good morning. breaking news. former president bill clinton making a surprise visit to north korea this morning to negotiate the release of two u.s. journalists. will they be coming home with him? depressed nation. a new report finds the use of antidepressants doubled over nine years. what's goingn? and courtroom surprise. michael jackson's dermatologist asks for a say in the custody of jackson's two oldest children. why is he so interested? we'll ask katherine jackson's attorney in an exclusive interview "today," tuesday, attorney in an exclusive interview "today," tuesday, august 4th, 2009. captions paid for by nbc-universal television

and welcome to "today" on this tuesday morning, i'm meredith vieira. >> and i'm matt lauer. let's start by talking about that breaking news this morning. former president bill clinton is in north korea, hoping to bring american journalists laura ling d euna lee back home with him. >> president clinton arrived in north korea's capital city pyongyang in an unusually warm welcome. this is just the second time a former president has traveled to north korea. ling and lee he been detained there for 4 1/2 months. they were convicted of entering the country illegally and committing hostile acts in june. we're going to get the very latest in just a moment. >> a little later on, a very strange case coming to us from wisconsin. three women are accused of luring a man who was supposedly cheating on all of them to a motel room to seek revenge. you aren't going to believe what police say they did to try to settle the score. let us just say it involves crazy glue.

>> ouch. so those healthy sandwiches you pick up may not be so healthy after all. we'll get into that in a little while. but we begin with former president bill clinton's surprise visit to north korea to try to bring two american journalists home. nbc's savannah guthrie is at the white house with more. savannah, good morning to you. >> reporter: good morning, meredith. no comment from here at the white house on the former president's unannounced visit out of concern for the safety of the journalists. but experts say it's unlikely that clinton would go there unless assured of success. president bill clinton arrived in north korea this morning on an unmarked plane, greeted by a little girl holding flowers. the former president is reportedly there to negotiate for the return of two american journalists, euna lee and laura ling. the two were reporting on a story in mid-march when the north took them into custody. they were later tried and sentenced to 12 years of hard labor for entering into north korean territory illegally. lisa ling spoke to her sister in late may, appearing on the "today" show with matt lauer.

>> they're very, very scared. you know, imagine 11:00, phone rings, and i hear this little voice on the other end of the line saying, hi, it's me. we haven't heard their voices in over 2 1/2 months. so, they're scared. >> reporter: secretary of state hillary clinton recently asked the north for amnesty. >> we're engaged in all possible ways to every possible channel to secure their release, and we once again urge north korea to grant their immediate release on humanitarian grounds. >> reporter: well, all of this comes, of course, as tensions between the united states and north korea are at a high point. this spring, the north set off another nuclear device, has been launching missiles, and there's been a lot of tension between hillary clinton and the north. there's also new u.n. sanctions. so it's a very, very tense time. the white house all along has said that it hopes the north would separate these two issues, separate the journalist issue from the nuclear issue. unclear whether the north treats it that way.

meredith? >> savannah, any indication as to why bill clinton was chosen as the special envoy? >> reporter: well, it's very interesting, it's a big name and a big part to play. of course the white house isn't commenting on it. but clinton has a history with north korea. he almost traveled there in 2000, and of course he struck a nuclear deal with the north in 1994. it fell apart in 2003. but the north fee that he has shown some respect, according to many experts. and of course his wife, the secretary of state, hillary clinton, has been deeply involved in trying to get their release. >> all right, savannah guth are you, thank you so much. we're going to bring in republican senator lindsay graham from south carolina. senator graham, good morning to you, sir. >> good morning. >> what message does this send to north korea, sending bill clinton as a special envoy to try to secure the release of these two american journalists? >> it's a try orty of our government at the highest level and that the world is watching how you interact with president clinton, and hopefully they will step up to the plate and let the young ladies go. >> there are reports, senator, that the u.s. would never send bill clinton unless there were

some assurances that, indeed, he would get the job done. so does this trip at all seem to you that there may be some improv relations between our two countries? that this is a sign of that? >> you would expect that you would not send a former president, knowing that he's not likely to be successful. i don't know what this is. from the family point of view of the young ladies, this is great news and i hope they are released and maybe we can build upon this to do something better when it comes to lethal weapons. >> when you say you don't know what this is, can you be more specific? >> i don't know if this is the beginning of something larger, or it's just a effort, a humanitarian breakthrough in this particular case. it would be nice if it's the found apgs for a better relationship. >> would you approve of the former president addressing the nuclear program in north korea while he is there trying to release -- negotiate the release of these two women? >> if he has the authority to do so by the administration, i don't believe in cowboy diplomacy and i know this would not be that case. but, yes, if he could sit down

with the north koreans and convey a message from the administration and the congress to be more reasonable when it comes to verifying their nuclear program, and getting away there the development of nuclear weapons, it would be a good thing. >> you were also one of the senators who had pressured the white house to classify north korea as a state sponsor of terrorism. >> right. they're not inconsistent. you've got to deal with people at every level. >> so you think you can have each of them and then that's fine. you can say first of al this is a state sponsored terrorism, but we want to talk to them? >> exactly. the truth is you're doing things you should not do. let's see if we can have a better relationship. it would be a win-win for both countries. maybe this is a breakthrough. i hope. >> let me switch gears and talk about domestic policy. the whus said yesterday that the president is going to hold true to his campaign promise that he will not tax the middle class, people earning less than $250,000. you smile as i say that. you not trust the white house when they say that? >> well, it's not a matter of trust. we all make statements to try to get elected. then you have to govern. you know the top 1% pay 40% of

the taxes. the top 5% pay 60% of the taxes. when you look out over the next 50 years and have a long view of america, we're going to have toics a the tax base. we have 40% of americans who work, who pay no federal income tax, and that's just unsustainable over time. so eventually we're going to have to expand the tax base in this country to get more people in the game in terms of paying federal income tax. the sustained programs we already have that are, quite frankly unsustainable at the current revenue. >> you're saying the president cannot hold to that campaign promise? >> i don't think anybody over time can deal with medicare and social security, which are trillions of dollars underfunded, without tremendous reform and looking at ways to generate more revenue. you've got to reform the programs, generate more revenue, but you can't tax your way into solvency when it comes to medicare, which is $36 trillion underfunded. >> one of the programs in the stimulus package is cash for

clunkers, which seems to have been a success. it's bringing people into the dealerships. cars are being sold. but the administration has said that they are going to run out of gas, that program, by the end of the week, unless the senate approves another $2 billion. are you prepared to do that, senator? >> yeah, i think the program is real good. i hope it comes out of the stimulus package and doesn't add to the debt. it seems to have worked. the tax code has been used to get people to buy homes, an $8,000 credit for a first-time home buyer. you've got tax advantages if you buy a hybrid car that will help the environment over the time. so i think probably the senate will act this week and get some of the clunkers off the road. but we've got to realize where we're going as a nation. how much involvement by the government in the private sector, where does it begin? where does it end? that's a big question for us all. >> but for now you will approve the $2 billion? >> yeah, i think the senate will pass it. >> senator lindsey graham, thank you so much for your time this morning. >> busy morning. let's go over to the newsdesk. ann, good morning to you. >> matt, and meredith, good morning. >> also in the news, today a plane skidded off a runway and crashed into the control tower

in thailand. the bangkok airways plane with 72 people aboard had just landed in bad weather on a resort island. the pilot was killed and more than 30 other people were injured. the taliban is claiming responsibility for firing at least eight rockets into kabul, the capital of afghanistan overnight. at least one person, a child, was wounded. one of the rockets landed near the u.s. embassy in kabul. today, at least four people are accused of plotting a terror attack in australia. police say the suspects, with ties to a somali group linked to al qaeda, were planning to open fire inside an australian military base. overseas markets are mostly lower this morning and cnbc's trish regan is at the new york stock exchange. trish, what is wall street watching today? >> well, ann, you know, there could be a little bit of profit taking on the heels of yesterday's rally. based on the s&p climb above 1,000 for the first time since last fall. overall, there's suddenly a little bit more optimism on wall street, which is a good thing.

investors are anticipating that the economy will recover in the second half of this year. they're pointing to strong corporate profits, and also that gdp figure that we saw last week. now a number of top economists have come out and revised their forecasts going forward, anticipating positive growth in the third quarter, so all of that bodes well. ann? >> all right, trish regan, thanks so much. and facing a $7 billion loss this year, the u.s. postal service is considering closing or combining almost 700 post offices around the country. the postal service is losing money as increasingly people are turning to the internet. man the world is changing. >> all right, ann, thank you very much. weather changing? >> our outfit should be changing. we're all wearing beige. >> khaki day here on the "today" show. >> ann didn't get the memo. >> i'm the holdout. i didn't realize. >> all right. actually we do have a little bit aofhange coming up. looks like what we're expecting today, some severe weather in the er ayndmshuorst

tyerstornd expected, strong winds, hail, fro kansas fty out to cincinnati, on into centraceohio. columbus seeing some strong storms right now, as this front works its way through. we're looking at those storms firing up. rain fall amounts generally about an inch or summer haze in the air on this tuesday morning. good morning. 73 in washington. we're in the 60s in the suburbs and rural areas. highs today reaching low 90s. code orange for poor air quality by this afternoon. a likelihood of afternoon thundershowers. a slight chance of a morning shower. thursday and friday less humid and cooler. over the weend an oppressive heat wave moving in with high humidity and high heat. highs near 100 saturday, sunday and monday. that's your latest weather. matt? >> all right, al, thank you very much. now the latest in the michael jackson case, in a surprising court, jackson's

dermatologist now claims he wants some kind of a say in the custody and upbringing of jackson's children. nbc's jeff rossen was in the courtroom when this happened. jeff, good morning to you. >> reporter: hey, matt, good morning to you. just when you thought custody was all wrapped up in a nice little bow, along comes dr. arnie klein, in a move that shocked the judge, it shocked the jacksons, and the entire courtroom. dr. klein's own lawyer suddenly challenged the custody deal. the judge asked why? and then the mystery deepened. dr. arnie klein just went from beverly hills dermatologist to self-proclaimed protector of michael jackson's kids. in court monday his lawyer dropped a bombshell, telling the judge, dr. klein has unique interests in michael's children, but wouldn't say what those interests are. in a statement, he said, dr. klein was acting on promises he made to michael with respect to assuring the language long-term health and stability of the children. but this out-of-the blue move only fuels tabloid reports that dr. arnie klein is really the biological father of 12-year-old

prince and 11-year-old paris. >> most sources have come forward to "us weekly" and said that arnold klein is the biological father of michael jackson's two eldest children. >> reporter: he didn't exactly deny it on cnn last month. >> i don't think i should go over my legal affairs. i think to the best of my knowledge i'm not the father. >> reporter: dr. klein was jackson's dermatologist, whose medical records were subpoenaed as pt of the investigation. monday the judge denied his request for a voice in the kids' lives. >> we look at fatherhood and motherhood as who's been doing the job. not, who's got the genetics. >> reporter: the judge approved the original custody deal. giving katherine jackson full guardianship, and debbieowe visitation. after the hearing, rowe's lawyer told me it was the right decision. and said this at the podium. >> today's result, 5 1/2 weeks after the tragic death of michael jackson, eliminates uncertainty and offers some stability to the lives of these children. >> reporter: michael jackson supported his family.

now that he's gone, so is the money. katherine asked for an allowance to help raise the kids. monday the judge approved it. the exact amount wasn't disclosed. but the biggest battle of all, lives another day. the battle over jackson's des tate and who controls it, has been delayed until october. >> busy day in court. we've also learned this morning that the jackson estate is negotiating four separate deals right now, including movies and merchandising. that could net the estate, matt, more than a million dollars in pure profit. >> all right, jeff, thanks very much. katherine jackson's attorney is with u exclusively this morning. good to see you again. >> good morning. good morning, matt, how are you? >> i'm all right. thanks very much. so the expecd in court. katherine jackson gets permanent custody of the three children. michael wanted that. he stated that in his will. the deal with debbie rowe that you helped to work out, the agreement, she gets visitation, and then this bizarre twist, landle, where the attorney for dr. arnold klein says he's got a

unique interest in these children and wants some kind of a say. did that strike you as odd? >> it was quite bizarre. but let me first say that it was a great day for these children, it was a great day for mrs. jackson, and debbie rowe to put this behind them, and to many out there who are watching, to have one less thing to be consumed by on a daily basis. dr. klein's counsel's appearance was quite odd. he has no legal standing, and the judge was kind enough to at least allow him to be heard. but was quickly able to dispense with the appearance and his lack of standing in the matter. >> but why -- what do you make of this unique interest, as you heard a second ago in a previous interview, he said to the best of his knowledge he's not the biological father of these children. now he's got some unique interest. he has no legal standing. what if he is proven to be the

biological father? does that change things? >> well, the concept of unique interest has no legally cognizable standard in t law. he is not going to be the legal parent, even if he was somehow genetically connected to these children. >> well, might he have some input? here's what the statement says, dr. klein has always had a special relationship with paris, katherine and prince michael, loves and cares deeply for this children, is looking out for their best interests. dr. klein has been involved with the children in sharing holidays and other special events, and wishes to have the ability to continue his involvement as a very close friend of their father and offers his guidance and protection forever. does katherine jackson have any intention of giving him visitation, any kind of a say at all? >> absolutely not, to my understanding. it is somewhat interesting from a media standpoint, but it has

no basis of relevance from a legal standpoint. he has no standing, and we just moved quickly on to the proceedings that were at hand yesterday. >> let me just ask you another question. i know katherine jackson had expressed some interest in being an executor of the will, that hasn't happened. no court has sided with her on that. you said it might be a good idea if she becomes one of the trustees. what legal power would that give her? >> that would give her legal power to observe and to review, oversee and protect the legacy of her son, which, at the time of his death, there can be really no question, in fact, and we can prove that she was the most trusted person for her son, michael jackson. not just from a personal standpoint, but also from a business standpoint. >> right. >> the will was drafted by mr. brankowicz's firm and he has a fine firm and a great entertainment firm. but at the same time, a lot has

changed from 2002 to 2009. and a trustee is not whether or not you're a good lawyer or whether or not you're a good business person. a trustee is really whether or not the decedent trusted you at the time of his death, and whether or not the documents reflect that. and we intend to show additional documents which reflect, there is no better person than the mother of michael jackson to be at least one of the executors, and the fiduciary to oversee her son's legacy. you look at whether it's the elvis presley estate, whether it's the beatles estate, all of these estates have family members there looking at, watching over, their precious assets. this should be no difference in the michael jackson case. >> real quickly, there were two autopsies performed on michael jackson after his death. one by the coroner's office, the other side to be a private autopsy requested by the family. has mrs. jackson learned the results of that private autopsy? does she know the cause of death?

