good morning. meeting the press. president obama holds his first post-election news conference today. how will he address the growing scandal involving two top generals, and does he think he should have been told about it sooner? it was a lie. the man who accused elmo puppeteer kevin clash of having an inappropriate relationship with him when he was underage now recants his story and why did he make up such a claim. and it's the sure sign the holiday season is upon us, the arrival of the rockefeller plaza christmas tree, wednesday,

november 14, 2012. from nbc news, this is "today" with matt lauer and savannah guthrie live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. and good morning. welcome to "today" on this wednesday morning. i'm savannah guthrie. >> hard to believe we're ready for the christmas tree, with you it's here. >> exactly. >> lose one direction but we gain the christmas tree. that's a good thing. >> get us in a mood that we were so depressed now that we don't have screaming teenagers on our plaza. >> we will have more of them. i'm willie geist in for matt? president obama bracing for some tough questions at the press conference this afternoon but the scandal involving top national security officials to a new level. >> defense secretary panetta and hillary clinton both spoke. secretary panetta said no one

should leap to conclusions about general allen's e-mails to jill kelley who started this all. why did she claim to have diplomatic privileges when the state department says she has no affiliation with them? more on that straight ahead. >> and the rockefeller christmas tree is on the way. another symbol of the holidays, black friday, but this year the dash for deals will start on thanksgiving. a lot of people not happy about that signing a petition to stop it. coming up we'll hear from the woman behind that movement and today's professionals will weigh in. >> and hollywood filled with good-looking men, but who is the sexiest man alive? this morning we'll reveal "people" magazine's pick, and willie, good luck to you. we begin this morning with the new fallout in the wide nick scandal tied to former cia director david petraeus' admitted affair. nbc's andrea mitchell is keeping track of it all. good morning to you. >> reporter: good morning, savannah. marine general john allen, david

petraeus' successor and nominated to be head of military now on hold. tampa socialite jill kelley and petraeus biographer paula broadwell with whom petraeus had a relationship. >> thank you for all that you have done for me and for our precious daughters. >> reporter: marine general john allen is married with a sterling record, but on a flight to australia monday aides to defense secretary leon panetta disclosed a dramatic turn in the case involving allen's predecessor in afghanistan, david petraeus. fbi investigators you be covered what the pentagon called potentially inappropriate communications between general allen and jill kelley whom he and his wife had gotten to know in tampa. they were reviewing between 20,000 and 30,000 pages of documents, including e-mails over two years.

the fbi said some were flirtatious, but the general strongly denies any misconduct, and the fbi found no wrongdoing. still, jay johnson, the pentagon's general counsel, saw a number. e-mails before advising secretary panetta to remember the matter to the department's inspector general for further investigation. >> no one should leap to any conclusions here. general allen is doing an excellent job at isaf in leading those forces. he certainly has my continued confidence to lead our forces and to continue the fight. >> reporter: officials say the fbi discovered the communications while investigating kelley's e-mails after she complained about anonymous threats that turned out to be from paula broadwell. the president was first told on friday, the day he accepted petraeus' resignation, that there could be a problem with allen's nomination to nato. >> the president has put on hold general allen's nomination as supreme allied commander of europe pending the investigation of general allen's conduct by

the department of defense, ig. >> jill kelley had a brief turn in the reality tv spotlight ten years ago performing in a cooking competition with her twin sister on the food network. >> we want to go up against guys because it's nice exploit their weakness which is their ego. >> reporter: she enjoyed socializing with the powerful in tampa and doing volunteer work for military family and she gave people the impression she had a state department status which she did not. last week she invoked diplomatic-type privileges during calls to police. >> i am an hon are consul general, so i have inviolability so i should -- >> on tuesday the state department knocked down kelley's claim. >> i can assure you that she does not work for the state department and has no affiliation with the state department.

>> reporter: today the "wall street journal" reports that after asking the fbi to investigate jill kelley soon realized it might expose personal information and tried to get the information to drop the matter. and "the journal" reports general allen also received anonymous e-mails later traced to paula broadwell warning him to stay away from jill kellly. savannah? >> andrea mitchell in washington, thank you. chuck todd is nbc's white house correspondent and political director, good morning to you. >> reporter: good morning. the president holds his first post-election news conference today. suffice it to say when this was planned military sex scandals is not what he wanted to address today. a couple of questions. how damaging potentially is this to the president politically and more importantly to his real world national security objectives to have two generals ensnared in this. >> reporter: politically the white house doesn't seem to be that concerned and there's one big reason for it. this isn't one of, quote, unquote, their people, and here's what i mean by this. david petraeus is somebody that has served multiple administrations, has actually,

if you will, probably a bigger political fan base on the republican sued of the aisle. i think that this white house would feel more politically vulnerable if that were somebody that was more closelyssociated with the president over years and years, so on the politics front, while a distraction, while not how he wants to spend half of his press conference today answering his questions about this, they don't see the political damage yet, but, of course, you know, this investigation every morning there seems to be something new. the second thing, and the second part of your question is i think that they view the whole national security team, they think that they do need to -- they are worried about having all of these vacancies at one time, and i think they see the need to do some of this earlier and i would be willing to believe that the new secretary of state, that that decision gets made sooner rather that be later because suddenly they don't want this idea that they have a slew of new national security people, openings right in the middle as you're trying to do the drawdown in

afghanistan. >> many members of congress are irked at the fbi that they were not notified earlier. >> reporter: yeah. >> the president himself did not find out about this until after election day. do you expect the president to take on the issue in the news conference and say he wishes he were notified earlier? >> i do, savannah. yesterday i had a back and forth with jay carney around a couple other reporters did specifically asking him is the president satisfied with how the information got to him, did the fbi give -- and all jay kept saying is well, fbi was following protocol. jay, that's not the question. is the president satisfied with how he was informed, how quickly he was informed of this situation involving his cia director, and he wouldn't answer that question so i would suspect that that is code for, number one, the president is not satisfied and number, two, that's the question. a lot of this i expect the president to try to duck and not get too involved in the weeds. that specific question i wouldn't be surprise federal he expresses some outrage for himself and on behalf of congress. >> we'll find out a little bit later today. chuck todd at the white house,

thank you. and we should mention nbc news will have live coverage of president obama's news conference at 1:30 eastern time. coming up this morning, more on jill kelley and her life as a florida socialite. now let's get a check of the other top stories this morning from natalie over at the news desk. hey, natalie. >> good morning, willie and savannah. good morning, everyone. yet more trouble for the military this morning as a four-star u.s. general has been demoted for inappropriate behavior on the job. job william kip ward, former head of the u.s. africa command, has been stripped of a star for allegedly spending tens of thousands of dollars on lavish travel and unauthorized expenses. ward will have to repay the government $82,000. another major recall this morning from toyota as the auto giant pulls some 2.7 million cars worldwide. the recall involves faulty steering and a water pump problem on some prius models but no reported accidents have been linked to these issues. just last month toyota had to recall some 7.4 million cars due

to a fire risk in the power windows. let's head to wall street struggling over the last few years. cnbc's courtney reagan over at the stock exchange. >> reporter: an impending tax cut expiration and spending cuts are top of mind for wall street. ceos of a dozen cops will meet with president obama today to discuss the looming fiscal cliff. among those attending the meeting, the ceo of aetna, american express, ge, ford, pepsi and walmart, urging washington to work together to come to a resolution. meantime, millions of facebook shares could hit the market today as a lockup on some 800 million shares expires. natalie. >> courtney reagan at the new york stock exchange. thank you. a fiery plane crash in a jackson, mississippi neighborhood left no survivors killing all three people on board. the single-engine piper had just taken off from a local airport when it struck a home. amazingly a resident in that house escaped with only minor injuries. u.s. soccer gold medalist

