rrator: from nbc news, this is "today" with kathie le hoda kotb live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. class. so we're bringing it back today. it's february 9. happy mardi gras. carnival.

>> we have a fun having been in morns new orleans so many year -- >> such a fun time of year. in new orleans take, the banks closed, everybody is out on the streets. everybody grabbing beads. we have crawfish andtoops is here. how did you get out of town? >> i snuck out. i said keep the beadso see my favorite tv ladies. >> you've made some enemies doing that. >> and with only five days until valentine's day, we'll get you in the mood for a little romance. before you agree u you go out on a hot date, you'll want to know what our guys panel says about keeping men interested. >> and we have a surprise today. >> we werelike who like who is it and

so i'd like to know who it is. do you know? absolutely no idea. all right. >> what are you wearing? >> i don't know. >> it's a prop.e worn outside your dress. that's not part of the dress. >> it's carnival, baby.. this is the day before ash wednesday when everybody -- i guess they go ask for forgiveness tomorrow. hurricanes. >> these are a little strong even for me. >> if you go pat o'brien's in new orleans, you get this drink. and this is >> that is so strong. >> exactly. they play the piano and everybody sings. and so this brings back

>> and this is mardi gras bo. let's try that again. >> please, no.t. it's a tradition on this program. here is the king cake.orks in new orleans, whoever finds the baby in the king cake has to buy the next one. so our tradition is called the king cake because we're searching for the baby jesus. >> that's who is in it. >> by the way, so delicious. it has cinnamon and, oh, te to destroy a king cake. >> are you kidding me? >> not with our your fingers on are you sure it's even in here? i don't think it's in here. >> there is always a baby.

>> no. >> i'm finding this yefyi. >> you find it. >> you find it. >> that's what she said. >> oh, no. it's not even -- >> a little plastic baby jesus. >> i don't -- >> we got stiffed one year where there was no baby jesus p. >> it's in here, you just have to find it. bet it's he in one of your oh, my gosh, where is it? oh, no. positive there is one in here? this is a cruel joke. >> it's in here, i know. >> anything else we can talk about while we're you think the mystery guest is? >> i don't know. >> speaking of baby jesus, have an actor who will be lay

>> it's not in here. >> our producer has been sending us pictures from there is amanda doing what amanda does. that's such a bummer. >> can i have a fine tooth comb, >> she sent us over videos and stuff. amanda knows how to have fun. so i think it's time to talk about the bachelor.s not here. so -- >> why don't you do it? you're already in the shot. thanks., don't leave your ugly things. check your head piece for the it is a cruel -- >> did someone take the baby -- >> there he is. >> what? >> there he is. >> there is one in there, too. we have to find it.

>> hold on.n tv. all right. we'll talk about the bachelor. >> really, amanda is in new orleans. so we were wondering -- >> you said take twice. >>r not olivia, you know, everybody doesn't like olivia, all right? so bep n did a cruel thing. of those girls that girls don't like. so then he was trying to figure out who he was going to give arose to, so he took olivia and l, what was her name -- >> emily. >> emily. emily, they both -- and emily was the twin who stayed on the remember the other twin got bounced. anyway, so he took both of these two. we're going on a date. and brought arose. wondered who was going to get the rose. well, he did a little head fake. he pretended like he was going to give it to emily -- i mean

do we have video of this, do we have the sound? let's watch. >> today you really did take the time to speak your heart and tell me exactly what you're ling. >> yeah. >> i don't think i can reciprocate those feelings. it's just not a get to. and i think that you've been honest with me about your feelings. i have to be honest with you about mine. you that i can't give you this rose. i'm going to have to say. >> okay. >> i'm sorry.

>> that was like a hurricane.on? as to owe so olivia is out. >> i don't know any of them. >>mber packing because she's a drama creator. you know one those people who stir the pot? ben was exhausted. he canceled aty but showed up at the rose ceremony. and then, wait, it was lauren h. -- >> stop it. >> lauren h. he sent are we watching something? so who is left? >> you and i are right here. still looking for baby jesus. >> all right.so they guest. this person performs in front of millions of people. >> what? >> executes

>> usually half the audience likes this person. where is the person?wait. go back again. he performs in front of millions of people. executes precision-like moves. usually half the audience likes -- oh, he's a sports guy. >> or a magician and the other half of the person doesn't like [ buzzer ] >> this bra is cutting off half high br my breathing. >> okay. we'll come back and try to guess who it is. and then image is everything. we'll luck five lucky viewers. and a big party from mardi gras. he's not here. >> he's so littl moms know their family's mouths