>> it's my belief that she is aware, at least from one report, and there are several reports happening. so we're going to wait until all of the conclusive evidence is turned in, and then we'll be able to at some point know exactly what's the best way to proceed. >> but she has received the results of that private autopsy? >> at least one, she has. >> and you can't divulge what the cause of death was on that autopsy? >> not at this time. very sensitive, potentially criminal matters associated with that, and that's not my role at this time. we'll let the reports come out in due course. >> all right. londell, good to see you again, thanks very much for your time. >> thank you. >> all right. it's 19 after the hour. here's meredith. >> matt, thank you. and now to the latest on that emergency landing of a continental airlines flight after at least 26 passengers were injured when the plane encountered severe turbulence. nbc's kerry sanders is at miami international airport with details. kerry, good morning to you.

>> reporter: good morning, meredith. it was about this time on monday we were getting details about the plane that was forced to make the emergency landing here in miami. the continental flight left rio de janeiro in brazil en route to houston when it hit what is believed to be is clear air turbulence. and for the passengers on board, it became a white knuckle nightmare. continental flight128 with more than six hours into his flight from rio de janeiro at 36,000 feat and climbing when passengers say without warning the plane violently jolted up and then dropped and then another violent jolt and another drop. >> we thought we weren't going to make it. >> reporter: at least 14 travelers were thrown so forcefully they had to be hospitalized. paramedics say it appears they weren't wearing their seat belts. at these photos show, some passengers who were not belted in flew out of their seats like missiles. in some cases so violently they

smashed their heads on the ceiling, even cracking ceiling tiles. >> i didn't have my seat belt on and i hit my head on the roof of the ceiling, and then i felt down and i hit on the floor in front of me. >> while all planes have radar that can spot areas of dangerous weather ahead, there's no effective technology that can pinpoint clear-air turbulence. it's why airlines recommend passengers always keep their seat belts on during the flight, even when it appears to be a smooth ride. a veteran pilot who's encountered the phenomenon before says it doesn't happen often, but when it does, it can be dangerous. >> today's planes are very safe, and they handle turbulence well structurally, but the people still get thrown around if they're not attached. >> reporter: this past february there was a similar incident involving a northwest 747 flying between manila and tokyo. 45 people were injured, including six crew. in 1997, a united airlines 747 with 390 people on board was flying from tokyo to honolulu

when it hit severe turbulence, and dropped 1,000 feet. one woman died, and ten passengers were seriously injured. on this continental flight, the shock literally came out of the blue. >> not looking forward to gettg on another plane at all. that has got to be the scariest thing i've ever felt in my life. >> reporter: the good news this morning, all who were hospitalized have now been released. theational transportation safety board has taken the black boxes off of the plane, sent them to washington for analysis to do a little bit more of a determination. and meredith, to give you an idea of how rare these severe turbulence occurrences are, the faa looks at and sdies them when they're really severe, and th onl have about three or four a year. it's unclear whether this one is going to fall into that category. but certainly for the passengers on board, it was as severe as it gets. >> that's what i was about to say. kerry sanders, thank you so much.

and still ahead, three women accused of torturing a man using crazy glue after finding out he was romantically involved with all of them. we get the details. but first, this is "today" on nbc. with her son off to college, liz turned to target for great deals.

like a twenty dollar comforter for his bed. a fridge for healthy snacks a reading lamp to study by and a cell phone to call home. so liz chose target showing off her college smarts about savings target. expect more. pay less.

still ahead, why are one in ten americans using antidepressants? >> plus the florida family living all alone in a 32-story condo building. their story.

good morning. i'm barbara harrison. it's tuesday, august 4th, 2009 the time 7:26. one person is dead after a quadruple shaooting in oxen hil. one man was killed and another critically injured. o women were also shot but they are expected to be okay. police say the shooting began with an argument and the gunman apparently knew the victims. today we could learn whether metro's purple line will csion of rapid ht ra .l the line would conct cct bethes through silver spring. we'll take a break and come back with w

good morning. temperatures around the region in the 60s and low 70s. another day with not a lot of humidity. highs reaching low 90s with hazy sunshine for this tuesday and there is a code orange for poor air quality this afternoon. and then tomorrow partly sunny. like llihood of afternoon thundershowers. less humid thursday and friday but hot and humid for the weekend. how's traffic? >> slowing down on the beltway south of town through the utter loop at van dorn street. and an accident in maryland westbound route 50 at freeway airport. over to the shoulder. lanes open now. tonight on "news4 at 5:00,"

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7:30 now on a tuesday morning. it's the 4th day of august, 2009. we've got a sunny start to the day here in the northeast. that's good news for all the people lining the plaza here in midtown manhattan. we'll go outside to say hi to those people in just a little while. meanwhi meanwhile, inside the studio, i'm matt lauer alongside meredith vieira. coming up in this half hour, how should i describe this? case out of wisconsin that is bizarre. >> to say the least. three women are accused of exacting a painful revenge on a bheet wheating husband who was having relationships with all of them. one of the women involved was that man's own wife. what are they accused of doing with krazy glue? we'll tell you in just a moment. >> also she's gone from lavish

trips and multimillion dollar homes and subway rides, now having to explain any spending over $100. how life has changed dramatically for ruth madoff since her husband has gone to prison for running the largest ponzi scheme in u.s. history. plus dr. nancy synderman will be here. she'll explain why the use of antidepressants in this country revenge in wisconsin. them? in northeast wisconsin, a man they say was involved with each of them, including the man's wife. the prosecutor says the emotions may be familiar, but the outcome isn't. >> one of them tied him -- one of them assaulted him. and they all confronted him about his infidelity. >> reporter: the women are charged with false imprisonment, a felony with up to six years in prison.

in addition, one of the other women, these ra seeman is charged with battery and sexual assault. the women tells nbc news she dating other women, i wanted him fourth alleged assailant was not was. alleged plot began when the man's wife tell them he's married, with investigators he went to a motel room with seeman, who tied him to the bed and blindfolded him in the pretense of giving him a massage. more? who do you want to grow old with? the prosecutor says the revenge didn't end there. >> this individual had a private body. >> reporter: the women in the wisconsin case are free on $200 cash bail and are due back in

court later this month. for "today," john yang, nbc news, chicago. >> ken kratz is the district attorney in caluemet county, wisconsin. good morning to you. >> good morning, meredith. >> have you ever seen anything like this in your experience as a d.a.? >> well, we've certainly seen where revenge is the motive for contacting individuals that may have been involved in some indiscretion or infidelity. it usually doesn't raise to the level of four women and it certainly doesn't include physical harmhat's caused, or any of the other things that happened in this case. >> do you know how this plan ca who was the mastermind behind it? >> the mastermind is kind of an interesting term. i think that the wife in the case had found out about the other's existence, had somehow made contact with them, and then one of the women had lured this

gentleman to a hotel room, at which time the plan was hatched. i think all four of the women that were there were equally involved in the planning and the execution of the plan, and so although one of them may have been the leader of the group, i think certainly all four played their part. >> aside from the women who have been arrested and charged, are there any others involved, even just romantically involved with this man? >> well, although each of those defendants enjoys the presumption of innocence, in that these are just allegations, one of the women did indicate that there were at least two other women that may have been involved with this man. there are evene r that they also were invited to participate in this confrontation, but for whatever reason, chose not to. >> has there been any comment from the victim as to what he went through?

>> we haven't spoken to him. we do know that he made the report shortly after escaping from the situation, after extricating himself. he did go to the hospital. did receive some medical attention, and was released. so we do know that he doesn't have any long-lasting or long-term injuries. >> we also understand that he said that one of these women had a gun and threatened him with a gun. have you found any evidence that there was, indeed, a gun at the crime scene? >> we didn't. we looked for that particular evidence. obviously when you have firearms even to another level. we weren't able to find a firearm. we weren't able to find or corroborate the existence of that, and although the case remains under investigation at this time, we are unsure if a firearm was used. >> very quickly, these women may have looked at this as sweet revenge. did they say to you all they were trying to do was scare him

a little bit? or did they have other things in mined? in other words, he screamed and they ran. essentially is what happened. >> it's hard to tell what their real motive was. i mean, it's supposition to guess what the real motive was. but it sounds like what was actually executed was very, very close to the original plan. when things started to unravel, when things started to get out of control, when the man became much more combative, the ladies abandoned their plan at that time, and left. i think it's also fair to say that it doesn't take a whole lot of foresight to think about how much worse this could have been with this matter just going a little bit further. that is either a weapon being used or this man freeing himself and even more physical harm coming. >> and there could be some people chuckling but this is serious stuff and these women could face up to six years in prison if convicted.

thank you so much for your time, sir. >> thank you, meredith. >> and now let's get a check of the weather from al. >> all right. thank you, meredith. what's your name? >> quincy. >> and? >> justin. >> where are your folks? >> right per. >> oh, over there. they're just kind of -- hopped a plane and came down to the plaza. .yamaust be your sister. maya. wrehe a yreou from? >> detroit, michigan. >> all right. detroit in the house! let's check your weather, see what's happening. show you on the satellite. clear skies, good news, finally. we've got some nice weather right now. air quality alerts, 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. for parts of the northeast. ou that air is going to finally move out of here once a front moves through tomorrow. then as we move out west, the good news is, seattle and the pacific northwest and the west going to see a bit of a cooldown. right now temperatures anywhere from three to ten degrees above normal. iont time we get on thursday and frido lmpteurater,, ,ckp back, especially in california,

anywhere from 10 to almost 20 haze in washington. liverohiton nument. ase take a lookiee view there from our city camera you can see the haze is thick. we have dense fog around the mountains this morning. that will dissipate. the haze will thin out as the day progresses. 60s and low 70s now. highs low 90s. poor air quality unhealthy this afternoon. and then tomorrow partly sunny. maybe a morning shower. likelihood of afternoon thundershowers. and that's your latest weather. matt? >> all right, al, thank you very much. now to a big adjustment for the wives of convicted swindler bernie madoff. a bankruptcy judge is now imposing some very tight controls over her expenses. "today" national correspondent natalie morales has details on that. natalie, good morning to you. >> good morning to you, matt. yes, ruth madoff's life has gone through a lot of changes in recent weeks. the latest, a new order that

freezes her assets and requires her to be on an extremely tight financial leash. it has been more than a month since bernie madoff was sentenced to 150 years in prison for masterminding a $65 billion ponzi scheme. the biggest in u.s. history. with his sentence, madoff traded in his fancy new york city penthouse for a north carolina jailhouse. life has also changed for madoff's wife ruth. she lost nearly all of her assets, but did get to keep $2.5 million as part of the government settlement. living in the lap of luxury was recently seen riding the new york city subway, modestly dressed amid reports that she's been apartment hunting for a much smaller home in manhattan. now, another change for ruth madoff. under a new order, signed by a manhattan bankruptcy judge, madoff must submit a monthly report of expenses that individually exceed $100 to a trustee. >> ruth madoff's legal position

is, i didn't know. and essentially the trustee is now saying, we don't buy it. so she's now in a position where she's going to have to prove that any money that she has wasn't tainted. that's a tough spot to be in. >> reporter: in a statement to nbc news, ruth madoff's attorney said, quote, this agreement is a dation in the om context of this lawsuit. but that lawsuit, filed by the same trustee, irving pickard, also calls for ruth madoff to return nearly $45 million allegedly transferred to her from her husband's firm. money he claims ruth madoff used to live a life of splendor, a claim her lawyer calls perplexing and totally unjustified. and under the new court order, ruth madoff is allowed to spend her money on reasonable living expenses, including legal fees. but the order does allow the trustee to make sure she is not spending money on anything deemed inappropriate. >> all right, natalie, thank you

very much. coming up next, is america becoming hooked on antidepressants. a look at some surprising new findings. a lile early on, high fashion rlycc in the morning why the sex and the city movie sequel has these ladies lining up. i

we're back now at 7:44 and this morning on "today's health," americans and antidepressants. new research shows the number of people taking them doubled from 1996 to 2005, to 1 in 10 americans. dr. nancy synderman is nbc's chief medical editor. nancy, good morning. >> hi, matt. >> the optimist in me says this is because there's better diagnosis. the pessimist says we are a pill-popping nation. what's the truth? >> i think a little bit of both. i think the stigma of depression has gone down a little bit. help because we're blue. and we are a pill-popping nation. there's no doubt about it. and i think the other problem is

that insurance doesn't pay for a lot of counseling sessions. so doctors are prescribing them, and direct consumer advertising has made words like paxil, and prozac everyday terms. >> and the choices we have. i mean, 10, 15, 20 years ago you didn't have as many choices that didn't have dramatic side effects. it seems a if there are a lot more options out there for people suffering from depression. >> huge family of antidepressants now. and patients even know that there are serotonin is a chemical in your brain that can be altered. we know side effects of some meditions. we've talked to friends who are on them. so we almost go in saying, hey, doc, i've heard about this, what can you tell me, can i try it? and doctors are saying yes increasingly. >> have we replaced one stigma for another? the stigma of depression may be fading. but will we now see the stigma attached to popping pills for everything? >> well, what concerns me is i think we're not seeing the stigma of depression fading enough that people know that they really still require sit-down time with someone talking through their problems.

we want this sort of fast fix. if y look at the push for health care reform to get more general doctors in the market, i think those general doctors are going to be pushed to give pills more than saying come on in for 45 minutes and let me spend time with you. so the whole idea of psychologists and psychiatrists having a hand in this, i would -- they're going to be pushed to the periphery. >> there's another element of this, this family of drugs that you're talking about, some of those drugs have had some negative side effects attached to them. suicidal thoughts. >> right. >> for example. especially among teens using 24e78. >> right. >> have they started to sort that out? >> the fda has required a lot of them to have black box warnings which basically say looks we know that bouts of suicidality go up. there may not be a direct cause and effect but if you're on these you have to be worried and the fda is going to stay right on top of them. >> let me turn to swine flu. health officials have found treatment resistant trains of swine flu along the u.s. border with mexico. how worried should we all be

about that? especially as schools reopen in the fall, and our children go back into spreading germs and things like that? >> worried enough that our government officials are watching things around the globe very carefully. and i think you have a couple of problems. increasingly, when you have pigs, people and poultry living together in tight communities, you're going to start to see these new viruss pop up in other countries and then spread around the globe. this swine flu, i think, is a harbinger of things to come. now, the school starting in a couple of weeks we know we're not going to have vaccine until october. expect an uptick in this country. and the fact that there's a resistant swine flu. a reminder, do not take the antivirals just because the kid down the block is infected. you take them when you're sick. and one more thing most people die of pneumonia. talk to your doctor about getting the pneumonia vaccine along with everything else. that could save your life. >> before i let you go, stella, our patient yesterday getting rotator cuff surgery and using propofol to be sedated.

how is she doing? >> she's doing great. she had her right rotator cuff fixed at the hospital yesterday for special surgery. tom quinn, the anesthesiologist and a real good example of how responsible people can use a great drug in a controlled segment. >> she came out of it fine. >> what a wonderful woman to let us peep in her life like that. >> nancy, thank you very much. appreciate it. coming up next, theil filya llvi aneng flo a in a 3lo did-story condo building. their story right after this.

