good morning. breaking news. pope benedict arrived in scotland and meets with the queen this morning on the first papal state visit to britain in nearly 500 years. the trip is already being plagued by controversy. we are there live. nbc news exclusive,ranian president mahmoud ahmadinejad speaks out about the fate of the two iranian american hikers being held in iran and the plans to build an islamic center and mosque near ground zero. michael jackson's mother and children sue his concert promoter claiming they pushed

the pop star too hard to rehearse in the final days. details today thursday, rehearse in the final days. details today thursday, september 16th, 2010. captions paid for by nbc-universal television >> from nbc news, this is "today" with matt lauer and meredith vieira, live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. >> welcome to "today" on this thursday morning. >> pope benedict's trip to great britain is as controversial as it is historic. the benedict actually visited there in 1992 but this is the first time a pope has been invited by the queen or king since the 16th century. >> he made his way to the queen's official residence in scotland. scores of people and military marching bands line the streets. not everyone is happy about this trip, given the catholic church's record on child abuse. a live report from scotland,

strait ahead. new surveillance video of the connecticut mother brutally murdered along with her two daughters in a home invasion as she withdrew money to pay off her alleged captors. you will see that and hear the 911 call placed by the bank's manager and why some are now asking if the police could have done more to save that family. >> on a lighter note but a very different note is the popular reality show, "teen mom," glamourizing teen pregnancy, giving teens ideas about having kids of their own. we will talk with two of the show's stars. and first, talking about the pope's historic visit to the united kingdom. stephanie, good morning to you. >> reporter: good morning, meredith. on board a jet with the call sign, "shephard 1." on the flight over, he addressed the abuse scandal with reporters and said the catholic church

didn't ask fast enough or decisively enough. that's one of many controversial issues he has to deal with in his four day trip here. it's the first official state visit by a pope to britain in nearly 500 years. greeted by prince philip and scottish clergy, he made his way along the royal mile to be received by the queen. the pope's meeting with the queen is a rare event. this exchange of gift, a gesture britain's catholics hope will mend a rift that began with king henry the 8th in the 16th century. >> i shall denounce the pope as a hn heretich and marry whom i please. >> it led to a permanent split in rome. >> for hundreds of years, it has been illegal to be a catholic in this country and he has been persona non grata since the 16th century.

it puts the healing back again. >> reporter: people are flocking to catch a glimpse of the pope in this is bullet proof popemobile. >> how fast does it go? >> 450 miles an hour. >> reporter: the popemobile goes 450 miles an hour? not everyone is welcoming. some are getting ready for a confrontation. >> we are urging the pope to open the vatican secret sex files. >> reporter: elsewhere in the catholic world, there is anger about the lingering sex abuse scandal that has rocked the church for nearly a decade. >> the church has made a mess of its response to incidences of child abuse. >> reporter: there is resentment of the pope's inflexibility on the issue of women priests. >> there's always controversy and when he arrives, the sun comes up on the clouds and people really take to him.

♪ >> reporter: scottish singing sensation, susan boyle can't wait to meet the pope tonight. her catholic faith has carried her through difficult times she say, and she's ready to give pope benedict the performance of her life. >> probably feeling excited, very honored to be here and very humbled. >> reporter: the trip began with even more controversy. one of the pope's chief aides, cardinal walter gave an interview to a catholic magazine where he compared london and heathrow airports to landing in a third country. a lot of people were very offended by those comments. late last night, the cardinal pulled out of the trip. the vatican says he isn't feeling well. meredith. snow thanks very much. it is 7:05. here's matt. to iran and nbc exclusive. president mahmoud ahmadinejad is speaking out about the hiker,

sarah shourd and the fate of her two companions still being jailed in that country. andrea mitchell sat down with him on wednesday. she's in tehran with the latest on this. good morning to you. >> reporter: good morning, matt. the iran's president pressed hard for the release of sarah shourd, partly as a gesture to america just before he travels to new york for the u.s.'s u.n. meetings. on all other subjects, he was confrontational. >> reporter: thank you, mr. president. >> iran's president, mahmoud ahmadinejad is taking credit for sarah shourd's release but said the fate of her fiance, shane bauer, and their friend, josh fattal, both still in jail, is not up to him. > . >> translator: i think we should let the judge and court decide about the case and this will be help to all of them. >> reporter: one department spokesman on twitter, he tweeted

you could take the two men on your airplane to new york, when you go to the united nations. what's your response to that? >> translator: that was a good proposal, if they had not violated our border, they would have been at their homes for over a year, for more than a year. >> reporter: iran's government has been encouraging protests in iran, trying to exploit anger against the u.s. because of threats to burn the koran, and the controversy over the proposed islamic cultural center near ground zero. president ahmadinejad, blames all this on the conspiracy. >> translator: they have no relation, they are in no relati relation- >> reporter: there are jewish leaders working with muslim leaders to build the cultural

center in new york city. there's no evidence of what you call zionists groups against it. fidel castro, your old friend, fidel castro criticized you for your comments about -- israel and -- >> translator: i need to talk, to speak. i think you should finish first and then you should let me explain. >> reporter: speak. >> what you see in islamic countries is what the people are against, that ugly behavior. they are not against the people of the united states, they are not against americans. >> reporter: we see no evidence that there is any such zionist conspiracy. >> reporter: he was equally combative about the iaea, which sharply rebuked iran this week for denying access to the two leading experts on speinspectio

teams. >> reporter: they are under pressure from the united states and political views. this is not a political or legal approach towards the question. it is part of the hostility of the united states against our people. >> reporter: with all due respect, mr. president, if there's nothing to hide, if this is a peaceful nuclear program, as iran says, why not let all the inspectors who knows the scientific and technical details? why not let them in if it's a peaceful program? >> translator: we have evidence and the evidence is there, in the iaea. >> reporter: so iran's president is showing no sign of compromise on that nuclear standoff, even as he heads to the united

nations and the world powers unite against him. matt. >> andrea mitchell in tehran for us this morning. thanks so much as always. it's 7:09. here's meredith. now to politics and the washington establishment still being rattled by the outcome of the primary season highlighted by tuesday's surprising win in delaware by tea party backed candidate christine o'donnell. kelly o'donnell is there with more on that. good morning. >> reporter: good morning. this is day two of a short sprint to november, nor a campaign that had little money and almost no staff. now, they tell me several hundred thousand has come into the website. christine o'donnell is being inundated by questions and attention about who she is and how she made her living. a lot of the criticism coming from other republicans. >> i'm hoping that when emotions settle down and the dust clears we can move past this. >> reporter: tea party upset christine o'donnell is trying to change minds fast, to give

republican elites among her biggest detractors on board. >> i think they heard the message, they received the wake-up call. >> reporter: but isn't getting the usual political courtesy from a fellow republican, the nine term congressman she defeated. >> he won't endorse me. he say, she has sarah palin, why does she need mike castle. >> reporter: leveraging her new populist power, she calls out a big republican name. >> i amber plexed about what's going on with karl rove. >> reporter: the bush advisor, rove claims o'donnell has quote serious character problems. >> i wonder, does he want a democrat in that seat? >> reporter: democratic candidate chris coons. >> she doesn't represent what i think are in delaware's best interests. >> reporter: they're circulating old tv clips when o'donnell appeared as a conservative

