this is "today" with cathy lee gifford and hoda kotb live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. >> hey everybody. it's wednesday march 5th. >> it's ash wednesday marking the start of lent. glad you're with us today. >> guess who's back? >> you. >> you're happy or not happy about that. it is what it is. you've got to accept things in life. >> as you've come back from la, worked the red carpet, the experience -- >> yes. what do you want to know hoda? >> you know what?

everything is a lot of build up, a lot of sit around and wait for maybe an hour when everything starts to happen. >> right. >> what i realized through this experience, it's a young person's business. it really is. you take all -- this is the reality literally. we had half this space for five people. you get there an hour and a half before anything happens. they drop you off not like the stars that get dropped off you and you walk the carpet. you get dropped off three blocks away. those are the three blocks where the weather changes, rain comes down. you get to the place all dressed in high heels. you get there and you don't have a mirror -- >> look at that. i love her and her sister. >> any way, people either come over to you or they don't. >> we're so grateful so many were so sweet. the worst part hoda, i don't

know a lot of people that could do this show after menopause. you cannot leave. you cannot have any bathroom breaks for four and a half hours, nothing. i had coffee that morning and a little bite of something. i was terrified. >> that stinks. >> made up for it otherwise with my daughter. it's fine. it's one of the things you can say i can that once. >> there's your selfie. >> jimmy fallon had fun. he's done the show for a couple of weeks now. >> he's getting around to this. >> let's watch. >> pros and cons of going to to mardi gra. in brazil, the non stop drinking and partying is called carnival. in new york it's called the fourth hour today show. still fun. >> he thinks it's still funny. >> you know what, it is.

>> okay. what are we going to do about lindsey lohan? >> if you wondered she talked about doing a reality show with oprah. she has done it if you're wondering. >> which means she got her payday right? >> i think she did. >> $2 million allegedly. this show premieres sunday. let's take a sneak peek. >> people have an image it is chaos. i don't want the negative [ muted ] that may go through. good, good, good then in my head, time to sabotage. >> she's not following the rules they agreed to, not participating. she wouldn't agree to the shoot, so they had to cancel it. >> this is what everybody said was going to happen. i believed differently. she doesn't understand life. >> my truth is that i really do want you to win. i really do. if that isn't what you want, i'm

okay with that. you know, i'll tell these guys to pack up and leave today. >> no. it's not that i'm not ready to do that. i do. >> you need to cut the [ bleep ]. you really do. >> i know this is my last shot doing what i love to do. >> oprah cursed. >> that's what lindsey needs, tough love. >> yeah. >> she's not a baby. she had a tough time growing up. a lot of people do. she can't play the victim. she's got to take the reigns now. she's a grown human being. >> oprah said if you don't want it, tell me right now, and it's over. i wasn't convinced by her answer. no, i do want it. >> it's like people in this generation. i do want it but don't want to work for it. >> don't want to do the work to get it. >> i honestly wish her the best. we have good news.

if you want to put your bag in the overhead compartment. >> carry on bag. >> i'm one of the people that brings a bag and stuffs it to the brim and jams it in the overhead. nobody is surprised by that. >> i tried to convince hoda she does not need her bowling ball. >> i put everything. >> you haven't bowled in ten years. >> here's the thing, some of the overhead bins are too small. >> they are. >> i think they're shrinking. i traveled with my mom. my mom had a normal bag like this. i was trying to stuff in the overhead and it wasn't fitting. people were mad. i was jamming it and shimming it and jarring it. they kept saying it's not going to fit. i'm one of the people, no, it's going to fit. the man got mad. i kept doing it and doing it. i looked at him and said i'm really sorry. he goes, i'm sure you are.

>> he got under her craw. where's your craw? >> it's stuck in mine. i was flying this weekend to florida. there was a woman and her husband that put their bag to the guy to check it. the the guy said you're a half pound over. it's $50. the husband said to the wife, it's a half pound. >> she said what do you want me to do? >> he said take out a half pound. >> she said what do you want me to do? i'm not taking it out of my bag. pay the $50. >> and they paid the $50. >> one for momma. >> i think they should make the bins bigger. >> i have a suggestion. you have a rental every winter, a place to get away to. how about you leave stuff there? you don't need to -- buy a bowling ball. >> i like to have stuff in my bag.

