom. >> she had five kids within eight years, all of us played multiple sports and she was always there for every single one of our soccer games, wrestling tournaments, swim meets. she is there for everything. 40 kids per class on a daily basis. she is amazing. >> i think we should make you the hottest teacher in the country, what do you think? >> yes. >> i would love it. it would be awesome. i'm excited and nervous. >> she looks like their sister. >> she is with her two daughters, nat af afrmatalie an. let's see the new you.

>> uh-oh. all right, girls, are you ready? take off your blindfolds. >> all right, mom. ready to see yourself? >> right here behind you. >> oh, my gosh. >> i love that haircut. it's adorable. >> you look really great. >> come right around here. tell us about the hair. >> first of all, vanessa gave her a great haircut which gave her a few layers and made her face softer, pretty, not that it wasn't before i added depth. when i looked at her i saw ali mcgraw. >> right. >> i said, wow, she is such a beautiful woman, classic good looks, classic good hair color. >> what do you think? >> she looks amazing. >> wow. that dress, jill, i want that dress. it's gorgeous. >> donna morgan. if you're tired of a black dress, gray is the new black. then you see just to accentuate her waist, put the tie on the

side. >> she is like, take that off. >> i love it. >> you look beautiful. >> go join your daughters. >> our second lady is mary west, 49 from jupiter, florida. when we asked her about her daily beauty routine she laughed and said, i don't have one. she was thrilled to receive a glam new look. let's listen to her story. >> you are perfect for our show. show everyone your shirt. >> these girls are ready to drink, but the question is, are you ready for a makeover? >> i am so ready for a makeover. my 50th birthday is monday. i share it with the duchess and i need to look like the duchess in 30 years. >> you straightened your hair back in the day. >> i did it felt like straw. >> you're going to let luis do it today. are you ready? >> i am ready to go. >> what a personality. she is here with her friends

chrissy, kristen and donna. let's take a look at her before and bring out now the new mary west. >> all righty! >> oh, mary west. >> look at her. she knows she's rocking it. >> girl, you are working it. >> are you ready? take them off. >> oh, my god! >> she is ready to go to the duchess' birthday. >> take a gander at yourself. >> oh, my word. they are not going to let me on the plane to go back to florida. who are you? that's amazing. >> you guys are fabulous. thank you so much. >> we know you changed the hair. >> i'm ready for my close-up. >> thank you so much. that is amazing. >> this shy little woman, i

wanted to make her hair color softer. we took away her red. she did her color at home because she has a teacher's salary. she did pick the wrong color. this is more natural. we softened her make-up. we softened her curl. her haircut can be worn curley or straight. >> what do you think? >> i don't know her. >> that personality is the same. that's the good news. tell us about another gray dress. >> as if she needed more sparkle. adrianna arpel, you can wear it like this or with a blazer over it. and those boots. >> i needed some height. >> you're hilarious. i love your brenda vacarro voice. >> congratulations. ♪ ♪

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"saturday night live's" fred arnisen is probably best known for his impressions of barack obama. >> we are here to celebrate -- >> his show was such a success it was renewed for a second season. >> it stars fred and carrie brownstein, the city of portland and envirens around. a lot of stuff that is supposed to be so hysterical is not funny to me, but this, i laughed out loud. >> thanks, guys. thanks for checking it out. >> you're on your second season which meant the first season did very well. >> we thought it would be like a pilot, see what happens, then we

are doing a series and a second season. we feel very fortunate. >> the title is misleading. you think it's all about portland, but these kinds of characters you play can be found in any city. >> yeah. they could be brooklyn, here, parts like austin, and san francisco. >> you all are from portland? >> i'm from here, carrie is from portland. >> what do the people of portland think? >> they are so nice. we shoot on location, all the houses. everywhere we go people literally give us things and they've been nothing but nice. >> look at you. there is one you've got to see where this elderly man comes to fix the book store owner's air conditioner. i was screaming. it is so funny. >> you have a lot of your "snl" friends. >> andy sandberg did it and kristen. they are all so sporesive. >> do you write it, do you do

everything? >> write, and we have other writers, as well, but we write and put everything together. it's a lot of work, but good work. we are busy all the time. >> do you miss imitating barack obama? >> yeah. >> he is still president. >> the gop, there's been so much of that that all the comedy is there. >> who have you been doing there? >> i don't do any of them. i don't look like any of those people. it's funny. soon as you start meeting these people, i don't look like any of them. andy does a great job and jason. they are so good. bobbie. >> who is coming on this weekend. kelly clarkson as the musical guest. >> and charles barkley. he is so funny. every word that comes out of his mouth, i laugh. >> we wish you great lick with this, not that you need it because it does so well. >> it's tonight 10:00, 9:00 central on ifc.

>> have a party and stop whining. beth! hi. looking good! you've lost some weight. thanks! you noticed! you know these clothes are too big now, so i'm donating them. not going back there again. good for you! how'd you do it? eating right, whole grain. whole grain? whole grain. [ female announcer ] people who choose more whole grain tend to weigh less than those who don't... multigrain cheerios has five whole grains and 110 lightly sweetened calories per serving... more grains. less you! multigrain cheerios. and hello to "whoa, yum." use campbell's cream of chicken soup to make easy enchiladas, cheesy chicken & rice, and other chicken dishes that are oh...so...whoa. campbell's. it's amazing what soup can do. kids make stains i use tide boost to super charge our detergent. boom. clothes look amazing, and daddy's a hero. daddy, can we play ponies? right after we do foldies.