pundit. 14 years ago, she was on an mtv documentary about sex, to promote abstainance. >> the bible says lsu in your heart is committing adultery. >> reporter: today, she's surprised it's even being discussed. >> i'm in my 40s now, i've matured in a lot of my positions and a lot of the way i present my beliefs. >> reporter: o'donnell had also bone a frequent guest of bill maher of "politically incorrect." >> what i was doing then was not running for office, i was helping bill maher get ratings. i don't see the relevance on this campaign. it is an about getting this country on track. >> reporter: she says she was doing her job when she was doing the media appearances because she was working as a consultant for non-profit groups. it has led to the financial problems she has about having trouble with paying her taxes

and paying her mortgage. she said that kind of work is about falling on hard times and so has she and many understands that economic difficulty and rallied around her. >> south carolina republican jim demint has endorsed many candidates including christine. good morning to you. >> good morning. >> the "new york times" notes the clear divide within the republican party saying, i'm quoting here, if ever there was proof the tea party and republican party do not necessarily go in hand, it is christine o'donnell's victory over the establishment. it goes on to say you could be a model how the two might coexist. how important is it to you this gap be bridged? >> it's important because the tea party represents a broad cross section of the american people. actually, it's a small part of an american awakening of people concerned about the debt, the

spending, massive growth of government and the takeovers. really, what we're doing here in washington has united america. when i go to a tea party, 40% of the people there are independence and democrats. what i'm trying to do is help the republicans here in washington understand that the tea parties don't want to be republicans, we as republicans need to embrace the ideas of balancing the budget, of trying to return some fiscal sanity here to washington. i'm not as concerned about what christine o'donnell said 14 years ago as i am that she's going to help us balance our budget here in washington. >> but, senator, if you're trying to help your party, it would argue that you're really hurting the party, that these kinds of candidates cannot win general elections. >> the important thing to me first is to save our country. it's really that critical. these trivia political labels do not mean as much right now when

we're fighting for the survival versus the bankruptcy of our country. i think the american people in delaware all over the country want to see that sense of urgency from the people who represent them in washington. they're not concerned whether the republicans get the majority or not, they want people in washington who understand that balancing the checkbook is not an extreme idea. >> but practically speaking, do you believes the candidates can win in november? >> meredith, they told me, marko rubio couldn't win. and he is blowing it away in florida because he's telling people the truth. they said the same thing about pat toomey in pennsylvania and rand paul in kentucky. they're well ahead in the polls because people want a change in washington. you really can't change washington unless you change the people who are here. i think that's what you saw in delaware, people are looking at what these candidates are going to do when they get to washington, and they're ready to

throw out the bums and bring in new folks. i think we're going to do that in november. >> are you ready, if these candidates were to be elected, or if the republicans were to come into power or take over congress, obviously, control of congress, are you ready to take on a leadership role to challenge the current republican leadership? >> i like our current leadership. mitch is doing a great job and so is john cornyn, with our senate committee. i've got the leadership role i want. i am head of the conservative steering committee within the senate. i'm managing the senate conservative fund, which by the way is senateconservative.com if folks want to help these candidates. i want to support this leadership team. what we're trying to do now is get a group of republicans that provide a clear contrast with the pelosi-obama agenda, which is massive debt and government growth. >> before i let you go, very very quickly, you're up for

reelection this november and your democratic opponent, alvin greene, has said repeatedly, he would want to debate you. is that going to happen? will you debate him? >> we have no debate scheduled. i have a couple of opponents in south carolina. meredi meredith, my main opponents are at the white house and that's where i'm spending most of my time. >> that's a no. thank you very much. >> let's head to the newsdesk for the top stories. good morning. >> good morning to you matt and meredith. we begin with help that may soon be on the way for small businesses. today, the senate is expected to pass a bill providing more lending for small businesses and incentives to hire new workers. on the other hand, new figures show the number of foreclosed homes jumped in august and up 25% from a year ago, at the highest level since the mortgage crisis began three years ago. the obama administration is taking a tough stand against china over trade and currency. and we have more on this.

what are the details on this? >> ann, today, u.s. treasury secretary, tim geithner is expected to make his strongest remarks to date on how the u.s. can and should force china to allow its currency, the yuan, to appreciate. a weaker yuan helps chinese exporters and contributing to the trade imbalance in china's favor, china selling more goods to the u.s. than the other way around. china already pledged in june, it would allow more flexibility and since then, yuan has changed a percent against the dollar but not enough for some lawmakers. ann. >> thank you. hundreds of people have been evacuated in california, where a wildfire destroyed more than 6,000 acres and destroyed at least one home there. >> and governor schwarzenegger toured the san bruno neighborhood and said a disaster like that must never happen

again. tributes to long time newsman, edwin newman, who died in england. over 30 years, he was a familiar and trusted face on nbc appearing on "today" and meet the press and other programs. he called him a gentleman and reassuring presence in our midst. ryan williams called him one of the best in our time. edwin newman was 91 years old. the was a big prosecuponent of civil tongue, a language not bogged up with jargon and trick phrases that have lost their meaning. perhaps something to remember still today, you guys. >> absolutely. al is off today. stephanie abrams with the forecast. hi. >> hi, guys. we want to talk about igor still swirling in the atlantic, still a very powerful storm. it does look like it will stay offshore. a look at the track over the next several days. it does look like it will weaken as it makes its way towards

bermuda. there is the risk for rip currents today through the weekend, anywhere from west palm >> we are expecting a mixed bag of weather today, a 30% chance of some showers or storms. ahead of that i >> matt, over to you. >> steph, thanks very much. just ahead, the chilling 911 call and surveillance video of one of the victims taken during a tragic home invasion in connecticut. we'll have the latest on that story. first, this is "today" on nbc.

just ahead, michael jackson's mother and children sue the promoters of his concert. are they partly to blame for his death. if you're trying to lose weight, it is it better to snack all day instead of eating lunch? after these messages. whatcha doing little bite™? trying to be big like you, dad. you're so good at keeping everyone full... and focused with your fiber. [ laughs ] but you already are great at doing that. really? sure. you're made with fiber, just like me. but best of all, you're the perfect size for smaller kids.