i like to bring it, see it, know where it is. i don't like when they put it under the plane. you never see it again. >> she has issues with traveling. >> including the handles and wheels. you're talking the bulk not the handles and wheels. >> united has a thing you stick your bag in before you get on. if it doesn't fit in there -- >> it's going to work against them. some are going to stop united because of that. they know they can stuff it other places. john travolta we've got to talk about him. you heard the oscars. this is one of the flubs. he flubbed an important name, idina menzel. he called her adele menzene. i loved his statement.

he said i've been beating myself up all day. then i thought, what would idina menzel say? she'd say let it go, let it go. idina is incredibly talented. i'm happy she took home two oscars. >> idina is certainly much more famous today than she was before he flubbed her name. >> she's well known. she won for wicked. she was amazing in that. she's making a name in the industry. you're right. i think they should put adele menzeme on top of the marquee. that starts tonight. very good buzz on this show. i feel sorry for john travolta. he's a total pro. it could happen to anybody. >> there's an app you put a name in and out comes the name travolta would have announced it.

here's kathie lee's name. >> here's hoda's. you changed name. general laurence one more reason to love this girl. we saw her on the red carpet. she apparently has something we both have and are proud of. >> we earned it. she's what, 23 years old? >> it's called underarm flockem. >> look. oh my gosh. >> e decided they were going to show it. she noticed it. she's not shy. >> oh look. hey.

she's 23. >> let's do it again. hey. >> i don't feel so badly now. >> i liked it. she doesn't take herself too seriously. >> you had it right. she's a movie star but could be like us, our best friend. i didn't see the voice last night. it was back with auditions and apparently great stuff. >> is that his real name or travolta's version? >> that's his real name. he decided to sing this song. let's listen. ♪ >> i didn't want to react. i knew if this guy had any

indication of what i was looking at, he would hit the button. i got myself a texan. >> he sounds like usher, looks like blake. >> usher got him. that's great. >> usher has -- wow. all ahead of blake. >> blake made a comeback while you were gone. he's getting great artists. my favorite is meant for family. i love. that here's audra mclaughlin. she had a standout last night. ♪ ♪

>> wow. she's wonderful. what a moment. >> it's interesting. >> what? >> somebody i couldn't see because it was dark picked her off the bat first couple of bars. >> adam. >> the tone of quality she had. just a beautiful velvety. you don't know at the time what the person looks like. i don't know if that's her entire range. usually you wait to see if somebody has got more than four notes even as beautiful as that can be. that was fascinating. who always waits until the end? >> usher usually. shakira always turns. >> even before the girl hit the big note. >> i think she picked blake. >> yes. >> blake has a great team. >> he's got seven now.

>> adam and blake have seven. others have nine. >> competitive like you and i. >> yes, we are. pop the question. >> we've been talking about videos of people sending in, greatest engagement finalists. this couple dated four years before he popped the the question. they celebrated their birthdays combined with valentine's day. garrett gave haley a huge box. she looks excited. take a look. >> she wants to make sure there's a rug cleaner in there. bah balloons. she gets to keep the shampooer too?

that's very sweet. i guess she's saying yes. i can't tell. >> okay. sweet. that's sweet. >> oh my god. that was awesome. >> some wouldn't be thrilled. when you have three dogs and white carpets. frank, if you're watching, that will work for me baby. love shampooers. >> go watch the other pop the question final is. you can vote. we'll show you our last finalist tomorrow. we'll take whatever he's got. performance from singer david nail. and cicely tyson is here and also keke palmer. save you fifteen percent or more on car insurance.d

everybody knows that. well, did you know pinocchio was a bad motivational speaker? i look around this room and i see nothing but untapped potential. you have potential. you have...oh boy. geico. fifteen minutes could save you fifteen percent or more on car insurance. body pain? back pain? try bayer back and body. it's bayer aspirin plus a special pain relief booster, to relieve sore backs and soothe aching muscles fast. get moving again, with bayer back and body. innovative cc cream from nice 'n easy.

our advanced treatment helps keep highlights and lowlights shiny and luminous. cc cream, find it in every box of nice 'n easy. the most natural shade of you. glass on floors. daily chores. for the little mishaps you feel use neosporin to help you heal. it kills germs so you heal four days faster. neosporin. use with band-aid brand bandages. you work hard to stay healthy. you deserve a multi-vitamin that supports your efforts. one-a-day mens is a complete multivitamin with more of ten key nutrients that provides nutritional support specially formulated for men. one-a-day mens.

