. good morning. tornado alley, more than two dozen twisters touching down across a wide stretch of the country. millions taking cover from minnesota to louisiana. the storms bringing damaging hail and heavy rain. more severe weather in the forecast. person of interest. police in washington, d.c. looking for this figure caught on camera near the scene of that suspicious fire. a mystery into who is behind the murders deepens. two down one to go. >> american pharoah has won the

preakness! >> now only the belmont stands in the way of racing's elusive triple crown. and ready to ride. matt lauer just moments away from setting off on the ride of his life. five days 225 miles, one red nose. it's all for a very good cause. today, sunday may 17th 2015. >> from nbc news this is "today" with lester holt and erica hill. live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. >> well to today on this sunday morning. >> we are red nose ready. >> we are. >> in solidarity with matt lauer. >> matt's out there at fenway. you had a nice crowd behind you.

>> yeah. we've got nice people here. it's very hard to talk in these red noses, but a nice crowd. perfect, perfect day for a bike ride. it's all for red nose day, a great cause. >> it is. and we're looking forward to chatting with you about that a little bit more coming up. we begin with our top story and it is about the weather. ominous scenes like this one through the city of oklahoma oklahoma city. in oklahoma city this morning, john good morning to you. >> reporter: good morning, tom. for the second straight weekend thousands of people across the midwest are waking up without powers after a night of violent weather. at least 19 tornados reported from texas as far north as minnesota. another tense night across tornado alley. a rare look at a tornado forming

southwest of oklahoma city. >> oh my good less than a quarter mile away. >> reporter: with debris flying through the air. >> oh my god, these cows are sitting right here zblncht. >> reporter: and livestock in the line of fire. images blanketing social media. this lightning over mustang, oklahoma posted on facebook. forcing the major league soccer game in kansas city to be postponed. and in texas, remarkable pictures of hail covering roads and paralyzing traffic on saturday with heavy rains and flooding as well. it all comes on the heels of relentless storms around tornados in recent weeks. >> it's on the other side now. >> reporter: as this morning millions of residents again brace for more severe weather. despite all that havoc from the skies overnight, so far no

reports of fatalities. >> at this point could we be through the worst of it? >> the worst of it was yesterday. but now an additional threat through the upper midwest. yesterday we had 28 reported tornados, even one in louisiana. we had 105 wind reports of very strong wind gusts and also torrential downpours. dallas has been getting slammed for the last couple of weeks. all of this heavy rain could lead to more flash flooding. today the tlaethreat is going to lift off into minnesota and madison wisconsin. we have our breastest chance of hail wind gusts and lightning. we do still have the chance of stronger storms. the tornado threat was really more for yesterday than it is for today.

as we go into monday anywhere across the eastern half of the united states we are looking at the potential of some stronger storms that will produce dangerous lightning and the possibility of flash flooding. then again monday afternoon and then finally we start to see this exit to the east. but we are still looking at the chance even though you don't have those tornado warnings issues you still have wind gusts, damaging hail and dangerous lightning. you need to be indoors wheenn these storms hit. >> american pharoah just one win away. the three-year-old colt was never seriously challenged running away from the field and winning the race by five lengths. his jockey and his trainer are at the pimlico race course stable this is morning. congratulations you both. victor, it seemed as if when we

got the riders up call the weather got more ominous. what was going through your mind? >> it's always different. the weather changed, everything changed. but my mind it was just all about american pharoah. they got to the race happy. and it was a lot of rain in there, but seems like he likes it. he was in good condition to go into the gate. it gave me a lot of confidence for the race. >> bob i know this had to be a little nerve wracking for you, your wife and your son. i know your son said dad, just win. what was going through your mind when you saw the weather conditions change and how you know this horse might respond to a muddy track? >> well he actually ran on a

very muddy similar track in arkansas. he just floats over mud. floats over anything. he's got a beautiful stride. and his sire's name is pioneer of the nile. so it was like running through the nile with him. it was pretty exciting. i was a little bit leery. i thought they might delay it or something because of the thunder. i have never been involved in a race where the rain was coming down that hard. i know when the jockey came back -- we had foam pad on the horses. and one of the jockeys, he weighed 135 pounds. they were soaking wet. those horses were actually carrying a lot of weight yesterday. >> victor, i know that you definitely crossed the finish line the cleanest, though maybe the wettest. all the jockeys and horses behind you were completely covered in mud. so the black-eyed susan they looked good wet or dry on