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bundy seven. in the meantime, delays in the area of route 24 at plum tree red. if you travel there in the county, near the peach orchard road another accident. delays -- 24 m.p.h. on southbound 95, approaching white marsh. we do see some of to loop delays, and on the west side, 20 miles per average. southbound 795, a little back up as well. 17 minutes. on the north and east but ... it is about a 10-minute ride. here it is a live view of traffic. here is what is going on on the west side. we will switch to a live interview on the area of 95 coming coming toward us is the southbound traffic. that is the latest on traffic pulse 11. >> thank you. as we look at current temperatures, we are little bit more mild than over the past

couple of days -- 63 at the airport, 69 in annapolis. some cloud cover that was overnight and it is still lingering -- very cloudy this morning, and this afternoon with a couple of breaks for sunshine possible. some thunderstorms developing as the cold front passes through this evening, but between 81 and 85 ahead of that -- warmer than normal. beautiful trough throughout the next seven days. >> be sure to check on the bottom of your screen for more news and traffic information to route the morning. we will leave back in the next 25 minutes for another live news update. update. navigating today's real estate market is complicated. you've seen the signs. that's why having the right real estate agent is more important than ever. at remax.com, you can find experts in short sales or bank-owned properties or commercial real estate,

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7:30 on a thursday morning, the 16th of september, 2010. fall around the corner, at least in terms of a calendar. it feels like fall out there this morning. 58 degrees on the plaza. got into the 40s in the suburbs of new york city. meanwhile, inside studio 1a, i'm matt lauer, alongside meredith vieira. just ahead, michael jackson's mother and children file a wrongful death lawsuit against the singer's concert promoter accusing them of pushing the singer too hard to rehearse in

his final days. details in that story coming up. a warning if you're trying to lose weight by snacking throughout the day instead of lunch, some popular snack sized menu options at popular fast-food restaurants could pack more calories than you think. what to watch out for. if it has the word "mini" in it does not necessarily mean that. plus the controversial reality show "teen mom," is it glorifying pregnancy for young people. one of the couples featured on that show. and frantic calls for help in a deadly home invasion at a home in connecticut and 911 calls and surveillance tape just released, raising concerns could more have been done to save the petit family. good morning to you. >> hi. it really was an ugly morning in court when police themselves come under fire. why didn't they rush in to save the petit family? 30 minutes after the first 911

call, officers were on scene, but they stayed outside, meanwhile, petit's wife and two kids were about to be killed inside. >> reporter: in this newly released surveillance video, a clear picture, the final picture of jennifer hawke-petit, less than an hour before her death. prosecutors say petit was at a local bank withdrawing $15,000 and calmly told the bank teller her entire family was being held hostage at home. she needed the money for ransom. at 9:21 a.m., with jennifer still in the bank, the manager made a chilling call to 911. >> we have a lady, who is in our bank right now, who says that her husband and children are being held at their house, that the police are told they will kill the children and the husband. she says they are being very nice, they have their faces covered. she is petrified.

>> reporter: with two reason, these two men, steven hayes and joshua come come were terrorizing the family, beating dr. petit with a baseball bat and tying him to this pole in the basement. his two daughters were tied to their beds upstairs, all tortured overnight until the sun came up and the bank opened up. >> they're tied up, she said. she's taking $15,000 out of her credit line. they told her they wouldn't hurt anybody if she got back there with the money. she believes them. i think she's walking out now. >> reporter: officers were dispatched to the house but according to police logs, were told by their captain not to approach the house and stay back until they could set up a safe perimeter. 30 minutes after that first 911 call, still no ambulances, no fire trucks, no emergency teams who could move in. by now, jennifer was back home with the money, her family and the attackers. >> this was a small police department. it very quickly got over their heads. they fell back on their

training, but in this particular situation, their training wasn't adequate and in the time it took, lives were lost. >> reporter: william petit could hear his family being tortured upstairs.moaning and the thumbs he testified. somehow bleeding from his head, he managed to escape, his feet still bound, he hopped out of a house and made it to a neighbor's house for help. 9:55 a.m., that neighbor called 911. >> i have bill petit here, who's hurt, my neighbor. >> he's at your house? >> yes. he's right here. >> reporter: minutes later, a fireball, the suspect raped and strangle jennifer petit and burned the house down. the mother and her two daughters were all killed. >> this is probably one of the worst situations of its kind that i've ever seen. >> reporter: in court wednesday, it got ugly. steven hayes defense lawyer, who by the way, admits his client

committed the crime, pointed his finger at police, not excusing what happened. the fact was, you were too late, correct? the captain replied, if we had any indication of violence, i would have been the first one through the door. >> ion it's a particular effective line of cross-examination, if you had done your job, could you have saved my victim from your client. >> reporter: he is now in court where he shows up everyday. >> it got so emotional wednesday, the photo evidence so gruesome, the petit family, including william petit broke down in tears. the judge had to send everyone home early because the jury was sobbing. >> thank you so much. dan abrams, nbc's chief legal analyst, good morning to you. obviously talking about the

responsibility the police may bear in all of this. it took them 30 minutes to set up that permaneimeter around th petit home. in that time, the petit family was being murdered. >> no question in retrospect, the police could have and should have done more. they should have gone right to the house. the question is exactly what did they think and know at the time. i think clint is right, they used their training, they followed their protocol. but the bottom line is that this was more than just someone being held for ransom. my guess is that most of the time, in communities like this, when someone's held for ransom or kidnapped, it's domestic violence, et cetera. >> not used to this kind of violent crime. >> exactly. they would say, we had no idea. that doesn't excuse it. doesn't mean i'm sure the police are feeling very guilty for everything that happened. >> is it a wake-up call, do you think, for these communities, that they need to re-evaluate police procedure? >> maybe. let's be honest, this doesn't

happen all that often. that doesn't excuse it. doesn't mean it's time for evaluation how they do things. this can't happen. they can't have another situation. you hear that bank teller. when you listen to that call, there's no ambiguity in that teller's voice. that teller isn't saying, well, i'm not sure, maybe, it could be. that is a teller saying definitively, there is a woman who is here in the bank, who is petrified. she uses the word "petrified." when you hear that kind of language, do you think to yourself, the police ought to have gone right to the home. >> could the police department face any serious consequences of the police involved in this? >> there could be civil lawsuits. i don't think that's like lin the context of this case. there could have been departmental action. it doesn't seem that's going to happen either in this case. it is interesting, isn't it, to see the defense attorneys using this as a sword, right? the notion that the defense attorneys are now saying, aha,

so you police officers might have been able to save your own client -- my client -- save the victims from my client. it's sort of in sanity. >> what does that say to you? >> it says these defense attorneys and this defense attorney knows he's got almost no defense here in the guilt phase of the case. two phases, first phase is guilt, second phase is the penalty case where the determine if he gets the death penalty. in this phase, they're basically trying to go through the procedures, hoping that the jurors will feel some level of sympathy and then in the penalty phase making an effort to save his life. i think these defense attorneys know he is almost certainly going to be found guilty. >> william petit who lost his family says he wants the death penalty. how strong do you think his stance will affect what happens here? >> the fact he's been so adamant about pursuing the death penalty, very controversial in connecticut, almost abolished it, almost never use it. the fact that dr. petit has come forward and said so strongly that he thinks the death penalty

should apply, almost certainly has led these prosecutors not to cut a deal here, meaning not to say, as the defense attorneys wanted, life in prison, will plead guilty, prosecutor saying no. we're taking this to trial. this is such a horrible heinous crime, we want to pursue a death penalty. >> dan abrams, thank you so much. appreciate it. let's get a check of the weather, stephanie abrams in for al. >> i will take you to mexico and show you tropical storm karl right now moving through the bay of campeche and looks like it will strengthen before making a second landfall. looks like it won't affect the >> we will see a mix of clouds and some today, and a slight chance of some thunderstorms tonight, about a 30% chance -- a look at the ocean

