captions paid for by nbc-universal television hello, everybody. you cannot let a little bit of rain get you down on fun day monday, on june 4th. look at all these fine folks who came out to see us today anyway. >> yes. how sweet in the rain. >> why? >> because they love us. they're so sweet. god bless them all. >> it was kind of a rainy weekend for part of it. >> it did not know what to be all weekend long. it was a whole gamut but nothing kept you down, hoda woman, even

working on the weekend. >> it wasn't so bad. it's not bad working on a weekend when you know it was raining. that's kind of what it was like. >> unless have you to be out on the plaza when it's raining. >> i did host "weekend today" with lester, and we had a surprise at the end of the show. i don't know if you guys saw it. it was saturday morning. you probably didn't see it. >> actually, i think it was like 7:50. >> 7:50. a little bit before 8:00. then the magic happened in the show. take a look. >> we rarely get to see you without your partner in crime, kathie lee. >> is she in the crowd? >> no, but she's on the phone. >> no, she's not. >> she is? >> hello, sunshine. >> are you joking? >> hoda woman, did you think i would be sleeping in and not notice that you're two-timing me with lester? >> they even did a new open. what was going on there? >> i bet you were thrilled waking up this morning and seeing that it was drizzling! >> i know. you know that my hair's exploding as we speak right now. >> it's growing. it's unbelievable to see. >> stop. and by the way, no wine this

morning. >> no, no, no. >> speak for yourself. >> no, we got you hooked up here. >> oh, my god. that's so sad. >> you did a great job. >> a very boozy saturday morning. what was going on there? >> hoda woman. so are you going to make that a weekly thing? >> no, no, just that one day. that was just a one and done. you know what i'm saying? >> the queen was busier than you, though. >> yes. across tkros cross the pond it' there as well. it is the diamond jubilee for queen elizabeth, celebrating her 60 years on the throne. yesterday they had this huge deal, this flotilla. queen's up on a barge and all these flotillas are around her. a million people came out. they said that she didn't put on a coat even though it's kind of a heavy dress. she never sat down in those big red thrones that they had since all the people came out and they weren't sitting. she certainly wasn't going to be sitting. and you know, everyone looks very happy. it's freezing and raining, and look how happy everybody seems to be. >> you know, it's freezing and

raining most of the time there anyway. so i don't think they let -- you know what? they have great sense of duty. the queen does. think about how young she was when she was crowned. the one who never looks too happy, though, is prince philip. you know? >> always looks a little cranky. >> a little on the cranky side, it looks like. so the big concert is tonight. and matt's flying out there today, right? to join? >> and elton john's going to be performing with stevie wonder and paul mccartney. it's going to be right outside buckingham palace. and it is going to be huge. >> well, england's having a huge year. as you know, the olympics are coming up in august. so a little later today if you're planning on maybe wanting to go to london during that time, we're going to give you some get-away opportunities that are not outrageously expensive. because that can add up really quickly. >> speaking of the olympics, a little bit of sad news for one of the potential gymnasts. shawn johnson was thinking about competing. she's 20 years old. a she had a skiing accident i think you guys remember, i think

it was a couple of years ago. and she never quite healed right all the way from it. and she just announced over the weekend that she was retiring. >> look at that. oh, my gosh. can you imagine retiring at the age of 20? >> yeah. she said that she tried for a comeback, she wasn't going to make it, so she plans on going to college. >> good for her. >> she says she has a lot of other things she wants to do. >> she's done nothing but compete in gymnastics since she was a toddler practically, you know? we wish her all the best. that's a huge life change. >> we become so attached to the gymnasts for some reason. you get to know them. it's like a personal connect with them. >> we let sometimes what we do define who we are. and it's going to be interesting to see the human being thelma engineers that's not linked to gymnastics anymore. >> right. >> we wish her all the best. >> you guys remember her, she won all those medals. >> and "dancing with the stars." >> oh, yeah. she's on that. maybe she'll do that again. >> have they ever had anybody back? >> no, i don't think so. >> hoda, you should do that -- >> don't ruin my comments. >> imagine what you could do on "dancing with the stars."