american pharoah 37. what's your plan for the belmont stakes? >> right now, not much. it's all about how he's going to train him for the belmont. for me i'm just grad that this race went well and we win the preakness. >> congratulations you both. you have made the belmont stakes appointment tv. thank you so much. and congratulations once again. >> thank you. >> thank you. >> my husband said and the tickets for the belmont just went through the roof. meantime this morning we're learning more details about that top secret mission to take out a senior member of isis. nbc's chief foreign correspondent is here with the latest. >> reporter: this was a very

risky mission. whenever you consider launching an operation of this kind tough consider what's the possibility, what happens if it goes wrong? what happens if these men, these commandos are stranded with no friendly support, no way to get them out? in fact, this was only the second time that u.s. special operations forces have launched missions inside syria, deep inside isis territory. isis has gotten used to fighting u.s. troops when they attack from the air. for months washington has lead an air war against isis in iraq and syria. but this was very different. a bold raid into syria, into an isis stronghold with u.s. boots on the ground. u.s. officials say american delta force commandos took off from northern iraq in black hawk helicopters and osprey helicopter hybrids like these

and flew deep into isis territory in eastern syria. no allies on the ground. if u.s. forces were captured they risked unthinkable horrors. a jordanian pilot was burned alive in a cave. >> the fact that the united states was willing to mount a capture mission to grab him shows that he was a really important person in the infrastructure itself. >> reporter: the target did not go quietly. there was a gunfight. en even hand to hand fighting. he was killed along with a dozen or more isis fighters. u.s. commandos left unharmed taking with them his wife. u.s. officials allege she helped

manage hostages taken by isis. this operation is unlikely to change the course of the overall war against isis. but it does send a very strong message to the group that even its safe havens aren't entirely safe. >> chuck, good morning. so we see this. it's sort of a mixed bag when you look at the battle against isis this week. we have all the details on this successful raid in syria, but then at the same time the key iraq city of rimadhi fell privately. >> in this case i think they'd like to say it's two steps forward, one step back in this case. the importance of the raid is the fact that they were able to do something successfully in syria without it being from the air.

what this can tell you is hey, look we really improved our intelligence gathering. it's so improved we can now do raids into syria, go after isis leaders and get them. they believe this is almost like a test case. this worked. and watch out, now they'll be able to do this for frequently and perhaps truly be disruptive to isis leadership. >> let's talk about the road to 2016 here for a minute. i'm going to go out on a limb and say jeb bush would probably not characterize this as his best week. the question of whether or not he would have authorized invasion in iraq based on what he knows now. initially he said yes and then spent the week trying to back pedal. does this go away or haunt him throughout the campaign? >> i think it could haunt him. his last name was always going to be a bit of a burden for him on the best of days.

but iraq sort of encapsulates his problems more than any other. in fact, it's connected to the story we're talking about now. this shift inside the republican party, that was the bigger development of the week. it's that the rest of the republican field was so comfortable says oh yeah iraq war, mistake. just two years ago most republicans would say, well, we got rid of saddam hussein and that's a good thing. now you have republicans joining democrats and basically saying that was a mistake. >> i imagine that's one of the things you'll tackle this morning. we know you'll have much more on "meet the press." we have some new developments on that deadly

amtrak derailment. >> federal officials have ordered amtrak to immediately install speed controls at the site of tudsesday's derailment. the train was going more than 100 miles an hour before it flew off the northbound track. passengers aboard a southbound amtrak train say their train was also hit by something just minutes before the derailment. >> we heard a loud noise in the car and immediately i looked over and there was a -- the window had shattered and apparently there was a rock thrown at our car. >> amtrak says it hopes to resume limited service between philadelphia and new york tomorrow. now to new developments into an investigation into a mysterious fire in an upscale

