from nbc news this is "today" with kathie lee gifford and hoda kotb from studio 1-a in rockefeller plaza. >> are you kidding? >> granny ride. >> finally here, the big 5-ho. happy birthday, hoda. superman himself, dean cain is

doing the honors. >> come here, come on. >> watch the spanx. >> thank you. >> favorite. thank you for being with us today. >> follow me in. here we go. >> i'll take it. >> it's hoda's birthday! we got surprises. >> what is happening? >> that is good! [ applause ] >> look who is here, lil john. >> oh, my god! >> this is part of my dream right here. >> oh my gosh. >> all right. are you seriously playing my music on my birthday? >> that's how much i love you. we may lose a few viewers

because of it. that ford mustang convertible was created the same day you were created. >> when? >> august 9, 1964. how much did it cost? $2,400 back then. what do you think it would be today? >> a ford mustang? $40,000. >> $27,000. still very affordable. many thanks to your driver. >> by the way, i thought we peeked all week. when i saw that stang -- >> look at him. nothing cuter. >> hi, guys. >> here is the thing. people love you. your favorite guy in the whole world, don't listen, dean, she is in love with blake shelton. he wanted to be here today but miranda wouldn't let him come.

that is not true. he couldn't make it. is that the phone i hear? >> is he calling? >> hello. hi, blake. miranda said no. she has a problem with hoda, a lot of people do. it is totally understandable. we love you. he has something to say. >> is he on the phone? >> hi, hoda, blake shelton here. i'm so sorry i'm not there today for your birthday. i'm here in toronto, canada. we are doing a concert. and, man, i really hate that i couldn't be there. i love you. i love you. i love you. i love you. i love you. i love you. >> you can hang up now. >> i love you. i love you. >> can we just going? i want to hear it more.

twice more. please. >> i love you. i love you. [ laughter ] >> toronto canada and we are doing a concert -- >> not that part. never mind. >> i love you. i love you. i love you. i love you. i love you. >> he can talk and walk at the same time. here he is everybody, blake shelton himself. [ laughter ] >> and he has got a little something for his girl, don't you, blake? [ laughter ] >> good to see you. we know you have a concert. i guess he is staying. okay. >> i just want to say how happy i am right now. i'm ready for the next thing. it's going to get worse. more of your friends wanted to wish you a happy birthday. what do you think they had to say? >> i don't know. >> happy birthday, hoda.

sorry i can't be there in person but i have given a gift to kathie to give to you, wine and quite a lot of cash. it's not so bad. hello hoda. wanted to say happy 50th birthday. you don't look it or act it but i guess you are. >> i don't think you should be telling everybody you are 50 but it is too late now. happy birthday. >> you are the big 5-0 but you make love like a 20 year old. it is amazing. >> hi, hoda. happy birthday. >> it is the most important day of your life because it is the day you were born. how about that? congratulations, sweetheart. >> i'm wishing you so much love and hainess. eginnis just the b you. enjoy it, my love. >> dear hoda, happy 50th birthday. nothing as sweet as you.

>> hoda, happy 30th birthday. you look amazing. >> happy 50th birthday, hoda. >> happy birthday, hoda. >> here is my locker. i need a picture of you to hang up right there. happy birthday! >> wow! how sweet is that? >> this is an nbc news special report, hoda at 50. >> you're 50? >> hoda, congratulations on stretching out a birthdalonger than savannah's birthday. >> happy birthday already. you are really milking this 50 thing. >> happy birthday, hoda. we love you dearly. you make 50 look so fine. happy 50th birthday, hoda. you are like a fine wine getting better with every age. happy 50th and in honor of you, hey.

>> hoda, i wish for you everything that you bring to everybody else, happiness, love and joy. >> happy birthday to the best boss ever. i adore you. i admire you and i am ever so thankful for the opportunities you have given me. >> happy birthday. ♪ happy birthday to you happy birthday to you. >> happy birthday! we love you. >> we love you. >> hoda. that was so great. oh my god. thank you. >> this is what love feels like. isn't it awesome. >> look at dean and lil john. that is what love looks like. [ laughter ] >> are you going to play the music? >> in a little bit.

don't miss bossy pants. the average income in 1964 was about $6,000. what do you think it is today? >> the average income today is $30,000. >> you can buy a new home for around $20,000. today the average home sells for what? >> i would say the average home for $70,000. >> $150,000. >> broadway tickets were only $10. now how much. >> $120. >> $200. >> now how much was a cup of coffee in 1964? >> i'll tell you how much, 50 cents. >> 10 cents. now it is around $1.50. a gallon of milk how much? >> 40 cents. about a dollar.

