captions paid for by nbc-universal television hello, everybody. welcome to fun day monday, it's december 12th. it's also green monday. >> green for money because it is the busiest shipping day of the year. this is the day when you ship everything it's guaranteed to get there. some people will ship for free if it's included. and that's what that means about green. every day has a theme, doesn't it? >> yes. i'm over it. cyber monday, black friday. nobody's over alec baldwin. >> okay.

>> it's our daily update on sir alec. >> he decided he was going to use the stage of "snl" to do his alleged mea culpa. he dressed up as a pilot for american airlines and made his apology to alec baldwin. let's watch him. >> what's your take on the events of last wednesday. >> we was awful, seth, which is why it was very important for me to come here tonight and on behalf of everyone at american airlines issue an apology to mr. alec baldwin. >> alec, are you sure this is the right way to handle this? >> keep going. >> i appreciate the idea of it. i think it was clever. he didn't really apologize. he was digging in a little deeper. >> at one point they said, is it

true, alec, in the skit that alec baldwin delayed the flight. >> he said it's not like american airlines flight have never been delayed before and he brought up bankruptcy jokes. what do you guys think at home? some people thought it was hysterical and he's so funny. some people didn't, who look at his history, because he's had history with writing unkind things about other people. >> maybe we should ban tweeting. i don't know if he stopped it or started it up again. you know it never happens to me because i'm tech-free and happy. somebody who has been one of the great role models in my life is meryl streep. i don't believe there is an actress on the planet that can touch her. she is so brilliant. she is, for the very first time, on the january cover of "vogue" magazine. she jokes she is the oldest person ever to be on "vogue." she is always in vogue because

she is brilliantly talented. >> she is 62 years old. she always looks beautiful. i just saw her in that movie "iron lady." she plays margaret thatcher with the teeth, the whole thing. it's cool to see someone in her 60s on "vogue." >> she tells the story she woke up at 40 and she received three scripts and they were all to play witches. her husband said, what are we going to do? it's over. look at work she's done. she gives hope to all of us with a capital "h." >> if you were in your 20s, you were like the next big thing. i think of all the powerful women on television. most of the women now are over 50. it's not like it used to be. if you had your things out and everything you got hired. now it's different. >> i can put them away? thank god for betty white.

she's kicking it for everybody. betty white was not named the sexiest women of all time. she should have been in the running definitely. in "men's health" magazine, they picked -- >> they picked jennifer aniston because they say funny is sexy. but here are the other top five. they have madonna as number five. >> frank doesn't think that at all. >> britney spears is number four. >> doesn't think that at all. >> who is voting? marilyn monroe. >> he might agree with that. >> raquel welch. >> remember what the grew did around here when she showed up? all their dentures fell out. >> jennifer aniston was number one. >> good for raquel. i bet she is over 70 now. >> who are some of the other people on the list? >> hey, nameless. >> ursula andres. >> and we have jane fonda coming

up soon. she was wearing that leotard. >> think about the top ten, probably six of them are over 50. >> yes! >> how about that? >> it's a good sign. >> this is a good one, you guys. there is a stretch of road in maryland that if you were driving down this stretch of road, there is one of those big neon signs. it says "honk if you are wearing a thong." those are usually reserved for amber alerts. >> a lot of thongs going by. >> did we add those honks in? that's ridiculous. >> i love that one. >> i love that thing. >> they are asking would you honk? >> yes, you would honk if you're wearing a thong, wouldn't you? >> since i don't wear a thong, not that you know -- >> i like this idea. those signs are usually reserved for amber alerts.