washington, d.c. neighborhood. kristin welker has the latest. >> reporter: good morning. police say the man in that surveillance video is a person of interest. and they're asking for the public's help in finding him this morning. police released the video last night. you see a man dressed in dark clothing moving quickly behind a building. according to authorities he may have been operating a blue porsche that was parked outside of that house that burned. police are calling this an arson and homicide investigation. they say a third fire ravaged this a home not far from where the vice president lives. they believed the two other victims were their son and housekeeper. three of the victims had been attacked and were found with blunt force trauma. so far there are no arrests in this case. making this all the more tragic

the family also has two older daughters who were away at boarding school when this all occurred. a texas teenager taken from her mother nearly a decade ago is back in the u.s. this morning. they arrived in houston saturday after dna tests confirmed she is her daughter. she was with her father in mexico who took her without her mother's consent. the case gained international attention when a lost child was torn from her family in a case of mistaken identity. finally it was putin on ice in saturday. he scored eight goals at an exhibition hockey game with former nhl players. no prize here. putin's team won. >> amazing. >> 18-6 but not without a scuffle. putin only recently took up

hockey some way in an effort to promote the sport. >> go ahead. >> was there even a goalie? >> that's a high scoring hockey game there. it's good to be vladimir putin. and he was wearing a shirt, so that's good for the rest of us. dylan is back with a check on the rest of the country now. >> today across the northeast it's going to be similar to what it was yesterday, muggy and warm in and out of spotty showers. there are pockets of rain down towards southeastern ohio. as we go into monday we'll start to see some improvements. still a little bit unsettled in pittsburgh and eastern pennsylvania. our best chance o good sunday morning to you. i'm meteorologist anthony

slaughter. we actually have some showers off the coastline this morning, and those showers are expected to move through the mountainous areas this morning. i do think everyone else will remain dry. we're looking at clouds this morning and that will continue through the afternoon. not a whole lot of sunshine and that makes for 66 degrees in the south bay, 64 in the peninsula and topping out at 66 with cloudy skies throughout the day. that's your local forecast. next on "today" we're going to check in on matt who's about to embark on this very important bike ride for a very important cause. is he ready? we'll find out right after this. n clean. your touch stimulates her senses and nurtures her mind. and the johnson's® scent lather and bubbles help enhance the experience. so why just clean your baby when you can give her so much more™?

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a bike ride from boston new york. check out this countdown clock we have. all prepared for. this. >> somewhere. >> matt's kicking off our weak of red nose day coverage there is the countdown clock. >> in a red nose. >> culminate in a three-hour telethon thursday night on nbc. if you are not fam with red nose day, it a british charity event now making its u.s. debut and raise money for children living in poverty. >> matt outside fenway park friends lined up with him. you are ready, matt to pedal like there's no tomorrow correct? >> yeah. yeah. i am. just it's w not a race. i can go at my own pace as long as i finish somewhere around thursday morning new york city. i also want to say i had invited dylan to join me. i've had a lot of people come up with great excuses, but going to get your hand operates on just to get out of a bike race that is crazy. dylan, you should be here. and erica and thomas and chanel.

at some point along the route, i would love to see you guys. it's about 50 to 60 miles every day. i'll leave here from fenway in a couple minutes, hopefully be sleeping tonight in providence rhode island. and just trying to remind people that there are millions of people living not only in this country but all around the world in poverty. and the charities that will be beftd benefitting from red nose day directly help to lift those children out of poverty. >> we're going to check in with you again in just a little bit. you don't need to have a bike although you could join matt on his ride. but if you'd like to make a do donation head over to today.com. nbc's star studded red nose day

special starts right here at. >> we're going to take a look at the iconic tv shows that are quickly coming to an end. first, these messages. ble, let's-rock-this-concert- like-it's-1999 kind of mom. back pain? motrin helps you be the side-planking keeping-up-with- your-girlfriend- even-though-you'll-feel-it- later kind of woman you are. body pain? motrin helps you be an unstoppable, i-can-totally-do-this- all-in-one-trip kind of woman. when pain tries to stop you, there's motrin. motrin works fast to stop pain where it starts. make it happen with new motrin liquid gels. it's more than a network. it's how you stay connected. with centurylink as your trusted technology partner

you get an industry leading broadband network and cloud and hosting services. centurylink. your link to what's next. . stilt tol to come this high school senior was accepted into all ivy league schools but isn't going to any of them.