>> speaking of that, if you guys watched miss usa last night. as you know, miss rhode island won. >> olivia culpo. >> this girl is gorgeous. she's not only gorgeous -- she's the one on the right. >> rhode island! olivia culpo! >> it looked like she thought she was going to win. didn't it? >> oh, my god. >> she's one beautiful girl. so she's going to -- she looks like natalie. >> she does. she looks exactly like natalie. and she's a cellist, too. and the question she was asked. they did this thing about you could tweet in questions. hers was about is it okay for a transgender to compete in the pageant. and she gave a great answer basically saying, look, there's so much surgery going on and if that's how they feel, then she thinks it is fine. i'm kind of summarizing. >> one transgender person was allowed to compete, right? but didn't make it past -- >> yeah. >> freedom for all. >> they also did a little bit of that song we were talking about

with the uh, uh, uh. the carly rae jepsen -- >> is that the only song in the world to do to stuff do? >> it's "call me maybe." ♪ hey, i just met you ♪ and this is crazy ♪ here's my number ♪ so call me maybe ♪ ♪ here's my number ♪ so call me maybe >> i think the donald's in it somewhere. >> they just showed him. >> i missed it. >> cody would call any one of them, i think. they're all such gorgeous girls. he has a very nice girlfriend. he would not call them. >> and congrats to andy cohen and giuliana rancic for hosting. >> talk about an amazing comeback story. giuliana. >> unbelievable. >> yeah. >> she was sick. she had breast cancer. she's back. >> and in full throttle. not just easing back into it. good for her. >> i went to the gym like a week

or so ago and she and her husband were on two treadmills. and i swear, they were flying. you know when you look at two people and you go -- i can't believe she was just sick, she's already -- she's healing, she's getting stronger -- >> good for her. god bless. okay. speaking of that, getting stronger, some people find cigarette smoke very, very upsetting. i happen to be personally very, very allergic to it so i have a medical reason. but a lot of people just find it offensive and they don't want to breathe other people's fouled air. >> here's the story. in the social cues column of the "new york times" people often ask for advice. this couple was about to move into a town house. while they were visiting the town house they had purchased they noticed the neighbor sat outside on his porch and smoked and it was drifting into their house and they didn't know what they should do. they hadn't yet moved in. >> but they'd signed. >> but they'd signed. so they said, what should you do? should you tell them before you move in all the way, say hey, listen, your cigarette smoke is already bugging me and we haven't moved in yet? >> that's a tough one.

>> they say wait till you move in. >> yeah. knock on the door, say i'm your new neighbor and by the way, put out your cigarette. >> would you say something if you lived that close to someone? >> i think first i would go to the super or whoever and say it's a problem. there might be something in the -- >> town houses. >> who knows? i just know i couldn't live there. a friend of mine had a dog that was barking all night long next to her town house and she had to go to the person and say, i can't sleep. i get up very early. and they got this thing that -- we're trying next week. i'll let you know if it works. it's not bark-off. but it's something that sprays the minute they start to bark, it sprays a little citronella or something. it doesn't hurt them in any way, but it stops them from it. >> from barking. >> so i got it in small, medium, and large. and we're going to try it next week. maybe it will be my new favorite thing. >> what's your favorite thing today? >> today, i'm not sure it is my favorite. i want to know what you guys think.

i bring heavy-duty books i've read. nobody cares. every time you change your nail polish, people go what is it? a little ape crazy. this is from chanel. remember bobbie thomas told us this is an nbc news special report. here's matt lauer. and good morning, everyone. welcome to an nbc news special report. i'm matt lauer. it's 10:15 a.m. here in london, where queen elizabeth ii is getting set to leave buckingham palace just behind me for a church service celebrating her diamond jubilee. this is the beginning of a long day of events marking her 60 years on the throne. the queen will be headed to st. paul's cathedral, an historic cathedral, about a two-mile drive from the palace behind me. and, of course, she was supposed to be joined by her husband, prince philip. but on o monday afternoon he ca down with what the palace is