legendary actress and icon of the stage and screen more than 50 years. now she's surprising the tony a ward winning role in the trip to television. >> the woman determined to get back to her childhood home of bountiful. she meets a childhood friend that helps her realized her dream. take a look. >> you know something young lady, if my daughter had lived i would have wanted her to be just like you. no, no. sweet, considerate, thoughtful, and pretty. >> wow. we sit here with people all the time that watch themselves on camera. many of them are uncomfortable. the minute the two of you saw

yourselves you were enjoying it all over again. i was looking at her. >> reliving the moment. >> that was a joy to do? >> oh it was unbelievable. >> to have this go from broadway to television so that so many more people can see it, what did you think when they wanted to make this a tv project? i totally did not expect it. >> really? >> i absolutely didn't. then when i heard they were serious about doing it, i got scared to death. >> why? >> well because i had never made the transition from stage to screen. it's major because on stage you're wide open, you're loud, you're freer. screen you're contained. to be able to take those emotions from this and bring it down but let you still see and feel what was going on with her

was not easy. >> wow. you should never be afraid of closeups. you looked magnificent. >> that's the photographer. he's great. >> to be work with such a legend must have been equal parts intimidating but just incredible. >> it was fun. i was let me give it everything i can. she's awesome. i also feel a closeness to her. she reminds me of my grandmother a lot. it was fun to experience the project with her. the moment i heard they were doing this, i jumped on it immediately. i wanted to get the chance to work with her. >> other great people in the cast as well. vanessa, so good. >> i'm surrounded with such spiritual beauty and creativity. >> the character sings the hymns. you love singing cicely?

>> my family is very musical. my sister really had the voice. i was so intimidated that a i could not -- first of all in my graduation year, i was hired to sing one of the three girls in the macado. i was so intimidated they couldn't hear me. now that i can. >> do you sing in this film at all? >> i sing a little bit with her. mainly you. i do sing a little bit. >> what do y'all sing together? >> jesus is mine. >> let's hear it. how does that go? >> this is my story.

>> this is theater. >> thank you for bringing this to tv so so many more can see it. >> thank you for not retiring. lots of people go down to florida. don't you do it. great to see you both. >> when other of these come along, i'll be here. >> thank you. saturday night on lifetime. we've got more women who rock when we play "who knew." wish you could be hot and skinny in every photo? >> we have tricks and tips to taking the perfect photo. first these messages.

♪ see what's new at projectluna.com

we're getting ready to play "who knew" about women who rock. prior to moving to radio city music hall in 1934 the rockettes were known by what name? we're back with more on this winesday wednesday. we're playing trivia called "who knew."

we're back with more on this winesday wednesday. we're playing trivia called "who knew." we're testing your knowledge of women who rock. speaking of women that rock, kathie is across the street. for those that get the answer right they get $100, for those that don't, they get a cd. charlotte, hi. first we ask this question. prior to moving to radio city music hall in 1934, rockettes were known by what name? what is the correct answer? >> the rocsiettes.

>> all right. over to you. >> who knew? this legendary performer was the first woman inducted into the rock-n-roll hall of fame? >> journey mitchell? >> she got in, but no. i think she did. you're going to find out who he was. >> the correct answer is -- >> aretha. it took in the 1987 for a woman to get in. amazing. >> did all of these get in? >> eventually. >> lovely girl from kentucky. this legendary performer -- that's yours. >> thank you. >> in 1947 female advertising copy writer frances gerety penned famous rock related tag

line -- which one was it? give it a guess. hopefully within the next half hour. >> c? i don't know. >> yeah. oh my gosh. okay. a diamond is forever. >> that was well done. people didn't used to buy engage ment rings when they got married. not surprising a woman came up with the line. they would just go tie the knot. >> all right. father and son from connecticut. true or false, tina fey the creator of emmy winning show -- true or false? >> false. >> no. the correct answer was true. she was the first. there were so many talented

women on the show before that. she was the first head writer. >> got to move over a bit. hello. okay. what number one single launched the career of john jet and the black hearts in 1982? like a rock? >> nope. there's plenty of good rock songs on this. >> this is one of my favorite songs. i love rock-n-roll. >> this has been remade of a lot of people. this made her career. >> nice. brings back a lot of memories i don't wish to revisit. >> from pittsburgh. this oscar winning actress played janet in the 1975 "the rocky horror picture show "? >> susan sarandon. >> yeah. >> tell us about susan.