how'd you like to have a 32-story building all to yourself? nbc's michelle kosinski is in fort myers, florida, with a family who has done just that. good morning to you, michelle. >> reporter: good morning, meredith. in this entire building only three people closed on their condo units. two paid cash. they were able to simply swap out for other units in the slightly more inhabited building next door. but this family has a huge mortgage. their lend irwon't let them do that. now not only are they under water in their loan, they are all alone. ah, life at the oasis, where they weren't kidding wn they said, private. >> nothing works down here. >> reporter: where all that peace and quiet is downright deafening. >> here's the club room. we have the tv. >> reporter: victor and family find themselves with more space than they ever wanted. >> it's a lonely building. >> reporter: yes, the only

residents in 32 stories. no doorman. and no marina, clubhouse, cinema, restaurant, pro shop, amenities they were sold on. what they do have is creepy. >> dark, scary at night. >> love you. good night. >> one night, there was a pounding on the door, like a two-fisted pounding real loud. >> reporter: firefighter victor sunk his life savings into the condo that cost 430 grand. the developer related group offered to move them into a temporary unit in the tower next door where about 50 people live, but it's too expensive to maintain their building at the same level. >> is it fair to the people that live there that they don't have everything that they bought into? >> i think it's fair to them that they're doing everything we can to resolve the problem. and tried and tried and tried. you know, for months. >> reporter: they say the lenders won't let them simply buy the family out. related itself is in the hole $1.5 billion right now. all the novelty of a high-rise

to yourself -- >> we have a good spot at the pool every day. >> reporter: -- has worn off. at this point they'd recomannoying neighbors. or someone else to annoy besides each other. >> i thought when we got here we would meet our neighbors, have them over. >> go like to a movie theater. >> reporter: so much for the tropical teenage social life. >> only neighbors we have are the insects and the animals. >> reporter: this oasis feels a lot moreike a desert island. everybody took a gamble here. the developer, the lender and the buyer. now everybody is in a bad spot. but shortly after our interview, the related group says they may have a solution. everybody's going to talk today. meredith? >> all right, michelle, thank you very much.

hazy out there. 7:56. supposed to get rmer. we'll find out more about the weather when we check in with tom kierein shortly. i'm barbara harrison. it's tuesday, august 4th, 2009. time now 7:56. in the news at this hour, one person is dead after a quadruple shooting in oxen hill that happened before 1:00 this morning on livingston road. one man was killed and other critically injured. two women were shot but they're expected to be okay. the shooting began with an argument and the gunman knew the victims. dozens of new bus stops have been vandalized in recent days.

the damage was reported in several parts of the cit but most of the affected bus shelters appear to be in northwest d.c. we could learn whether the purple line will be rap bus serve igoricht l icrail the maryland governor is expected to announce the next steps in about an hour. we'll be back with weather and traffic. stay with us. how far can you see? at pnc, taking the long view is how we help you take the right path. even to change it when conditions demand. keeping you on the road to achieving your goals. it's something we've been doing for over 150 years. let our strength and stability be the basis for yours. pnc. leading the way. there's no the factaround that my perdue perfect portions fresh chicken breasts are perfect.

each piece ce individually wrapped, so you can cook what you need and easily store what you don't. and they're perfectly sized to cook quickly and evenly in only 10 minutes. it's the perfect answer to your dinner routine. (announcer) perdue perfect portions. also in a variety of all natural seasonings. good morning. after a break yesterday it will turn more humid today and tomorrow and highs near 90 both today and tomorrow.

hazy sunshine this afternoon. unhealthy air quality by mid afternoon. tomorrow, partly sunny. maybe aorning shower but likelihood of afternoon thundershowers. less humid thursday and friday. how's traffic? >> over on 66 not so bad this morning. a couple sunshine delays but look at that. no big backup at the exit for the capital beltway. on the beltway prince george's county accident you touter loop. ree ft lanes are closed. barbara? >> thank you. tonight on

8:00 on this tuesday morning, august 4th, 2009. and fashionista wanna-bes are lining up in new york city for a chance to appear in the next "sex and the city" movie. take a look at some of those. and we're going to take you there live in just a bit. meanwhile, we have a pretty fashionable crowd hanging out with us on the plaza this morning. meredith vieira here along with matt lauer and al roker. speaking of fashion, matt, you made the best dressed last year. >> that was very flattering. and very nice of them to include me. >> and well deserved. >> thank you very much. >> you're anotherne who should be on that list. you always look dapper. we're going to talk about who made the list this year.

>> apparently -- >> but -- >> but we might have heard by now. >> yes, exactly. also ahead, how many times have you done this? you go out to lunch, you're in a hurry, you grab a sandwich. then you grab a sandwich that's got grilled chicken and artichokes on it. you think that has to be healthy? >> has to be, right? >> wait until you hear how much fat and calories and sodium some sandwiches have. one sandwich we're going to show you today, very popular brand, has got as many calories as 16 fudge sickles. >> wow. that's -- >> i like fudgecicles. >> are you going to put a damper on our fun. >> ruining life for all of us. >> by the way, did you know lacrosse is one of the fastest-growing sports in this country? we're going to learn the ropes. >> and that's why, because it's got cheerleaders. we're going to learn the ropes from members of a professional team. then we're going to have at it. matt and me versus meredith and

ann. >> nat? >> oh, ann. >> are you going to play? >> i understand you're actually allowed to hit people in it? piqued my curiosity. >> oh, no! >> i think you get treated by the cheerleaders. >> stop it. go inside to ann to bring some decorum to this group. >> i don't think that's possible. good morning once again, everybody. in the news this morning, former president bill clinton arrived in north korea this morning to secu the release of two jailed american journalists. clinton was greeted with handshakes and flowers at the airport in the north korean capital. his first visit to the region. he is trying to win the release of un yeah lee and laura ling who were arrested in march for illegally crossing the border from china. they were both sentenced to 12 years of hard labor. >> today, taliban fighters fired at least nine rockets into neighborhoods in afghanistan's capital of kabul. two of the rockets struck near the american and british embassies, as well as nato headquarters. at least one person, a child, was wounded in the attacks. republican senator lindsey

graham predicted earlier on this broadcast that the senate will approve more money to continue the popular cash for clunkers program. the program has helped car sales and also salvage yards. that are cashing in on selling scrap metal. as early as today, debate gets under way in the senate on the supreme court nomination of sonia sotomayor. the 55-year-old appears to be on track to become the first hispanic justice to serve on the high court. today, the obama administration is to announce plans for a summit next month on texing while driving. the sum it to include safety advocates, transportation and law enforcemen officials and members of congress, after a study found texting while driving increases the risk of an accident by six times. and there were some tense moments on monday for swimmers at a michigan beach. diver crews crushed to rescue several people who were being pulled into the water by strong winds, high waves and rip currents. dramatic images there. but everyone is okay this morning.

and now let's get a check of what's coming up tonight on "nbc nightly news" with brian williams. hey, brian. >> hey, ann, thanks. coming up tonight we have the story of 14 strangers, their destinies intertwined in the operating room. they formed an inspirational life-saving connection, a kind of chain of courage and charity. it's an emotional "making a difference" segment. we'll have that for you tonight. for now, ann, back to you. >> all right, a chain of courage. it sounds good. all right, brian. now let's go back outside to the twosome. hey, you two. >> hey, thank you very much. >> i like that. >> let's go to al, and make it a threesome. >> oh, no! no! >> i got my own cheerleaders here. they even made their own -- you made these shirts special? wow look at that. "t" love al -- oh, "i." that's an "i." and matt, you got the back part. very nice. where you guys from? >> kentucky. >> all right. nice to see you. thanks so much. let's check your weather, see what's happening.

show you for today, pick city today, huntington, west virginia. wsaz, nbc 3. cloudy some afternoon storms. 86 degrees. as we check out that jet stream band of air, 20,000 feet above the earth's surface. it's way up to the north. but by the time we get to thursday, milder air funnels its way in out west. so that we get sunshine and beautiful weather in the pacific northwest. good morning. bright sunshine and a hazy sky on this tuesday morning. right now 75 in washington. it's in the low to mid 70s in montgomery, fairfax and prince george's counties and highs should reach around 90 degrees around the reasonable and there's going to be unhealthy air quality developing by this afternoon. code orange. then tomorrow partly sunny and maybe a morning shower but a greater chance of passing afternoon thundershowers. highs near 90. less humid on thursday, friday and cooler but a heat wave for the weekend. we've got a multipart sign here.

it's your 44th birthday. your mom's 44th, your daughter's 44th. my uncle. oh, i'm sorry. i snatched your sign down. oh, my gosh. and then your aunt's birthday and sister's birthday. what's your name? >> pam. >> happy birthday. >> meredith? >> all right, al. look a sign for uncle willard. we love you. very nice. thank you so much. coming up next, are dollar stores really worth it? the products you buy at bargain prices and more importantly the ones to avoid. up next, you think you're doing good grabbing a dunea sandwich for lunch? it may have as many calories as for lunch? it may have as many calories as a 12-pack of beer. can help save. shoppline doing it with bank of america can help save a lot more. up to 20% cash back from over 300 online retailers t r wiouh add it up program. just sign up and use your bank of america debit or credit card when you shop online. it's one of the many ways we make saving

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in america." david, welcome back. >> anks. >> good to see you. >> good to see you, matt. >> i don't think of sandwiches as real healthy lunches. i see them as fast lunches. now they have hidden surprises. >> when mom used to make them they used to be fast and healthy. now you can have sandwiches that go above 1500 calories. but if you make 1345r9 choices, i'm going to show you how you can lose 14 pounds in a month. up to 14 pounds by good, smart sandwich slop. >> let's take a look at some very popular sandwiches from some popular restaurants. we're starting off with romano's macaroni grilled grilled chicken and artichoke. sounds healthy to me. what's the problem here? >> this is why it's so hard to lose weight. because this has 1,000 calories. this has got 55 grams of fat. and it's got 76 grams of carbs. so you've got the artichoke spread, which has oil in it. and then all the carbs. 76 in the bun. it's the equivalent, the calorie equivalent of 16 fudgecicles.

>> which is not your basic lunch. but this same place macaroni grill has a healthier alternative. >> this is the grilled chicken, and what you're going to do is save 600 calories. you go to lunch every day -- >> and 45 grams of fat. >> right. you go to lunch every day, you make that smart choice, you lose 5 pounds in one month. >> all right. next we have the blimpie special vegetarian, and that sounds real healthy. here's my first take on this, there's a foot of bread right here. that can't be good for you. >> right. that can't be good. but there's no meat in it. why does it have to be 1200 calories. so vegetarian, comes in here and says hey, it's vegetarian, it must be healthy. elephants are vegetarians, too. but if you eat too much you will gain weight. in this case, this has the salt equivalent of 86 saltines. okay? this is 3500 milligrams of sodium. this is a day and a half worth of salt. so if you're going to be at

blimpies and you don't want to take the word literally, get the six inch veggie. it's half the size. has a little bit of a mystery meat in there. a few servings of produce. and you're saving 700 calories. that's six pounds over four weeks. >> all right. let's move on. next we have the subway foot long meatball with cheese. i don't care how much you say, i like that. it looks good. >> but that is not how jared lost weight. he did not lose it eating that. don't take the subway home, walk for 12 miles because you need three hours to work off this 1300 calories and 54 grams of fat. it is the equivalent of these 42 onion rings. >> all right. but there is a healthier alternative. again, half the size. but you say twice the meat. >> right. what you're doing is you're getting the double roast beef. you're asking for a second shot of the roast beef. you're getting a lot more protein. and here what you're doing is you're saving, you know, you're saving 850 calories. you're saving a pound every four days.

that's seven pounds over the course of a month. that's what the whole idea of "eat this, not that" is. it's very easy to lose weight when you know what you're eating. >> and then substitute smartly. let's go for chicken lovers here. this next one is chili's buffalo chicken crisper bite sandwich. is this fried? >> yeah, it's a lot of things. it's definitely an unidentified frying object. it's got -- >> go ahead. >> it's got 100 grams of fat. okay? this is the equivalent, fat equivalent of all of this ice cream, 28 scoops of eddy's kookies and cream ice cream right heres. if you're at chili's just get the chicken fajita pita. >> how much fat is in that one? >> that's 13 grams. >> you're going to save 87 grams of fat. you're going to save 1200 calories. you're saving a pound of fat every three days. that's ten pounds in a month. and you're still eating all your favorite foods. no diet, no exercise.

no scary liposuction machine. >> tuna. everybody thinks tuna is pretty healthy. quiznos, the tuna melt from quiznos. and what the problem with this? >> it's 1800 calories. >> 1800 calories? >> they have taken a smart, lean food, tuna, and they have put this -- drowned this in a sea of mayo and cheese. and what it is, it's the equivalent of a half a case of dweiser. this is 12 beer summits. >> what'sour point here? >> my point is, have six of these sandwiches -- >> how many of these? this is not a good alternative for this. >> if you're trying to lose weight, this is a 1500 calorie difference. you can have six of these and still lose say 80 calories. so have two, save 1200 calories. >> and lose ten pounds. >> and drink the beer. >> all right, david, thank you very much. as always, important information. coming up next, "vanity fair's" picking for the best-dressed people in the

world. plus "sex and the city: the sequel." we're going to take you to where the movies are holding a casting call. yes, you are. i know exactly what you love, don't i? - [ barks ] - mmm. aromas like rotisserie chicken. and filet mignon. yeah, that's what inspired a very special dry dog food. [ woman ] introducing chef michael's canine creations. so tasty and nutritious it's hard to believe it's dry dog food. chef-inspired. dog-desired. chef michael's canine creations. was about 30 seconds after i woke up. still not smoking! seven days. nicorette takes just enough of the edge off the need. i still want to light up, but i don't have to. (announcer) you can do it. nicorette can help.