referring to as a bladder infection. he's recovering in a london hospital, and will miss today's festivities. instead, the queen will ride to the service this morning with diana, lady farnam, one of her ladies in waiting. and i am joined this morning by nbc's special correspondent, my former co-host on the "today" show, meredith vieira, who's been covering all the jubilee celebrations. meredith, this has been quite a party over the last several days. >> absolutely, matt. this is the fourth day, actually. it started on saturday with a day at the races. sunday was very wet, very cold, and there was that massive 1,000 vessel flotilla on the thames. and then yesterday, last night, an unbelievable concert here. performers all honoring the queen. thousands of people that were gathered here behind us. we're joined by robert johnson. good morning to you. >> good morning. >> this is going to be very hard for the queen today. yesterday, as matt said, it was announced that prince philip was in the hospital, would not be attending any of the functions from this point on.

>> yes, i thought she looked a little bit lost last night, actually. she looked absolutely preoccupied. he's been with her for all of her life and he's so important to her. at 91, they're not going to take any risk whatsoever. if it is a bladder infection, it follows from the heart attack he had just before christmas, and so i think they're really quite concerned here. they're trying to play this down. they're not going to be issuing all 9 time, but she will be preoccupied. and it's actually quite a sad moment for her today that he's not with her. >> you mentioned the events of the last couple of days. as we look, and we see the motorcade arriving now at st. paul's. this is of prince william and catherine, i understand, inside these cars. we talk about the schedule, robert, over the last couple of days. for prince philip, 91 years old, as you mention, it's been a rough few days. >> meredith and i were on a yacht on the thames. we were standing outside for

about a few minutes. it was really cold. >> couldn't wait to get back in. >> he was standing there for four hours. yes, he was in his uniform and clearly loving it. but he was damp, it was wet. it must have been quite difficult. according to aides was there quite awhile. was fairly happy when he got off the vessel but came upon quite quickly afterwards. >> although we don't know if that had anything to do with what happened with the bladder infection. couldn't have helped, obviously. this service of thanksgiving, up until this point all of the celebrations have been joyful. this is a much more somber day, a serious day, a religious day, and in that sense maybe the most important day for the queen. >> well, certainly for the queen. she is the head of the church of england. a very devout christian. the high church christian, and this is the chance for her to reaffirm her belief. >> interrupt for one second. there's the queen making her way. to st. paul's cathedral. you can hear the cheers going up. the crowd behind us, and the music playing, as well. >> many of these people

occupying the seats that were occupied by concertgoers last night. they have been lining up since early this morning to catch a glimpse. i would imagine some of these people were not here last night, and this may be their first glimpse of the queen over this four-day celebration. >> just feel the warmth, don't you, of the people towards her? she's riding there with the lady of the bedchamber, lady in waiting, lady farnham. >> and the bells which are always part of any ceremony, any royal ceremony. >> meredith clearly packing some clout here, as she said "and the bells" they went up about 40 decibels. >> they love me here. to have this sort of reaction, because she is -- >> when i've met the queen on a number of occasions she's

actually quite a shy lady and she's overwhelmed by the reaction of the warmth of the people. she said that when she was going down on the thames. and i think it's just a remarkable experience. for her to feel these people showing their love for her, it must help her at this moment of such sadness. >> we want to mention because prince philip is not with her, we already mentioned her lady in waiting is riding with her in this car. on the way back to the palace later today where she'll be riding in one of those landaus, she'll be joined by prince charles and camilla parker bowles. >> the royal family runs like military clockwork. it's the next person in line who is not there and charles will step up and be his leej man, as he was said when he was made the prince of wales that he would be there also. >> he will also be seated next to her in the cathedral, as well? >> absolutely. i would think that would happen. he's there to support her. i think his speech was so affectionate for his mummy, the

way he spoke, and the way he rallied the crowd for his father and they cheered philip, philip. >> robert, as you watch the queen in this motorcade we remember all the pomp and pageantry is set to mark her 60 years on the throne. what a 60 years it has been. when you think about the times she took over until today. this is a woman who has seen the ups and the downs and everything in between. >> when you think her first prime minister was sir winston churchill and what's gone on since that and the evolution of the society which we live in. she's there as a representative, as a symbol of unity and of national pride. and i think even though there have been down times after the death of diana, that was a low point, the popularity of the monarchy now is at an all-time high. really at its zenith. >> they say that everything changed except for her head scarf. >> well, yeah, she doesn't want to change too quickly. she has certainly done that, i