>> before that she got her start on this movie. this is a hit. anybody who's seen it would recognize her. >> she's young there. all right. i guess that's it kat. we need you to come back. >> appreciate it. funny take on parenthood, sex and everything in between from a funny man. he knows a great face when he sees it. the fashion photographer tells you how to take a good shot every time. the mouth open selfie. i feel like going back after this.. ♪ [ woman ] i will embrace change... everything life throws my way. except for frown lines. those i'm throwing back. [ female announcer ] olay total effects. nourishing vitamins, and seven beautiful benefits in one. for younger-looking skin. so while your life may be ever-changing... ♪ ...your beautiful skin will stay beautiful.

total effects from olay. your best beautiful. mike's being healthy and chewing like a man. with one-a-day vitacraves for men! it's a gummy multivitamin... with more b vitamins, which help convert food to energy, and help mike do manly things, like wrestle bears and take out the garbage. get $2 off at oneaday.com.

whether you need a new photo for your facebook profile page or want a professional photo of

your kid and can't afford it, listen up. this photographer photographed some of the world's most beautiful faces. he's the host of the face on oxygen. tips and tricks for looking good every time. premieres tonight, congratulations. >> thank you very much. >> you're not only the host but mentor 12 young girls. are they just women or also men? >> they are just women. i'm the host but also the confidant. i'm not judging them anymore. i get to talk with them, hang out, help them and be a shoulder to lean on and listen. >> most of us want a decent picture with no double chin, weird shadows. will you show us how to take a decent one that isn't hideous. >> show us your usual selfie.

>> think of someone you love and open your mouth. >> the first part is perfect. i'm a bit concerned with the context. i like the first idea. it was genius. >> let me show you. you're on the beach. >> come with me. >> you feel the wind blowing right now? >> no, i don't. >> we're not going skiing. we'll use these later. >> all right. okay. i would just hold the sun glasses. i want to see your eyes. it's all about the thought process. you're in love, right? >> i'm in love with hoda. >> there you go. really pretty. straight to camera. look into the lenses. what are you thinking right now? >> none of your business. >> i like it. mystery. you're in love with who?

>> by the way for all your friends who have facebook photos at the beach and you don't have anything, we're here to fake it. >> not the mouth open shot anymore. >> which is better? >> i can tell you the other one. >> you look like you're catching flies a little bit. let's go to winter. those are not working for me. >> here's your glasses. >> there you go. much cuter. you girls look amazing. i look like weirdo. here's a mug of hot chocolate. >> this time around think about this hot chocolate in your hand as you're drinking it. imagine the chocolate melting in your mouth. >> you look like rocky bull winkle. >> it's a little crazy. >> it's okay.

i like it. >> peer over at me. imagine that chocolate melting in your mouth. tastes delicious doesn't it? having a thought in your mind makes the whole face come to life. terrifying view of the mouth open. >> we want to ask you before we go, what do you tell parents who want to get children into modelling. it can be a tough business. >> it can be tough business. don't pay to get expensive photo shoots done. go to the agency, let them see you. a good agent has a good eye and knows if he's got it or not. >> thank you so much. the premiere of "the face" is tonight. country singer with more than 8 million hits on his latest video. he gets ready to sing for us.

and then we have david barry. >> look at that face. >> first these messages. we really wanted to take a relaxing trip to florida.

you know? just to unwind. but we can only afford one trip this year, and his high school reunion is coming up in seattle. everyone's going. then we heard about hotwire... and realized we could actually afford to take both trips. [woman] see, when really nice hotels have unsold rooms, they use hotwire to fill them. so we got our 4-star hotels for half price. i should have been voted "most likely to travel." ♪ h-o-t-w-i-r-e ♪ hotwire.com book with our app for an additional... $25.00 off your next hotel. body pain? back pain? try bayer back and body. it's bayer aspirin plus a special pain relief booster, to relieve sore backs and soothe aching muscles fast.

get moving again, with bayer back and body. pulitzer prize winner. >> he's written more than 30 books. his latest is you can date boys when you're forty. on parents topics he knows little about. nice to see you and welcome. >> thank you. >> been years since i've seen you. >> probably 20 books ago. >> i can't believe you've written 30 books. >> there's no useful information. there's a lot of white space. >> people fall for it every time.