matt over to you. >> stephanie, thank you very much. it was supposed to be michael jackson's comeback tour but did pressure by the concert promoter push the singer to his death. his mother and children have filed a wrongful death suit against the company. natalie morales has more. >> reporter: good morning to you, matt. the civil action was filed against michael jackson's attorney, the concert promoter, saying the purpose was to prove the truth about what happened to michael jackson once and for all. again this morning, there are more questions than answers about what the singer was really going through in those final days. ♪ >> reporter: in a wrongful death lawsuit filled with haunting

details and descriptions of michael's final days, kathryn jackson and michael's three children blame the concert for causing michael's death. they believe michael was pushed too far in rehearsals for his highly anticipated comeback tour despite his deteriorating health. in documents filed wed, aeg is accused of taking control of michael's health after it hired dr. murliurray as his doctor, someone controlled by aeg. it demanded and required michael jackson be treated by this particular doctor to insure michael jackson would attend all rehearsals and shows on the tour. according to the suit, michael did miss a rehearsal during the final week of his life and as a result, aeg's ceo paid a visit to his home. the suit states aeg threatened that if jackson missed any further rehearsals, they were

going to pull the plug on the show. aeg told murray, he had to make sure jackson got to rehearsals. they said it was to be tough love and they had read jackson the riot act. when michael did finally make it to rehearsals late that night, witnesses confirmed michael jackson was not himself that day, calling him visibly shaken. then, at another rehearsal, just days before michael's death, the suit describes michael as freezing cold and shivering. the suit claims aeg had a legal responsibility to treat him safely and not put him in harm's way. kathryn jackson and michael's kids believe the company breached those duties by putting its desire for massive profits for the tour over the health and safety of michael jackson. but the jackson estate is already sharing in some of those profits, slated to receive 90% of what ever the film makes. >> the civil action suit is also

seeking unspecified damages for emotional distress on behalf of michael jackson's oldest son, who according to the lawsuit witnessed his father injured and dying. a company spokesperson said they hadn't seen the lawsuit yet. aeg has said in the past michael jackson died before dr. murray's contract was even signed and dr. murray, meanwhile has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter for michael jackson's death. >> we'll follow this story. just ahead, a neur survey revealing what men really think. up next, fast-food snack items that can actually do more harm to your diet than full sized meals. right after this. ♪ [ man ] blue one. recessed lighting. it's absolutely -- blue one. ♪ [ grunts ] blue one. [ children ] blue one! blue one! [ male announcer ] the routan. the only minivan with the soul of a volkswagen.

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the snacks but do they contain less calories. author of "eat that not that" and madeline, nutrition director. good morning. people like these snacks, okay, here's some snacks. what's the definition of a snack? >> the definition of a snack is 150 calories with protein and come to plex carbohydrates. here,'s it replaced wit cheap fat and carbs. when you have 1500 calorie meals, i guess your snack should be 400 calories. >> a snack is what anybody wants it to be. i'm hungry, i will graze. we don't do much during the day. the comparison where things are mega sized, you look at something smaller and think that must be better. >> in the middle of the day and you want to snack and walk into a fast-food restaurant and order small fries, that's not what you should get. >> they want to take you to six

meals a day. >> it's hidden fat, looks small but the calories are really for a meal. >> we have snack items. let's start with the cinnie minis. look how small they are. they have to be good. >> 500 calories. this is two bites. one of these little ones has 125 calories. if you share it with three friends, you're okay. people look at, how many calories could it have because it's so small. >> they should rename it a cini-mini cooper. >> let's move on. >> the kfc snacker with a crispy strip. >> they were the pioneer in this area, with the whole snack idea. the problem is at 300 calories, it ends up being very close to a meal. it's basically a snack times two. >> the thing is you can get it grilled but it still is going to be way over 200 calorie, much too much for a snack. >> the angus snack wrap from

mcdonald's. if you're getting red meat -- >> it's a quarter pounder. >> if you look at the lunch wrap, it's quite. the sodium is almost half of what you need in a day. >> they have yogurts and parfaits and apple dippers, they have healthy stuff. >> quizno's turkey sammy. what's the problem here? >> sammy is a cute name. 50% of the fat is saturated in terms of your requirement for the day. it's a large thing. sa sammie sounds cute but it's a meal. >> and mcflurry. if it has ice cream, it's not a snack. what's dessert, whale blubber? that is over 400 calories. >> we reached out to these companies and they each off ear variety of options, many which are lower in calories and fat. all nutritional information can be found on the company's websites respectively. what should people be eating in terms of snacks?

>> in common sense, most people don't need snacks, eat three meals a day. if you want to snack, 100 to 150 calories, things that make sense. high fiing -- fiber, fruits and vegetables, low protein. it can be as simple as a fruit, peanut butter or something else, banana. not these things. if you want to go to a fast-food restaurant and don't want to get a kid's meal, these will be meals but don't be misled by the fact it says snacks. >> cini-mini cooper. still to come, the winner of america's got talent crowned, if you don't know, after these messages. [ male announcer ] it's a universal gesture... ♪ a way of telling the world "you did it!"... without saying a word.

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just ahead, is teen pregnancy being glorified on a reality show? >> after your local news and weather. this season, jackets required.

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new market creations from lean cuisine. >> live, local, late-breaking, this is wbal-tv 11 news today in baltimore. >> the morning, i m stan stovall. >> there has been a lot going on. let's get to the harrisburg expressway, traveling south, we have an accident possibly involving an overturned vehicles. watch for the delays beginning there. 136 at peach orchard road, and another plum tree road -- accidents there, and another crash at northbound 295.

the vehicle went into an embankment at general highway. we're looking ahead the delays are around the area. lookit the drive tons, 23 minutes on the outer loop drive said, and from 75 over towards 83 this morning -- allied view, there you west-side delays, all the way towards evanston. southbound trevor, still have the towards 895. >> the clouds are around this morning already -- a mostly cloudy day. a slight chance for evening showers, possibly a thunderstorm. it is 63 the airport, 71 in annapolis. we talked at 84 yesterday. polly at low 80s or mid-80s sometime today, and a thunderstorm later. the win will also pick up. a look at the extended forecast -- and will be beautiful, in the

week of that extended passage, plenty of sunshine on saturday, 81 and sunshine on sunday. >> be sure to check on the bottom of your screen for news and more traffic information. we will be back at 8:25 a.m. for another live, news update.