>> now it's about $5. >> if she doesn't know yell it out. tank of gas. >> a tank of gas was? >> 20 cents. >> 30 cents. >> i was close. >> gas today is about $4 a gallon. the 26 inch color tv debuted at world's fair. how much did it cost? >> $100. >> $379. >> which would be almost $3,000 today. today it is cheaper. there is some good news. a 40 inch tv costs around $250. >> did i win? >> time for your prize. >> what is it? you know what? it's hoda's aarp card. you earned it. you earned it, cookie. you get a lot of free stuff with that.

it is all good. don't worry too much about the early bird discount you get discounts. you get a subscription of aarp the magazine. >> i was on it before i was 50 with you. >> you were in training. you know what time it is? >> what is all of this stuff? >> your favorite food. >> fried chicken. >> and pop tarts. what is this? pepsi. >> made in 1954. they are not your favorites. these were things born in 1954. >> is this kentucky fried? >> it is great. friday funny. >> we are already at "friday funny"? >> i'm ready. >> how are you doing, blake. you know you're 50 when going braless pulls out all of the wrinkles of your face.

>> let me think about that. >> you know you're 50 when you have been there and done that but you don't remember what that was. >> they did the -- it is a new thing in show business called timing. >> try again. >> you know you are 50 when you are cough, far, sneeze and pee all at the same time. [ laughter ] >> you can't be sitting there without music. >> what are you playing? >> come on. >> it's her birthday. she can do what she wants. you got to put your drink up, though. >> happy birthday! ♪ >> can i have one woman. i'm going to be at the wine and

spirits in allen dale, new jersey from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. we have a guest. a couple more surprises for hoda. >> i'm so happy. >> bobbie's all abuzz. get ready to laugh until your sides hurt. right after this. every time someone chooses finish over cascade, it sparks a movement. because once they've try finish, they can't keep it to themselves. i'm switching for good wow! finish is seriously good can't believe how great it works love love love finish it's a shine that's sweeping across america. finish delivers an unbeatable clean and superior shine versus cascade's leading detergent. look no ugly spots... and see that shine? you've got to try finish. so take the finish challenge.

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we brought along some of the funniest ladies around who admit to being in their 50s. they are in their prime. ♪ looking at her >> reach your generational milestone and convince you how fun it is, our comedians. hello, ladies. judy wants to start. you say when you are in your 50s every conversation happens a certain way. >> ever since i turned 50 this is how every conversation with my friends goes -- wait a minute -- i was just going to say

something. what did you just say? you said the thing about the cat. right before that what did you say? i have not completed a thought since i turned 50. >> how old are you now? >> i'm 51 and i want to say happy birthday. >> lisa -- >> ever since i turned 50 i made the best decisions of my life. i got my haircut in my miley cyrus look. i lost 107 pounds. >> you look fantastic. >> how did you do that? >> gastric surgery. kept it off so far. >> even though i don't like sex anymore because i'm going through menopause i try to be like bruce jenner and be the best woman i can be. we brought you a little gift.

>> maximum impact and this i think you will enjoy very much. >> what is it? >> it is a vibrater. >> we wish. >> your life alert button. you have fallen and can't get up whether you know it or not. >> i have another gift for you. you have to have this in your purse at all times. at all times. even if it doesn't match your outfit. you go to china town and buy it and have seven different colors always. >> what did you do for hot flashes, by the way? >> fans. >> i wake up ery night in a pool of fluid and not the good kind. >> we are in big trouble. >> do you have advice? >> i have advice for all the men who are with women over 50. if you are ever in an intensely deep conversation with a woman

and the woman goes like this -- she is not listening to a word that is coming out of your mouth because the world has just ended until the hair comes out of the face. i can't focus on another thing. >> they say it starts out as one. >> it's like a couple of months you will all look like rob reiner. >> any other advice? >> you start to really not care anymore about what anyone thinks about you. >> that's true. >> it's great. i got married for the first time at 53. >> what? >> 53 years old. >> how is it going so far? >> not so good. it is good because he is handy. you have to have a husband who is handy. >> it's true. >> another great decision i made. i got divorced after 50. >> how many years were you married? >> 3 1/2 and they said it wouldn't last.