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morning on "today's style," the world's best-dressed. a special double cover issue, "vanity fair" is out with the coveted best dresses list. and a special correspondent for vanity fair and host of "who's in and who's not." amy, good morning to you. >> good morning, meredith. >> how does somebody take it onto the list in the first place? >> they are voted onto the list. it's a democratic process. polls are sent out. ballots to about 2,000 fashion insiders and professionals. >> and then you whittle it down to the handful of people that actually finally make it into the magazine? >> that's right. we're the electoral college. >> so let's start with some of the categories here. among your favorites we're going to start with the first ladies and i'm talking about michelle obama and carla bruni sarkozy of france. not since jackie o. have two women so dominated the stage in terms of their fashion savvy. what is it about these two ladies? >> well, they're both young, in their 40s, tall, good-looking, and the world is watching.

michelle obama got more votes than any other person. this year or any year. >> why is that? >> she's that popular. and she has brought back the dress. she has turned the planet into her own runway, without even meaning to. and she loves showing her arms and her legs, which is a bit refreshing. >> and individual style, really, i think. blending things like j. crew with high-end fashion. >> she goes high, she goes low. she's very interested in american designers, but she's not provincial. and she has a good sense of color and patterns. it's a strong, distinctive and coistent look. >> and carla bruni sarkozy, she was a model, so she knows how to carry herself beautifully. >> that's right. the supermodel first lady is also a sexy pop star, too. she is the complete post-modern woman. you look at her one minute, and she is elegant consort to the french president. you look at her again, and she is a sex kitten on the stage. >> moving on to the men, not to be outdone by his wife, the

jeans that he wore, he got criticized from the all-star game, president obama makes the look -- the list. why is that? >> obama is on the list for the first time because he has such natural ease and elegance. he's completely comfortable in his own skin. he is very much in the tradition of american classic dress, but relaxed. and he just watched the way he rolls up his sleeves and you can see how much he cares about the way he looks. but not too much. >> and joining him is brad pitt, without angelina. >> without angelina, although she does make a good accessory for him. he has found a lot of other accessories that men are imitating. the hats, the aviators, and he looks good, and he does good. >> last year matt lauer was on the list. this year another of our colleagues is on, tiki barber, who always dresses beautifully. >> tiki barber is on for the third time. he's polished, he's so well-groomed. he's beautifully accessorized. and he also has a classic

american look but with a little more continental flair. >> two a-list actresses, this time, first time around for them, anne hathaway, penelope cruz. starting with anne, tell us about why she made the lith. >> anne hathaway is the embodiment of the glamorous, nice girl. she is beautiful and fresh and clean and young and a little bit fragile in the tradition of audrey hepburn. >> and penelope? >> penelope, she is the kind of woman that men love, and the kind that women love. she's got a beautiful body and she knows how to showcase it in the best clothes without any vulgarity at all. >> and we're going to go out with a picture of catherine deneuve who is on your hall of fame list. three times or more at 66, still just the most elegant woman around. amy, thank you so much for joining us this morning. >> thank you. >> special double cover issue of "vanity fair" hits newsstands

nationally next week. thank you again. it is 8:23. once again here's matt. >> all right, meredith, thank you. the fab four of "sex and the city" always look stylish. carrie, samantha, charlotte are inching closer to the highly anticipated sequel to "sex and the city" the movie. today amy robach is at the only casting call for extras. hi, amy, good morning. >> reporter: good morning to you, matt. it's only about 8:20 in the morning here and the folks in this line, some of them have been here since midnight. it already stretches all the way back to sixth avenue. nearly 100 people and these gals, and i see one guy at least here in line, can't even get in the door until 1:30 this afternoon. so this line is only going to grow as we get closer to that 1:30 mark. and we have an interesting casting call because the directors wanted a specific look. did you guys know what they were looking for? >> yes. >> what are they looking for? what kind of cast of characters? >> celebrity types. >> celebrity types. >> socialites. >> what types are you?

>> i'm a fashionista. >> you're a fashionista? >> fashionista. >> model. >> you're a model, definitely. so you all think you fit certain reals. what are you going to do when you get in there? >> just look good. >> show them what we got. >> how long did you plan picking out your outfit? >> last night i threw it together as fast as i could. >> when you think about it, when you looked at yourself in the mirror? >> i said i'm going to go in there with my personality and blast them away. >> so this is great. so you got in early. you think you got a good shot today? >> absolutely. >> we're going to be following this line throughout the morning and seeing just how far it goes. they've got police barricades up here. police officers in the street. this is a major competition here to get the non-speaking role in the second part of "sex and the city." matt. >> all right, amy, also blurry in the background. >> no. >> thank you. >> you know -- >> we'll come back. we are challenging you, ann and i versus these two.

starting off on the sunny side. looks muggy. a look at the washington monument there to the left of the screen. it's going to feel like summer especially over the next couple of days. meteorologist tom kierein will have a forecast in just a bit. degrees at 8:26. good morning. i'm keith garvin. it's tuesday, august 4th. prince george's county police are investigating a quadruple shooting that left one person dead. it happened just before 1:00 a.m. on livingston road. the surviving victims were taken to the hospital. no arrests have been made. police in northern virginia are looking for an intruder who attacked a teenage girl that happened yesterday morning. officers say a man got into an apartment and pinned down a 14-year-old girl who was sleeping on the couch. she screamed and he eventually

ran away. weather and traffic are next. stay with us.

good morning. temperatures now climbing into the mid 70s. it's rather humid this morning and it will be throughout the rest of the day as highs climb into the low 90s. unhealthy air quality. a greater chance of afternoon thunderstorms tomorrow. how's traffic? >> tough times on the capital beltway prince george's county. earlier antier accident outer l 202. north through the lane drop at duke street en route to downtown

lanes open. >> tonight at 5:00 p.m., having the right tools is crucial to being able to manage your diabetes properly. it's very important for me to uh check my blood sugar before i go on stage. being on when i'm feeling low can be like a rollercoaster. it does at times feel like my body is telling me to do one thing... and, my mind, my heart is telling me to do something else. managing my highs and lows is super important. with my contour meter i can personalize my high/lo settings so it really does

micromanage where my blood sugar needs to be. i'm nick jonas and never slowing down is my simple win. 8:30 now on a tuesday morning. it's the 4 day of august, 2009. you're looking at the members of the long island lizards, that is a professional lacrosse team. and they are here having a little fun out on the plaza, with some special guests. and in just a little while they're going to teach us the art of that game, the basics. and then we're going to take on a little boy versus girl competition. you >> you know the losers in the old days were killed. >> right.

>> i didn't know that. >> no. >> so let that be a warning to you. >> okay. >> out on the plaza, i'm matt lauer along with meredith vieira, ann curry and al roker. what else is coming up? >> also ahead, dollar stores. you know there are always bargains to be had there. but there are also things to avoid. we're going to tell you what they are. >> okay. also coming up this morning, low-cost home decorating at high style. >> hmm. >> so not much for a good look in your home. >> and plus, between the sun and the sand, the chlorine and the sweat, let's face it, we're a mess. our skin takes a real beating in the summertime. we've got a new online only series that's all about the science of skin care from the real scoop on lotions and ski regiments to how to keep your skin looking good all year long, logon to our website, todayshow.com to check it out. >> okay. >> we never miss a chance to get a woman in a bikini on the show, do we? >> no, we don't. >> which is a weird segue,

because i'd like to bring in vanessa hutchins. >> hi. >> hi. >> how are you? >> hi! >> good to see you. starring in a new movie called "band glam." vanessa, right in the middle here. this is not the same, innocent character like gabrielle. you play a girl named sam. >> very deadpan. kind of introverted. has a number in her name. she's doing her own thing. >> s-a 5 m. >> who also had to learn to play the guitar. >> i did. >> it was not easy on you? >> no. it's a little hard. my fingers definitely hurt. got some calluses. rufrenned up. i had a blast doing it. >> do you see yourself as a rocker type? >> no. not really. i mean, it's just always somewhat fun to get up there and live your rock star fantasies. but i don't really see it in my full career, no.

>> meantime, you have a more mature role coming up, a movie -- >> yes, yes. this is true. i'm very excited. it's a bunch of girls in a mental institution and actually takes place in a brothel in the '50s. so crazy. >> a brothel? >> wow. >> what would you -- >> this is what we deal with every y, vansa. >> and the part that i'm most excited about -- >> from air guitar to a big gun. >> exactly. things are going great. that's wonderful to hear. >> zach who? >> that zach. >> okay, well "band slam" opens next friday nationwide. vanessa, good to see you. >> we're a laugh riot, aren't we? >> yes. >> let's get a check of the weather from mr. roker. >> all right, let's see what's

happening. show you for today, a risk of strong storms in the upper oo river valley. air quality alert in the northeast. beautiful weather out west. record highs through the southwest. for tomorrow, we're expecting to see more strong storms back through the central plains. sunny and hot along the west coast. sizzling through the gulf coast. mild in the northeast, some show a mild summer morning. good morning. hazy sunshine. it's 75 in washington. elsewhere it's in the upper 70s near the bay. it's steamier around the bay and lower eastern shore and northern neck. drier west and north of washington now. as the day progresses it will be highs reaching low 90s. unhealthy air quality this afternoon with hazy sunshine. tomorrow partly sunny. a greater chance of afternoon thunderstorms with highs near 90. less humid on thursday and friday. cooler but oppressive heat and humidity for the weekend. and that's your latest weather. now let's head on downstairs to

washington, d.c. and say hello to willie scott. >> that's a good-looking crowd you got up there. bless your heart. >> they are good looking. >> how about waking up? is that hard to do? what time do you have to get up to do your show? >> i'm still getting up at 3:30. just put my pants on a little earlier. >> who do you put them on, you or -- you're the best. >> thank you. >> hap b ke ucankesmd,rlds smuckerland, be vil tie, oroh,io where, of.tnor cs irehe tnor is.ofrohet herbert adair, bethany, missouri, 111. oqcrteocenumhe t tdrdhi oldestkd uet. yes oehecrs. dhe lin shee wong of san antonio in texas. known for having a smile that lights up the tire roomnd a everybody is crazyutbo and her. have burnes coats, little rock, arkansas. 100 years old.

one of the best-dressed women of her time. and attributes her long ef toy clivea l anghein td ndanoo glor. good combination.oo 's reerheob r .thall remembl shiel nthapalelel pants. 10 viiainowrg,s,ht dn virginia,n ne moarchrind. retired railroad worker and ww two vechve eald cr h aot le better and if he coul an m a andf. aal h y ha be a man and a half. libby silverstein of poway, california. form nacher. cknimeck t djunkie, rewatches ows, anything. and very ma biddle, holyoak, colorado. 100. still drives and volunteers for the u.s. navy. god bless. that's it. now matt is back in new york. >> hold on one second. >> thank you, matt. >> all right. when we come back, dollar stores. are they all they're cracked up to be? what mystery shoppers uncovered. but first, this is "today" on nbc.

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back now at 8:39. this morning on "today's consumer," dollar stores. in today's economy, more people are heading to them to load up on household items. but do they really give you more bang for your buck? lisa lee friedman is editor in chief of "shop smart" magazine which is published by consumer reports. >> good morning, meredith. >> you all surveyed about 100 dollar stores around the country. you're looking mostly at cost. but you also focused a little bit on quality, as well, and you saw that not all dollar stores are the same. >> right. we found in general that dollar stores had some great deals. but you really to be careful because they are notorious for selling cheaply made items. and some of the items you'll find there are not even safe and many have been recalled. so you really have to watch out. even if you see brand-name items. they could be a knockoff. they might be expired.

so you really have to watch out. >> pay attention, no matter what. >> absolutely. >> surprises when it comes to dollar stores? >> one of the things we found is that many of them don't take returns. and they don't take coupons. anothesurprise that we found -- >> you buy it, you own it? >> you might. you have to check the policies when you shop there so that you know what they do and what they do not accept. but also there are more and more selling food, particularly frozen food. which surprised us. and there were a lot of surprises. some of them have webtes where you can buy things for a dollar but you have to buy buy the case. >> in our culture, we really need them. if you can find a good buy, why not. >> and our secret shoppers who fanned out across the country to check prices really did find out they either had the lowest prices. >> these are six of the products you focused on. let's start with aluminum foil. better buy or not? >> we found that dollar stores won. dollar stores really have the cheapest prices on aluminum

foil. they were about three cents a square foot. we found for as much as eight cents a square foot at grocery stores. but as you'll see, you know, this doesn't feel that thick. >> a little thin for what's called high quality. >> exactly. it's kind of a gamble. you know, you may get a good one. you may not. >> now moving on to wrapping paper. >> yes. >> dollar store or general store? >> well, dollar stores win again. we actually found that the dollar stores had it the cheapest. only two cents a square foot. you can buy it for as much as 17 cents a square foot. but, a you might know, you're not going to get the same selection at a dollar store. we found target actually has a really nice selection of prices and patterns on paper. >> so if you don't care so much about selection, go to the dollar store. >> exactly. >> if you do, go somewhere else. >> you might find it's not as thick. this actually feels pretty good. now napkins are something that i definitely would buy at a dollar store because i figure that would be a great buy. >> well, as we found out, it was a tie. >> ah. >> so, many stores had napkins

for about half a cent a napkin. at some drugstores and grocery stores we found it sold for as much as three times that. so, it's a toss. >> but if you go to a target or a costco. >> costco, walmart. we found good deals there, too. >> tissue paper i think of that as going with wrapping paper i'm going to assume maybe in this case it is dollar store. >> nope. actually this was the only item that was not cheapest at the dollar store. it was the most expensive at the dollar store. it was ten cents a square foot. we found it for as little as two cents a scare foot at a walgreens. so i think that they're going to get you somewhere and they really are generally pretty good at gift items. you know, in party supplies. but this is one of those items where it was not cheapest at the dollar store. >> do you have to be careful when it comes to party items if you're at a dollar store? like kid's items? >> yes, party supplies. party favors. a lot of people like to buy those kinds of things there. they could be choking hazards there. we found many that had small parts. some of them were even labelled

as choking hazards for children under three. we think they could be choking hazards for children twice that age. >> again, not a scientific survey that you did, but just buyer beware. look at it very carefully. >> absolutely. >> coming up this is cotton rounds now. what do you think? >> i would assume -- >> i don't know, tie. >> dollar stores. they were only a penny a round at the dollar store. and a lot of other places have them for three times that amount. >> and how does this quality compare? >> well, if they're 100% cotton, you know, they're pretty much -- it is what it is. so it's a good thing. >> and the assumption is if it's 100% cotton, it's going to be 100% cotton? >> well, i should be. it's a gapble. again, you take it home, you hope the labels are correct, and you know -- >> i only ask you this, because a lot of these places you can't get it back. >> that's right. but it's only a dollar. >> it's only a dollar. >> so you try it and if it's a dollar. >> finally, kids going back to

school, composition notebooks, every kid is going to need a lot of them. >> we found tt they actually were about -- i can't put this in here, but they are about a dollar a page pretty much wherever you buy them. there were very few exceptions. so wherever you buy these you're going to get a good deal. so if you go to the dollar store, great, if you don't go to the dollar store -- >> no matter what, these are made well snuff? >> yeah, they're very similar. they're all very similar. >> any last words to the buyer about all these? >> the last words are be careful. we found a lot of safety hazards in addition to party favors. anything that could set your house on fire, we found lighters that didn't turn off. we found tiki torches that like went on fire. we found lots of medications that were expired like aspirin, and gas relief drops for infants. so you've really got to be careful when you go to the dollar store. >> check everything before you buy anything? >> absolutely. >> lisa lee, thank you so much. >> you're welcome. >> up next, a lacrosse grudge match. ann and e seir u smeuintote w ?