hope solo and her fiance spent what would have been a wedding day in a seattle courtroom tuesday. the former seattle seahawks star jeremy stevens had been arrested monday for a domestic violence case against solo. police reports indicates that solo suffered a bloody laceration on her elbow. stevens was released and not charged. the man accusing elmo puppeteer kevin clash of engaging him in an underage sexual relationship has now dropped his allegations and says the relationship was adult and consensual. clash had denied that the relationship began when the accuser was underage from the start, but it took a leave of absence from sesame workshop to fight the allegations. more on this in the next half hour. madonna knows how to keep the city rocking. look who she got to join her at madison square garden last night. ♪ "gangnam style" >> yeah, the material girl had

no problem with "gangnam style," picking up that horsey dance from her favorite korean pop star psy. he's just everywhere. back over to savannah, willie and al. >> i've got to say i've missed that song. haven't played it in what, 20 minutes? >> i know. >> we can break out the horsey dance any time you want. >> i'm always ready, miss natalie. >> wouldn't it have been great if we got one direction to do "gangnam style." >> why didn't we think of that. >> thanks, natalie. >> now a check of the weather. >> chilly conditions for friends down south. we're talking from georgia on into deep into the heart of texas where we've got freeze warnings and freezing fog. frost warnings as well. san angelo 29, 41 in birmingham and 37 degrees -- >> was he juggling? >> an ice cube. >> wasn't clear what was going on with that. >> showers in the pacific northwest and rain down through the southeast.

beautiful day here in the northeast. temperatures a little cooler than usual, and we've got some snow in southern alaska. that's what's going on >> the good morning. it is a chilly start on this wednesday. we expect a lot of sunshine. and that's your latest weather. willie? is what gangnam style. the thermometer was doing gangnam style. >> yeah, that's it. >> that's the horse dance. i'd know it anywhere. >> need some help with the feet but the hands are working he will. >> he's a thermometer. what are you going to do? >> all right, thanks very much.

congressional hearings begin today into the deadly meningitis outbreak linked to steroid injections. the co-owner of the pharmacy that made the drugs as well as state and federal regulators will be asked to explain what went wrong and why critics say so many red flags were missed. nbc senior investigative correspondent lisa miers has more on this. >> reporter: good morning. the co-owner of the pharmacy said he'll take the fifth and refuse to answer questions because of ongoing criminal investigations. that will leave federal and state regulators on the hot seat to explain why they allowed a business with a checkered history to keep making drugs with deadly consequences. >> i hope to carry on poppa's love and passion for the loss. >> reporter: this 78 was a circuit judge who got spinal injections to relieve back pain. >> i love you more than life. >> reporter: he had been buried with this touch tribute from his family. >> if i could speak to you again

i'd tell you how much i love you. >> reporter: before his wife joyce finally learned that he was among the first victims of the meningitis outbreak. >> you think you're in a safe place, and then they inject something into your body that kills you? and, i mean, this is america. we expect more. >> reporter: so far 32 are dead and 438 sickened by tainted steroids which federal authorities say came from the new england compounding center. >> in terms of new infections occurring, i do think the worst is over. >> reporter: a recent inspection of the necc facility found serious safety violations, mold and bacteria in clean rooms, unsanitary conditions an improper sterilization procedure. a staff report by the house committee investigating the crisis says necc has a long history of very similar, if not identical, underlying misconduct. going back a decade. in 2002 an fda inspection turned

up sterility problems, and later that year two patients came down with bacterial meningitis after receiving the same steroid linked to the current crisis. the fda suggested the pharmacy be shut down and prohibited from manufacturing until procedures improved. but state regulators later found the pharmacy in compliance. >> at the month compounding center was shut down and prevented from manufacturing all these chemicals, we could have stopped this tragedy. >> massachusetts regulators also investigated at least 12 complaints about necc or its owner and issued four letters or informal reprimands. >> someone dropped the ball. someone along the way was careless, was greedy, was negligent, and that cost my husband his life. >> reporter: now the state revoked necc's license last month. the fda says its authority over these kind of pharmacies is

limited, and it's committed to strengthening the system. necc had no comment about today's hearing but has said it's cooperating with all investigations. willie? >> all right. lisa myers, thanks very much. savannah. >> the friday after thanksgiving has long marked the traditional kickoff of the holiday season but a number of retailers are getting a jump on it by moving it to thanksgiving day, a decision not sitting well with some people. nbc's diana awfvilar has more. >> reporter: it all started with one target worker who felt the change in hours was unfair, so she wanted to stand up to her fellow employees and start an online petition that's getting a lot of attention. >> will you join me and ask target to give thanksgiving back to the families and not open thanksgiving evening. >> reporter: this sales associate has a simple demand. >> target can take the high road and save thanksgiving for

employees like me and our families by saying no to thanksgiving creep. >> reporter: she was talking about the news that this year target, walmart, toys r us and other big retailers would kick off black friday on thursday evening. with two jobs to make ends meet case he planned to spend thanksgiving, her one day off, with her family. instead, she was scheduled to work, so casey took action writing a petition to target's ceo. >> i have no problem with the black friday. i just want it to stay on friday. >> reporter: to her surprise her petition went viral, gathering nearly 200,000 signatures in just a few days and generating similar petitions by staff at other stores. >> i think that shows that it's an issue that resonates with people across the country, and it's not just one employee's problem with target. >> reporter: one supporter said let employees have their holidays, too. another wrote i've never heard anyone say i sure wish stores

opened earlier for black friday. however, retailers say that's exactly what they heard from their customers. >> our customers said we want to come in early and go to bed early to shop early. it's eating the thanksgiving dinner, do the dishes and get some exercise at walmart. >> reporter: walmart and target offer their workers holiday pay, an attractive incentive. target telling nbc news we've heard from many stores that they had more team members volunteer to work than they had available shifts, and that team member preferences were considered in creating our store staffing schedules. with 10% of holiday sales at stake during the thanksgiving weekend alone in what's been a tough economic year, opening early is one way for retailers to get consumers in the door. >> they are not there cashiering, not trying to push back a crowd of people that want a tv, you know. they are at home just waiting for the money to roll in. >> reporter: she hopes her petition gets more than just

attention. she wants retail workers to get the gift of thanksgiving with their families. she's definitely gotten the attention of target management. yesterday, casey got a call letting her know she wouldn't face any consequences regarding her petition and also offering her thanksgiving day off. she declined and chose to work saying it would be unfair to her fellow employees who didn't get the same option. savannah. >> diana, thank you. by the way, we wanted to know what you thought about this. in a poll on today.com we asked and 60% of you agree with the petition. you would like black friday to start on friday, but that's not overwhelming. some people want to shop on thanksgiving, i guess. >> not me. >> or if they don't want black friday to exist either. >> more power to you if you want to get out. back to the petraeus situation for just a minute. obviously a lot of serious questions, but whenever you have a whiff of sex with powerful people, it gives late night comedians a lot of fodder. here's what they have been

saying this week. >> paula broadwell, paula broadwell, why does that name seem so familiar to me? please welcome to the program, paula broadwell. in case anyone out there thought i may have journalist instincts i'll give you a quick snippet of my energy. >> he loves serving and be in the arena. i thought i'd test him and he tested me, crushed his pelvis and it was back in the swimming pool and came at it from a mentoring point of view. he can turn water into bottled water. >> the whole thing was like innuendo after innuendo and the whole time i'm like duh. i'm the worst journalist in the world! for god sakes. the title of her book was "all in." >> you know how he found out that his wife new, when he got home and saw all the classified documents in the driveway on fire.