>> as if there aren't enough things taking our eyes off the road. >> they took it down. they don't know who put it up. >> this is not good news, people. we all know it, we don't want to admit it. as our waist lines are expanding, so are the boat capacity. boats are sinking because we are now too fat to get on the boat. nobody tells the truth about their weight. the u.s. coast guard has recalibrated the average weight that a passenger -- anyway, the new rules are a certain weight for a boat's capacity. >> in the '60s, the average was 160, now it's 185. they have dinner boat cruises. you can fit 153 passengers on board. that's in the '90s. now you can fit 134 people. >> and that's before dinner. >> a miami charter used to hold 49 people and now can only hold 35 people because everyone is getting bigger. here is the other thing.

they say that one of the most popular fabrics now that's out there that people are buying, spandex. >> i have it in my napkins to serve dinner with. i'm only kidding, hoda. >> i don't know. i love spandex. it's got give. >> you don't need it. it's here to stay. >> we like that, but it's so that you don't feel like your clothes are tighter because it's expanding with you. >> thus spandex. >> this is a study and we don't know we believe it. >> yet another study. >> okay. >> that's it? we've been waiting for that for two weeks. put a little sound effect on that or something. >> can we do it one more time for fun? [ horn honking ] >> here is what the study says. a scientist said sitting on your

tush says your fat cells are multiplying because you're sitting on them. the pressure. >> just what we needed, one more thing. now you can't sit any more because -- is that solid science? >> we don't know. it's a scientist from a study said that it worked. we have something that might help. sara is going to demo it for us. if you're sitting on your tush all day long, look what we have here. it's called sit fit. >> i'm sorry. >> that's ridiculous. >> honk if you're wearing a thong. >> it's a little difficult with heels on. >> do you feel a workout happening? >> i'm trying really hard. i don't know if i can do anything else but this. >> anyway, it's just kind of --

look at our crew. look at christine. you're fine. >> some things work and some don't. we are very sorry. probably destroyed these people's christmas. didn't mean to do that. >> it's showtime for our favorite things. >> a couple of years i've been involved in a wonderful project of writing the lyrics for "it's a wonderful life" the musical. well, a lot of people don't know that the frank capra movie was actually based on a short story. i didn't know that even before i started the musical. it's called "the greatest gift." apparently the man who wrote it philip van doren stern couldn't get it published. he sent it out like a christmas card to 200 people. frank capra saw it and said, i've been waiting all my life for this and based his movie on that book. it's a beautiful little gift book. it's -- let's see. >> $320. >> new it's $320.

you can get it used for $46 at amazon.com. i want you to hear this music for one second. ♪ my spirit sing >> this is my friend nancy lamott, an album she did. she died of uterine cancer at age 43. tomorrow will be 16 years ago. >> beautiful voice. >> "just in time for christmas," unbelievable. one of the greatest christmas albums. order that. it's the most amazing album. >> beautiful. let's hear a little bit more. ♪ just in time for christmas you showed me what christmas is about ♪ >> that's beautiful. wow. >> it's a great song. >> i have an uplifting favorite thing. this is called the uplifting

nighty. i'll tell you what makes it unique. first of all, it feels like butter. >> it's better than butter. it's so soft. it's like bambino. >> what makes it unique is, in the nighty there is a little bra thing. >> it doesn't feel like a bra. >> it feels light. sometimes you need a little something, but you don't want a full-on -- >> it's gotten to the point i need to start wearing these. i turn over and knock frank out, you know what i'm saying. poor baby. he sleeps so well. every time i turn over, whack. okay. >> it's great. they run, go to -- it's $95, but so worth it at

upliftingnighties.com. >> sara. >> this is my favorite thing by tint cosmetics. it's the vintage lip color. this is peaches and cream. you can get them in root beer, peppermint. >> then you lick your lips so much. >> i know, it's delicious. you can get it at tintcosmetics.com. they are about $14, but they bring back those memories. they are the best. >> coming up next, all the celebrity happenings in hollywood. >> we'll have the latest buzz because guess who is in the house? rob shuter. no problem. you want to find a place to park all these things? fuggedaboud it. this is new york. hey little guy, wake up! aw, come off it mate! geico. saving people money on more than just car insurance.

yeah, i toog nyguil bud i'm stild stubbed up. [ male announcer ] truth is, nyquil doesn't un-stuff your nose. really? [ male announcer ] alka-seltzer plus liquid gels fights your worst cold symptoms, plus it relieves your stuffy nose. [ deep breath ] thank you! that's the cold truth!

it was a very busy weekend in tinseltown with purse problems to poor lindsay lohan and the kardashians on the move. >> here with all the sizzling scoop is our good friend it's naughty but nice rob shuter. >> it's now the huffington post.com. we merged. >> yes, fancy. >> fancy, fancy. >> we see you a lot on the huffington post there.