think. >> talk about st. paul's. get a little background as to its significance in the national history. >> well, of course, it's a national church, where charles and diana were married. and it's always, you know, catches their imagination. but today is a special day for the queen. prayers will be said for philip, and for the queen. he has been at her side at every other jubilee. the silver jubilee in '77 and also ten years ago. it's sad he's not here today. >> you look at prince charles there. >> and camilla. >> the duchess of cornwall. >> harry, i think has really grown into the role, hasn't there? all the talk of him being a rebel prince. he's just now a great guy. and also we've got william and catherine there who just really have captured the imagination of the whole world. >> she must be at peace knowing that the future of the monarchy is in good hands. >> i think she's certainly very, very relaxed about the future. all we need now is a royal baby to bring even more cheer.

>> meredith brought us a story over the weekend, robert, actually, she was talking about the newly installed dean at st. paul's. and one of the questions i had, and i didn't have a chance to talk to meredith about it then, the previous dean would have left just a couple of days before this diamond jubilee started. what would have the reason have been for that? >> well, i think there was a bit of controversy, actually, in fact the people were camping out and all the austerity measures, and there was also some crowds going on. like everything, there's always someone waiting to take the position. he would have been boning up on everything he needed to do. >> did you sense some nerves in him? >> he seemed a little nervous, yeah. i mean he just was made dean may 25th. this is his first big assignment. he had been in conversation with the queen, as well. she has quite a bit to do with the service. she threw out one of the hymns. she said too many hymns.

>> what are we hearing, the chanting? sounds like it's from the feed over at st. paul's. >> i think that was really the reaction when kate and william turned up. everywhere they go the crowds just go wild. they really are a superstar couple. >> this service will last, this service of thanksgiving, for the better part of an hour. and then the day unfolds from there. there will be a luncheon before return here to the palace. >> then once they get back they will go up on the balcony. there won't be any kiss this time. there will be the flyover by the raf, as well. >> there will be. i think what's important this time is in the past you saw everybody on the balcony. it's going to be a brief number. charles, camilla, the queen, william and kate, and harry. that's the future of the monarchy and i think that's a clear message, that that future. >> i think we want to remind people once again how historic this is. there's only been one other diamond jubilee, 1897, queen victoria, at st. paul's.

she couldn't get out of the carriage, younger than our queen is now -- your queen is now. >> very proprietary, you notice that, robert. >> and she was so ill they actually brought the service out to her on the steps of st. paul's. this time the queen will go up those steps inside the cathedral. >> this really does matter to the queen. this is probably the most important event of the whole weekend for her. as i said before, very religious lady. and it re matter that all the great dignitaries are there. the prime ministers, but also that the world is watching this celebration. >> this is a vocation for her, isn't it? >> absolutely. when she swore to the people to serve all her life, it wasn't just to the people, it was to god, and that's what's important to her. >> she actually has a message for the people of the commonwealth that will be read a little bit later on this morning. we'll bring that to you. we don't want to jump the gun and steal her thunder on that.

also, a special hymn will be performed today. >> yes. >> and one of the works is called -- one of the pieces is called "jubilate." >> fanfare. >> it's actually very beautiful. it really is. >> well there's that 50-second fanfare that was performed inside the cathedral, and it takes into account the nine-second echo of the cathedral. can you explain? >> you know the great dome, basically you can stand at the top of that dome and whisper on one side and you can hear on the other side. it's a delayed echo. i remember going up there once with my grandfather as a little child and it certainly thrilled me. >> i did it myself the other day. it's quite something. >> you were talking about the commonwealth, that's really important to the queen. if anything, it's her main legacy, and you know, it's one area in her reign where things have grown and got bigger. when she took over there were eight members of the commonwealth, now there's 54. right across the world, 54 nations. >> the celebrations have been going on for months already and will continue into the coming