honey. but let me -- >> interesting fact. david petraeus was reportedly not well liked at the cia where he worked. yeah. tip for you fellows out there. don't cheat on your wife if you work with professional spies who don't like you. >> people are disappointed. four-star general, highly decorated, brilliant strategist, director of the cia, yet he's behaving like your common congressman. people are stunned. >> my solemn duty as a talk show host to inform you that justin bieber and selena gomez have broken up. she was cheating on him with general petraeus. >> finally today, a rare 76 carat diamond went up for auction in switzerland while the jeweller called it a priceless stone and general petraeus' wife called it a start. >> to think i was concerned they wouldn't have anything to talk

about. >> all set now. coming up, more on the woman at heart of the scandal, florida socialite jill kelley and new questions about her past, but first this is "today" on nbc.

♪ ♪ no two people have the same financial goals. pnc works with you to understand yours and help plan for your retirement. visit a branch or call now for your personal retirement review.

coming up, a consumer alert on some popular breakfast food loaded with berries. whathat fruit is really made of. >> and we'll find out who is this year's sexiest man alive after your local news and weather. into their work,ple put everythg their name on the door, and their heart into their community. small business saturday is a day to show our support. a day to shop at stores owned by our friends and neighbors. and do our part for the businesses that do so much for us. on november 24th, let's get out and shop small.

>> this is wbal-tv 11 news in baltimore. >> we are learning of a shooting at a wal-mart in laurel. anne arundel county police have blocked off the entrances, and officers have been searching the. we are still waiting to hear how many people were shot and the condition of the victim. sarah caldwell and traffic pulse 11.

>> eastbound 50, if you are traveling near cape st. claire, prior to exit, watch for delays. ritchie highway, watch for an accident. delays wrapping the area are falling into place. j.f.x. southbound into 28 street, and kenwood avenue, watch for an accident. guilford avenue, madison it monument, water main break repairs. no significant delays just prior to the bill wyeth, but on marriottsville to its 29, you will find delays. in the area of st. margaret's -- actually, they have changed it to the harrisburg expressway because we have delays there as well. that is the latest on traffic

pulse 11. over to you, tony. >> nothing going on weather- wise. it is cold, though. 27 in frederick, 35 in parkton. it will still be chilly, but not much of a breeze. high-temperature about 49 this afternoon. seven-day forecast going into the weekend, the clouds will thicken up a little bit. high temperatures in the 50's.

from matt damon to bradley cooper, the last five years of the sexiest man alive right there, so the question this morning, who will be "people's" pick this time around? we will reveal it to the world in just a bit. i'm savannah guthrie alongside willie geist in for matt. >> going to make a joke. >> it's just that you appear in this issue, do you not? >> we'll find out later. >> okay. >> i'm not the only one. also ahead, a family's medical mystery solved in part by this program. it began with a writer opening up about the rare disease that had descended her into madness.

her symptoms seemed to match those of a teenager whose sister was watching, and it eventually helped save that girl's life. we'll meet them all in a little bit. >> look forward to that. of course, there's some of your favorite food and have labels showing lots of healthy fruit, but wait until we show you what is really inside on this morning's rossen reports. >> today's professionals getting a little help from padmi lakshmi and we'll discuss the dramatic weight loss of matt mcconaughey and others. are they going too far in their roles? >> florida socialite jill kel y kelley. kerry sanders, good morning. >> reporter: this case has had a strange twist. officials say the fbi agent first contacted about these harassing e-mails sent a picture of themselves without a shirt on

to the woman complaining about the e-mails, that was jill kelley and now the kelley's charity sunday the microscope. jill kelley, the woman whose complaint inadvertently led the fbi to david petraeus' extramarital affair is not talking but not hiding. the appearance of jill kelley and her twin sister natalie in a food network tv show nearly a decade ago is an example, say friends, of an effort to put themselves in the spotlight. >> olive oil, peppers and artichokes, normal staple food at some. >> reporter: some even call them the kardashians of tampa bay. >> taste that. >> what does it need? >> fix it. >> reporter: jill and her husband, an oncologist, were very close to petraeus. the general even posed in a family photo album with their children. the investigation has now revealed e-mails from jill kelley to another general, john allen, e-mails her brother says were neither inappropriate nor

sexual. >> there's reports indicating that she's maybe more than a friend to general allen. >> oh, absolutely not. absolutely not. and, you know, you need to talk to her or you need to talk to her -- her liaison, but i think at this juncture the reason why my sister is not talking to anybody is because, you know, she's allowing the system to do its thing >> reporter: kelleys live in this tampa mansion which they bought for $1.5 million, but now their finances round the microscope. dr. kelley, jill and her sister natalie were all directors of a cancer charity established to conduct research. but in a 2007 tax filing the charity showed the money raised was spent mostly on meals, entertainment and other categories. the former mayor of tampa says jill kelley would routinely invite her to parties. >> she is a social person. she is a person who likes to

entertain. she's very generous with her entertaining. so she really enjoys having a party and having a lot of people invited to her home. >> friends say jill and her sister enlisted the military brass for personal help. natalie was in a bitter child custody battle with her ex-husband. both general petraeus and general allen wrote to the court less than two months ago. general allen saying in part she is a dedicated mother, whose only focus is to provide the necessary support, love and care for her son. the judge awarded full custody to natalie's ex-husband and in the process called jill, quote, patently biased and an unbelievable witness. we tried to contact dr. kelley, his wife jill and her sister natalie. none was available for comment. savannah? >> kerry sanders in tampa this morning, thank you. now let's get a quick check of the weather. for that we turn to al.

>> so, you know, yesterday we had one direction here, and we told people do not come because they are going to record some songs, and we'll play them back. these young ladies didn't hear that. where are you guys from? >> new jersey. >> and philadelphia. >> so you're cutting school today. >> yeah. >> and where's -- your folks? >> over here. >> so you're going to take them back to school? >> no. >> wow, mom of the year! all right. i wish you had been my mom. all right. let's show you what we've got. it's chilly here in the northeast. look at the temperatures. we are talking about temperatures that are dropping anywhere from 10 to 15 degrees below normal. 49 atlanta. norfolk 12 below. new york city only in the mid to lower 40s, but out west it's going to be anywhere from 5 to 10 degrees above norm a. minneapolis nice and warm.