good morning to you. looking live at the transamerica pyramid. a nice, slow start to the morning, though things are going to be picking up because. a check of that forecast. good day for a run? >> well unfortunately it's going to be cloudy all day long. it's going to be chilly. 60 degrees in the city and we know how beta breakers goes. it's going to be cold everywhere across the bay today because we have a storm system actually on the coastline today and tomorrow. you can see the green on the radar. that denotes some showers across the mountainous range this morning. we'll continue with clouds this morning and through the

afternoon. temperatures will only be in the 60s all across the board. 66 in the south bay, 64 in the peninsula, 66 in the valley. we got lots of sunshine yesterday. not going to be the case today. gray skies and even some rain tomorrow. we're just about an hour and a half away from one of the world's wackiest races. tons of runners are getting ready for beta breaker. nearly 12,000 people are signed up for the 10k foot race. again this year as last year no alcohol is allowed on the course, and there will be a heavy police presence to make sure the event is safe for everyone. but again, you might to want wear more than just a skimpy costume. a police standoff involving a hoss teenage in south bay is

ended, but only after a chase that went for miles. a man tried to rob someone, demanding money and then took off in a car. they got him in oakland where the gunman got out of his car, ran into a house on pena drive and took a person hostage. that took place at 11:00 last night when police say the hostage managed to escape. that's when they went in and arrested that suspect. the fbi is also involved in this investigation. to the south bay now where a young girl fought off the man who tried to kidnap her in broad daylight as she walked her dog in a million-dollar neighborhood. the attempted abduction happened around 10:00 yesterday morning near mason court. a girl between 10 and 12 was walking her dog when a man

pulled up and asked for directions. then he grabbed her. the girl screamed and fought him off and eventually that man drove away. they have a sketch of the subject. he's described as an asian-hispanic man in his mid-30s with a medium build. we have the rest of your forecast and news coming up at 7:00.

who doesn't love maya rudolph doing a little beyonce, broke into song at her commencement address at tulane university at the super dome in new orleans? going to have more of that coming up in pop start. meanwhile, back here on a sunday morning, may 17 2015 on the plaza plaza! listen to these fans having a good time. it was a little overcast sun popping back out, we had an awesome group of people who stopped by to say hello, who have made signs. we have a birthday over here. yes. >> this is really like --

>> fun. >> you guys are amazing. we walked out. this crowd has energy. >> a group from south carolina over here. >> yes. >> eighth grade field trip. >> maryland california. >> all the matching shirts is an eighth grade field trip from south carolina. how cool is that? >> so fun. look sharp. >> wither happy we are part of your eighth grade field trip. nice to have you. >> we went bowling. >> we do begin this half hour with the morning's headlines, get you caught up on our top stories. more than two dozen tornadoes touching down on saturday spanning from minnesota to louisiana. plenty of people picking up its pieces this morning, trees fell on homes, power knocked out to thousands. police in the nation's capital are looking for this person who may know something about a deadly house fire that's been labeled as suspicious. police are looking for a blue porsche as well. and as the investigation into that deadly amtrak derailment continues, federal officials say amtrak must immediately install speed controls near the crash site. and sometime to come in this half hour wither going to talk to this whiz kid about how he

was accepted into all eight ivy league schools. now, guess which one he picked. none of them. we are going to ask why he decided to go in a different direction. also ahead this morning, the kardashians are opening up about how they are dealing with bruce jenner's transition to living as woman. you will hear this morning from his daughters, kim and kendall, about how the family is handling the transition. also ahead, what toward believe that tonight will be the last time we hear from don draper as "madmad men comes to a close. not the only show ending its long run on tv letterman to "american idol", we will look at how these shows have a lasting impact. a lot of pomp and circumstance matt 27 minutes away from taking off for his 200-plus-mile bike ride for red nose day. going to check back in with matt who is at fenway park. >> what better way to start than with a fife and drum corps. >> very patriotic. >> he couldn't have more perfect weather for a bike ride. just watch out for the traffic in connecticut. it gets a little slow in

connecticut. good suggestion. >> but anyway, let's take a look at the weather going on across the country, where we are looking at just scattered showers and storms. it is going to be a little bit muggy, best chance today of seeing some storms will be through the western great lakes, we have a chance of possibly severe weather, not so many tornadoes, but still looking at some hail and damaging wind gusts. we also have the threat of some flash flooding possible especially down through texas and the southeastern oklahoma we could end up with another two to up to three or four inches of rain within some of those heavier downpours that is an area we need to watch out for. had a lot of rain in that area lately, any more is only going to make problems. hey, good sunday morning to you. i'm meteorologist anthony slaughter. we have a storm system in the area. light drizzle in the santa cruz mountains and north mountains, but as we head through the day, clouds are in place.