year. there have been stamps issued in her honor. coins minted in her honor. i read in one, i think it was in barbados, a cricket field was named after the queen, which is a big deal. probably bigger than getting a coin minted in your honor. as i mentioned those celebrations, and visits by members of the royal family to the common wait, and areas of the commonwealth will continue throughout the year. >> that's right, matt. the big one, i think, will be when william and kate go on their next major mission which is malaysia and singapore. that's going to be mid-september. and that will be huge. i think the press corps on that will be over 100, 150 people. >> it may be hard, the queen, to not go on all those trips but she has backed off the long-distance trips allowing other members of the royal family to do that for her. >> my understanding from people i speak to is really she's starting to do less and less after the jubilee and expect prince charles and camilla and william and kate and harry to step up a little. and spend more time with philip.

she'll never abdicate. the way the system of monarchy works it's really sharing of that power. and charles will shadow to his mother. as far as the john major there, the former prime minister. >> and we're seeing this motorcade still approaching st. paul's cathedral. some of the people inside. what will happen as the queen enters the cathedral? will everyone rise? >> they will stand. and the national anthem will be played as she walks in, and she will then be the last person seated. it's all organized by the protection squad and they're making sure everyone's in the right order, in the right time. it's a real military exercise. >> you're looking at some of the crowds along the route here. this is an official holiday here in london. in the uk. which makes it nice that people

can get out and share these moments with the queen. it also made it nice coming in from the airport this morning. no traffic. >> how many people do they expect along this route when she comes back? >> i think this will be less than they had on the thames. because it's such a long route along the thames. but they'll be crammed in there. and there will be probably 100,000 or so. even not more. less than what's happened in the last couple of days. >> she's flying the royal standard, of course, which is flown wherever mode of transport, wherever she is, that is who she is. and that she's in that vehicle. >> it's amazing when you think back to 1952, 25 years old, passing of her father and she's suddenly the queen. >> but it certainly dramatically changed her life forever when prince philip broke that news of her father's death. and it meant that really she had

to just be a working mother from that moment. in the ultimate way she had to give up, effectively, duties of motherhood to focus on her job in hand, which was very, very difficult. but we always began, of course, we think of how popular diana was, and how popular william and kate were. when the queen went on that first trip as queen to australia, half a million people turned out in the streets of melbourne just to see her go to the theater. quite dramatic. >> and through the years there have been from time to time about the use of the monarchy, whether it's really necessary. but her value and the love the people have for her has basically never wafered or very little. >> it's just a different system of government. it's a constitutional democracy. it's not a presidential system. effective power lies with the prime minister but she is there for continuity, for unity, and to bring people to the, which i think she does with aplomb. >> you say the executive power lies with the prime minister. there is no doubt about the fact that the queen has influenced politics in this country over

the years. >> i'm sure that those one-to-one conversations she has with buckingham palace, is where she is. but she said something to a young prime minister, well that little remark may well have an impact on his decision. but this is a lady that's been at the heart of politics and power for 60 years. so she's pretty wise. >> she was the young lady with the fatherly figure, now she is the motherly figure and the prime minister. >> the reality is these younger prime ministers would be rather unwise not to listen to what she has to say. >> think about what she has accomplished over these 60 years. four children. eight grandchildren. great grandchild. 30 godchildren. she has launched 23 ships. conferred over 404,000 honors and received 3.5 million items

of correspondence, and she patrons over 600 charities and organizations. she is a part of every aspect of this culture. >> and all those correspondence, which she does, she can't read every letter, she'd be there all day, but she goes and picks out letters from the correspondence, so she gets a feel of what's actually happening. >> let's watch as she now arrives at st. paul's cathedral. >> they're chanting, long live the queen. >> long live the queen. >> in the background. >> listen to that cheer go up.

the familiar wave of the hand. >> it's when you don't see prince philip there that you realize that it is significant. what's going on. because he was really always with her. >> absolutely. >> she has referred to him as her friend through the years. >> her strength and stay when they discussed. the only time she really offered that. ♪ >> you mention that she's a religious person. at her coronation 60 years ago, then archbishop of canterbury, i

believe she reads it every day, considers this a fine piece of literature. >> every day. really devout, and someone who really cares about religious matters. ♪ ♪ we praise thee o god we acknowledge thee to be the lord ♪ ♪ all the earth doth worship thee ♪ >> the famous floor of that cathedral that we've seen in so many historic photos over the years. >> indeed. i mean, i was on far less happy occasion inside for the funeral of -- westminster for the

funeral, but for the wedding of the young diana. i think that really it's a marvelous, marvelous venue and it really does show the country at its best. >> she always had her jubilees there, not at westminster abbey. why is that? >> well, westminster abbey is called a rule peculiar, at her own church, and the place that she can actually have any celebration, and it's her prerogative. >> and piping the sound to the folks here at buckingham palace so they can share in the ceremony since they cannot be at the cathedral.