look at those temperatures down in southern florida. they will be in the 80s. 80s also in the southwest.e >> good morning. it will be chilly day with plenty of sunshine. temperatures will be below average. >> and that's your latest weather. willie. >> all right, al. thank you very much. elmo puppeteer kevin clash has now been cleared of sexual misconduct allegations after his accuser admitted he was lying when he claimed the two had an affair while he was underage. nbc's mara schiavocampo is here with the very latest. mara, good morning. >> reporter: good morning, willie. kevin clash isn't just the voice of elmo, he's described as the soul of "sesame street's" most

popular character. this week he took an indefinite leave of absence from the show to battle what he called false and defamatory allegations and now he's been vindicated. he's the man behind one of "sesame street's" most cheerful characters. puppeteer kevin clash was anything but happy about allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor. monday "sesame street" released a statement saying they had been contacted in june by a then 23-year-old man who alleged that he had a relationship beginning when he was 16 years old with kevin clash. "sesame street" said they found no evidence to support the claims. clash, a 52-year-old divorced father who is now openly gay, said the relationship began after the man turned 18. tuesday that accuser recanted. in a statement attorneys for the man said his sexual relationship with mr. clash was an adult

consensual relationship. legal analyst lisa bloom. >> this allegation had all the ear marks of a false claim. the accuser did not go to the police. instead, he went to a civil attorney and raised a claim with "sesame street," clash's employer, which sounds like a ploy for money, without any substantiation. >> do it again, here we go. >> reporter: for clash, featured in the 2011 documentary "being elmo," working on "sesame street" was a dream come true. >> everybody is here, yay! >> reporter: for more than 30 years clash has been more than elmo's voice, giving the little red monster his personality, catapulting elmo past big bird as the most popular muppet. >> elmo sure loves riding his tricycle. >> reporter: can you do a scratch of the head. >> reporter: he produces and directs for "sesame street" and has won 24 emmy awards for his work on the iconic children's show. >> to have all of this come out, even though it's not reportedly

true, you can't take it back so it's sad. >> reporter: tuesday clash said he is relieved that this painful allegation has been put to rest. in "being elmo" he talked about facing adversity, words he'll almost be reflecting on. >> there will always be some type of obstacle in the way. all of those things will go away if you really focus on what makes you happy. >> reporter: in their investigation "sesame street" did say clash had violated the company's internet policy and was disciplined for that. no word on when he'll be back at work and reunited with elmo. willie. >> as you say, that show would not be the same without him. thanks, mara. up next, is the fruit in your favorite breakfast foods really fruit? rossen reports after this. i'm out shipping these. smooth move. you used priority mail flat rate boxes. if it fits, it ships for a low, flat rate. paid for postage online and arranged a free pickup. and i'm gonna track them online, too. nice.

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but i would do it again in a heartbeat. [ laughs ] ♪ ♪ with no added sugar, just one glass equals two servings of fruit. very fruit-tritious. or, try ocean spray light 50, with just 50 calories, a full serving of fruit and no added sugar. with tasty flavors like cranberry-pomegranate and cranberry- concord grape, it's like a fruit stand in every bottle. just...you know... demonstrating how we blend the fruits. try all our tasty ocean spray 100% and light 50 juices.

some people put everything intotheir name on the door, and their heart into their community. small business saturday is a day to show our support. a day to shop at stores owned by our friends and neighbors. and do our part for the businesses that do so much for us. on november 24th, let's get out and shop small.

this morning on requests rossen reports," are some healthy looking foods really misleading you? this morning nbc national correspondent jeff rossen is here with that report. >> reporter: nobody thinks they are getting a full day's worth of fruit in a box of cereal but if the label shows fresh berries, shouldn't you at least be getting some fresh berries? experts say some of the biggest food companies are fooling you. the so-called berries, wait until you see what they are really made of. take a spin in the grocery store. it's like a berry bonanza.

from your favorite breakfast foods. >> mini, meet ber is. >> reporter: to the popular energy drinks. >> vitamin water. >> reporter: even kid yogurt. >> danimals smoothies. >> reporter: labels grab you, real fruit, full of vitamins and many of us eat it up. >> it gives the impression that it's healthier. >> blueberries in the cereal, that's great. get everything in one box. >> reporter: but some experts say it's a trim that food companies go a long way to fool you. take special k fruit and yogurt cereal. look at all those fresh berries on the front. but when you actually pour the cereal out you get something like this. looks like a real ber toe me. >> but it ain't. >> reporter: michael jacobson runs the center for science and public interest, a consumer watchdog group. are there any actual berries in here? >> no berries whatsoever. >> reporter: he says these berry imposters are in a lot of foods, like blueberry eggos and then

there's aunt jemima's blueberry pancakes, the label xlams made with real blueberries but it's a catch. >> it has blueberry bits, and what is that, mostly sugar soybean oil and little bits of real blueberry that has been artificialically colored. >> reporter: that's right. he says those blue chunks are actually that concoction shaped into balls and dyed to look like real berries. >> it's fake. >> reporter: if the companies were in this room they say we're printing the ingredients on the labeling, no misleading advertising here. >> you can't besiege people with print and pictures on the front of the label and give the correct answer on the back of the labels. >> reporter: shoppers say it's a berry bait and switch. >> they are duping people. >> false advertising. it's dishonest. >> reporter: if consumers feel that way, why do companies still do it? we wanted to ask the group representing the food industry, but they declined our request for an on-camera interview.

instead, sending us this e-mail saying we support laws requiring food labels to be truthful and non-misleading and say these labels are permitted under fda regulations. in fact, companies can show whatever fruit they want, as long as they use this one little word, flavored on the label. >> so if you see the words flavored either natural or artificial, it could be a red flag that there's actually no fruit within that product. take these yogurts from dannon made for kids and pictures of fruit. guess how much fruit is in here? absolutely zero, and all of it is legal because of that word, flavored. >> the food and drug administration is asleep at the wheel. it rarely brings complaints against these companies. >> reporter: why? >> i suspect that the food and drug administration doesn't want to tangle with big companies who could keep them tied up in court for years.

>> reporter: he says one of the trickiest, vitamin water. here's the kiwi-strawberry. >> we're suing coca-cola which owns vitamin water because there aren't any strawberries and there aren't any kis in here. >> reporter: what's in here? >> a lot of sugar. said bottle contains as much sugar as a 12-ounce can of coca-cola. >> coca-cola is vehemently fighting the lawsuit there's nothing on the label of kiwa-strawberry vitamin water that would mislead a reasonable consum consumer. >> reporter: companies will make a lot more money implying there's berries in the product and not put them in there. they are saving a lot of money, but they are cheating consumers. >> reporter: the good companies told us some of the real fruit on the package is meant as a serving suggestion and they disclose it in small print. the fda says it does inspect labels and it's cracking down on companies that break the law, but the agency told us it's actually your responsibility to read the entire label and not just the front. these food companies, meanwhile,

are saving a lot of money because real fruit very expensive, sugar and oil not. >> the temptation to say berry investigation is very overpowering. >> reporter: berry-gait. >> thanks, jeff. coming up, we'll reveal "people" magazine's sexiest man alive, but first these messages. [ male announcer ] it's that time of year again.

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just ahead. today's professionals on actors and extreme weight loss for the sake of art. >> and the arrival of the rockefeller plaza christmas tree. all that after your local news. are here... with some new ones to love. ♪ try new sugar free pumpkin spice... and pecan praline. the gift of great taste is just a click away. get your coupon at tastelift.coffee-mate.com. nestle. good food. good life. get your coupon at tastelift.coffee-mate.com. some people put everything intotheir name on the door, and their heart into their community. small business saturday is a day to show our support.