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it has been called the fastest game on two feet. a combination of soccer hockey and basketball. we're talking about lacrosse. and it's gaining popularity all across the country, with boys and girls. this is nikki polenko, he's the capitalen of a professional team called the lg island lizards. good to have you here. >> thank you. >> welcome. >> when you shake his hand you know how he wins, because man. -- >> oh, boy. >> when i was a kid this was seen as a regional sport. it was northeast, atlantic coast. it's all over the country now, right? >> long island, maryland and upstate new york really started. now it's worldwide. it's one of the fastest growing sports. >> and the basics are what? >> basics, it's a great team sport. ten on ten on the field. sticks just like this. trying to score goals and win the game. >> and it's gaining in

popularity among men and women, as well. >> absolutely. boys and girls, both of all ages. >> and when you say it's gaining popularity all around the world, is it fair to assume that this is a quintessentially american sport? because i understand this was invented by the american indians? >> absolutely. >> so that -- >> we started playing over 2500 that play now. the world games, europe, lacrosse, the world games in 2010. >> so it's a great sport to stay in shape? >> awesome. one of the fastest games on two feet. >> long island lizards, how are they doing this season? >> a great season. we have an opportunity to be in the playoffs. we have a game this saturday, if we win we're in the playoffs championship weekend, august 22nd. >> yea, lizards. >> we also have to mention, it is a very physical sport. there's a lot of contact. we need to know a little about the rules. can you just hit somebody like that? or can you jab someone like that? >> why would you do that to me? >> you cannot hit anybody in the head. you cannot trip. if they have the ball, you can engage contact, push them out

and hit them. >> you wear pads? >> you doave pads, helmet, shoulder pads, elbow pads. >> we're not wearing those. >> no, we're not. >> what do you do? >> what is the number one -- >> initially catch and throw. because we're going to have a context in a little bit. you want to be in an athletic stance, sideways. hold in your fingertips. you do not want to hold your stick in your palm. >>e nee sticks. >> absolutely. >> there's only three sticks here. >> i'lshow you. real quick. we're going to hold our sticks in our fingertips, not in our palms. and this is your steering wheel, this is our gas padal. switch and follow through. step sideways and follow through. >> two hands on your stick. >> yep. >> absolutely. >> both hands in a line. just like so. step and follow through. >> going sideways. >> why are they running around like that? >> what matt's talking about is

the cradle. helps you keep your ball in your stick. if you keep it still, someone checks you the ball. >> okay. >> by the way -- >> he says carefully. >> we're going to have a contest. >> okay. >> we're going to have al and matt on this side and meredith and ann on this side. >> okay. >> let's go, we're going to shoot on cage right now. you have two of the top goaltenders brian daugherty and grew adams in cage. >> okay i'm a little worried about the people on the side here. >> okay. >> what we're going to do is stand in the boxes right here and once the clock starts we're going to change here and we're going to try and shoot in that cage. >> okay. >> make sure you have your stick choked up a little bit. hands a little lower. matt and al, stick like this. look at my hands. got it. step and follow through. >> okay. >> step and follow through. >> you want to practice? >> one practice shot. >> take one practice shot. >> okay.

>> okay, go ahead. >> whoa! >> all right. >> are we going? >> ready. >> it's a competition. >> frals start. >> you ready to start the competition? >> okay. >> whoo! >> who's with matt and al? >> on your marks, get set, go! . >> let's see what we got. >> go, go, go. >> all right. come on, al. >> come on. >> oh, baby. >> come on. that's it. >> stop forward, shoot. >> oh, the girls are coming back. >> the guys actually took the lead. >> here we go. >> 20 seconds. >> all right. >> oh, a little help fro the lizards. >> okay here we go. >> 5, 4, 3, 2, 1!

>> oh, he won. >> you guys won. nice job. >> we won! >> whoo! >> one, two, three, "today" show! >> give it up for the long island lizards. >> thank you, guys. >> much more, this is "today" on nbc. ?o?o

nice shot! >> did that go in? >> sure it was in. >> do you understand that the women beat the men and we seem to be gracious. >> i think the goally on the other side did one of these. >> can i tell you really honestly, though, in abe sent times when one indian tribe would battle another indian tribe with lacrosse the ones who won had the right to kill the ones who lost. so i think you should be very happy that we are of a generous, kind -- >> on the other hand if you did that, you'd be arrested and put avail for the rest of your life. >> okay. >> i want to say, this is a

difficult sport. that's not easy- >> i worked up a sweat. >> i know. it's great. >> got some nice kids with a chance to sthoot on the goalry for the lizards. gnsiing autographs. nice. we'll be back with more of "today" after your local news and weather. it is only going to get warmer as august starts to heat up. a great look there of the lincoln memorial. tom kierein will have your forecast in just a moment. 75 degrees at 8:55. good morning. i'm keith garvin.

it's tuesday, august 4th, 2009. in the news this morning, maryland officials just released their plans to build a new purple metro line at a meenggoo propose bldingui pltweesa between pleasanton and new nt itro. would a ugroil srve through silver orrnvealth o'm governor o'malley annououed a propos raio in balte.orim rht ai ime.ort p ell weil askor the federalionr fund the products, bothfn o whh are expected to cost more than $1 billion. police in the district are investigating after dozens of new bus stops were vandalized. someone has been shattering the clear glass panels that frame the bus shelters. damage has been reported but most affected bus stops are in northwest washington. if you know anything about the you to call 311.

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good morning. here's your fo-day forecast. hazy sunshine in the 70s. highs low 9od unhealthy air quality this afternoon. could get thunderstorms tomorrow. how's the traffic? >> a bit backed up along interstate 66. good morning. an accident right at route 50 in fair oaks that's clear but the traffic moved downstream now and one more stop. we're packed in tightly 395 northbound to the 14th street bridge. just volume. all lanes reported open. >> tonight at 5:00

we're back with more of "today" on a tuesday morning. the 4th day of august, 2009. those folks right there are all waiting for the chance to become extras in the new "sex and the city" movie. they want to join carrie and charlotte an samantha and miranda in that new film which starts shooting very soon. >> i can see him. >> they're going to hang out with the stiletto sporting city slicrs of the silver screen. sathat five times fast. time to check in with amy robach how is down there to find out how things are going in just a moment. meanwhile out on the plaza on a beautiful day, i'm matt lauer, natalie morales and al roker.

>> i'm guessing those guys are not there for the casting call. >> they're in the line. >> i think they're there to meet all those beautiful ladies. >> to pick up the other actors? >> it's not a bad place to go. >> a strategy. >> there's one guy who probably doesn't want to be there anymore. the case of this married guy in wisconsin who was targeted for revenge by some of the many women who was allegedly involved with at the same time. they were a little creative with some krazy glue, yikes. the mind boggles how did things get carried away? we're going to ask an expert. >> very delicate situation. plus you guys i don't think can relate to this. but for the ladies, when you go to the gynecologist it can be a very -- how do i get this tease coming up? >> well, if you've ever laid there wondering is this a normal procedure. >> we do that all the time. >> well, we're going to tell you when to talk to your doctor about whether or not the behavior crosses the line or

not. and whether it's time to look for a new doctor, as well. >> all right. also if you were in the nesting mood, elizabeth mayhew is here and show you how to change the look of your home for as little as $5. sounds too good to be true. let's go inside, ann is standing by at the news desk. >> hi, guys. good morning once again, everybody. in the news, former president bill clinton is in north korea today hoping to win freedom for two american journalists. he arrived this morning in the capital and was warmly greeted with handshakes and flowers. he is negotiating the release for laura ling and euna lee who were sentenced to 12 years hard labor in june for entering the country illegally. dhahran confirmed that three americans detained last week were under arrest for illegal entry and are now being questioned. the two men and a woman were picked up by border guards after they reportedly crossed into iran from iraq while making. this morning, in thailand, a plane carrying 72 people skidded off the runway and crashed into a control tower while landingn bad weather on a resort island.

the pilot of the bangkok airways flight was killed, more than 30 people were injured. health officials in china say at least three people have died from namenic plague, one of the world's deadliest infectious diseases. the deaths all took place in one northwestern farming town which has now been sealed off. taliban militants fired at least nine rockets in a neighborhood in kabul this morning. some landing near western embassies including the u.s. embassy. at least one person, a child, was wounded. the taliban is vowing to disrupt afghanistan's presidential election which is happening r this nth. four men are facing terror charges today in australia, where authorities say they have foiled a plot to attack a military base with assault rifles. police say the suspects have ties to a somali group linked to al qaeda. today the senate considers whether to extend the popular cashor clunkers program. the frame which pays consumers to trade in old gas guzzlers for more fuel efficient cars ran out of money in its first week. the house has already approved money to keep the program going

dr earlier on this broadcast, republican senator lindsey graham predicted the senate will also approve the extra money. and today marks president obama's 48th birthday. white house spokesman robert gibbs says it is business as usual for the president, who is having lunch with senate democrats. gibbs also joked that the lunch is at the white house because chuck e. cheese was booked. happy birthday, mr. president. it is now four minutes past the hour. let's go back outside to natalie, matt and al. happy birthday. >> thank you very much. nothing but net. we love it here. you're from schwenkville. >> yes. >> are you the schwenks? what's your name? >> jason. >> he can't even remember which one is which. >> and marissa. >> and stacy >> all right. nice to see all you folks.

ei' h i'll say h to s you, too. what's your name? >> morgan. >> let's check your weather, see what's going on. for today, we've got some strong ms stor working their way, severe weather possible from kansas city up to cincinnati, on into columbus, ohio. down to nashville. you see those storms are starting to fire up now. some pretty good ones now in central ohio, as well. s aalso in to northern missouri. rainfall amounts in some parts of central indiana on into hazy sunshine around the region. it's rather humid this morning. our temperatures are now climbing into the upper 70s. 77 in washington. a bit cooler and less humid just to the west and north of washington. steamy humidity around the bay. the northern neck and the eastern shore. highs today reaching the low 90s. unhealthy air quality by mid afternoon. tomorrow partly sunny. a morning shower. greater chance of afternoon thunderstorms with highs near 90. thursday and friday less humid and a bit cooler but oppressive heat wave for the weekend.

and that's your latest weather. ann? >> all right, al, thank you. this morning on "today's" woman, signs you may need to change your gynecologist. if you've ever felt your doctor has done something out of the ordinary during your exam, well you're not alone. the editors of cosmopolitan magazine invited its readers to share their personal experiences, and nicole is cosmo's executive editor and dr. hilda hutchinson is the clinical professor of on stek ricks and gynecology at columbia university. what gave you this idea that you wanted to poll your readers to find out what they had to say about their experiences. >> because we get letters all the time from young women, asking, is what my gyno did normal? you feel so vulnerable and exposed on that exam table it can be very hard to know, is that something they should have -- my doctor should have done? is it unusual? young women can feel very confused about it. so we get so many letters we decided to do a big article. >> normally a young woman, less

experienced at some of these exams, but they're also maybe less likely, perhaps, to speak up. that's a possibility. >> absolutely. >> so there is a vulnerability there that we certainly need to recognize. >> there's a power dynamic. >> one of the letters you got my gynecologist gave me a rectal exam. i've never had one of those before. is that a normal situation, doctor? >> oh, it's absolutely essential part of the pelvic examination. and here's why. it may be the best way to detect a tumor on your ovary, because the ovary may fall back behind the uterus, and through the technical exam you can detect that, as well as anal cancer and colon cancer. >> so that is important. that's normal. >> it is important. but it's a normal part of the exam, just like the doctor said. but for a young woman who's never had this before, it can be very shocking. and the best gynecologists will tell you what they're about to do and why they're about to do it before they do it. >> you know, that's a very interesting point. because i think sometimes especially when doctors are running around, they may not

take that time, and that in itself may be reason to change your gynecologist. i mean you want to be able to communicate if at all possible. for even things that are perfectly normal for them to do. another patient writes my m.d. was called out of the room briefly and when he came back he touched the doorknob with his gloved hand and didn't change it or wash it before touching me again. this might be a moment where you need to say something. >> we've got letters about that. letters about the doctor picking up their cell phone with their gloved hand. touching the knob of a cabinet. doctors are pretty notorious for not washing their hands. surveys show they wash their hands about half the time they should. >> doctor, you want to weigh in on this? >> i don't know about that. because we certainly teach doctors to wash their hands with each encounter. before and after -- >> but if they do this sort of thing? >> a pient has to feel that they can speak up. >> absolutely. >> and say, you know, let's take a break, doctor, i'd prefer that you change your gloves and wash your hands because we proceed. not in a confrontational, manner, though, but just,

because sometimes the doctor's busy, as you said. but just to say, i would appreciate it if you would change your gloves. >> you shouldn't have to, with your doctor, and that if your doctor is not conscientious about hygiene you might consider changing. >> right. but you also -- okay so people listening can measure both those arguments. the next reader we're going to talk about says, right before my doctor was about to start my pelvic exam, she invited a bunch of medical residents to come in and observe. >> well, this is -- docrs do have an obligation to teach medical students and residents, but the first obligation is to the patient. >> so she should have asked for permission? >> absolutely should have for permission. >> and you can say no. >> and the patient can say no. >> so if that happens to you and you aren't given that opportunity, what would be the best advice you can give in terms of how you should respond. >> change your doctor. >> but you can also say at that moment -- >> please speak up. >> no, i don't want this to happen. >> absolutely. >> all of you can go out of the

room now. >> and the main lesson here for women is that you must speak up. you cannot just lie there and let things happen to you. >> absolutely. >> if you feel anything happening that's making you uncomfortable, say something. >> here's something that might make everyone uncomfortable. in the middle of a routine pelvic exam, he whipped out his camera and said he had to take a picture of me below for my file. hmm. >> yeah, there's no -- >> is there anything legitimate? >> there are only circumstances of taking a picture, if a woman is having an abnormal pap smear and take a microscoop and look at the cervix. we might take a picture of something abnormal on the cervix. that's the only instance i can see taking a picture. >> and that instrument would be very different. >> it would be obvious. >> and not a personal camera they might have. there's really no interest -- >> no indication for taking the camera out and taking a picture. >> sounds kind of bizarre that that would happen. >> the next one is about being

asked very intimate sex questions. now on this i would think that these are important. would you agree that this is important and you have to be honest? >> absolutely. the best doctors ask personal, intimate sex questions, because your sexual functioning is a fairly important part of your overall health. and the patient has the right to say, i prefer not to answer those questions if it makes her feel uncomfortable. >> right. and what the doctor should not do is to pass any sort of a judgment. >> absolutely. >> to give her personal opinion about the activity, or to talk about his or her own sexual activity. those are the things that -- >> bottom line, good message to young women, old women, women of all ages, take charge. >> absolutely. >> take charge. you're in charge. you hire the doctor. he or she works for you. advice. and coming up next, why four women sought revenge against one married man, and then later,