8:00 on this thursday morning, september 16th, 2010. it is a sunny morning in the northeast. if you're about to head out, grab the umbrellas, we are expecting rain. i'm meredith vieira with matt lauer on the plaza. >> this is a popular show called "teen mom," that follows the lives of four young ladies that got pregnant during high school. some people are now saying, although a lot of people watch it, some are saying all the attention paid to the stars, if you will, of the show, actually

glamourizes teen pregnancy. this is one of the couples featured on the show. we'll get their take coming up. plus you love him, dop draper on "madman," taking his skills to the screen. we'll catch up with him. you will find out esquire magazine did a survey recently, talked to 20-year-old men and 50-year-old men and got their take on everything from role models to sex, love and marriage. we'll find out what guys are thinking in just a little while. >> fascinating. >> do you really want to know? >> fases nating. n -- fascinating. now to the news, ann curry. >> in the news, iran's president, mahmoud ahmadinejad says the two american hikers still in prison is out of his hands. during an exclusive interview wednesday with nbc's chief correspondent, andrea mitchell, ahmadinejad took credit for the release of hiker sarah shourd but says it's up to the judicial

system to decide if fellow hikers, josh fattal and shane bauer are guilty of straying into iran 13 months ago. the pope is in britain. the first time since the 16th century. pope benedict made one of his strongest admissions today saying the church failed to deal quickly or decisively enough with priests who abuse children. three officers will face criminal charges for the beating of a motorcyclist caught on tape. the video also shows one of the officers moving the dash camera so the images are no longer visible. in the gulf of mexico, the blown-out well could be permanently sealed this weekend nearly five months after the leak began. here's brian williams with

what's coming up on "nightly news." >> some are calling what's going on now the gold rush of 2010. some don't trust currency or any other savings method. they're buying just gold. maybe that's what's pushing the price of gold to an all time high. we will look at it next when we join you for "nightly news." ann, now back to you. >> thanks so much. now 8:02. a check of the weather, stephanie abrams in for al. >> we have a woman here from good old sweet home, alabama. give everyone a nice southern hello. >> hello. >> we'll take you to catalina island. it will be beautiful there. fog and sunshine, a high of 70 degrees. we do have a complex of storms near the ohio river valley where the worst storms are located. >> we are expecting a mixed bag of weather today, a 30% chance

of some showers or storms. ahead of that first time in new york from texas, mean green, what does that mean? >> north texas is playing westpoint this saturday, expecting a big win. >> big matchup over there. meredith back to you. >> thank you very much. is mtv glamourizing a hit show "teen mom." we'll talk with two of the shows stars right after this. hey, you made your own lunch. yep! (mom) i'm so proud of you. the bus is here, gotta go mom. okay hunny, have a great day. look in your bag, made you something.

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does it glamour rise teen pregnancy. we'll talk to two of the shows, but first, this. >> reporter: it the latest of reality tv, the latest guilty pleasure. >> you hit momma. >> reporter: mtv "teen mom" follows four high schoolers with the perils of being teen parents and the hardships of a place to live. >> i have to find a place to live and a daycare. >> reporter: it's a look what happens after labor and delivery, when the real work starts. >> it seems like everyday what you go through, it's just crazy to me. you honestly like -- i don't know how you do it. >> reporter: in a struggle with babies and boyfriend, the young women are getting a slice of celebrities as cover girls on magazines. one question, is it glamorizing teen pregnancy. >> to say it's glamour rising

teen pregnancy is like saying the biggest loser glamourizes obesity. >> reporter: she gave up her baby, a decision that's haunting her boyfriend, tyler. >> she deserves better than me. >> reporter: the couple chose their adoptive parents after watching a youtube video. >> we want to take you an opportunity to get a glimpse into our lives and get to know us better. >> reporter: kiley is now 16 months old, and they say they will start a family eventually. >> hi, happy birthday! >> i have to talk maybe about me seeing him like a day a week more. >> reporter: one young mom and dad now battling over custody. >> i'm texting ryan to tell him i'm not changing our custody agreement. >> i think i will take her to court over it. >> reporter: a sobering look at

parenthood, through the eyes of a teen. nbc news, new york. >> caitlin and her fiance are featured on mtv's "teen mom." good morning to both of you. >> good morning. >> before we get to the message of what this shows sends or does not send, why do you think it's so popular? a lot of people watch this every week? >> i think people can relate to it a lot. more and more, teen pregnancy is obviously a rising issue. i think people can relate to a lot of things that the girls on the show go through, so far as being teenagers and moms? >> also, i have a lot of mothers tell me, i sit down with my children and watch this show. they think it's a good show to show their children, if you have sex and pregnant, these are all the struggles you will go through. >> a cautionary tale. >> it is a no holds barred look at challenges you and the other couples have faced and the moms as well. there is this feeling among some

people, in some i was, this may glamourize teen pregnancy. you're laughing. why do you laugh at that? >> i feel like if you sit down and watch the show, i don't think like -- i don't think it shows any single thing of glamoglamor in teen pregnancy. maybe when i introduce you and say two of the stars of the show. maybe that's my fault. we shouldn't say two of the stars of the show, say one of the couples featured on the show. >> yeah. >> when all of a sudden, you start showing up on magazine covers and stuff that happens in this celebrity crazy world, people say, wait a minute, maybe they are gaining something in this. do you think that's part of the problem? >> i don't think it's glamorizing anything because all the struggles are real that they go through on the show and it's

real and no way it is glamorizing anything. >> maybe when you go off and do things like this show or magazine shoot or conducting an interview, you have to constantly remember to remind people why you're there in the first place and it is a cautionary tale? >> right. you have to. >> well -- >> i mean, you can't just let it get to be where you're reality show stars. >> we don't look at ourselves that way. >> absolutely not. >> you made a very tough decision in your lives that has been documented in this show, to give your daughter, carly up for adoption. she is now 16 months old. do you have any second thoughts about that decision? >> actually, i don't. >> not at all. >> i mean, i get stuff everyday that rewards me for our decision like seeing stuff that happens back at home, wow, i'm so lucky she's not here right now. i'm so happy she's in a very good place. >> we have peace going to sleep at night, knowing what we shows with her, the life she's living,

gives us peace. >> you're both still in high school, i think both plan on graduating this year. we wish you luck with that. if there are other teenagers out there going through what you're going through in a much more private way, what would you say to them? >> i would say to talk to people, go to counseling if you need to. i know when i was pregnant and i was young and knowing what i want to do, probably, i felt like i was alone all the time, because i never talked to anybody. i feel like my number one thing i would say is to always think about your child before yourself. >> put them first. >> in every decision you make in your life, from the point you're pregnant to the point that they're old enough to move out on their own. >> you're confident you have done that? >> oh, yeah. >> nice to have you both here. >> thank you. >> thanks very much. we won't call you stars from now on. >> no. >> up next, madman john hamm, on his new role on the big screen.