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>> this is wbal-tv 11 news and a baltimore. >> good morning. i am mindy basara. . here is. >> southbound j.f.x., just past the beltway and ruxton road, 15 miles per hour there. added to the southbound delays and liberty road, watch for an accident there. closures at guilford ave betwe to monument. another accident wrapping up on

eastbound 50. watch for the closures. we will update you with the camera on 83 and ruxton road. j.f.x. exit on the left shoulder. backing up traffic making way from the beltway to ruxton. still looking at delays southbound approaching padonia town to the beltway. over to you, tony. >> chilly start for us. nothing else to talk about, and that is a good thing. light rays on the north at five miles per hour. if you've got the downside yet, you probably have to scrape frost off your windshield. 35 at the top of the hour and eight taneytown. you might see a few high, thin clouds, but mostly sunny. we will only make it in the upper 40's to 50 degrees this afternoon in the weekend, it

should stay dry and chilly. mid-50's on friday and saturday. early next week, the love of the computer models developed coastal storm. chance for rain started late sunday and into monday

8:00 now on this wednesday morning. it's the 14th of november, 2012. a beautiful day here in rockefeller plaza. it is beginning to look a lot more like christmas this morning because we have the arrival of the fabled rockefeller christmas tree. we are going to really welcome it to the plaza in just a few moments. good morning, everyone, as we say hello to the crowd out on rockefeller plaza. i'm savannah guthrie alongside willie geist in for matt and al roker. lots more coming up. padmi lakshmi is here sitting in for dr. nancy, and we'll chat about some hot topics this morning. >> and a little bit later on an

interview on this show a couple years ago that helped solve a baffling medical mystery for one family. we'll talk to a young woman and her father about an interview on this show that changed her life. >> and coming up, one of the most creatively brutal restaurant reviews i've ever seen taking on guy fieri's new times square restaurant. it is stunning in its creativity, and its fire bombing the restaurant. >> one star is just not good enough. that guy really takes guy to task. >> all posed in the form of questions. >> yeah. >> we'll get to that in a little bit. >> first, without further adieu, we want to welcome julie in from "people" magazine to unveil this morning's sexiest man alive. good morning. >> good morning. >> can't stand the suspense. >> the amazing channing tatum. >> channing tatum. >> why did you pick channing? >> see, they approve. >> he's the triple threat this year.

there was the romance in "the vow" and "21 jump street" and "the stripper," took off his clothes. amazing. from alabama, a good old boy. he's got heart and loves his wife and is ready to be a daddy. >> what was his reaction to being crowned sexiest man alive? >> he thought we were messing with him and they were actually like walking their dogs because they had gotten skunked, what, you look at the pages, he's astonishingly gorgeous. >> channing tatum, a list of other guys, chill guys, among those jon hamm. >> we asked these guys what an idea of a good time was, and it was a matter of saying doing nothing. >> got hot dogs, men and their dogs. >> guys who love their animals, ryan gosling is in there, jake gyllenhaal, all these men like their pooches. >> there's talk of a gosling

flight over the year. >> this wasn't ryan's year. i guess in the future. >> got to earn this, ryan. >> one of our favorites around here, paralympic athlete, as core pistorius, made your athlete of the year. >> phenomenal. he's so determined and will succeed at anything he tries in life. >> did an interview with him at the olympics over the summer and he was mobbed by many of the women on the staff. >> they loved him. >> matt and willie made the issue. >> a clerical issue. >> several on the "today" show men. >> matt and willie. >> that's not several, that's two. >> i've got matt for his salt and pepper look and willie, the sex appeal right here. just the way we scripted it. >> that's fantastic. >> wow, look at that. >> maybe next year. >> they got about 8,000 men in

there. i still can't come close. >> look at this man. >> next year, next year we will. >> julie, thanks so much. >> the issue hits newsstands on friday. let's head over to natalie morales. >> good morning, everyone. u.s. defense secretary leon panetta is standing by the top u.s. commander in afghanistan. panetta said people should not jump to conclusions about general john allen being investigated for possibly inappropriate e-mail core respondens with a florida woman that. same woman, jill kelley, is linked to the sex scandal that led to the resignation of cia director david petraeus. president obama will likely face questions about the scandal at his news conference today. nbc news will have live coverage at 1:30 p.m. eastern time. a house committing begins hearings on the nationwide meningitis outbreak and how it may have been prevented. 440 people have been sickened by contaminated steroid shots from a massachusetts pharmacy.

32 deaths have been reported. in a background report this week congressional investigators said the fda wanted to halt production at the pharmacy a decade ago but deferred to state regulators. software mogul john mcatee will not turn himself in to police in belize where he's been named a person of interest in the shooting death of a neighbor. mcafee said too many people have died in police custody in that country. mcafee also says he had nothing to do with the killing. now taking a look at what's trending today, our quick roundup of what has you talking online. a shocking medical story featured in "today's health" is going viral online. brain on fire is the story of a young writer who was hospitalized for sudden bizarre behavior and symptoms of insanity. we'll hear from emily coming up shortly. vice president biden upcoming appearance on "parks and recreation" is not his first tv cameo.

this from the '90s show "where in the world is carmen san diego?" >> i proposed a resolution naming you the best detective of the year. >> why thank you, sir. >> meanwhile, the vice president's star turn on "parks and rec" airs tomorrow night here on nbc. and as you heard a food fight simmering online over a mocking review of guy fieri's new times square restaurant. the "new york times" critics wonders aloud if fiery has ever actually eaten there and whether panicked gripped his soul if he did. he often asks why his margarita tasted like a combination of radiator fluid and formed died and why the toasted marshmallows tasted like fish. that's a roasting. 8:0 of 6 right now. let's go back outside with a check of your weather. >> i think guy is going to shake that off.

it's okay. going to shake it off. we've got some nice friends hanging out. i like the hat. very nice. where are you from? >> howell new jersey. >> howell, very fitting with that hat. >> do you howl? >> yes we do over there. >> very nice. let's check it out and see what we've got for you. our pick city of the day, orlando florida, wesh channel 2, partly sunny, a few showers. 80 degrees, and as we look at satellite. not much going on. a few showers off the florida coastine, wet weather down through the lower mississippi river valley and showers and snow showers back true the pacific northwest. otherwise a beautiful day down through the southwest. a little on the chilly side in the northeast, a little on the breezy side and some rain down >> the good morning.n atlantictl it is a chilly start on this wednesday. we expect a lot of sunshine.

>> and that's your latest weather. willie. >> all right. a thank you very much. coming up next, "today's professionals" weigh in as black friday creeps into the thanksgiving holiday. what do you think about it? we'll hear from the gang, right after this. wanna see me get some great deals?