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fat tuesday which marks the end of the carnival season and there is no american city more famous for its mardi gras celebrationso one can find the baby. >> what? >> look underneath, he says.

up louisiana native isaac 's the executive chef and other than owner of toups is not part of my dress really, right? >> oh, come on. >> you might not understand that it's a bra. >> show the back. a bra. >> i like it better with the beads. >> what are we making? >> some crawfish. it's a classic dish.old weather day and to suck up all the alcohol. >> what kind of ingredients do we need? >> we have the classic green onion, celery, bell pepper, crawfish, white get cooking. >> first we'll have a pan nice and hot. we'll add the trinity. putt in for me. >> look at me cooking. >> throw it in there. a little white pepper.

>> and a little butter. >> that's garlic. >> not yet. hold on. i'm the chef here. >> what no a little a spatula i'll use. >> don't let her. we add the yeah, that was a big difference. >> you don't want to burn your garlic. after we caramelize ourles, this is what they look like. roux. >> a little flower. >> a little flower. we'll page sure it all emulsified emulsified.

and then we add our tomato product. this is what my grandmother bricks. that's what will give it the signature flavor. >> i'll urn turn this off. >> and after we make our roux, en up. add the white wine. >> now you're spi eaking our >> always have to taste your food. delicious. and then the crawfish stock. >> where do you get that? >> i make it >> were you born and raised this new orleans is this ?

right when i was born, i came out of the womb and start making that roux. >> now what?have the near finalized product. so we have the vegetables, roux, tomato, white wine, crawfish stock. then we add crawfish tails. >> this is so delicious. and you pour rice? >> leases please don't put scallions on mine. >> all right. we have our go. >> and you scoop it right out. >> get a good bit of gravy. >> if you can't boil the lf to get the stock, is there anywhere to get it? >> you can use shrimp stock or you can buy homemade stock. fun of you if you do.

>> i'm excited. >> please enjoy.ace look nice and pretty. >> oh, my gosh. >> here we go. >> a kick, baby. by the way, it we by the way, did we find the baby? >> no. >> no baby in there. i'm going to sue. >> how is that possible? >> let's >> you know where to look. >> oh, that's good. but let's see if we can find it. see, i know the trick. >> what's the trick? >>ttom. >> you found it? we got a baby right here. >> it's got to be on the bottom,s. >> thank you so much.

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with valentine's day this sunday, you want to know what your sman really so time for guys tell all. first time is jean carlos. >> say it however it means cinnamon in spanish actually. >> i just like to watch your lips move.een cast as jesus in the passion on fox which will air "life" in live in march.

married with a son. and he can be seen in the rick younger show.s own shown. >> and also with us host of the idiot test, ben glebe. >> my name means cinnamon, also.t but certainly not least, the recently engaged be bob -- i know. many hearts you're breaking? >> oh, please. >> let's begin with our first question. question one. rachel asks this. why is it that when a -- oh, hey, girl. we didn't even see you. all right. go ahead, honey. >> hi, i'm from new orleans and my question is how can i dropout what we should do for valentine's day without coming off strong. >> if you want do something special, just it.

>> do you know what would be fun -- when a woman does that it's i did it real slow. >> that's creepy.you just say you know what would be fun. more than likely we want to do what you want to. >> but sometimes you want like saying let's go to this place for dipper. >> she likes charles in charge. >> valentine's day tends to bergency cal thing for guys as it is for women. so you have to tell us a little bit. >> and you'll be disappointed, too. to overdo it a little bit. it's part of the tradition. so i'm down with that. >> even if i'm not datingy, i have a romantic

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it's fat and spanky tuesday. and we're waiting for our handsome guys to tell all. >>he single and adorable jean carlos. and single dad ben -- >> no, he's not. >> are you telling me i don't know? >> somebody tell him. >> and bob is >> a question from an e-mail. you will like that one.

a guy finds out that a woman is of taking care of herself, money, car, et cetera, he loses interest or is not interested at all. >> i couldn't agree less. i love that. i start working less i feel like sugar mama, let's do this. >> there was a period in my life where i really needed that an. >> i think it's a powerful, independent successful woman. >> it you let her pay? >> here's the thing. is not necessary for her to pay. if she wants to, my allbut i work so i can please -- >> there needs to be an understanding of the value of what each person brings to a t times when i was broke and poor, i was like, hey, come on to my house, i'll could go

if you really want to go out -- the ingredients. >> i could afford ingredients. i couldn't afford stipulate tippinged a all the and all the other things. so they street. >> hi, i'm vicky and my question is what age do men think they have matured.'re not actually an adult until 27. i think 21 through 27 isonal adulthood. at 27, you start to become an adult. >> i think you never stop learning if you're living the right way. i think you should be like -- i think you should know when to be an adult. because as you become aped a did you tell, you forget the simple things in your lifew what he said,