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everybody's a priority to us. it's important that we treat people like real people and be honest with them. that's why i love being a home loan expert! ♪ golden globe winner jon hamm is best known for his role as madman. now, he's taking on a new role on the big screen trying to take down ben afflec's bank robbing gang in the town. >> you and your boys didn't just rob a market for a box of quarters. no, you decided to bang it out at the north end at 9:00 in the morning with assault rifles. you dummies shot a guard. now, you're like a half off sale. >> i like that boston accent. very good. >> had to sneak it in somewhere.

everybody else got to do one. >> for those that know you as a suave ad executive, what made you take on this role with ben affleck? >> it's back to the '70s action movie, bare bones. action movie. >> that appealed to you. >> absolutely. we don't have a lot of car chases on madmen and i got to do a lot of different stuff. >> in preparing for the role, you got to work directly with an fbi consultant who had a history and actually arrested some of the guys on this film. >> there was a lot of prior relationships with a lot of the folks on the set. it was very funny to realize a lot of those guys knew each

other. it's a very small town and all recognized each other. >> what was that relationship like? >> what's past is past. they paid their debts and now trying to earn an honest living. they definitely were scrutinized a little heavier than most. >> i want to congratulate you on the nomination for best actor. does that get old after a while? >> it certainly never gets old. it is always thrilling when you realize people are watching the show and enjoying the show. it's nice when you get recognized for your peers for doing something above and beyond. >> this season, you're character is really going through a hard time, divorced now, a drunk essentially, not making it with the ladies the way you used to, they're not as interested in you. are we going to continue to see this downward spiral or is there a moment of redemption here? >> i hope so. >> you don't know? >> i know how the season ends.

i won't spoil it for those who want to watch. it's been a tough season. what happens is this guy lived a pretty rough life and that's taking its toll. >> there was an obsession about this show, people talk about it all the time, throw "mad men" parties, even dressing like the characters. what do you think that obsession is about? why do you think it's happened? >> for brian, he has a huge crush on me. >> williams, are you listening? i think he does. >> i think that's what that's about, particularly. >> bad, actually. >> it's interesting, because our show is very rich and has a lot of detail. people can focus on it and really not only get involved in the story but involved in historical aspects of the show and that richness, i think, lends itself to a more sort of full viewing experience and people really get into it. >> could you have even predicted this four years ago?

>> absolutely not. no way. we knew we were working on something special and exciting and everybody that signed on to do the pilot loved the script. that was four seasons ago, to have predicted this kind of run away success is beyond the pale. >> do you ever look back, when you were in your early 20s, go out to hollywood, a kid from st. louis and toiling in the trenches and couldn't get a job, couldn't get arrested and this has catapulted you to real superstar come to in a lot of people's eyes including mine. do you ever look back and say, i can't quite believe i am where i am? >> absolutely. it's amazing 5, 10 years ago how different life was, three years ago, how different life was. the great thing about it, i've been able to achieve what i've been able to achieve, something i'm very proud of, not only with "mad men," but with the town and "30 rock" and things i've been able to do and thrilled to be a

part of. ire haven i haven't had to compromise and do anything i didn't want to do. that part is particularly nice. >> i have to congratulate you, just named international "man of the year" by british "gq" magazine. you should be wearing a cape or something. that's a big deal. >> it's very nice, nice when people say nice things about you, i suppose. >> you're blurbing. thank you very much. the town opens tomorrow and now here's matt. >> meredith, thanks very much. the surprising finale of nbc's hit show, "america's got talent." christine welker has the details. good morning to you. >> good morning to you, matt. 10-year-old jackie evancho, a pint-sized singer with a voice well beyond her years received much of the attention but in the end, jackie didn't take home the title. ♪ >> reporter: from the moment she opened her 10-year-old mouth and

seemingly this seasoned soprano voice came out -- ♪ >> reporter: jackie evancho stole the show and a lot of hearts on nbc's "america's got talent." she was the one to beat. >> i've never seen a vocal performance like that on this show. >> reporter: once america weighed in with phone-in votes, a new star was born. >> michael grim! >> reporter: michael grimm, a virtual unknown from the swamp lands of mississippi claimed the top spot. his face said it all. >> i had no clue i would win. i thought jackie would win. when i got up there, i was blessed to have made it as far as i made it. ♪ >> reporter: but grimm gave an unforgettable final performance. >> michael grimm had the best performance last night, being in the building and seeing he reaction and people go crazy for

his performance. >> reporter: judge sharon osbourne said her husband, ozzie recognized grimm's talent from the beginning and bet $100 the soulful sinner would win. >> i texted him and he was like -- >> reporter: grimm's take home will be a lot bigger, a million bucks and headline show in vegas. some have speculated the idea of a vegas show may have cost evancho a vote. >> maybe america was sort of creeped out by the idea of a 10-year-old having an act in vegas. they were like, we can't allow this to happen. ♪ >> reporter: susan boyle was once favored to win britain's got talent but she also came in second place. george piers morgan reminded evancho of that. >> i said to her, susan boyle came in second and sold 10 million albums. don't worry, this is not a defeat. >> reporter: the 10-year-old says she doesn't either, she's happy for grirm amm and can't w

to go home to pittsburgh. >> i can't wait. >> reporter: proving evancho is still just a kid with a very adult victory, second place. >> now, grimm has said he wanted to win so he could buy a new house for his grandparents who raised him and lost everything in hurricane katrina. >> kristen welker, thank you very much. just ahead, what men really think about a wide variety of topics, first, your local news.

>> live, local, late-breaking, this is wbal-tv 11 news today in baltimore. >> good morning. we want to start with a look to morning commute -- a bit busy, few incident still to do with -- near arles caramel, an accident there, be careful there -- near mount carmel. there are some delays forming, but first, at northbound 295, another accident location -- near fort mchenry for there is a disabled vehicle. the heaviest spot is all in

southbound 95 coming out of white marsh. says m.p.h. on the northeast scarlet towards the harrisburg expressway. -- only 6 miles per hour. eastbound 170 in the red as a major way in towards the valley from the bridge. 395 is very congested. switching over to a live view of 95 just north of the beltway, coming toward us, the southbound traffic -- there is your delay. that is the list on traffic pulse 11. a friendlooking at that will be living through. we may have some showers tonight -- it is a front moving through. we already have some cloud cover through there, we're in the 60s, and are headed towards the 80s. it is only a 30% chance for some gusty rain tonight, possibly a

scattered thunderstorms. we are high and dry it through next wednesday, so will be a gorgeous weekend. >> i cannot count on many times i have done that to you, sandra shaw. we will have another update at 8:55 a.m.