let's talk about one of the kardashian girls may be packing it up and moving to dallas. >> this is going to happen. lamar has been moved to dallas. he didn't talk about the reality show transferring with them. cameras will move with them to dallas. watching them set up a new home, a new life and maybe a new family. >> how many more spin-offs are there going to be? i'm exhausted. there aren't that many kardashians. >> let's talk about lindsay lohan. her purse was stolen with $10,000 in it? >> lindsay went to hawaii to get away. her "playboy" spread was released a little early. she went out of town before the craziness starts. at a party she had her bag stolen. they got the bag back, but $10,000 was missing.

what she was freaking out about was her passport and i.d. is in this bag. she has a court appearance on wednesday. >> and her probation papers are in it. >> she couldn't fly without any i.d. >> would you explain why she has $10,000 in cash money in her purse? who has that kind of cash? >> who carries that? >> what are you doing with 10 grand? >> you're inviting disaster is what you're doing. >> we just talked about this. "men's health" decided they will pick the sexiest women. >> so they decided the sexiest woman of all time is jennifer aniston. they picked jennifer. they interviewed her and asked her who she thought the sexiest woman was. she said gloria steinen. they asked what she found sexy in a man. she might have had a dig at brad pitt. she said of course she likes the abs, doesn't every lady? but she likes an appropriately sized ego.

>> appropriate ego. what is she really saying rob? >> i think she's saying brad might have a big ego. >> even though she is unattainable to most men, she seems like maybe she could get a date. >> she is like the girl next door. >> do you agree with most on the list? >> i think it's fascinating. raquel welch, marilyn. >> she is 71 years old. >> i'm not sure about madonna. >> let's talk about charlie sheen. he tweeted and he was trying to direct message justin bieber his phone number and accidentally sent it out. >> direct message is a private conversation. >> i understand that. >> why did he do it by mistake tweeting it to all his followers?

they started tweeting it and calling him. i did call, too. hi, it's charlie, leave a message. now he's got a new phone and new number. the big question is, what does charlie want to talk to justin bieber about? run for the hills. run, run, run, justin. >> he's a chick magnet. he knows how to have a stable relationship. he is in a very stable relationship. >> jessica simpson is in the news. >> hasn't been confirmed, but she has a $3 million deal with weight watchers. after she has the baby, she might be the next spokesperson for weight watchers. i think she is lovely, and i think they couldn't have picked anybody better. >> she wants to get into her wedding gown. >> they haven't sold the baby pictures or the wedding pictures.

they could make a lot of money over the next several months. >> i'm glad nobody was doing that when i had my kids. >> would you have taken it? >> i'd like to think i wouldn't have, but i probably would have and given it to charity. i do that a lot. if they are going to take it and fight over it, make a deal and give it to a good cause. >> someone is going to get it so they might as well sell it themselves. >> rob shuter, thank you. up next, time for our fan of the week. man: my electric bill was breaking the bank.

so to save some money, i trained this team of guinea pigs to row this tiny boat. guinea pig: row...row. they generate electricity, which lets me surf the web all day. guinea pig: row...row. took me 6 months to train each one, 8 months to get the guinea pig: row...row. little chubby one to yell row! guinea pig: row...row. that's kind of strange. guinea pig: row...row. such a simple word... row. anncr: there's an easier way to save. get online. go to geico.com. get a quote. 15 minutes could save you 15% or more on car insurance.

we are back on this fun day monday with our fan of the week. >> who is the lucky fan and what did they win? >> our winner is this week cullen muzik. >> stop it, a guy! >> he watches us on channel 15. he is such a big fan he caters his lunch hour when the show is on to make sure he doesn't miss a minute. he teaches an exercise class every monday called monday pump day in honor of the daily fourth hour themes. they work out to the latest hits

from ihoda. he gets inspiration from the joy fit club. he counts on kathie lee and hoda for a daily pick-me-up. congratulations for being such a loyal fan. we are sending you and a friend to hawaii. >> oh, my gosh! >> wow! >> four-night stay provided by the hilton on the big island for two people as well as round trip airfare for two. the trip will include a round of golf for two, and an on-property dolphin quest experience. >> all right, cullen. thanks so everyone for all your support. >> go on our website, maybe we'll pick you next week. >> maybe not. jill martin with a round of holiday gifts for under $25. >> the latest inductee to the joy fit club.