>> i was going to call this dave barry, another dave barry book by dave barry. they give them new titles. >> people get your humor even back when you first started. you hit a nerve some how. what do you think it was? >> i'm a baby boomer. i always felt that -- i didn't write any particular genre. whatever i was going through, there's 9 trillion others going through it. i wrote about child birth. i was born. the whole premise was everybody was taking child birth classes. they never told you it actually hurt. when you go to child birth and the woman is supposed to breathe. instead she's going -- >> i bet a lot could relate to that. you've got a 13-year-old daughter? >> she just turned 14. she went through puberty. there should be a cure. we're dealing with all this.

she's a beautiful lady. she's with her mom there. >> does she mind you talking about her? >> i tell her i can stop talking about you and you can pay for your own college education. my kids both kind of get it. my son went through puberty. when boys do, it's not that big of a deal. they're large r, hairier, smellier boys. but when girls go through puberty it's horrific. they're this little girl and then they're you, women walking around. >> i know it. did it freak you out at first? >> totally. first of all, we cease to have communication. when they become teenage girls they're in social network communication with other friends. she's friends with every 14-year-old girl in north and south america. they're all on there.

they stay in the text every 10 to 15 seconds. >> is she dating? >> this is the worst part, boys. they show up at your house, on the lawn, on the roof, in the trees like squirrels. what i want to do -- i don't know if this is legal. i want a humane trap. put it on the lawn and i'll bait it with something boys would be attracted to. fireworks or something stupid. >> we've got a singer coming up. this is a very funny book. we have another dave in the house today. >> dave nail. the country star. he'll sing his number one hit song coming up. ♪

geico motorcycle. see how much you could save. yeah... try new alka seltzer fruit chews. they work fast on heartburn and taste awesome. these are good. told ya! i'm feeling better already. [ male announcer ] new alka seltzer fruits chews. enjoy the relief! [ sneezes ] [ male announcer ] you may be an allergy muddler. try zyrtec® for powerful allergy relief. and zyrtec® is different than claritin® because it starts working faster on the first day you take it. zyrtec®. love the air. [ sneezes ]

with tampax radiant -- whatever i want. [ female announcer ] tampax radiant protects 30% better. plus, it comes with a resealable wrapper for discreet disposal. you'll be ready to wear anything with the tampax radiant collection. you'll be ready to wear anything ♪ see what's new atady projectluna.comng you work hard to stay healthy. you deserve a multi-vitamin that supports your efforts. one-a-day mens is a complete multivitamin with more of ten key nutrients that provides nutritional support specially formulated for men. one-a-day mens.

country singer david nail known for piano balance. she's training in the ivories for guitar strings. >> evidently fans are loving it. the hit called "whatever she's got" more than 8 million its on you tube. it's platinum. congratulations. >> thank you very much. >> when you think about the career and how it's exploded do you have you pinch me moments? >> it took me 14 years. that's hard to believe. it's good a cream.

i'm only 24. i was not an overnight success. it makes it that much sweeter. >> were you ready to give it up at any point? was it so hard that you said i must not have it? >> several times. i didn't have a plan b. >> are you going to sing "whatever she's got." >> let's do it. >> all right. david nail. ♪ she's a little complicated ♪ kind of girl that a keeps you waiting, waiting around ♪ ♪ she likes to get her toes done bright red ♪ ♪ she's always reapplying lipstick ♪ ♪ she's the first and the last ♪ she's got something i can't

figure out that everybody talkin about ♪ ♪ she got the blue jeans painted on tight everybody wants on saturday night ♪ ♪ she got the mood ring never the same ♪ ♪ she will do whatever she wants ♪ ♪ i don't want to stop ♪ i want, i want, i want whatever she's got ♪ ♪ i want whatever she's got ♪ what you thought your plan was park it ♪ ♪ figure out where your heart is ♪ ♪ i could spend every weekend every penny you've been keeping ♪ ♪ to figure out what she's thinking ♪ ♪ she's got the blue jeans painted on tight ♪ ♪ everybody wants on a saturday

night ♪ ♪ she's got a good ring never the same ♪ ♪ she do whatever she wants ♪ when she moves every jaw will drop ♪ ♪ i don't want her to stop. ♪ i want whatever she's got ♪ ♪ i want whatever she's got ♪ she got the blue jeans painted on tight ♪ ♪ what everybody wants on a saturday night ♪ ♪ she got the mood ring never the same ♪ ♪ i want, i want, i want

♪ she got the blue jeans painted on tight ♪ ♪ what everybody wants on a saturday night ♪ ♪ she do whatever she wants ♪ when she moves every jaw will drop ♪ ♪ i don't want her to stop ♪ i want, i want, i want whatever she's got ♪ ♪ i want whatever she's got ♪ ♪ ♪ >> that was awesome. tomorrow we'll have celtic woman. yes we are. we have a lot coming up. >> come on in here. it's edith's birthday. she wanted to meet you. >> we have ambush make overs tomorrow.

awesome winesday wednesday. thank you everybody. >> i'm here to help. and i will get through this together. ♪