>> if you're just joining us on this tuesday morning, we are watching the procession down the center aisle at st. paul's cathedral here in london. celebration of thanksgiving to the queen's diamond jubilee. queen elizabeth ii has just entered the cathedral. her family members, other members of the royal family, already there. this is a service that will last some hour, and then it will be followed by a luncheon nearby, and a return to buckingham palace, and appearance on that famous balcony that we have seen in so many previous events culminating four years -- four days of celebration for this queen's 60 years on the throne. >> she looks very calm. there are 40 children in that cathedral who are very nervous. they were selected to perform for the queen a very special song in honor of her diamond jubilee.

>> the order the queen goes into the church, everything is at its place. and there she is. she looks, i think, remarkable for her age. incredible lady. >> back in the states, you're going to be starting your daily routines, we're going to be recording all of what happens inside st. paul's, and we'll be sharing you a lot of -- sharing a lot of these images with you as we come back on the air for the "today" show in just a little while. >> robert, stick around? >> absolutely. >> it's a stunning look down there.

>> it's a long walk, isn't it, to where she has to sit? >> it's a long, long walk. >> she deserves a rest after this. ♪ >> but that's the thing, she's been supported. prince charles, along with prince philip. >> we talked about her humility. she must be very hummelled by this. >> absolutely. she's a very humble lady and someone who always remembers what her father told her, to just serve her nation. and she's never really let him or the country down. >> much more ahead. robert johnson, thank you very much for joining us on this special report. some of you will be joining "early today." the rest, local programming. i'm matt lauer, alongside

meredith vieira in london. this has been an nbc news special report. we'll see you this morning on "today."cs t pics. right after this. [ male announcer ] tom's discovering that living healthy can be fun. see? he's taking his vitamins. one a day vitacraves plus omega-3 dha is a complete multivitamin for adults. plus an excellent source of omega-3 dha

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time for today's countdown to london and how to get to the olympics. if all this week's queen's jubilee has been the talk of the town and if you're thinking about should i pack my bags and head across the pond, we've got some great deals for you. >> well, mark murphy does. we don't. he's author of "travel unscripted" and he's done all the research to get you there for less. nice to see you again, mark. >> nice to see you too. >> still got those dimples. >> he is cute. still some deals. you can get out to london in a reasonable way. >> absolutely. >> tell us how to get it affordable. what's the best way to get out there? >> you can book your own airfare and book a hotel. take the sheraton stay out of heathrow airport. you have to schlep into the city. it is about a 50-minute tube ride but it is a great value because you're going to get a nice hotel and you're going to be able to still check out all the olympic venues. i suggest that. that's one way. >> are they all spread out, the

olympic venues? >> yeah. just like in most olympics. >> okay. they have to be with -- >> this is a unique idea. you say camping is not a terrible idea if you don't want to stay in a hotel. >> sounds terrible. >> believe it or not, they have camping within ten minutes of the olympic games. who would have thought? pitch your own tent. about $30 per person. or get a pre-erected tent, about $60 per person. or you can stay in a luxury tent. it's about $150 per person. they have flat-panel tvs in the tents. >> do they have showers and everything? >> oh, yeah. >> come on. you don't want to stay there. >> that's the pitch your own tent area. >> i can't even imagine it. >> you don't want to do that? >> usually package deals are great that include airfare and hotels. are there still a lot of those out there? >> absolutely. british airways has a pretty neat package. about $1750 per person. includes seven nights and round-trip air. it's a great deal. the best way to probably book a package because they get wholesale deals is through a traditional travel agent. one of those traditional travel