we're not talking about a lot of sunshine as the system moves through. 60 in san francisco, 66 for the south bay and 65 for the north bay. back to you guys inside. all right, dylan, thanks so much it would appear that the kardashians are as close as ever as they deal with bruce jenner's transition to living as a woman and sheple has more on that for us a lot of people talking about it this morning, learning much more about what the family is saying and thinking about this whole experience. in a two-part series airing on e., the show is giving an inside look at the family's struggle to come to terms with their father's transition. >> i was like thinking mom, this is really hard for her. and, like it's so sad, like she cries all the time and it like makes me really sad. we should really appreciate all the things that she does for us because she does a lot. as bruce jenner transitions to become a woman, his famous family is now telling their side in the two-part special airing

on e. keeping one the kardashians about bruce. >> he is the most amazing person i know i couldn't ask for a better dad. like he fault me how to ride a bike and be the tom boy that i am. >> a turn. >> comes after gold medal olympian sat down in a much talked about interview telling diane sawyer for all intents and purposes i'm a woman. >> i have had secrets all my life it is tough not to have secrets. >> the patriarch has seen an outpouring of support from his family on social media. jenner's ex-wife tweeting "not only was i able to call him my husband for 25 years and father of my children i am now able to call him my hero." and from stepdaughter kim kardashian west, "love is the courage to live the truest, best perversion of yourself. bruce is love. i love you, bruce. #prouddaughter." the kardashians saying viewers

should anticipate a very raw, incredibly rough look into an entire family in transition. >> i have these memories of this life and i feel sometimes like it didn't exist. you can see much more tonight when part one of "keeping up with the kardashians, about bruce" airs on e. at 9 eastern. >> fascinating as america starts to learn more about this and about gender and sexuality. the difference here is who bruce jenner wants to go to bed as not who he wants to go to bed with and i think we are all going to learn much more. >> and it started a really important conversation in the country, which is great. and on the heels, too i know i keep bringing it up, kate snow's phenomenal series she did on transgender children also so important as the entire country really embarks on this journey of understanding a that happened conversation. a lot more to be talk bending cationally as we all learn as a country about this and interesting to see the kardashians are doing -- leading the way on it. >> maybe not what you would have expected. >> no. >> tomorrow is going to be an extremely special day for one

high school senior who almost never made it to this day. when you look at him now, would you probably never guess she had suffered such a severe injuries doctors ready to take this young lady off life support at one time. nbc's jacob rascon has the story now of her incredible recovery. >> reporter: nearly four years ago inside an iowa hospital the family of 14-year-old taylor hail gathered to say good-bye. the former volleyball player and cheerleader was horsing around with friends when she fell hard on the pavement suffering a traumatic brain injury and fractured skull followedby a brain hemorrhage. >> we were starting to talk about funeral arrangements organ donation. >> reporter: but when doctors removed her from life support, taylor started to breathe. defying expectations again, she relearned how to walk. and the next year went back to school. >> i'm like out of the hospital and happy to be out doing normal stuff.

>> reporter: and now the girl who doctors declared brain dead will graduate on time. >> you never know when life is gonna take you or your loved ones so you need to keep them close to you and spend as much time with them as you can and just keep fighting. >> reporter: taylor can't spend much time looking back. >> i don't remember anything before the accident. i don't have any memory of my childhood. i want to study event management and be an event planner so i'm happy that i can do that. >> reporter: family and friends credit god for a medical miracle. taylor hale starting high school in a coma now going to college. for "today," jacob rascon nbc news. >> beautiful story. remarkable recovery. >> we learn how fragile life is and how amazing life can be at the same time. >> how strong someone's spirit can be.