and terri fator stops by.

we are back with look at me now, the joy fit club and the induction of its newest member. she is a 30-year-old fitness blogger from washington, d.c., who lost a whopping 150 pounds. >> her name is caroline. before we meet her, let's look at her story. >> hi, my name is caroline. i'm 30 years old. by the time i was in the eighth grade i weighed 300 pounds. as a teenager, i used my allowance money to buy and eat an entire medium pizza and package of cookies alone in the basement. it felt so good devouring it, but i always felt bad about myself afterward. being overweight it caused me to miss out on simple things in

life. i didn't go to my prom. i hadn't worn a bathing suit since i was 9 years old and i couldn't fit into amusement park rides. at 21 years old in college, a dermatologist told me the dark blotches on my skin were an indication i was prediabetic. i finally had my ah-ha moment. i began altering my relationship to food and eating and exercise became an appetite depressant. the more i walked every day the less i thought about food. i adhered to no specific diet. i limited my intake of white foods. sticking to my regimen of walking every day and eating healthy resulted in my losing 100 pounds within a year. a total loss of 150 pounds. i finally accepted that there are no short cuts or secrets to weight loss. exercise has taken my passion for food from a dirty love affair to a committed relationship of self-control. >> what a way to say it.

before we ask her to come out, we'll talk to joy bauer who will tell us more about her eating habits. >> this is another beauty. she is radiant. what i love most, after she accomplished this huge feat, she now believes the impossible is possible. she challenges herself at work, in her personal life. she is a go-getter. she did this nine years ago. >> and you said she is a fitness blogger. i'm sure that has come as a result? >> yes. this is about nine years ago. it was the beginning of the summer. she made one change. she decided to walk. she gave up the bus and she would walk 2 1/2 miles to work then 2 1/2 miles home five days a week. at the end of the summer, just two months, she covered 190 miles. that's about the equivalent, i love to do these calculations of walking from washington, d.c. to pittsburgh, pennsylvania. >> and lost how much weight that first summer? >> in the couple of months she was already down well over 20 pounds.

she burned 34,000 calories in those two months. i have to show what you that translates to. 230 frosted holiday cookies, she walked this off. >> that is unbelievable. it puts it in perspective. >> i can't wait to meet caroline. let's look at her before picture. caroline, come join the joy fit club. >> oh, my god! >> oh, yeah! >> take a step back. >> she's still walking. >> i get the chills. >> you look great, honey. congratulations. >> she's stunning. >> first of all, you are a jaw-dropper. absolutely gorgeous. i love that you started off with walking. it's not easy when you're that overweight to take the first ten steps, is it? >> right. it's step by step. i started out with 15 minutes, 20 minutes and moved up to about an hour walking almost every day. >> would you catch the bus later each time? >> later or my step sister would pick me up and give me a ride.

>> i love how you said it went from a dirty love affair to a committed relationship with food. how do you view food now? >> i view food as something, i don't view it as an addiction. i have an appreciation for quality, locally grown food and healthy food. >> she is an amazing chef, too. >> did your friends freak out? >> you've been so heavy so long of your life. you never remembered a thinner time, right? >> right. when my friends from high school see me, they don't recognize me. >> by the way, your mom is so sweet. i see her sitting back there. she must have been a big encouragement. >> she was. >> i can tell. she is sunshine from back there. >> we'll make sure all these cookies go to a deserving group of young people so you don't have to be tempted by them. >> caroline, thank you for coming by.

congrats. [ male announcer ] everyone deserves the gift of a pain free holiday. ♪ this season, discover aleve. all day pain relief with just two pills. with $2 subs -- get the regular 6" cold cut combo or meatball marinara. just $2 each! just 2 bucks! are you kidding me? there's no competition. male announcer ] prices and participation may vary. subway. eat fresh.