agents out there. i'd recommend that. >> once you're there you still have to get around. traffic can be disastrous -- >> don't rent a car. take an oyster pass. an oyster pass will get you on the tube, it will get you on the light rail -- >> for people who don't know what the tube is -- >> it's the subway. and you can go around, it's about $3 per trip if you buy the oyster card, which is about 50% less than the typical fare. and about 20 pounds or $32, $33, will get you pretty much anywhere you need to go for the next three or four days. >> sounds good. other than the olympic venues, which everyone will be going to. what are some of the other must-sees? >> harry potter. the warner brothers studio. the making of harry potter opened. i was there just preopening. and you get to go into the great hall, see where the kids were sleeping. you get to see some special effects that you think are computer animated but they're actually mechanical. it's pretty fascinating to watch that. kids will love it. >> are you going? >> to the olympics? not this year. no, not this year. >> great to see you. >> thank you so much. >> coming up next, we're going to introduce you to the newest "real housewives of new york city." they are positioned on the couch. >> look at that body language.

lots going on.

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season five of "real housewives of new york city" debuts tonight on our sister network, bravo. this time around it is out with the old -- >> that was mean! that was just mean! >> -- and in with the new and they're not happy because we don't have cocktails for them. >> sonia morgan, ramona singers, and luanne de la fepz will return. but we have three new housewives

on the block. aviva, carol and heather. i bet they're going to need plenty of pinot grigio to deal with this. >> you're passive aggressive and don't start with me. you want to start with me, i'll go right back at you. >> i don't want to start anything with you. i'm just saying -- >> another time. >> you crossed the line and you know you did. >> no, you did. >> girls, we said we were going to take the high road. all of us. >> we are taking the high road. and i'm taking the higher road. this way. >> the higher road's that-a-way. yeah. get out of town. >> what have you ladies done signing up? what were you thinking? >> we don't know! we don't know. we don't know. we're not sure if we're going to be happy or sad at the end of 16 weeks of watching ourselves. >> well, you've wrapped your season and you've seen the premiere. so that you're happy with so far. >> yeah. >> but you also know what happened while you were taping. >> we do. we do. >> you've got to have a good sense of humor about it. lots of laughs. keep it light. >> and there is drama, sure. >> well, a lot of it -- we're just watching this one clip. it seems like such stupid drama, doesn't it? like don't say this to me.

like the fight seems pretend. >> don't invite me to your party. you didn't invite me to yours. >> you didn't know the other ladies. right? that are not on anymore. >> oh, no, no. >> so how did you guys get to be the new housewives? was it a casting thing? >> somebody named jake spitz who is very close with betheny frankel called me up and said we want to interview you, please let bravo into your house. and i said absolutely not. and ultimately i did the interview and at the end of the day i took the gamble that the pros would outweigh the cons because i'm trying to raise awareness for amputees because i'm an amputee. and so if i'm made into a caricature and i look funny but i'm able to help people on a large scale through the television platform, i won. >> you lost your leg. >> i did. when i was 6 years old on a farm accident. and today there are 2 million amputees in america and 25 million who are physically challenged.

>> what's cool about this group is you guys are very accomplished. >> carol, you're from our field. you're a journalist. >> yes. >> award-winning author. >> yes, you are, miss fancy. and now you're doing this. >> i'm much more comfortable in your position than in this position. >> what are you learning about yourself through this season, do you think? >> what am i learning about myself? i'm -- oh, god, that's an interesting question. i'm learning that i'm much more comfortable asking the questions and being behind the scenes and in the edit room than i was on camera. but you know, i like to -- you know, i was approached by andy cohen, who is an old friend of mine, and he asked me if i would ever consider this. and i like heather initially said no way. but then i thought about it and i kind of approached it like a job offer, an odd job made a little more interesting by the fact that i'm a writer. and i was just finishing my second book. >> sought timing was right for you? >> the timing was good and i just thought take a chance and it's a risk and --