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( laughter continues ) well, now to the story about those four women in wisconsin who allegedly tied up a cheating husband before applying krazy glue to some of his sensitive body parts for revenge. the women which include his wife may be facing up to six years in prison. here to put some perspective is former host jeanine pirro and robi lwig. we can kind of snicker a little bit. let me start with you jeanine, the cliff notes version of what really happened here. how these three women allegedly teamed up in this scheme. >> the one apparently called one of the girlfriends and said by the way, he's married, and there are several of you out there. one of the girlfriends lured him to a motel and said she's going to give him a message and a

rubdown. but she ties him with sheets, blindfolds him with a pillowcase and then she text messages all the other women and they come in, and they threaten him, one of them punches him. he had bruises, and one of them superglued his penis, according to the complaint, to his right leg. >> a littl bit hearkens back to the lorena bobbitt, this time krazy glue. >> that's right. they're charged with false imprisonment, sexual degradation as well as assault and they face up to six years in prison. what's interesting is that they took the gun, the cell phone -- i'm sorry, there's alleged use of a gun. they took his cell phone, his wallet and his car. there's no charges with that. they apparently threatened him with a gun and there are no charges for that. we'll see if that's coming down the road. >> sounds like they could be facing a lot stiff charges. could be up to six years in prison. >> right. >> and i mean, how -- >> i don't want to laugh. but this guy was, you know, we were saying -- this guy was so bad that, instead of the women

competing with each other, they kind of realized this guy is -- >> including the wife. >> including the wife. in ct, she was kind of the team leader. she said listen, i know this guy is a dog, he's doing this to all of us, let's get him back. and so he almost created a sorority of womanenhood where they all banded together. >> it's not technically a crime of passion. >> well, it is. >> that's where women kind of snap, though? >> i think it is. it's a crime of passion but it's with a group of women. >> but then there's plotting and planning involved. >> well because this man basically betrayed all of these women. he humiliated them. he made them feel powerless. so what they did was they needed to all band together in order to feel that justice could be served. this is what they needed to do in order to feel -- >> at the end of the day, in terms of justice being served, he clearly was a two-timer, fitch-timer here. but what charges could they have filed against him? practically none. >> that's the problem.

when you feel the law can't help you out, and can't punish the person appropriately so. >> they want revenge. >> certain people say then i'm going to take matters into my own hands because it's only fair. >> yeah. >> and so these women were seeking fairness, and this is what they did. >> so the man here is the victim, though hard to feel like -- >> but he's also a victimizer. and he's a victimizer in such a cad-like way. >> the guy was a chear. >> a con man. >> he wasn't taking money. but at the end of the day the criminal justice system will identify him as a victim. these women will be identified as criminals. and what we're seeing now in society is women committing more violent crimes than we've ever seen before. >> why is that? >> well, younow, because women are dangerous. they can be dangerous. >> but you know, we see it in teen gang violence with women assaulting other women and actually killing other women. and more people are going to prison and they're not being seen as maternal, soft mothers who don't deserve to go to jail. they're being seen as women,

human beings, as capable of violence as men are. >> we're going to leave it there. jeanine pirro and robi lud wug. >> he messed with the wrong women. >> apparently too many of them. coming up next, have man olos will travel. garth, you're up. hold on, i'm at capitalone.com picking a photo... for my credit card. here's one from my prom. oh, what memories. how 'bout one from our golf outing? ( shouting ) i know, maybe one of my first-born son. dad, mom says the boys gotta go. personalize your cd by uploading... your own photo at capitalone.com. what's in your wallet? ♪ or play in fountains of sugar on a hot summer day. water is the pure choice. so, embrace the pure life. nestlé pure life.

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plus the bold new taste of blueberries and pomegranate with crispy whole grain flakes and crunchy oat clusters. total, a truly delicious way to get vitamins and minerals. how are you tting 100%? visit totalcereal.com and get a free sample. carrie and the gang from "sex and the city" are hitting the streets for a sequel to the blockbuster movie. thousands of folks want to get in on the high fashion action. today national correspondent amy robach is at the open casting call here in manhattan. hey, amy. >> hi. i'm indeed, al. we've had a lot of fun. in fact, since we last saw you about an hour ago the crowd here has more than doubled. lots of people wanting to get in on the action. we have theprofessional actors in a line over there. and we have the nonprofessional actors that perhaps hopefully one day will be professional actors and actresses in this line right here, and so we

started talking with everyone, and if you're willing to stand out here for hours and hours and hours for just a small chance at being a blur in the background, tell me why you decided to come out today? >> just for fun. to be part of the new york thing. i've only been in the city for about two weeks. >> you're from north carolina. >> yes. >> do you know what they're looking for today? >> i know that from the casting ad, socialites, club goers, soccer players, model types. >> what do you think your chances are? >> pretty good. because we're in the line. >> i want to bring you in, because you got here at midnight. you were the first person in line. >> mm-hmm. >> what were you thinking? you were the only person here in line. >> i thoughthere was going to be a lot of people. i thought it was going to be one of those things like, for "american idol" like that. the line would be ridicuus. but i came and there was like nobody here, and so i was just hanging out. >> maybe you'll get picked for extra effort and getting here early, remember i. we should mention al, it is not just women in this line.

we have a couple of men. paul is here. paul, i'm curious. what kind of role do you think you could play in "sex and the city" 2? >> i'm in construction. maybe i could fix one of the girls' toilets or lights. >> mr. fix-it. al, what do you think about having paul come over to your apartment and fix something? >> are you watching a different show? what are you talking about? >> it's a woman's apartment, amy. thk you so much. >> stillo tme -- >> yes. >> all right. we've got some sweets after your local news. no surprises.

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and try lysol neutra air freshmatic for clean, fresh air automatically. shopping online can help save. doing it with bank of america can help save a lot more. up to 20% cash back from over 300 online retailers tadwir h tamadr dnk of america can heouit up program.re. just sign up and use your bank of america debit or credit card when you shop online. it's one of the many ways we make saving money in tough times a whole lot easier. good morning. welcome, everyone. we're looking at washington, d.c. at 9:26 in the morning. hazy out there. hot, too. we'll check the weather coming up shortly. good morning.

i'm barbara harrison. in the news at this hour, police in prince george's county are looking for suspects in a quadruple shooting that happened just before 1:00 a.m. in the 6400 block of livingston road. one man was killed. three others remain in the hospital this morning. police believe the gunman knew his tell me what you see. two little birds wearing a couple little hats. that looks like my windshield... when i made my trip back from phoenix. yeah, th's it. depend brand. for women and men.

good morning. temperatures in the 70s to near 80 with hazy sunshine. highs low 90s. unhealthy air quality by mid afternoon. tomorrow a morning shower greater chance of afternoon thunderstorms with highs near 90. less les humid and cooler for thursday and friday. how's the traffic? >> time to look along i-270 between germantown and montgomery village. police are headed over there. the rush hour winding down. no late incidents at the wilson bridge. on route 50 at the bay bridge we're looking good headed that direction. right now both ways on the bridge lanes are open. barbara? >> thank you.

coming up at 5:00, the redskins

♪ >> that, of course, was then, when susan boyle was introduced to the world. she's come a long way since then. but she did have a little bit of a bumpy ride. now, she seems to be hitting her stride, even starring in a glossy spread in harper's bazaar. we're going to have a first look at the glamour shots of ms. boyle like you've never seen her before tomorrow on "today." the glam makeover. good for her. she deserves it. >> absolutely. >> and coming up here on "today," we're going to be talking about decorating on a

budget. >> that's right. everyone today is looking for a few ways to save some bucks. doesn't mean that you have to give up giving up on your home and giving it a new look. elizabeth mayhew is here with a few great ideas for common objects or uncommon decorative flourishes. like traffic cones. >> meantime, you know, when you hang out with a good-looking person sometimes you can get into a pickle. now we've got both of them because we've got tyler florence and a lesson in pickling. weiss going to tell us how we can savor our summer flavors all year long. >>'ve always wanted to try to do that. not pickling, but even just like canning. >> oh, i recommend it. it's actually an all-day activity, canning. and you know, you know, i did it, like, i'm not sure if i did it well because i tried to eat everything right away. >> nobody died. >> well, things like botulism you've got to worry about. but anyway, let's tell us whether we have to worry about the weather. >> thank you very much. we're here until thursday.

don't try the veal. >> or the canned broccoli. >> we'll show you for today -- >> plums turn out very well. >> air quality alerts here in the northeast. record highs in the southwest. temperatures finally starting to cool down a bit in the pacific northwest. tomorrow, we've got a risk of strong storms stretching from the mid-mississippi river valley back into the central plains. sunny and hot out west. mild in the northe good morning. hazy sunshine around the washington region on this tuesday morning. live picture from our sky watcher camera american university in the foreground. we'll have some clouds developing as the day progresses with hazy sunshine. right now in the 70s near 80 degrees. less humid west and north of washington. steamy just south and east. highs reaching low 90s with hazy sunshine. a few clouds. and unhealthy air quality by mid afternoon. tomorrow a shower in the morning. greate chance of afternoon thundershowers. less humid and cooler for thursday and friday. and that's your latest weather.

>> thanks a lot, al. before we get pickled we'll find out the low-cost second rating tricks. welcome to chili's. start your three-course meals with a shared appetizer. for a second course, choose two entrees from over 15 chili's favorites, like our big mouth bites -- the mini burgers with giant layers of flavor. or a half-rack of our triple-basted baby back ribs. then save some room to share a decadent dessert. a lot of bold flavors, for a limited time only. chili's -- go-gurt i pe ally made to freeze and thaw by lunch time? so ckidsadan have voeifa te tyogint heir lun binox to freeze and thaw by lunch time? go-gurt. freeze it th w at .e i upe. th w

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your house to look like those in the magazines? elizabeth mayhew is contributing editor at "southern living" magazine and she is here to show us how to do it. >> hello, al. >> we're going to save some cash here. you say once of the easiest ways to change your home is to save fabric. and you say to buy it by the bolt. >>uy the by the bolt, particularly there places that have discontinued fabrics, there's a great website called fabrichouse.com. you can t bolts and bolts of fabric. >> how much yardage is in a bolt? >> it totally depends. so when you place the order make sure you find out how much is left on that bolt. we ordered about nine yards from this website. and with that, there's so many things you can do. think about it. fabric is the number one way to transform a house, whether it be pillows, placemats, your shades. >> always go to the pills. >> you throw them and it totally transforms. really you can save money that way. >> and you can pile them on the bed. and take a half hour to get them

off the bed. >> we've got a history there. >> you say typical household items you can use to transform. >> these are in a building supply store. they are terra-cotta drain pipes. be careful, because they tacked it down there. alle did was whitewash them. and when you stack them, you can either glue them together for a free-standing wine rack or just stack them in a cubby above your refrigerator. this is a book shelf from pottery barn. you just stack them and it gives this great-looking geometric wine storage. they're great for wine storage because they stay cool. and whitewashing you just take a little bit of water and add it to white paint. you can see some of the terra-cotta here. this is a stylish thing to do. >> one of the easiest ways to dress up a piece of furniture is with thumb tacks. >> these are not thumb tacks, they're upholstery tacks. this is from an editor at "southern living." we shipped this here from alabama right from her house. all she did was painted an old dresser. >> you took the stuff out. >> painted and old dresser and then with a pencil she just made a free form squiggly design and

then with a drill just predrilled some holes and you take these upholstery tacks. they are hundreds for $5 and you can use them to really adorn and embellish everything. i think it gets a great, geometric, interesting look. go to the glue gun. when in doubt go to the glue gun. this is a lamp shade. for a kid's room, take all the buttons that you have left over. >> a button jar. >> and just do something fun. again, just trim the edges of it. doesn't take very long to do. >> now you say one of the great things you can do is a wall-to-wall calendar. >> well, y know what? everybody has a big wall usually in their kitchen and you want to create a hub of information. >> right. >> so that your kids see it, so that you see it. one of the things we did is we took cork and you can buy this for a dollar something a yard. you just glue it to your wall the way you would a wallpaper and then we took, this is a graph cloth, and you just apply that over the top. now one of the reasons, you don't have to do this, but it's nice because you never see the holes once you're going to put

tacks in it. and let me just show you what we did. this is some of the paraphernalia. you can see on this screen that we just took -- we made eight strips using grokgrain ribbon and you just line them up. different walls you're going to have different measurements. and here using an 8 1/2x11 piece of paper as our guide we just spaced them so that they were even. and you use those same upholstery tacks that i showed you to, you know, to tack them in in the most important places. and then what you're going to do is you're going to do a horizontal grid, so again using that same piece of paper as your guide. and every little intersection you're just going to put one of those upholstery tacks going across. you're going to do six rows down and obviously you might want a friend to help you do this. and then for the next, what we did is we took yad highsive -- or this is velcro and just attach it to labels and numbers so it makes it easy to take them off every month so you can redo

your calendar. and get your kids involved in this. it's like a fun project for everybody. all we did for the labels for the, like these are labels that have the numbers on them. all we did was we did those on the come suitor, play with different fonts, played with different sizes. and then -- oh, you like doing that? >> yeah. >> and here you can see the upholstery attached. and you're just going to, when the wholealendar is done you're going to have the wall calendar and you can put all your invitations, and your dates. >> so almost nothing? >> for almost noing. just a little time. it's a little time. >> and a little elbow grease. elizabeth mayhew, thank y vyer ychmu comingchp next, you might in want to make some time on that calendar to read a new murder mystery set in florida. calendar to read a new murder mystery set in florida. we'll have the details. vehicle, and you could t us e yr qualify for an additional $3500 or $4500 cash back... n otop of all other offers.. on a new, more fuel efficient chevy. from - more than for

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and it's getting terrific reviews. deborah comes from a very talented family. she is the wife of nbc's very own kerry sanders. >> good morning. >> the better half. >> exactly. >> fun to get to meet you. what i love about the novel is it's set on horseback. something you're very familiar with. but this is through florida, this part of florida that a lot of us don't kw very well, the cattle country. and it's set on this six-day mission or the women setting out on an adventure on a six-day camping trip? >> quite an adventure. i actually did the six days myself, so i can speak to pretty painful experience. >> not the horseback riding so much but more so the camping, right? >> the carving was incredible. i thought everybody was going to be roughing it so i brought my little pup tent, sleeping back, and some of those cow pokes have rvs and satellite tv. >> but you did your research. you got on that horse and you traveled the cattle country, and the 110 mile ride. now this is what mama and her

sisters are doing. tell me what happens during the adventure? >> mama is actually getting married. she's trying matrimony for the fifth time. she decided they need some country gal bonding time. of course the trail turns to murder and things go horribly wrong. >> like an agatha christie novel. >> exactly. >> there's murder, romance, lots of danger for them, right? >> mm-hmm. >> there's the full gamut of mystery. i know you're a former "usa today" reporter. so, as we said, you did your research for this, and this is really sort of that romantic setting, but a lot of what you're trying to bring back is a focus on the parts of florida that tourists don't often get to see. >> yeah. >> and you even say that, you know, that the cattle country is being overtaken by developments called the eagle trades where there are no traces of eagles just about. is it really important for you to preserve this side of florida that is now getting lost? >> right. i do think it's important.

it's not just the tourists that don't know about this part of florida. actually some natives don't know that we are a very important cattle producing state. we've had this tradition forever. the cowboys still work the cattle like they used to, from horseback. and it's an incredible way of life. but it's threatened. >> yeah, it is threatened. so much overdevelopment there. i know you have two sisters. kind of like me. and your mom is 94 years old, is that right? >> yeah, mama is 94. >> did you draw from your own life to make these characters come to life? >> well, i always tell everybody in my family that only the character's very best qualities show up in the book. and those are the qualities that i draw from them. bad stuff doesn't show up in the book. but my mama is funny. she doesn't complain at all, but the mama in the book likes to drink a little wine, she likes to gamble a bit, she's been married multiple times. she said i don't like the 250i9le of that first book. mama does time? people are going to think i'm in prison. >> i think i like your mama. and the mama in the book, too.