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imagine your child being accepted into harvard, yale brown, talking all eight of the top ivy league schools and a few more for good measure. how would you help them make the decision where to go? amazing. ronald nelson, jr. was faced with this choice and instead of picking any of them went with the university of alabama. roll tide. good morning. you got harvard, yale princeton, every other ivy, also johns hopkins, why go ahead with university of alabama? why was that your pick?

>> it was really a variety of personal and financial reasons much i originally applied to so many schools because i didn't want to close any of my doors off. i really didn't want to short sell myself so when i got into all those schools, it was, of course an incredible surprise but ultimately, i ended up choosing the university of alabama not only was i accepted into their top honors program, which is the university fellows experience i also received generous amounts of scholarship money for national merit finalist, things like that and also my act scores and something i didn't want to pass up because i was looking toward my long-term education and not so much my short-term goals really. and i plan on going to medical school and i figured that i might as well just save that money now and hopefully spend it in the future. >> smart. >> yeah. smart. all of the parents watching right now, not only i would love for my kid to get into that many schools but love him to have the vision you have at this point in your career. we know you want to be a doctor following in some family footsteps with that bun and eventually maybe work with doctors without borders.

are you most excited about your college experience, 'cause this is a big step for, a freshman in college? >> yes. um what am i most excited about? >> yeah. >> i definitely have to say what i'm most excited about is definitely working with the university of alabama, they are going to give me invaluable experience working with the assistant dean and the dean of the honors college there working with so many different like-minded and progressive student there is and incredibly excited to work with those stunlds that both share my academic interests and completely don't share my academic interests and having that kind of diversity of minds there i think will just develop me throughout my college experience and i'm very very excited about it >> ronald last question did you have a safety school? [ laughter ] a backup a backup plan? >> well yes definitely. i made sure that i had safety schools, you know, schools that i might get into and also reach schools, of course so it was really important to me, but you know with regard to the safety

school question, it was important to me i did have safety schools but making sure i was reaching for the stars in my college applications what i would recommend to anyone who is aplaying coming up. great advice. the reach worked. talk about -- talk about an awesome outcome for u and good luck. we have -- we have a feeling we are going to be hearing lots more from you in the future. >> well thank you so much. thank you for having me. >> all right. say it once again, roll tide. >> yeah. >> roll tide. >> ronald nelson, thanks. coming up louie ck under fire after "saturday night live's" season

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all right, so about two hours away one of tv's most beloved shows air the final episode, talking about "mad men." that is not the only show ending a very long run. here's nbc's halley jackson. >> reporter: it's the end of an era. >> who are you? >> i'm peggy ol stone, the new girl. >> reporter: not just the one popularized by "mad men" a slew of shows are saying good-bye starting tonight. >> it's over when i say it's over. >> reporter: when amc's hit drama about an advertising agency set in the '60s and '70s

signs off. ♪ >> not just a television show it is an iconic show that infiltrated the culture, the way people direction the way people talked the way people carried themselves. >> does it all come down to sticking the landing? >> i think because it happens on a human scale and it's related to people's real lives, she should expect the story to be in that vein. >> reporter: while "mad men's" fin nal may may make friends cry, lack for laughs in letterman's last week. >> what is wrong with me? [ laughter ] >> reporter: after more than three decades of memorable moments on the air -- [ laughter ] >> reporter: the late night icon will say good-bye wednesday. >> you have beautiful eyes. >> thank you. >> reporter: taking his top ten list with him. >> things that sound cool when said by snoop dogg. >> let's go to the gap and buy underpants. >> reporter: and leaving big shoes to fill. as if the finales in the next week weren't enough get ready for next season when "csi" ends its long run after spawning

several spinoffs and teaching america what forensics means. and "american idol" just announced its curtain call with plans to end the show after 15 seasons of the good -- ♪ last forever ♪ >> reporter: the bad. >> bangs. >> reporter: and the really bad. ♪ touched for the very first time ♪ >> it does feel like there is a seismic shift of television shows going off the air now, i think executives are recognizing they want to bring in new talent. >> reporter: before we welcome what's next a bitter sweet good-bye to some of tv. 's most beloved. for "today," halley jackson, nbc news los angeles. >> set your dvrs. pop start, bring you what you've been missing in the world of pop culture. >> we have a look at the season finale of "saturday night live" and big news for "pitch perfect 2." we have it all for you. good morning. >> good morning, my loves. last night, all eyes were on "snl", of course the show wrapped up its 40th season. rihanna returned as musical