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team of power players itching to tackle today's headlines, star jones, donny deutsch and filling in for dr. sniderman padmi lakshmi. welcome. let's start with the scandal involving not only general detrace but general allen as well. one case of extramarital affair and then inappropriate e-mails between general allen and jill kelley. do you think this is disqualifying for people who hold high office? >> why did you look at me? a, when are we going to be surprised when men of power, when conquerers, heads of states, great athletes also chase women? mean, can i give you an argument that actually goes with the profile of the person, and i'm going to say it this way. would you rather have a general

who is competent who may be a philanderer versus a competent -- incompetent general who is tried and true? it doesn't matter anymore. it doesn't matter, guys. >> i don't think those two are mutually exclusive. more importantly i don't care. i feel icky talking about it on national television. general petraeus is universally a great leader. he has put himself in harm's way, served his country. his wife has sacrificed a lot to be an army wife. i think it's their business. it's between them. >> let me play devil's advocate because adultery is a crime under the uniform code of military conduct. >> that's one, and i also have a little bit of an issue when the cia director can't figure out how to keep his side piece secret. if you can't keep your side secret how can you keep other secrets? i'm a little concerned about his judgment. >> that's a little bit different. >> that's not different. >> we have to stop and accept it

if 55% of the country sun faithful when you put high-profile people, people by nature who are -- it's going to be drawn to them. >> you weren't surprised at all? >> let's just grow up already. >> whether he cheated or not to me is irrelevant. >> thank you. >> i think, look, if i am suspected of stealing your tv and there's a search warrant and the police come to my house to see if there's that tv, and whether there is or not in, that process they see that my kitchen is really dirty and then those officers talk about it, why are they talking about it, it's irrelevant. >> they are human beings. >> the media has seized upon it. hungry and juicy stories. >> you may make a judgment call, but you think it doesn't matter, but if the rules are it does matter. >> thank you. >> if the law says adultery is a crime under military law, shouldn't these folks be able to -- >> if the law exists, then you have to adhere to the law. >> infidelities, when it comes to ceos, when it comes to presidents, do their jobs.

that's what i care about. >> i was a little surprised. i never knew that four-star generals had groupies. this was a little bit of a shock to me to see that there were women out there who real dego after these kind of men >> i heard him speak publically, and i've also met petraeus' wife, and he is very learned and very charismatic, and there's something about -- >> power. >> there's something about someone who has achieved something in life. >> power. women are drawn to power. >> next topic, we are stalling it starving artist and i think these pictures of a couple of actors who have lost a dramatic amount of weight for their roles has caught the eyes of a lot. matthew mcconaughey will be playing somebody with aids and we saw ann hath away in "less if mis," and we show the pictures and they are astonishing to look at. do you think actors are going too far if they lose this amount of weight? what the heck, they are adults.

>> their body, their business. as an actor your body is your instrument in how you communicate whatever you're trying to communicate from the script and also it is a physical act. we gave robert de niro an oscar for doing it in "raging bull." i don't see this as any different. >> it's really the entertainment media that's highlighting this weight loss. these two actors are doing their craft. they are actually doing their job. the entertainment media is trying to make it into something that it's not. >> donny doesn't care. >> i kind of agree with donny, i don't care. >> we're out of time because we talked so much -- just saying. okay. star jones, donny deutsch, padmi lakshmi, thank you so much. >> thank you. coming up next, an interview on "today" that helped solve one girl's medical mystery. right after this. ♪ spread a little love today

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"the new york post" writer suzannia cahalian was here to talk about her condition that led to manic behavior. luckily the family of emily got gan was watching. >> i remember clearly that it was early 2009 in january when emily went from being that very happy-go-lucky person who seemingly had the world at her feet. she was a sophomore in college and all of a sudden a complete change in her personality. she started to act strangely to us. we noticed right away that there was something terribly wrong. >> 19-year-old emily became increasingly paranoid. >> i thought trucks were following me and people were out to get me, and i ended up checking myself into the emergency room and then to a psychiatric hospital. >> after that stay they actually told us that they didn't really have a diagnosis but they were leaving towards schizophrenia. they said she's never going to be able to work.

never going to be able to go back to school. my sister, who lives in wayne, pennsylvania, called me at work one morning and said i saw this incredible young woman named suzanna who was on the "today" show this morning and has this terrible disease that sounds exactly like what emily has been going through. >> i think that there are so many people out there. who knows how many people out there are suffering interest what i suffered from and are not getting the diagnosis that they need. >> after watching the "today" segment and reading more about suzanna's story her parents told her psychiatry about the disease, anti-ndrr encephalitis but doctors didn't see the condition. a year after emily went to the hospital she could no longer walk or talk. >> she got a blood clot in her brain and became critical. she was dying. i remembered the article that suzanna had written in the "the new york post" and i handed it to them and i asked them to test

emily. i said would you please test her for this. and it was about an hour later that they put her on a helicopter and took her to the university of pennsylvania to be treated by the same doctor that determined what was wrong with suzanna and to save her life. >> emily was on her way to a life-saving treatment just in the nick of time. emily and bill are here with us this morning along with suzanna author of the new book "brain on fire, my month of madness." good morning to you all. >> good morning. >> emily, how are you feeling? >> i'm feeling great. i'm back in school and will be finished in december and i'm 100% better. >> watching some of that video footage in that piece when you're in the hospital. do you recognize that person? do you remember any of that? >> obviously the ventilator, stuff i don't remember but it looks like a completely different person. like i feel like i'm watching somebody else. >> how did you put the pieces together then afterwards?

how did you remember what happened? >> a lot of -- my dad and his notes and my family just telling me what happened. i do remember some of it, but most of it is just completely gone. >> bill, you sent a star by all accounts on the way to college, on the dean's list and had a boyfriend and came home at what point and what did you notice? >> i noticed that she was not herself. she went very quickly to being paranoid and just speaking rapidly and just -- just could tell something was off kilter. >> was the frustration of knowing i don't know what to do with this. this is not something i can identify quickly? >> yeah. we took her to a doctor because it rapidly got worse, so we took her to a doctor right away, and, you know, they thought it was some sort of mental health issue and started to treat her as such, with different mood stabilizers, that sort of thing, but she progressively got worse. >> and suzanna, tell me about the phone call you then get from

bill one day. did it come completely out of the blue? did you know anything about their story. >> actually at work at the "new york post," and i got a phone call, and i hear my name, is this suzanna and it was bill on the other line and he told me the story about emily, and it just -- what an amazing experience. >> you called it one of the most life affirming moments of your life. why do you say that? >> you get into journalism to help people, and when you hear that you went through such a horrible experience and ended up helping someone, there's nothing better than that. >> what do you see today in your daughter now that you've come so far with her? >> i'm just extremely proud because we can't know what these two went through with this disease, but i'm very proud of the way emily approached her recovery. it wasn't easy. it was very difficult. she had to relearn everything. she had to relearn how to walk, talk, use a toothbrush, the things that we take for granted, and susannah went through a very

similar experience, proud of susannah to being able to articulate this originally, come on the "today" show. not long after she had gone through this terrible ordeal herself, and it was just amazing that we were -- my sister mary had seen the "today" show that morning and brought it together. you know, it took a little bit of time for us to convince the doctors to go this direction, but, you know, thanks to susannah that emily sits here right now. >> watching the three of you sit here together over the last several minute and it's clear to me that there's a bond. you're holding hands at some point. how do you feel about susannah. >> suusannah, i'm just so thankful for her. if she hadn't been here i probably wouldn't be here, and the way we can relate about what we've gone through, too, is really important to me. >> susannah, why do you want to be so out front about this? a lot of people would push this to the side and get on with their lives. you put out a book. >> this is exactly right.

she's sitting here now. i touched her life and she touched me and that's the reason why you do something like this. >> we're so happy to see you both here healthy. emily, susannah, dad, you've got a good >> this is wbal-tv 11 news in baltimore. >> good morning. i am mindy basara. let's check the morning commute with sarah caldwell. >> let's check accident we are tracking on the j.f.x. that is creating delays. ruxton, down to 17 miles per hour. these continue beyond the accident scene. heavy delays on the north and west side as you can see. guilford avenue, kidney closures from madison to monument due to the water main break repairs. continue -- closures from

madison to monument to to the water main break repairs. let's give you a live look at traffic at 83, southbound traffic inching along from the belt way towards 28th street. the switch over to a live view of 83 and padonia, where we're looking at south bend delays. over to you, tony. >> we are off to a nice, quiet start. plenty of sunshine, high, thin, wispy clouds. 37 degrees. 41 degrees in rock hall. forecast for today, mostly sunny skies, a little on the chilly side but not a bad day. sunset this evening at 4: 52. the seven-day forecast into the weekend, a few clouds will hang around. it will state dry. 50 on thursday, mid-fifties on

friday and saturday. next chance for rain will hold off until the beginning of thanksgiving week. >> back with another update at 8:56.

s. 8:30 now this wednesday northern. it's the 14th of november, 2012, and it is fair to say we are in the holiday spirit because we are in the back of a 115-foot flatbed truck hauling the rockefeller center christmas tree where it will soon be perched right over there, lit on november 28th.