>> there you go. >> so is mama the real character in the book? or is maize the one who is the star? >> mama thinks she's the main character. but maize is the main character. i had to do that because she's the center. the stable center that all this craziness resolves around. a little bit of mama goes a long way. so a little bit of mama goes a long way. >> there's a lot of humor in the book. a lot of great adventures. so good times all around. a great read. >> thank you so much. >> deborah, great to finally meet you. our best to kerry, too. the book is equalled "mama rides shotgun." up next, tyler

this morning in "today's kitchen," how to pickle summer vegetables with hot chef tyler florence, the host of food network's "tyler's ultimate". you say,tyler, we can can.

>> yes, we can can. i love that. it's summertime, it's all about really capturing the flavors o the farmer's market. if you go to the farmer's market this weekend, check out the copious amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables coming from the farmers and make the most of that. do something that i call old american-style cookery which is can being and preserving. this is what america used to do before we had refrigeration. >> this is a very smart thing in this economy. you can save a lot of money by canning. so let's remember, then, because our grandmothers did this. i would think probably most people in our generation never did it. >> so what we're going to do is make a brian. when you pickle, you have a pile and any vinegar brian. 50/50 water and apple cider vinegar. this is my forite recipe. 50/50 water and vinegar. then fresh cumin. >> the whole thing? >> we're going to make a big batch. >> mustard seed. >> coriander. >> and then some clove. >> clove. >> nice little spices. >> and some pepperrns. >> and sugar if you want to

balance it out. >> sugar. >> and bay leafs. >> all of these bay leafs? >> all right. so this is going to go in. simmer this for probably 15 or 20 minutes just to inface the flavor and then cool it back down again. so cook it and cool it. this is what it looks like after 10 or 15 minutes after it completely cools. >> no salt? >> you know, i'm glad you brought that up, that's the whole point. so salt. very, very important. so what we have here, we have pickling salt. which is actually similar to kosher salt but finely ground. and what we have here is two cups of pickling salt. >> a lot of salt. the thing about it is we can use any kind of salt. >> you can use kosher salt. >> but the pickling salt is better. >> this is going to cook and cool. taste the brian. i think it's really tasty. >> it is very spicy. >> vinegary, it's fresh, right? >> yes. >> let's put this in the flavor, okay. now the next thing you want to

think about when you're pickl g pickling, and canning, is to actually take care of sanitizing your jars. >> right. >> so i've got a nice big jar, nice big pot of water. take the jars, put them in the water. simmer for half an hour. take them out and let them cool on a drying rack so they' nice and sanitized. >> you need a deep pot. and also these ball jars are still available? >> hardware stores. you can also pick them up at my website. a lot of really stuff there. take a look at this. this is an old fashioned technique. you've got the ring here and the gasket seal which is going to go on top. you can kind of fill it up with everything. we've got carrots, cauliflower and also some radishes. and what you want to do is really kind of decorate this stuff, too. isn't this beautiful? >> that is lovely. >> this is wild fennel pollen from marin county, california. >> okay. >> you can use this. you can use flowering dill. >> okay. licoricey.

>> okay. >> you have put raw vegetables into these. >> yes. >> you don't have to cook them? >> that's the great thing about pickling is actually preserving them. so what we're going to do is we're going to actually keep them nice and crisp with the vinegar and the brian. so we've got some fennel, all right we've got some -- >> come on in. >> natalie, how are you? >> great. >> so we've got cucumbers, fresh fennel, chili flakes and put the brian right on top. and then we're going to put the gasket and the seal right on top and put these into the water, the same pot we sanitized the jars with and simmer them about ten minutes. we're not cooking them as much as creating a little bit of heat inside the jar because you want that to cool back down again, so that's going to create the sale. you pull this on loosely, popt into the water, let this simmer for about ten minutes. >> and you're saying that could last a year? it could last a year. >> yes. >> if you grow things in your garden, grow all this stuff. >> and so many people are doing this now.

man>> people are doing it this year. when money is tight, you create really wonderful crafts, you can give your family, your friends. >> really good.

in northern virginia police are looking for an intruder that attacked a teenage girl early yesterday at an apartment building. officers say a man got into an apartment and pinned down a 14ear-old girl who was sleeping on the coh. she screamed and he eventually ran away. and an investigation is under way after dozens of new bus stops were vandalized. someone has been shatteringed clear glass panels that frame the bus shelters. damage reported in several parts of the city. most of the affected bus stops are in northwest washington. if you know anything about the vandalism, the city is urging you to call 311. time now for a check on weather. here's meteorologist tom kierein. hey, tom. >> we have hazy sunshine on tap for today. we'll have our highs reaching the low 90s this afternoon with hazy sunshine unhealthy air quality developing by mid afternoon. and then tomorrow there may be a morning shower and then a greater chance of some afternoon undershowers. humid with highs near 90. less humid on thursday and friday and a bit cooler.

morning lows in the 60s. afternoon highs in the 80s. a look at the weekend looks like an oppressive heat wave moving in saturday, sunday, and monday. morning lows in the 70s. afternoon highs on saturday the mid and upper 90s and may even approach 100 degrees on sunday and again on monday with a lot of humidity around. keith? >> okay. thanyou, tom. tonight at 5:00 p.m., vinny and flip saunders sit down for lunch with lindsey. that's at 5:00.

captions paid for by nbc-universal television hi, everybody, it's tuesday. it's august 4th. we're so glad you're here with us. >> it's barack obama's birthday today. >> happy birthday, mr. president. partied a little over the weekend. a little basketball. >> yes. >> did better in bowling this time around. >> yes, he is. >> from a 129 to a 177. >> he's getting hot in the bowling ally. yes, he is. hi. >> oh. >> you know what, i wish i could have joined you -- >> joan rivers has a new show

out and it is called "how did you get so rich." >> that's the title. >> that's the title. so she's recruited people from around the country, actually i love the stories, because you find people who came from nothing, or from something small and developed either a product or an idea into something big. >> like our kids yesterday. >> yes. >> absolutely. >> so we were in joan rivers' fouse, which by the way is quite ab. fabulous, unbelievable. >> meredith, rosanna and harry nd his wife andrea. and there's joan, we're all holding fake money. >> katie was there. >> katiemi looks good. >> and that's the money tree. >> what is the money tree? >> just all about money. >> that's way too close. back away from the lens. that's amy rosenbluth snapping pictures there. >> i don't always love amy. but most of the time i love amy. amy's the reason that i came over to nbc. >> yes. >> you and natalie and amy. >> yes. >> so most of the time i love amy. >> most of the time you do. >> when it's 110 degrees on a

dude ranch, maybe not so much. >> yes. >> but it was fun? >> it was a lot of fun. >> i think it's going to be a big hilt. >> i like all those -- i like -- there were a bunch of people from new orleans, so i got a kick out of who i knew from when i live there. one guy makes this stuff, it's very, ve famous. it's called, and i'm just telling you the name, it's called boudreau's butt paste. it's for kids in diaper rash. it is a miracle. that's all. it's a mir acking. >> i'm sure people find all kinds of interests uses for -- what is it? >> butt paste. >> speaking of that, this is my favorite story of all time. there is this guy. >> yes. there is a guy. >> who's not much of a guy anymore. but at the time he was quite the guy, because he was fooling around with four different women. one of which was his wife. okay. the wife found out, called the

three women separately. >> yes. >> i love how they found out. can you imagine? i would have loved to have heard that conversation >> there's the three. >> i guess those are the three. >> so one of them lured him to a motel, convinced him to voluntarily be bound and blindfolded. >> yes. >> with the promise of a little boudreau's butt paste, i don't know. >> but what's funny immediately after she bound him up she text messaged the other girls to come into the room. >> come on in. >> tell what happens. >> she tied him up. >> this is not a laughing matter at this point. go on. >> elmo loves this story. tied him up, cut off his underwear. -- elmo loves to tickle. then applied krazy glue to h his -- to his manhood. is that a good way to put it? >> yes. they krazy glued his manhood to his stomach. >> his right leg. >> depends on -- >> we work for nbc news.

>> there are two articles. one says stomach and one says right leg. >> look at the women. >> after they were done with him. they took hit cell phone, his wallet and his car -- >> this is not funny. it's assault. >> it is assault. dog gone it, treat it with the respect it deserves. he was treated for minor injuries. that i found -- and released. i find that hard to believe. one time i got a contact lens, i was fixing a nail and krazy glue shot up. >> in your eye? >> i was trying to wear hard contact lenses at the time. it glued a contact lens on my right eye. i drove myself to the emergency room and for several hours i had to lay under a constant stream of water. >> yeah. >> to get that thing off. i can only imagine what the man had to do to get -- released. >> the women are all out on $200 bail. by the way. so they're out right now. >> armed and dangerous. >> they're upset. but i wonder if that will deter

him from ever doing that type of thing again. >> i don't know. one would only hope. although, you know, john bobbitt didn't learn from his manhood being dismembered. remember him? >> i remember. oh, lord. >> yeah. >> that was not good. >> he went on to make a career of it, and that was before reality television. >> that's true. >> something tells me these guys, tre are television producers on the phone to them right now. >> they're going to have their own reality series. of course. >> when you get -- you know what, when someone hurts you like that, people become crazy. there are some crazy things that we do. when we're scorned. >> what's the craziest thing you've ever done? >> i like destroyed part of an apartment. >> really hoda woman? >> yes. >> i'm shocked. >> what have you done when you're really -- you cut his clothes up? >> no, i'd be crying into my haagen-dazs. normal things. >> that's not normal. >> go in and destroy -- i'm

sorry, were you arrested for it? >> snowe! i was just mad. >> stuff happens when you're mad. >> you haven't seen me mad, yet. >> no, i haven't. but i've seen elmo happy. >> what are these? >> this is -- it's a new elmo toy? >> the latest, hottest toy -- >> but i don't know why one has a hoda -- a hoda? never mind. these are very funny. these are called -- >> all right, elmo. >> these are call hander pants. if you look at them, they are underwear, men's underwear but with the fingers cut out so you can wear them as gloves. now why would you ever want to put these on, kathie lee? >> they say there are hundreds of uses. texting, you can text, hoda. there you go. >> why don't i just text without it? >> it keeps your hands warm. construction. >> oh, drill. >> get your drill going. >> grill. >> so manny. and cooking. >> not so manly. >> cruising. >> cruising.

>> in your harley. the elderly -- >> to hold onto your cane? >> to hold onto your walker it says. >> oh, it does? >> it does. >> is this for cleanliness? >> and night blogging. >> this is ridiculous. i'm just saying. >> but are you nice and toasty in there? >> no, it's confining. >> all you need to go with that is this new stuff that they have, it's called foot makeup. >> right. >> foot makeup. where is it, hoda? you've got it. >> what you do. >> this is guaranteed -- >> it's supposed to be like concealer for your feet. if you have veins or unsightly business going on downstairs. >> i guarantee you cannot hide a bunion with that. it's called -- >> the premiere concealer for feet. >> it looks like makeup. >> concealer. for your feet. >> anybody got a bunion we want to try to hide? anybody? pam? we know how you got yours. anyway -- okay.

>> from perspiration, water, and i love this, et cetera. >> whatever else it is you're walking around in. >> actually, it's a nice conseouler. >> i've got a bunch of bug bites. see if it covers that. >> i think it's too dark for you. >> do bugs love you? >> no, this is not a good cor. >> who knows, we'll try it. we'll find some ugly feet during the commercial break and we'll try it. we don't want to make fun of all these products because people's livelihoods are at stake. >> handerpants. >> someone, great idea. there's a new study out that says swedes, norwegians and british men make some of the best husbands. >> they say it's because they do more chores around the house. in a nutshell. >> to be helpful with child care. >> they say that those, and the group, i think americans ranked fifth -- >> fourth. if those are the two criteria then i'm married to the finest man on earth. honestly. >> your husband -- >> yeah. >> he loves to barbecue. >> oh, he loves to cook. he's a much better mother than i am. >> is he? >> oh, yeah.

>> does he like to clean? >> no. >> you know -- >> i said he's among one of the best men in the world. you know what, if you do all the cooking, somebody else should do the cleaning, shouldn't they? >> yes, yes. >> so you do the cleaning. do you enjoy cleaning, by the way? >> i didn't say that. >> who does the cleaning? >> anybody else i can finagle into it. let's not talk about that. >> let's talk about -- >> oh, let's stalk about "people" magazine, please. our hoda woman is right there, looking very svelte. what was your proudest moment? >> i think it was a glamour don't. when people called and said you're in "people" magazine in the back. that's a glamour don't. >> no, you look great. >> what is your proudest moment? the day i got the call saying a got a network job, called my mom at work and she stood up and said, my daughter is working at nbc! >> yes, because i -- she said it like my daughter's working at nbc news! she was so excited. >> good for her. >> just like that. >> so that was prouder than sitting here with me on our

first day, i guess? >> yes. >> yes. >> all right. so what's next? >> vanity fair? >> we have the best dressed people. they pick them every year. and this year they did the international whatever list. >> mm-hmm. >> so here are the people who made the list. first lady no surprise, michelle obama, what's been talked about a lot for her outfits. >> her style. >> and she always looks great. and also carla bruni. >> first lady of france. the men, no surprise, barack obama, brad pitt and our very own tiki barber. >> do we have tiki? >> you know who is left out of that? the president sarkozy. >> okay, tiki. >> he's not on there but tiki is. >> let's look at kiki for just a minute. >> what you can't know by that is how he smells. the man smells downy fresh. the women, anne hathaway and penelope cruz. and i love the hall of fame they gave to catherine deneuve who i always thought -- snow always looked so classy. >> oh. >> she's 66. >> there's hope for us.

>> there's anne hathaway. she was honor, too. what do you think of that pic of anne hathaway? >> it's -- hmm. i like anne hathaway a lot. she's one of those people i think always looks lovely but isn't one person when i think of her i think of great style. not that she doesn't, i think of her talent. >> that's nice. what you just said, that was nice. >> okay. >> do we have catherine deneuve? >> 66, please let's show one for the home team. okay. so to speak. >> we don't have her? >> you know who else did not make this list, that's a travesty. >> can i say something that was so funny we were watching the other day in the makeup room. i don't know, the michael jackson custody battle has been a little bit like a circus. >> yes. a lot like a circus. >> if you watched the news conference yesterday, we're going to show the clip in just a second, there is a man who is speaking about how katherine jackson is getting the kids. >> one of the attorneys. >> in the background there's a man with a number one fan hat on who is mimicking exactly the news conference. just watch this real quick.