we are counting down to the holidays with gifts under $25. >> from jewels to hostess and baby gifts. "us weekly" contributor jill martin has presents that won't break your holiday budget. >> she always does it right. >> it's amazing that under $25 you can get a fabulous bottle of wine. lucky for us. cheers. >> where do we get that, love? >> this is so interesting. clos du bois teamed up with banana republic. you see a beautiful sketch of holiday dresses, only available november 1st through the new year. on the back there is a code. that will link you to a party soundtrack. that's all in the bottle of wine. is that fabulous? >> you can have a party. $16.99. i even saved whatever. you do the math. now this one. dreaming tree wines. dave matthews did a

collaboration with dreaming tree named after one of his soundtracks, which i'm sure you know. they have this wine out. limited edition for the holiday. $14.99. >> what about the cork thingy? >> those are pottery barn. if you want an extra gift to give in addition to the soundtrack we have these beautiful wine stoppers. >> really lovely. >> i tried to find designer items. not easy. look at mckenzie child. >> the bag is sensational. >> they have all these different things for your office, then these planters. this is a great gift to give in a beautiful way. this i love. ornaments by mac cosmetics. it's for nail polishes. >> that's very, very cute. >> $25. i want to make sure i'm going in order here. our office is obsessed, look at

my wrist here, with these hair bands that don't leave a dent in your hair. this is a new company. they have blinged out all these different hair bands. they say bff, they say fun on them and they don't leave a dent in your hair. and there are ornaments for $12. new things for kids. feel this. $20, socialgoodies.com. isn't this great? >> that looks like a hanna present. >> it does. >> this is too little for hanna, but look at this. it's a rattle. givesimple.com. >> where's the box? i want you to see they have a little baby going like this on the box. this is one for hoda. let me do something first. this is a new line shen-beauty.com. it's instant fixes. this is dry conditioner. this little breakout balm you

have a blemish for the holidays, you put a little bit on. >> can we get to my present? >> okay. look at the speaker here. it's a little speaker. isn't that great? look how cute it is. >> that's what i'm giving hoda for christmas. >> buy it and wrap it. >> i'll wrap one. >> no, she has to buy it herself. >> another hit in the office. jillywilly.com. this was a huge hit last year. sold out on our show. $25. look, one for winter. this is great just to schlep on a beach. roberta ciarelli for the gift of sparkle. $9 to $25. this is so pretty. >> they are adorable. >> comes in a gorgeous bag and these rubber watches which are

great to run. >> what is this monster? >> i ran into this in cvs. it's their 100th anniversary. they made this $24.99. look at what is going on here. it's one layer. >> but still. >> i already know which one the caramels are. i don't need to look. >> so pick yours. which is your favorite? >> that is a caramel, that's a caramel. thanks, jill. up next, ventriloquist terri fator. good morning. i'm meteorologist chris warren with your weather forecast for the day. the places in purple, there's where we could have some problems, ice. even though some temperatures will be above the freezing mark or really close to it, you have cold air trapped in some of

these valleys. the rainfall hits objects like the street that may be below freezing. it can freeze on contact. that is freezing rein, makes things very dangerous to drive, interstate 70, interstate 80, be careful. we have this area of low pressure that will bring more rain and snow to the southwest. cold air not coming down too far. look at all of the areas where we're going to see readings above the freezing mark, upper 30s in minneapolis and very small temperatures in the south. by mid week we'll have the rain and wind in chicago, mild air coming out ahead of this sm and on the periphery to the north we could have some icy conditions. wednesday's temperatures upper 60s and 70s still throughout the south. cool air but not extremely cold. more on just the cool side here

in the west. we'll see rain move into the north east with upper new england into maine will have some icy conditions or at least a rain/snow mix will be possible. looking into the weekend, still a chance for rain here, not a super soaker by any means. cool air to the north. not frigid but cold. monday that's going to feel mild. remember "wake up with al" weekdays at 6 a.m. on the weather channel. they want a big hat... ...'scuse me... ...or a big steak... ...or big hair... i think we have our answer.

geico. fifteen minutes could save you fifteen percent or more on car insurance. but my nose is still runny. [ male announcer ] truth is, dayquil doesn't treat that. really? [ male announcer ] alka-seltzer plus fights your worst cold symptoms, plus it relieves your runny nose. [ deep breath] awesome. [ male announcer ] yes, it is. that's the cold truth!