guest and comedian louie ck hosted for a third time. you no three was no way the season could end without one last hillary skit. >> i love your sand castle. >> thanks it's our dream house. >> oh neat. this is my dream house. [ laughter ] >> you're on the beach in a wool suit jacket. are you hot? >> yes, i'm hot for america. >> the election's next november. so you still have another summer of this. >> no no no no, no no no no. ♪ it's summer summertime ♪ >> in full disclosure couldn't find one louie ck skit appropriate for morning tv and this morning coming under fire for one joke he made specifically about child molestation. we know's controversial come immediaten i can't, people are not happy online. >> with he love your choice of kate mackinnon. that's okay. >> move things along to a much less controversial comedian. how about that? maya rudolph, everybody. >> love her. >> the "snl" alum had a busy day

yesterday, delivering -- excuse me guys, a commencement speech to the graduating -- i cannot speak this morning. the baby. >> it is the baby. blaming it on the baby. to the graduating class of tulane university. she set the tone immediately saying i thank you for having me hear to join you on this special day, in this incredible city. i stand here humbled, gracious and completely naked under this robe. and it only got funnier from there. >> if you would indulge me, since we are in the super dome. would you mind rising one more time for the national anthem? [ laughter ] ♪ . a little beyonce, everything can't get enough of maya. if you have the opportunity i watch the full clip. it is amazing. let's end things off on a high

note with the ladies of "pitch perfect 2." yesterday they stopped by. all of them had a reason to bust out into song. "pitch perfect 2" dominated the box office, not only is it on track to trump the big budget blockbuster, mad max, according to estimates, the film is looking at a $60 million opening weekend. those numbers set it up to be the highest grossing three-day opening weekend ever for a musical. i say that is amazing. you knew where i was going with that so cheesy. pop start for this morning. >> thanks. still to come this morning on "today" the final countdown is on, matt now just minutes away from his ride for red nose day. there he is ready to go. we will check in with in just this one moment, your baby is getting even more than clean. the scent, the lather, even the tiny bubbles of a johnson's® bath are helping to enhance the experience. the touch of your hands is stimulating her senses. nurturing her mind. and helping her development.

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ber back now on a sunday morning with a moment we have all been waiting for. in just a few moments, matt is taking off for 226.6, that .6 is very important, like a marathon very important. you limbered up? you ready? you got your water? >> i'm ready. i'm ready. i'm hydrated. a perfect day, this is kelly english from back roads, that's the company that's been laying out the route for me and strategize. what is the best piece of advice since do you this for a living? >> stay hydrated wear sunscreen and make sure you take it easy. >> i'm staying in my zone remembering it is not a race. matt two questions what do you have on your ipod and do you get bathroom breaks? >> i do get bathroom breaks we will take them in the other order. i put a play list together of 221 songs, so that should last me at least till, i don't know, dead ham, mass or something like that. >> almost one for every mile

right? minute and a half miles. >> keep you going strong. >> right. >> how does this compare to you used to have that private jet for "where in the world is matt lauer requests requests? >> this is a little bit more roughing it. there's no question about it. how far the mighty have fallen right? but this is much more fun for me. and again, it's all, you know it's not a bike ride for me it's a bike ride to raise awareness of children living in poverty all around the world and we hope we do some good with this guys. >> red noses all. official countdown now. starting in ten. maybe the crowd on the plaza can help us. five four three, two, one. and he is off. >> thank you for the sendoff, guys thank you very very much. >> 226.6 miles, raising awareness and money for kids in poverty. all part of red nose. >> come on kelly. >> check in with you outthroughout the week. >> put on your red nose in solidarity. like her bit dentist. matt you're looking good looking strong wish you nothing

but the best. that is going to do it for us this sunday morning. >> see you b

good morning. looking live at the golden gate bridge it is a very gray start to the day, and it's going to be gray and chilly for the duration. thanks so much for joining us. i'm kris sanchez in for vicki nguyen. it is beta breakers day where runners wear koscostumes. >> i'm all for beta breakers day, but it's not the best day to run a race. you might need hot chocolate or coffee to warm you up. it's not just the marine layer, it's actua