>> your brain isn't even formed until you're ve had a formed brain then for the last two years. >> nicole asked is it wrong for a person to give flirty looks orerson if they're in a relationship. >> no. that's the only thing you got. >> i'm married, not >> if you act on it, it's a bit different. but i think there should be enough respect and communication in a relationship where that is >> a flirty look, it could be something very simple, like a stare at a lady. >> what if it's a little longer than that. >> danger ebody looks at you and you don't reciprocate -- >> how long is long. >> more than eight seconds.there is a fine line between

>> yes. lot of us are talking. >> if you have question, connect with us. >> can anybody guess the guest? here are the they perform this front of millions of people. executes precision-like moves. usually half the audience likes him we have the hot ref! >> oh, my, we got him? it will be a good day. come to mama. with me, what you see is what you get. and i expect the same from my mascara. now, revlon introduces a new collection of mascaras th you want easy. so whether you choose ultra volume, super length, gnified, dramatic definition, or the ultimate all-in-one...

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or the moment we've been waiting for. the big reveal of our mystery guest. here are the clues one last time. he performs in front of millions of people.precision-like moves. usually half the audience likes him.

we know who it is because once pes, we knew there was only one answer to the question. and here it is. >> our mystery guest is the hot ref --e on down. >> good to see you. >> hey! >> adorable. >> come. >> oh, my god. clete blakeman. whole social world went crazy not over the game, because of you. were you is surprised, >> actually it all. i thought it was just a couple tweets but then it started

official coin and then you did a flex and then a --yeah. that's part of the 13rb8 super bowl. >> you have a beautiful wife and i just saw you in the stairwell and i was like i know her from i remember i saw you on tv yesterday. what is your name some. >> katie. >> and into two gorgeous kids.ou've known he's been hot for a long time. how are you dealing with this 124. >> some. >> i love it. >> and how about your hey're five and three. >> we're bringing out somefor you because we have our own hot ref.are going to do, throw the flag some

we have different calls and you have for tell me if it's a call or fake call. >> when do we throw the yellow? >> when you have an answer. >> hey, this is you're show. >> standn see you. >> okay. >> are we ready? >> offsides. >> real. it is right. >> ineligible down field. >> that's good. >> i did live in a football >> yes, you did. >> next one. >> first down. >> how about >> offsides. >> holding. >> she got to it >> all right.

i had to practice this one. >> not real. >> thene. >> come on out. >> how about this one. you guys are so cute. thank you for coming. you're a beautiful couple. >> thank you.

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narrator: the ci it t ti concert day." if you're in the moods for

>> performance by the ation he will el divo. they have sold more than 26 million albums. >> amazing. and they are here with us and thrilled. >> this is beautiful. >> and you're going on tour. >> yes. going? >> we're starting out in mexico city. we will go all around south america, southeast asia, uk, europe and then later this year, we will wrap up the back to america. >> we can't wait to hear you sing. >> especially this one.

to all the girls i've loved before, who traveled in and out i'm glad they came along, i dedicate this song to all the girls i've to all the girls i once ay i say i've held the best to helping me to grow, owelot i know, to all the girls i've loved before

blowing and every time i tried to stay, the winds of changeblowing, and they just carried me away to all the girls whoy life, who now are someone else's wife i'm glad they came along, idicate this song to all the

it all the girls we've before, who traveled in and out my door [ applause ] >> thank you.ngs were beautiful and the harp and cello. make sure you

want to bring in our friend,

i wear a lot of amy motto's dresses. >> they're darling. >> and beforeay -bye on this spanky tuesday, we'll give five lucky fans -- >> it's time to give it away. it's an epson presentr pripts printer worth $499. it is e printing so you never have to worry about running out. the equivalent of about 50 inkges. >> you're doing great. >> amy, thank you, honey. >> never mind.? >> the first winner -- i ght two

twoa harden from carolina. >> and i have debbie reynolds there kentucky. >> and i have got alisa quilam.and andrew urban won. >> and the last one is jacqueline rose from las vegas. >> congrats to all of our enter next week again. >> you have some explaining to to. charge of the king cake. >> there was a baby in here before you guys touched it. >> who took it out? where is it? >> you'll have to get ink line. >> let's crank it up, baby. >> you start it. >> bend over.