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with the holidays coming to a screeching halt, cold weather can make it hard to stay happy this time of year. >> don't fret. sonja, author of "the how of happiness. snchl " and founder of designs by lolita are here to tell us how to beat those post holiday blues. i'm trying to be happy. >> we are going to talk about the hearties and fun. we are beginning with the holiday blues. why do we have the blues? >> we look forward to and anticipate the holidays for so long, longer than they begin. that anticipation period can be more positive than the experience being anticipated. no wonder we feel such a huge letdown. >> is it like your state of mind changes, obviously. is it something you can bounce

back? >> research shows a great deal of happiness is under our control. we can practice happiness and increasing strategies as we do it with effort and purpose. for example, we could embrace the little things in our day. for some people that could be listening to their favorite piece of music or playing catch with their kids or sitting down enjoying a glass of orange juice. >> drinking orange juice makes people happy. whatever you can appreciate, savor, that will take your mind off the negative things, stresses and put you in a positive mindset. >> i feel relieved when it's all over. i feel like, oh, because there is a lot of pressure. >> there is a lot of strife and friction and hostility. there is a saying a mother can never be happier than your least happy child. there is one person who could create friction drinking too much. >> if mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. >> let's talk about drinking.

you say throw a party is a nice way to snap out of it. >> pick a theme and throw a fun party. have you had a margarita when it's 20 outside? it's cheerful. a summer party in the winter. >> thank you. >> have a dress code, shorts and shirts. don't forget the guacamole. >> blue is a great color. doesn't have to be a feeling, you can wear it, you can eat it. it's a blues party. you can make it fun. do blue lights which is fun. >> that's cool. >> have your guests wear blue. >> let's continue on the cocktail theme. >> so far this seems to be the answer to all your problems. drink them aware. >> this is not just your normal orange juice. this is about bringing the

cocktail in a bag. that's the theme. put together one drink in a bag and bring it to the party. you draw names and everybody gets bags. the key is you buy the ingredients for the drink and put it in the bag. it can be simple. pick simple cocktails with three ingredients or less. you can do the miniatures, which makes it easier. >> let's talk sweets. smores is a great party. >> this is a fun afternoon party or even for kids. if you want to make it an adult dessert party have a little bit of chocolate liquer on hand. we have smores, marshmallows, pound cake. can become an adult great dessert for the evening. >> that brings back childhood memories. >> we have so many positive memories. triggering those memories will make you happy and relieved from

the stress. >> pot luck is a good one to have. >> pick an ingredient and have everyone bring a dish with that ingredient. this is maple syrup. everything tastes totally different. it's a twist on how to do a pot luck. >> great ideas. >> thank you very much. up next, the teacher who went back to school to support her family.

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time for our special series, new year, new you. we've been sharing inspirational stories from people who reinvented themselves for many different reasons. >> today we have one more. janice was 49 years old when she realized teaching piano lessons wasn't going to bring in the income her family needed. she headed back to school to pay

the bills. >> i feel like music is a pathway to the soul. i've been playing the piano since i was 4 years old. that enjoy. kids get today from video games, that's what i got from playing the piano. i have a bachelor and masters degree in piano performance. >> she stayed home, took us to and from school and taught us lessons and tucked us in at night. >> my husband came home one day and said something is up at work. >> my career was abruptly cut short when my company decided to down size. we said with the money i have coming in and what you have coming in, that's not enough. >> i was about 49. who is going to hire me? whatever kind of job i was going to look for was going to have to have health benefits. >> my daughter holly was born 11 weeks early. she was 29 weeks and weighed two pounds. >> holly had to stay in the hospital approximately ten weeks. it was scary to see her on

respirator and looking so fragile. i had a lot of contact with the medical profession during that time. one of the interns there had asked my daughter and i if we were nurses. we had been asked that question a lot of times. i thought instead of being mistaken for a nurse, why don't you be one? i decided a two-year program was my best bet for getting through quickly. the more i did it, the more i loved it. it felt right from day one. >> what a story. here to talk to us about starting over when you're older are life and career strategist fran harris and jean chatzky. >> these are so inspirational. wow, 49 years old. how do you just stop and go back to school? money seemed to have been an issue, right? >> there are a lot of programs available. financial aid during the week is not just for young people. you can go out, look for grants, look at community colleges. i think what is so amazing about

her story, she picked the hottest career to go in. >> i think the one thing you don't want is regret. you don't want to say i wish i had done something. you don't want to get to that stage and say ten years ago i wish i had gone to school and gone into nursing. >> it's a big change. i don't know people are equipped for what's ahead, the studying, the hours, weekends, some things sound good initially, but once you get into it, you think i had no idea. >> that two-year period being in school is a good time to figure out if you're on the right track. she got a taste of it in the hospital. she had a strong suspicion this was something she would like. >> do you have to like it present day one? she said i knew day one it was the right thing. >> i think you need that gut feeling and your internal gps good practical sense. passion doesn't always pay the bills. it's good she is getting a second job. >> these things don't always turn out to be the magic that

you're expecting, but at least you will have known i did it, i tried. it wasn't what i thought it was going to be, but at least i know. the regrets of what-if. >> it's hard to stay motivated if it's not your passion. luckily for her it's a passion and pays the bills. >> we've got a lot of lawyers out there now who are saying, gosh, i went down this track because i thought it was what i was supposed to do and they are regretting it. this is why internships even when you're older are so important. >> it's beinspirational. >> i'm going to find something. >> what? >> jennifer hudson next week. >> real life housewife camille. have a great weekend. -- captions by vitac -- www.vitac.com

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