>> not this. >> no, this isn't it. >> no. >> you don't have it? oh, no! >> we know that's not it! >> that wasn't the guy. >> oh, well. >> do we have it? >> wait. >> we're going to pretend. >> no, it is so funny. >> he's standing there beside him, reading the statement from the family. >> reading a statement from behind. >> he can see it on the teleprompter or whatever. >> they're displaying it. >> mouthing it perfectly. it can't be done. it can't be done. >> all righty. >> all right. >> i think we should -- >> sara, how are you, darling? >> good. how are you? >> good. >> we've got people writing in, thelma said i've seen feet that use makeup. would you ever use makeup on your feet? >> i've never done it. but apparently this product. >> if i needed surgery on both of them, there's no makeup on earth that's going to fix those. you know what i cannot take my eyes off, beautiful vanessa hutchins? can we just pan over and say hello to vanessa. >> hi, vanessa. >> she's going to be with us in

a few minutes. can we see her shoes? >> she's got the gladiators on. >> look at those shoes. >> hello. d nod yes or no, are you wearing any makeup on your feet? >> no. not my feet. >> okay. >> definitely not. >> are you wearing any makeup at all? >> yes. >> thanks for your honesty. >> vanessa, we're going to be with you in just a minute. >> she was from "high school musical." she's got a brand-new gig that's happening. a new movie. >> we were going to talk with our facebook fans. we have a moment? >> no. >> we'll talk tomorrow. that's what we did. it's all about tomorrow. >> nice talking to you.

>> that's vanessa hutchins in high school musical. the series that helped catapult her to stardom. >> now she plays another high school teenager, but this time she's somewhat of a quirky outsider. the movie is called "band slam." >> hi. >> so you're not the good girl anymore. you're the outsider in this one? >> yeah. kind of the introverted, deadpan, one who is definitely doing her own thing. she's a number in her name just to be different. >> but that had to be fun. after all the high school

musical stuff. you've been doing that for the last five years? >> three years. >> is that all? >> it's been four years since the first one, but i mean it's nice. i think the best part about being an actress is playing different parts. >> absolutely. >> so which one of these two roles that you played is more like you? >> i'm somewhere in the middle. i'm very happy like gabriela. but i'm not as introverted as sam. >> sam spells her name in an interesting way. >> sa5m and the 5 is silent. >> the 5 is silent? >> yes. >> what is that about? >> her own way of showing individuality. some people do it through hair and through clothes and she does it through letters and numbers. >> you had to learn for this movie, i was reading, to play the guitar. >> yes. >> so that is not an easy thing to do. you just started. >> you tried. >> but it's hard on your fingers. >> i know. >> it's really, really tough calluses there. >> you do. >> it was a lot of fun. unfortunately it's still the only song i know how to play. but at least i know how to play something. >> you actuly had to audition to sing after all these years?

people know you can sing. >> that's your thing. >> that's what i kind of thought. i went to the audition, without preparing a song or anything. they're like, okay, what are you going to sing for us? i'm like, what do you want me to sing for you. >> you didn't bring anything? >> exactly. so they had a pal and i found rehab by amy winehouse and ended up singing that. got the part. >> it's a whole different style. kind of a rocker style. were you comfortable in that genre? >> no. not at all. completely awkward. and i think you can kind of tell in the performance. >> the personality? >> yeah. and it was a lot of fun. just like my windmills on my guitar. >> like a joan jett kind of thing. >> oh, yes. >> did you ever go to high school yourself, vanessa? high school experience. missed out on is all the drama which i'm completely okay with. >> oh, come on, we had ashley tisdale here last week. there had to be some drama. >> no drama.

i love her so much. >> did you see when zach was on with kathie lee, did you see that day? >> yes, i did. >> okay, this is the day where you walked out on him with your hair cull in curlers. >> he made fun of my son on the night before. >> oh, yeah. >> on "saturday night live." >> what did you think of that? >> i thought it was hysterical. >> it was a funny thing to do now that i'm looking at it. i did it, but i've never watched it. he was -- the fear in his eyes, vanessa. did he think he was going to hurt him? >> no, no. i think maybe a little bit. >> well, you know, he called my son, cody, there he is. he called him, and they talked a a nde of times that y, look at him. >> how are you two doing, by the way? >> pretty good. >> you are? >> adorable. >> they don't talk about it. >> i know everywhere you go people want to discuss it, and how do you guys keep it just for you two? >> literally just by not saying anything. and it works like a charm because then nody has anything to say about it.

>> how did you get so wise, so young? >> i don't know. >> you have a great elationship with your mom. >> i do. i love my mom, so much. hi, mommy. >> what's the best thing about your mom? what was the best thing she told you growing up? >> she was just so supportive and she was always there by my side, and she would say everything happens for a reason. and i love by that my entire life. >> is there any actress you look at vanessa and say i'd like to sort of model my career after her? >> honestly there's a few actresses that i completely adore. i love watching tir work. but i don't know, i feel like i'm trying to do my own path and i just do things that are appealing to me and that i'm passionate about. i love like natalie wood, i think of angelina jolie is incredible. and just strong women. >> well, your next movie, after "band slam" you play a hooker. you've got to promise to come back and show us a few scenes from that one. >> i will. >> and carrying a gun around the entire time, too. well, not the tire time.

>> where does a hooker keep her gun? >> well, it's sort of crazy. it's all over the place. it's set in a brothel but they go on these missions trying to escape. it's a crazy, fantasy action. >> you come back and tell us. >> i don't have any news. >> don't get your mommy upset. >> you can catch vanessa in "bad slam" starting august 14th. >> and still to come, do fat people really think differently than fit people? our next guest says yes. >> and says it forcefully. >> and we're going to challenge him about that.

still to come, the guy who says if you're fat, it'suryo fault. >> plus, se of the best fall fashions are on the sale racks this summer. we're going to see those.

all right we're back with "today's style" and four ways that will keep your summer closet going strong through the fall. >> that's right. who cares if labor day has come and gone, kiss those white jeans hello. here with morris bell gonzalez whitaker. it's so lovely to have you. high isabelle. >> thank you. >> even now in the summertime walking into and out of the ac you sort of want a way to warm up your summer wardrobe. >> exactly. you've got cardigans, lightweight jackets. >> the pashmina is still around. >> it is. and you can wear it as a scarf. the pashmina is super versatile. that's never going to go away. otaway, the first look is summer hth w en.eitjea >> corrt. and there was the drillbout y.dadate jeans after labor >> no white shoes.

no white anything. right,>>ith jeans especially, , i think that that's just -- re inwe'iv lg in a new era ofiv style and fashion, so definitely you can wear your white jeans for as long as you would like to as long as you pair them with the right things. >> this is a summer look. let's see the fall look. >> oh. i see. >> you put a jacket on it. >> we've paired it with a dark jacket. so really what you want to do, instead of playing up the vibrancy and whiteness of the jeans, kind of tone it down and wear it with fall colors and fall palettes like the gray, muted tank that you could also wear in the summertime, but also pair it with a darker jacket. >> and shoes. very different shoes. >> very different shoes. shoes that again play to kind of a fall hue, fall palette, rich, dark, vibrant colors. >> this is an affordable outfit we have here, right? the jeans are only $60 from marshall's. >> exactly. and that beautiful little blazer is $59 from ann taylor loft. this is really, great, simple outfit and very polished. as you can see, works great for

fall. elc.lentex >> thank you. >> all right so next, aotle l o us wear sve llllessee s,op ands we're trying to a figure out ho to make those rkhe tllwo faor. so right. ,g we'ot a beautiful seblou it's lightweight, it's a shimmery faic. you would think oh, well there's no way i could wear this in the fall, but you would by wearing it under something else. >> let's see the new look. let's see the fall look. >> what is going on here? let's see what we've done here. >> okay. >> okay that's a pretty nice transformation. >> so, again, like the way this becomes more of a background element as opposed to a focal point. and we pulled out some of these darker hues in the top itself, the wine colored sweater. >> very fall. >> because you're wearing it. >> burgundy, purple, rich hues. the kind of colors you wear when the temperatures dip. >> again thi is affordable, as well. >> the cardigan is $79 from club monaco.

the blouse is $69 and these are things that you can wear seamlessly season to season. this is a great work look, too. >> and the tote's cute too from the gap. tu.anyok > next we have bright coloyo like a bright dress. sometates ks th wor terrific for the mmsubuer, t you want to tone daow tl n litebit for the fall. tlexacy. t his is a wonderful payred ss, obviously. shelogr g s oeatngoiut at night. can you believe that we're going to make this work, not only for fall, but for work? >> for work. >> show us, isabel. >> oh. you'dave never known. >> okay. >> so basically we tempered kind of the flirtiness with the dress. obviously we covered it up. when you're buying a great, summer bright dress, look for one that's fitted in the bodice so that you can layer on top of it comfortably which is exactly what we've done. men's button down tailored shirt. >> that's adoreal. >> put it with flats. it's obviously going to be more comfortable and more work

appropriate. >> you could wear that to work. >> i would never have thought that would work but it did. >> how much is all that? >> the dress is $168. but again, that's a dress you could even wear to a cocktail party in the winter with black tights and gold jewelry. the sweater is $59 from banana republic. >> and tes sho just $65. >> ahtll rig s our last look r lomme suer vest. >> that's right. >> let's see whathate is. summer vest is a great, fun, on-trend accent tt you can wear in the summer with bright colors. especially in gray. it elevates the look of jeans and sandals. >> let's see the fall look. >> so you want to carry this trend into the fall, by wearing with -- dressing it up, first of all, with fabrics that are, again, speak to the fall, rich wines, we have them here again. and we've got this beautiful tiered skirt, and it kind of anchors it, makes it a little bit less formal. again another wonderful

work-appropriate look for going out at night. >> adorable. thank you so much isabel. >> thank you, lovely ladies. >> all right coming up next, what to shop for in your local farmer's market and how to put it all to use. great recipes, epicurious is with us, and they haver ifific stuff.

we're back with "today's kitchen," and tips for shopping at your local green market. >> they are great places to find fresh produce while you're supporting your local farmers. today's saucy chef, epicurious.com's tonya fields has a recipe for almost everything. we love when you're here. >> thank you. i'm called saucy? >> you are saucy. >> so all of the thingsyou're going to show us come from the local markets and we're going to use them in unique ways to make great recipes. >> that's right. a little bit of a twist, they're inexpensive, they're healthy and they are delicious. >> and local. >> farmer's markets, because produce is at the peak and at epicurious, we're fans of farmer's markets. so anyone who is watching out in san francisco.

>> first thing we're going to make are sloppy joes and you want to use fresh squash. >> that's right. these are summer squash sloppy joes. what's great about them, you can use ground beef or turkey. we're putting an onion and some carrots. >> carrots. >> and we're putting in squash. this is what makes it so healthy. >> shredded squash. >> you can use pattypan or zucchini or whatever is at your local market. >> turn down the heat. >> let's turn it down a little bit and saute this guy right up here and all you have to do is add the tomb poe taste. voila. >> thank you. >> and some water. >> a little garlic. >> and a little garlic, beautiful, and some water and you're turning an average sloppy joe into something that's very healthy. it's got 324 calories for the sloppy joe per serving. which is -- >> isn't that nice? >> that doesn't count the bread. >> but what's great about it is -- >> we have some other spices. >> oh, we do? >> we have chili powder, just to give it a little bit of oomph. >> let me stir it up.

>> okay. >> come here. >> i can't have bread. i gave up bread. >> don't have the bread. >> you do that and i'll do this. >> tell me what you think. >> really nice. >> it's good. >> really good. >> okay the next one is a watermelon tomato mint salad. >> that sounds good. >> it is so refreshing. and who would have thought of using watermelon for a salad. what you do is chill watermelon, cut it into cubes, and seed it. then add heirloom tomatoes. look how gorgeous. >> aren't they beautiful. >> first time i had them, i thought oh, my gosh. fabulous. >> and then some onions, vidalia or whatever is at your market. some mint. >> i love mint. >> me, too. >> don't you want some mojitos now that we're standing here? >> always. >> i never turn it down. >> can't believe there's nothing here. >> i should have thought of it. and then some feta. so you crumble this like this. this is fun thing to do with kids and mix it autopsy. and look how beautiful that is.

>> do you put any dressing on it? >> you don't. the watermelon gives it kind of a juicyness. >> it's so good with the watermelon. >> thank you. >> it's really, really good. and with a barbecue it goes really well. >> so juicy. >> and it's kind of meaty and savory and sweet all at the same time. >> aren't those beautiful? they're very good. >> all right, what else? >> and then this is the -- >> apricot. >> it's a pie de resistance. an apricot raspberry pie. first of all, apple pies are right now at the peak. >> okay. >> this is the moment to go buy them. you can use peaches, any stone fruit, raspberries. and the foolproof pie, anyone can make it because you don't have to blind bike the pie crust. make the pie crust, stick in apples, raspberries, sugar, cornstarch you're done. 45 minutes. i maid it with my kids the other day. and they loved it. >> it is beautiful.

>> so tasty. >> so what is the time to buy right now? is it time for watermelon right now? >> everything here is totally at the peak of produce. epicurious has a super cool interactive seasonal map where you can click on your state and it will show you what is in season right now at the farmer's market and give you all these recipes. >> there was a lady who did french women don't get fat. she said i only buy what's fresh now. so i don't have a strawberry until it's time. >> right. >> and she doesn't do all of those. >> so that fresh idea is brilliant. >> it's totally the best way to eat because you're eating healthy and inexpensive and you're supporting the local economy. it's a great thing to do. >> epicurious.com you can find everything. remember when you did your favorite brownie recipes. >> or the chocolate cake layer cakes? >> that was the best recipe. >> tonya, thank you very. >> thank you very much. we're going to be back with more

>> such great kids. >> cute. all right it's time to check in with miss sara haines >> hi. >> a lot of people are discussing our guest steve about being fat. >> what are they saying? >> diane wrote in, losing weight, sorry steve, losing weight is not only linear, you can't rule out the emotional factor. then you get the other side, ray wrote in, i think he's right people use too many excuses nowadays for being overweight. >> are most men saying -- it seems like men think more linearly. are more women saying it was an emotional deal? >> it's a lot of women in general because it's an emotional topic. and we're also giving away ten i-homes. happy tuesday and where you're from, we'll pick them out randomly. go happy tuesday and where you're from.

>> tomorrow marlon wayans is going to be with us. >> plus the dos and don'ts of dating. >> yd sulho know. have a great day, everybody. hoda's a little upset. but i want you to have an awesome day. ul