8:30 on a thursday morning, the 16th day of september, 2010. lots of nice people on the plaza on this beautiful morning here in new york. meredith actually about to greet some people on the plaza, better known as one of the finest

universities in the country. coming up in just a moment, gordon gecko is back. remember, greed is good from 1987 in wall street? here we are 23 years later, oliver stone out with "wall street, money never sleeps," how has it changed in 23 years? we will talk to mr. stone about that. >> fascinating. up next, what do men really think? role models to monogamy to divorce, surprising results of a new "esquire" survey of 20 to 50-year-old men. we'll find all types of interesting things. >> i don't want to be there. >> and talking about a woman who followed her passion and now she makes minnows in urban environments. that's a pretty inspiring story. we'll be talking to jane about

that. in just a couple weeks from now, melissa and jeremy will get married right here on the plaza. we need your help to pick bridesmaid dresses. to vote for your favorite, go to facebook or today show.com. text 1 for effortless romance, 2 for modern twist, 3 for fun and 30, like meredith, and 4 for old hollywood like me. we'll have the winner next wednesday. >> okay. a check of the weather from stephanie abrams. we want to send love on television to your friend. how's she doing? >> doing great. >> and doing great in mississippi. any grits up here, you find any? >> no. >> they are here but they're good. can you open the windows up

today? you can in the south and the sun is shining in the southwest and severe weather in the ohio river valley. as we head to tomorrow, it >> we will see a mix of clouds and some today, and a slight chance of some thunderstorms tonight, about a 30% chance -- a look at the ocean for all your weather needs 24 hours a day, all you have to do is go to weather.com. we'll head to the mid-atlantic and check in with willard scott. how are you? it's been too long. >> stephanie, i'm glad to be working with you, you're the

jewel of our crown at nbc's weather division. thank you for introducing me. one sad note, you heard edward newman passed away a couple days ago. what a prince, intelligent beautiful man, a tribute to him. could go on forever. he was on the david letterman show almost a year, maybe a little longer. they did some good pieces. happy birthday from smuckers. as the jar spins around, darrell beechel of mountain home, arkansas. one of the nicest states. a lot of people are settling in arkansas and retiring. nickname is "buck." avid hunter. tributes longevity to two favorite ws, wine and women. hallelujah, let's go hunting, jake and il go chasing women. earl swanson, 100 years old. still drives around time with the love of his wife, merrill.

a little cuddly pooh and enjoys collecting jewelry. jeanne dracket, 100 years old. and carl cuthbert, 100 years old. dexter, maine. plays the drums in the veterans parade. i tried that. edith harrington, 100 years old with the salvation army. a proud soldier, got her go ahead from high school 82 years ago, graduated from college at 88. and helen olson of largo, florida is 100 years old and lovely lovely lady that still uses a typewriter. now, back to meredith. do you remember typewriters, meredith? are you old enough? >> thank you so much, willard. and michael on the new movie,

>> thank you so much, willard. and michael on the new movie, "m everyone knows a fee is a tax. you raised some taxes during that period, particularly the property tax as well as a lot of fee increases. as you know, there's a big difference between fees and taxes. but...they're the same. it's a tax. it's a tax. it's a tax. it's a tax. there's a big difference between fees and taxes. fees and taxes are one in the same. if it comes out of my pocket, it's a tax. now he says it isn't true. we didn't raise taxes. what? still doing the same thing,

paying out more money. typical politician. definitely.

nearly 23 years ago, oliver stone's film, "wall street" burst onto the scene and determined greed was good and now, the new movie, "money never sleeps." >> you know what they say, bulls make money, bears make money. >> i thought this was a charity. why don't you go find some? >> i tell you what, i'll make you a deal. you stop telling lies about me, i'll stop telling the truth about you. >> oliver stone. welcome back. 23 years ago, when you made the final edit on that movie and gordon gecko went off to prison, did you think that was it, the

door would shut behind him and you wouldn't revisit him or did you know you'd have to tell the story when he was out of prison? >> i thought it was over and that whole era would change and we'd come to the end of that moment of excess that went on for 20 years. i did the new film because of the 2008 crash and made me rethink that as a backdrop. the whole idea was not to do a movie about the 2008 crash but do a movie about real people living through this story of betrayal and greed and trust and love. so it was a story about six actors in the movie. they really have a -- it's a family drama. >> one of the things you said to me, when you premiered the movie in kcaan and you looked at the lack of change, you were surprised how much wealth was still being amassed, opposed to individuals, it was the banks amassing that wealth and how much greed still existed.

>> greco was replaced by the banks and hedge funds and banks. the greed is amazing, $100 million to own a business and get a business in those days is now a billion. a big hedge fund starts with a billion. we're talking big money now, bigger than i ever dreamed. this whole movie is about this new era and it never really went away. what happens with the collapse is we have another twist in the movie, where all these people's lives are somewhat shattered. >> there's another word, opposed to greed, you want people to consider another word here, another emotion, that is envy. the power of envy, what it can do to people. >> envy played a role -- if you have a few million dollar and your neighbor has another 10 million dollars than you do, it seems to me envy is the drives force of what people did. they always want more and that's what josh brolin does in the movie. he plays the fountain of all evil. he plays the banker that

represents this type of person. >> i have to be honest. i don't know there are a lot of good people in the movie. everybody maybe has a tinge of good but a lot of bad in them? >> i think there is an idealistic young couple. >> but fall in the movie as well. >> well, i don't want to give it away, but he betrays his girlfriend for self accumulation, let's say. she does, too, she does things -- in other words, money makes you do things you don't want to do. >> slightly off the subject, when the movie premiered and i saw it at that time, from what i understand, the movie people will see in the theater on friday is a little bit different. >> yes. >> how often do you do that? do you second-guess yourself a lot on the way you edited things or based on public response? >> when we saw you at caan, we had only been in theed didding room 3 1/2 months, we finished the whole movie.

for us, it was a chance to platform, see it with a big audience, get a big reception. the ending was a little too abrupt for me and i wanted to make it more realistic. >> let me end on a personal note, the star of this movie, michael douglas is going through tough times. you spoke to him recently. >> he was at the press conference, out helping the movie. painful, no kidding around, serious. we are all hoping for him. >> we are keeping our fingers crossed as well. oliver stone, "wall street, money never sleeps." it opens in theaters september 24th. up next, our friend, jane pauley, shares the story of a remarkable woman who decided to reinvent herself mid-life. remarkable woman who decided to reinvent herself mid-life. first, t

everyone knows a fee is a tax. you raised some taxes during that period, particularly the property tax as well as a lot of fee increases. as you know, there's a big difference between fees and taxes.

but...they're the same. it's a tax. it's a tax. it's a tax. it's a tax. there's a big difference between fees and taxes. fees and taxes are one in the same. if it comes out of my pocket, it's a tax. now he says it isn't true. we didn't raise taxes. what? still doing the same thing, paying out more money. typical politician. definitely.