>> and heather, you've got this -- you're known for this shapewear line that you have. you have this entire life of course before you stepped onto the set here. do you think this is going to help you or hurt you being on this show? >> i hope it's going to help. businesswise, i think it's brand awareness, of course. it garners a lot of interest in what i do as an entrepreneur, as a working woman, as a working mother, of a child who also has some very serious health concerns, as you know. and so for me it was an opportunity -- at first i had the same reaction as my castmates here saying, i don't think that's the right fit for me. but when you really think about it, it's opportunity knocking. and i think a lot of stuff in life that's worth anything is a risk. and you take a risk. i did look at it as like a self-study. like i could watch myself. clearly there's editing and all that stuff but i want to have a sense of humor about myself. >> you're going to take the high road, you ladies said. >> allegedly. >> i very much try to keep it real. i don't manufacture the reality. >> i don't always take the high

road. >> i knew there was one of you. >> i failed. >> there's one honest one. >> you guys, thank you. good luck tonight. est.ll the >> thank you. >> the season premieres tonight at 9:00, 8:00 central on bravo. all right. and coming up next, which of these chefs makes the best lobster roll? >> we've got the tough, tough job of figuring out which one. >> you know what, though? this is "today" on nbc.

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time now for "today's kitchen." what's cooking? we're going to tell you -- it is lobster. every year table.com holds their annual lobster roll rumble where 20 of the country's best lobster rolls compete for the title of fan favorite. >> we decided to hold a minirumble of our own. we've snagged three of the competing chefs to show us what they've got and who they are and what they're made of. mark murphy is executive chef of -- >> mark, raise your hands. >> barbara lynch is ceo of barbara lynch grubo. and luke holden is president and founder of luke's lobster. >> all right. >> are you guys ready? >> mark, come to us. >> let's do it. >> we're supposed to -- >> you're supposed to taste that. >> what makes yours unique, mark? tell us. >> why is mine better, you mean? >> yes, exactly. >> i thought so. i use a little bit of -- it's sort of a french thing. i do a little ayoli in mine. it's a little bit of must sxard little bit of sweet garlic. you cook the garlic very slowly in olive oil. brings that nice flavor.

but then we go very american with a little bit of old bay seasoning in there. >> i love that. >> which i love. is that good? >> mm-hmm. >> we're so happy. >> i just mix in my other ingredients. i've got some tarragon, some parsley, some scallions, and of course some celery diced up nice and small. and then we mix in -- we just dump it all in there. and of course a little salt and pepper. >> doesn't look like you used that bad part of the lobster. i don't like that. >> which -- >> the little -- >> i know which part you're talking about. >> people have got to eat this too. >> the most important thing, once you mix all this together, i also butter the rolls. now, you see, what i like to do -- and a lot of people put the butter on the outside, but i like the butter on the inside so when you eat it you're not going to get dirty. i'm not trying to -- >> that was delicious. barbara. >> come on over here. >> mine is very simple. very, very -- >> this is the part.

>> i'm not crazy about that. >> make a little lemon aioli. >> so you added lemon. he didn't have lemon in his. >> yeah, i like lemon. >> me, too. >> that's good, barbara. yours is good, too, mark. >> thank you. >> and i like my rolls toasted on the outside. >> oh, my god. that's really good. >> oh, my goodness. what are we going to do? >> barbara, this rocks. >> really delicious. something about the lemon. but i like the old bay. >> i have to stop eating that one so i can eat this one. >> i already have the inside information sow don't like the tips. >> i like the bread on this baby. >> putting a little bit of mayo on the inside. we're using a quarter pound of fresh maine lobster meat from my family seafood company up in maine.

i call my dad and uncle, tell them what we need, they go out, deal directly with the fishermen, then bring the lobster down to our restaurants. put a quarter pound of meat in. >> you stuff that baby. >> look at the butter he's -- >> little bit of salted butter on top. >> oh, my god. >> some fresh-squeezed lemon. >> i'm putting my hand on the hot plate. >> celery salt, oregano and black pepper. >> okay. >> we just sprinkle a little bit on top. >> oh, come on. we have to discuss. >> if you can stop eating for one second, hoda. thank you. thank you very much. >> can we get them a drink? >> and the winner is -- >> i can make no decision because i love them all. >> both delicious, you guys. >> uh-oh. >> no.