>> that's right. >> and we are really looking forward to it. >> yeah. this is an 80-foot tree, and a little extra special this year. >> reporter: it withstood hurricane sandy. >> what would christmas be without santa? >> hi, santa. >> how is it going? >> i love this tree. i love the smell of spruce in the morning. you know, it brings the holiday spirit right here to new york city from the good friends over in new jersey, really gone through a blast here the last few weeks. >> really need the holiday. >> brought some north pole weather. tell you what. better than the warm weather you had the other day. >> are you ready for the holiday? >> absolutely ready. just opened it at radio city music hall last night so we're very excited about that. >> the 85th anniversary. >> 85 years. >> spectacular. >> we've been dancing in new york. >> and you need some visitors.

>> you don't look a day over 85 and a half and a half. >>tweaking the list, on balance have the girls and boys been naughty or nice? >> glad you said that rather than good or bad. i would have to say the boys are a little bit more on the naughty list. >> santa. >> i'm working on it. >> as soon as natalie got up here she told you she has been nice. is that true? >> it is true. >> extra presents in my stocking. >> but we'll talk about you a little bit later. >> santa, the holidays such a special time here in new york city. what do you think makes it so amazing coming here and seeing this tree? >> well, this tree is part of it. it's the whole rockefeller plaza radio city music hall, the spirit that people come to new york from all over the world to experience christmas here, and that's why i love coming here. there's no place it in the

world. >> this got started during the great depression, this tree. >> sure did. >> going through some tough times. this is really in a sense a beacon, not just for the country but the world. >> absolutely it is. it's a rejuvenation of the times that have passed and the times that are in the future. >> and we should mention the radio city christmas spectacular begins tomorrow. we have to get this tree down right after your weather forecast. >> luckily we've got the fine folks here who are going to put this up as they have so many years going on into this. let's show you what we've got weather-wise. starting with today, a gorgeous day in the east. a little on the chilly side. we're looking for temperatures that are going to be into the 40s. we've got 50s along the mid-atlantic coast. look for some showers making their way through the pacific northwest. mountain snows as well, and then for tomorrow look for some rain in the pacific northwest. i should say in the southeast. we're going to have beautiful weather in the pacific northwest with plenty of sunshine. evening showers coming into california. sunny and cold through the

plains and plenty of sunshine but chilly weather conditions into the northeast. that's what's going onth >> good morning. it will be chilly day with plenty of sunshine. temperatures will be below average. >> and coming up november 28th, we are going to light this beautiful tree up. christmas in rockefeller center, wednesday, november 28th, 8:00. it all starts at 8:00. tree gets lit about 8:55. savannah, i get lit at 8:58. >> boom. >> every year. >> 7:58 this year. let's say hello to chris tucker.

he stars in the new movie "silver linings playbook." chris, good morning to you. >> good morning. >> we've all seen the movie, all loved it, and there's some serious side to this movie, but you really add the touch of humor to it. >> yeah, it's a fun part. it's a great part because i get to show a serious side of myself but the character is fun, a lot of depth, and a lot of character. >> what's if like standing there in a scene with robert de niro? we asked this of bradley cooper. like a young actor it's like watching mickey mantle play baseball and then go play alongside him. >> all the famous movies he's done. it's great, it's great, and a little nervous sometimes when you mess up your lines. it's like he's okay. do it again. >> do it again. >> invited me to his trailer and gave me the godfather thing. take your time, don't worry, you know. it will be all right. you're going to be all right. >> thank you. >> what about the "rush hour" movie, so well known for those.

>> thank you. >> is that coming back? >> we want to do another one. jackie and i talk all the time so hopefully we get another one. >> fans want. it looking forward to it. >> bring it. >> we really love to roll. this is a great movie, and you're going to be with kathie lee and hoda a little bit later. >> are you ready for it? >> i'm ready for it. >> "silver linings playbook" opens in select theaters on friday and nationwide on november 21st. coming up next, the fonz, henry wrinkler, returns to broadway in a role you might not expect, but, first, this is "today" on nbc.

back now at 8:38 with a romantic comedy that officially opens on broadway tonight called "the performers" starring henry winkler. "today's" correspondent jamie

gangel joins us. >> reporter: he was cool then and cool now but henry winkler has come a long way since "happy days" made him a household name, and lucky for us he's back on broadway in a role written just for him. what's the best thing about -- try to walk down the street with henry winkler, and you won't get very far. >> can we get a picture with you. >> reporter: at 67 the beloved acting legend known for creating the iconic fonz. >> hey. >> reporter: is still stopped by fans wherever he goes. >> love your show. >> thank you. >> reporter: and these days it's broadway just below the marquee for "the performers." there you are, henry. >> too much of me. too much of me. >> reporter: a risque but sweet comedy where he stars as a character you have never seen him play before. >> porn star, adult film star. >> right. >> and you play mr. chuck woods.

>> yes. >> reporter: who is. >> hard working, and the play really is based on the academy award night for the adult film industry. >> reporter: right. >> the beginning. everybody said oh, my goodness, you're in a play about porn and, you know, i said, really, it is a play about the heart. >> reporter: co-starring cheyenne jackson and alicia silverstone "the performers" has previewed audiences roaring with laughter and though he pretends otherwise winkler knows his character was written just for him by 29-year-old phenom playwright david west reed. he wrote this part for glue is that true? no. >> reporter: he said his dream was for you to play it. >> first time i'm hearing that fact, i'm not kidding, in my

whole life. i am now deeply touched. i don't know what to do. >> reporter: here is a quote. >> okay. >> reporter: he said there is some sort of sadistic pleasure in getting henry winkler to say these filthy things because he's so sweet. he's like everyone's uncle. he's not precious about his iconic status, and he's willing to laugh at himself. >> i'm just going to take that and put that in my scrapbook, if you don't mind. i like that. >> reporter: winkler is being modest, and he is getting rave reviews. >> look, i don't care if you're a porn star or whatever else it is that people do for a living. >> reporter: even while he's adjusting to his racy lines. you say some things did you ever imagine you would say? >> never, never. i would be arrested if i said it off this stage. >> reporter: so you walk on the stage. >> yes. >> reporter: and i heard. >> hey. >> reporter: for a lo--

>> for a long time i said hey, and it sounds like hey, so i change it had to come on because i'm a clever guy. >> reporter: you didn't use the "f" word. >> oh, you mean the fonz. let me just tell you, this is how great the fonz is. he came to see this play the first preview. >> reporter: he did? >> he sat right out there. >> reporter: what did he think of the play? >> he said to me. >> reporter: yeah. >> i'm -- i'm just saying it's a hit. >> reporter: you're the wise old man in the end. >> can i just say wise. can we just say wise? do we have to bring up -- >> reporter: guess that means you don't want me to say aging porn star either. >> i didn't want that either. >> reporter: experienced. >> experienced. >> reporter: yes. experienced and perhaps the busiest star on broadway. in addition to this play. >> yes. >> reporter: you are writing 23 books. >> yes. >> reporter: you are on three

television shows right now. >> that is shocking. >> reporter: why are you working so hard? >> i love every minute of my life. i truly believe the most important thing for a human being is to be relevant. >> reporter: you love working? >> i love -- i dreamt about it. i still can't get over that i do this. >> reporter: whatever you do, they keep loving you. >> amazing. amazing. >> reporter: well, congratulations. full disclosure, henry winkler is an old friend. that said, the play is laugh out loud funny, as we like to say, run, do not walk to see "the performers," and willie, a little secret. if you sit in just the right seat in the theater a member of the audience gets a hug, sometimes even a kiss, from henry winkler. he is fabulous. >> all the more reason to go see it. the fonz still got t.jamie gangel. >> he does.