back, 8:44. your life calling today. contributing editor jane pauley has a special series of reports for us. this morning, she's here with a story of one person's second career, you might say is blossoming. >> videographer, katherine zimmerman has seen the world through the eyes of a camera. when she focused on her own future, retirement wasn't in the picture. katherine zimmerman was a trailblazer. 35 years ago, she was one of tvs first female news photographers. >> when i went down for the interview and the guy wanted to know how i could carry this big heavy camera around, i assured him a girl from the farm could do anything. >> anything but retire. >> i didn't have any money in the bank. i was going to probably work for the rest of my life. >> reporter: you had a career

that was maybe not sustainable? >> that went through my mind. i thought, i better find something else i can do for the next 30 years. >> reporter: it was natural she'd think about gardening. she grew up on a farm outside dayton. we set up our cameras and lights in the barn she played in as a child. why did you know you had to go back to school? >> i just didn't think i could go out and offer my services to design somebody's landscape by just saying, hey, i like doing this. i really felt like i needed to have some expertise, as i did with film making. >> reporter: so she enrolled in a graduate program in horticulture and landscape design at the u.s. department of agriculture. >> nights and weekends, it took me three years. i didn't have really the luxury of just stopping. each class was like 100 plants to know. you got kids, you got to earn your paycheck. >> reporter: but finally, she was designing landscape. when she looked around at her

own yard. >> i was the queen of the lawn. i always thought i was so darned good at gardening. and then i learned how darned bad i was. >> reporter: she looked for fireflies. but they were gone. >> i made the connection that that was me, i did that. i killed the fireflies because i put down pesticides. it changed the direction i was taking with my landscape career. >> reporter: today, katherine zimmerman is not a gardener, she's a sustainable landscaper, a meadow maker. >> meadow is one of the prettiest words. a lot is going on in a meadow. it gives us back. a lot is going on in a meadow. it gives us back the insects and bees, cool things i remember when i was on the farm. >> reporter: last year, she photographed prairies and meadows all over the united

states. suddenly, kathryn realized she had a book. it's auld urban and suburban meadows. >> it's been a big learning experience. this is a tough year because i self published the book. that meant a lot of money up front, 20 some thousand dollars. >> reporter: add the distribution and marketing costs. >> i wondered how am i going to make the mortgage? >> reporter: what if you lose the house? >> yeah, i've been thinking about that lately. it's just a house. maybe it's time to downsize. >> reporter: so katherine zimmerman's reinvention is a work in progress. at 57, she's leading a double life, freelance film-maker and professional meadow maker. >> fresh meadow comes up every year. >> reporter: they say gardeners are people who believe in the future. tell me what you see when you see your future. >> it's not scary to me. i think it's because i draw something from somewhere, maybe from the past. a strength.

maybe from the soil. >> the meadow movement does seem to be catching on but the reality check is for all her work, travel, schooling and investment, she is yet to see the big paycheck, as kathryn puts it. but she's taken the long view, the payoff will come over the next 20 or 30 years. by the way, i'll be talking more about this during my live web chat today at noon eastern time. you can find it at aarp.org/jane. meredith. >> kathryn started working on the second act ten years in advance, which isn't often the way things happen. >> at 50, she started planning and often doesn't happen you go back to school and work double time like that. she has a unique example to inspire us. >> how did you find her? >> it's funny. on a shoot. we were in the backyard doing one of those walking around shots. she was in the back and she looked at the landscaping --

>> she saw the crew? >> she saw the crew. this woman has some expertise and that's when i realized she did have this other newly acquired expertise in sustainable gardening. >> really interesting story, a nice lady. jane pauley. thank you so much. up next, the truth about what men are really thinking. first, this is "today" on nbc.

we're back at 8:51 with what men are really thinking, who's the best role model in monogamy and they have more in common than you might think. richard is the magazine's featured editor. why 20 year-olds and 50 year-olds? good to have you here? >> they're two really fun demographic facts going on. if you look at the demographic population, there are more 50 year-olds than any other age group. the second largest, in men, there are more 20 year-olds than any other largest age group and the second is 50 year-olds. we have these two population swells dominating american lives and we thought it would be a good opportunity to feel their pulse. >> you ask them about marriage, work, social beliefs, let's begin with random items.

clint eastwood voted coolest man in america, both age groups. you would think for people born in 1960s, that makes sense. but for guys that play grand torino. outvoted lebron james, justin timberlake. >> 50 year-olds more concerned about the environment. doesn't shock me and 20 year-olds more conservative, might surprise some people and 20 year-olds want wives to stay home and take care of kids. that's surprising. they compare to just 14% of 50 year-olds. >> let's talk about what the groups have in common, what are the similarities? >> both said barack obama as their top choice. later in the survey, when we asked them how they thought barack obama was doing, both groups also said they didn't think he was doing a great job. you see a big difference between how they view the president and his performance.

>> both groups feel a million dollar means you're rich. both groups watch television for their news. that surprises me because i thought 20 year-olds would get it on the internet. >> both groups chose the tv as top choice for news. >> let's talk about differences here. what did you find dramatic? >> i think the biggest differences, little things. 20 year-olds likely to spend more than a thousand dollars on a suit. 20 year-olds more likely to make a large life announcement via facebook or texting. 50 year-olds are much more pessimistic in their view of the world right now. less likely to say their sons will have a better life than them, less likely to say the united states will be as strong. >> 50 year-olds more likely to say divorce is an option and nothing wrong with it. >> compared to twenty year-olds say divorce is not an option no matter what. >> isn't that an experience thing, most 50 year-olds been married and not 20 year-olds,

not to be pessimistic. >> and 50 year-olds have more divorced parents than 20 year-olds. >> each chose the teenage decade as his favorite decade for music. that means the 80s. >> for guy is in the 50s, that means the '70s, the others in the '90s. but 1 in 5 chose the '80s. everybody loves michael jackson. >> go with the '70s. the best job in america? >> everybody believes being an a-list movie star is the best job. when we asked the job that received the lowest number of votes for 20 year-olds, a high school principal. >> 50 year-olds, ceo of goldman sachs and president of the united states. no one wants those jobs. >> when it comes to woman's look, favorite part of a woman's

body is her face. >> correct. their mother raised them right. >> both have something in common, they lie to >> live, local, late-breaking, this is wbal-tv 11 news today in baltimore. >> good morning, i m mindy basara -- there is not declared winner yet in tuesday's race for democratic nomination for baltimore city's state attorney. the figures from late wednesday showed greg of 49%, and incumbent with 74% with the winner% of precincts reporting. the officials we begin to count the absentee ballots leader in the morning. the morning. back in

everyone knows a fee is a tax. you raised some taxes during that period, particularly the property tax as well as a lot of fee increases. as you know, there's a big difference between fees and taxes. but...they're the same. it's a tax. it's a tax. it's a tax. it's a tax. there's a big difference between fees and taxes. fees and taxes are one in the same. if it comes out of my pocket, it's a tax. now he says it isn't true. we didn't raise taxes. what? still doing the same thing, paying out more money. typical politician.

>> let's take a look at your forecast. >> we are tracking some storms over the midwest. it will track for the mid- atlantic, so slight chance of a share or storm. that would be in the evening or overnight hours. we will definitely see an increase in cloud cover by the afternoon. the winds will pick up from the south at between 10 and 50 miles per hour, and the temperature range in the mid-80s, above normal. tomorrow will have a cooler feel and be a breezy day, high of 80. plenty of sunshine for the extended forecast. >> thank you, sandra. thank you for joining us. we will have another weather we will have another weather my commute home to the eastern shore every night only takes an hour but that's more time than congress spends reading massive spending bills, it's crazy. that's why i wrote a law that requires 72 hours to read every bill. i read the big bills and i said no. no to the $3 trillion budget, no to the bank bailout,

and no to the health care bill. at home you would never pay a bill without reading it neither should congress. i'm frank kratovil and i approve this message because i'm proud to be ranked one of the most independent members of congress.