he sings, he makes jokes, all without moving his lips. terri fator's talent made him the title of the winner of "america's got talent" in 2007. >> he has a new holiday show called terri fator. he presents a very terri christmas.

he's here this morning with his puppet friends vicki the cougar and slut, i call her. and bing crosby. hello and happy holidays. >> merry christmas. >> listen, vicki has been so excited about this. she flew in special for this. how was your flight? >> it was terrible. remind me never to play words with friends with alec baldwin again. >> he's your type, isn't he? >> he certainly is. we play words with friends with benefits. >> have you had work done? i know it's an inappropriate question, but have you? >> honey, if i get one more face lift, neither of us are going to move our mouths when i talk. >> the outfit is rather age-inappropriate. >> she is going on tour with the uso for the holidays. she's very excited about that. >> i get to be the eye candy for the troops. i'm going to serve under some generals. >> oh.

>> inspect some privates. >> okay. >> you're a sickie. you're sick. >> we better bring on bing crosby, please. >> has your life changed completely after winning "america's got talent?" >> completely. >> she's exciting. >> we are having a ball. the best part about it is i don't have to travel. for years and years and years, 20 something years i traveled and had to perform at little small tiny fairs. now we are at the mirage. >> where all the volcanos are. >> all right. okay. >> we'll bring on bing. >> look who is bringing on bing, your beautiful wife mrs. terri fator. >> hi. >> how long have you been married. >> just over a year. >> how is life with him? >> it's great. no puppets at home. >> you do a little number with bing. >> i'd like to do a little song, the most popular song that i'm well known for. >> okay.

take it away. bing crosby. ♪ i'm dreaming of a white christmas ♪ ♪ with every christmas card i write ♪ ♪ may your days be merry ♪ and bright ♪ and may all your christmases be white ♪ >> wow. >> thank you, bing. >> thank you, ladies. >> bing is a big hit. >> bing is a big hit. one of the reasons i d this "a very terri christmas" at the mirage, i wanted to bring back those bing crosby, perry como christmas specials. we basically recreated that

entire format on stage. i knew bing crosby had to be a part of it. >> you keep vicki in the trunk. we'll be back with more of "today" on nbc.

we are so thankful in these tough times so many individuals and companies have stepped up and come forward to help us get toys and gifts to needy kids in our toy drive. so far more than $25 million

worth of holiday cheer has been sent to nearly 200 family charities. >> some are dedicated to helping homeless families cope with everyday life. bob and laura monaghan, founders of up with baby strollers are here. >> you have three children of your own. >> yes. >> tell us what you're doing for us. >> we are happy to partner with the "today" show toy drive and donating $200,000 worth of strollers to families in need. >> that's awesome, you guys. >> what makes your stroller unique. what makes it work so well? >> well, it's a very light weight stroller. it can do a million things. you can sit in it, recline it easily, reverse the seat. it also comes with a portable bassinet. when they are very young you can pop them in the bassinet. for these families in need, it's a place for the child to sleep. they can move them around the

house and be comfortable. >> if they have a house. >> how have you had time to start the business with your family. when did you find the time to get it all together? >> kids go to the office. they run around. >> they run around the office, they are test subjects. lauren and i ham and egg it. she does the sales and marketing and i do the nuts and bolts and we work well together and get along together. >> you designed it. >> we did. >> we developed it for the american consumer. it has all the high-end features of a lot of strollers, but it's very simple. you don't need instructions to use it. >> they've come a long way since the days my kids were using them. thank you all so much. we wish your family a very happy holiday. >> thank you for having us. >> if you want to donate, you can go to our website. we'll tell you how to donate. >> you can come down here to the plaza any time. we have a big box here. you can put a beautifully wrapped brand-new gift here. coming up tomorrow for booze day tuesday, the cast of the new movie which you loved, "we bought a zoo."

and performers by the winners of "the sing off." and performers by the winners of "the sing off." take care. -- captions by vitac -- www.vitac.com >> announcer: it's "the tonight the music of allison krauss and captions paid for by captions by vitac