>> thanks. up next, jeremy renner on preparing to make his "snl" up next, jeremy renner on preparing to make his "snl" debut this weekend, but fir so, if the mint makes this hot chocolate cool, does the mint hot chocolate make me cool? not really. mint hot chocolate from dunkin' donuts. grab the cool sensation of mint today. america runs on dunkin'.

back now at 8:46 with oscar nominee jeremy rubber very busy at the becomes office starring in "mission impossible," the aventioners" and now he's trading in the big screen for "saturday night live" and hosting the show for the first time. a little nervousness when i say that? >> excitement more than nervousness. i don't know enough to be nervous. >> are you a fan of "snl," find you on saturday night in your pjs, popcorn? >> if i can't make it i tivo it or something. >> any considered what you're going to do this weekend yet? >> no. make a jerk of myself probably.

that's the plan, and probably why i wanted to do it. >> you do have to be ready to shed your inhibitions to do this show. that comes easily? >> i don't know if it's easy. sort of kind of part of a job but i'm surrounded by tremendous actors and writers that, you know, pick up the slack, you know. >> have you put in any requests with the writers? i really want to do "x" or i like this character? >> no really. i didn't want to come in with preconceived ideas. they know what they are doing. i'll fit into what they are doing, unless it's completely ridiculous or something and i can't do it, but, yeah, i'm excited to do it. it's a blessing. >> do you have any special talents that we might see? i heard you're a musician. >> yeah, yeah. i can -- i can do a little bit here and there, but i'm not sure what we'll be doing on the show. you'll have to watch. >> yeah. we'll definitely be watching. it's kind of, i would think, a rite of passage to be asked to host "snl" if you need any more

signs that you've made it. this has to be one of them. >> it's a huge one. >> yeah. >> it's a huge one. i have a lot of friends who have done it, and to overcome the terror and the idea of doing things live is a great obstacle to overcome. >> well, we'll look forward to saturday night and see what you do. >> thanks. >> you also have a movie coming up, i've got "hansel and gettel." >> that comes out. >> watched the trail they are morning. it's not a fairy tale. it looks a little scarey. >> i don't know if it's scarey. >> gory. >> it's a good fun ride. it's gory but it doesn't take itself too seriously. you can wink at it. it's a lot of fun, but, you know, you'll have to go see it. >> the head-butting that we just saw. >> i didn't do it. >> and then you were just in "the bourne legacy" and last time were you here you had talked about that. was it a life-changer, the whole experience that you thought it might be? >> well, the series of the last movies from "mission" and "avengers" was not really gone

unseen by a few people so "the bourne legacy" was a wonderful experience, and we'll see what happens and what the future holds. >> jeremy renner, great to talk to you. >> yeah. >> we'll see you across the street, "saturday night live" saturday night. >> i'll be there. >> and if people don't know by now, 11:30 eastern and 10:30 central time. >> yeah, watch it. >> right here on nbc. coming up next, the story behind this year's rock plaza christmas tree. but first, this is "today" on nbc. [ male announcer ] what can you experience in a seat? inspiration. great power. iconic design. exhilarating performance. [ race announcer ] audi once again has created le mans history! [ male announcer ] and once in a great while... all of the above. take your seat in the incomparable audi a8. take advantage of exceptional values on the audi a8 during the season of audi event.

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this morning, the rockefeller center christmas tree that just pulled in a few minutes ago on its arrival in new jersey. mike leonard got to meet the family who gave us this tree. >> reporter: in recent weeks the airwaves have been filled with a descending torrent of not so gentle reminders that all of us are vulnerable to forces beyond our control. this is northern new jersey in the calm before the storm, like a water color viewed from afar, there is a soft focused perception of balance and order in the brightly huge splashes and the hazy glowing allure of whatever lies ahead. only when moving closer do we notice the rough brush strokes of our less than perfect

existence, the naturgnarled fac the bent limbs of miss fortune and loss and also survival. to rise above the challenges, to weather the storms. isn't that our nature? isn't that our story? >> i come here not speaking -- not even speaking the language. i come here very, very poor, and no education and i still survived >> reporter: who did you know in america? >> nobody. >> reporter: how much money did you have? >> not a single penny. >> reporter: not a penny. >> not a penny. >> 76-year-old joe balcu of flanders, new jersey, is a hungarian immigrant and owner of the property where this year's rockefeller center christmas tree was discovered. the tree always comes from somebody's yard, somebody who would never be considered interesting enough for a television audience were it not for their tree. what would you want people to know about you, like, you know,

joe from hungary, joe the immigrant, joe the gas station owner? >> that's a good question what would people want to know about me. i don't know. i really don't know what people want to know about me. just i'm a person who comes to this country and kind of succeed in his life, and he's part of the american dream >> reporter: american dream, rooted in a place with freedom to grow in any direction. joe balku, a divorced father of one, bought this new jersey house and the surrounding land in 1973 with money earned from the nearby gas station that he owned, an amazing accomplishment given his humble roots as a farm boy in rural hungary. the 1956 hungarian revolution, brutally suppressed by soviet tanks and troops, triggered a mass exodus of hungarians to all corners of the world. 20-year-old joe fled to america where he has lived a quiet

productive existence under the shade of a huge norway spruce that like him went unnoticed until its recent discovery. now that tree will be seen by millions, a gift to america from an average citizen, an everyday joe, an army veteran, a gas station owner and a grateful son who eventually brought his now deceased hungarian mother and father to live with him in america. what do you think your parents would have thought of this tree going to rockefeller center? >> my father would be happy. >> reporter: happy for the young man who arrived with nothing, only to leave us with a contribution of immense proportions. >> we make our own destination in life. that's my feeling. >> reporter: for "today," mike leonard, nbc news, flanders, new jersey. >> and joe balku is with us now. so great to see you and so grateful you shared this beautiful tree with us. why was it important and

meaningful to you to bring it to rockefeller center? >> well, i felt, if we bring it here everybody will see the tree all over new york and all over the world. >> reporter: and it withstood a lot through sandy. how did you keep it up? through the storm? >> the big tree. >> survived the storm very well. a and. >> we'll light it november 28th. i bet you'll be here. thank you so much for the tree.

>> this is wbal-tv 11 news today in baltimore. >> good morning. i am mindy basara. a woman is in critical condition following a house fire in reisterstown crews arrived to find flames shooting from the two-story home. firefighters rescued a woman from the second floor and found

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