>> happy birthday! fabulous at any age. ♪ because i'm happy ♪ clap along if you feel like a room without roof ♪ ♪ because i'm happy ♪ clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth ♪ you up for the challenge suds-maker? i'm gonna need more than that to get through the rest of these dishes. i want more suds! dawn? you won't last. a drop of dawn ultra has active suds that stay stronger longer, so you can clean 2 times more greasy dishes to get the job done. you're full of suds after all. now drop and give me twenty spaghetti bowls! dawn does more. so it's not a chore. ugh. heartburn. did someone say burn? try alka seltzer reliefchews. they work just as fast and taste better

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it is time for bobbie's buzz. it looks like we are going back in time. >> this week our style and editor it is all screwed up is here with flashback finds for

the year. >> i looked at your hair and i was like bobbie cut her hair. >> i just want to say mom, if you are watching i did not cut my hair. this is actually a wig. i was inspired because there was a breakout year in 1864 all about the angled bobs. >> it is still so chic. it's so contemporary today. the year you were born the whole era has so much that we draw from. >> the twiggy eyes. >> they look great. >> i would like to have donna join us. just for fun. i wanted to -- >> oh, my gosh. >> i mean, this was the look in the '60s. this is really -- >> so flattering. >> i don't know about the red. >> lisa terry is the really

adorable designer that makes these moddresses like what i'm wearing. these are being sold today. >> they are new but have look of the old. >> i like it. >> you don't have to wear spanx. you can be free. >> and you can just go crazy. >> of course, the hair that we are talking about so much. hair spray in 1964 and '65 outsold lipstick. it was the most popular item. all of these items. vo 5. >> we used to use this by the bucket fulls at my house. >> it was all about big eyes, the twiggy eyes and false eye lashes and max factor only sold in europe. i dug in the bins to find old max factor. that is your birthday present. and we have nd's cold cream.

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[ female announcer ] there are millions of ways to eggo! try one of our fun recipes on facebook... and eggo your way! ♪ just l'eggo my eggo >> hoda's having a good time. >> thank you. very special friday. happens to be hoda's birthday. it is her 50th. one of our producers grabbed a camera and asked hoda to reflect on what this milestone meant to her. here is what she had to say. >> saying my name and the word 50 in the same sentence is totally freaking me out. it seems like somebody else. it doesn't seem like me. i feel a little weird about it. i feel more comfortable today because i know who i am. so when something is upsetting you don't go off the deep end because you have seen worse.

when something is joyful you keep it in perspective but you enjoy the joy. i think that has been good. once you have been through the weeds and come out the other side you say like thank god i'm 50. thank god i'm 50. once you have survived horrible pain, debilitating pain and find yourself still standing you get the four words you can't scare me. had i not gotten sick and gotten divorced and not had that dark time maybe approaching 50 would have been horrifying and scary and terrible. but i'm approaching 50 and i'm happy to be 50. i'm happy to be here. i'm happy to blow out the candles on the cake. i love how i feel when i listen to music. i love how i feel when i go for a run in central park. i love how i feel when i hug my mom. i love how i feel when i see my nieces. i love how i feel when i go on a date with a cute guy. i didn't know i would get to

experience so many exciting and new firsts at 50. who knew you would find love again? who knew? that happens again? i thought that thing was like road kill in the rearview mirror. that is over. there is so much ahead of you. people want to know what is the next act. what is the next thing you are doing? i love when someone asks me that. i go i'm not sure but i know there are great things i would like to try. i think anything is possible. i think anything professionally is possible. i think love is possible. i think forgiveness is possible. i think a lot of people lug around old stuff in a backpack and carry around and it is so heavy. sometimes you should use your mile stones and mark them. make it a time in your life that you remember and forgive someone who has caused you pain for a lot of your life. just do it. you are 50.

just do that. you can call it mid life and say most of your best years are behind you. i have a friend who is like remember the best years are past. i'm like what are you talking about? mathematically that may be true. it is not about the years but about what you do with them. i wasted a bunch. i am valuing and treasuring the ones ahead. >> by the way, i can tell you the best seven years have been the last seven here. or six, whatever it was. >> that happens when you turn 50. you can't remember. >> play us something warm and cozy. ♪

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>> how cute does she look in the dress? >> the best body in the world. here she is in the shift. >> i'm totally shocked. >> i wanted to surprise you. >> i love it. >> it's actually very cute. >> who else is here? >> isn't that adorable? >> i love it. thank you. i love you, too. >> thank you. >> who else is here? >> last, who do we have utility trend carol. >> carol brady. >> one of the finest human beings on the planet right here. >> happy birthday. giving you a must-have piece for fall, a utility vest from macy's only $89. we got one for you, as well. >> dressed so cute. >> oh, my gosh. >> bring them back out! >> they're gone. >> i can't believe it. going to keep spinning and hoda is putting on a blind fold for our next big surprise. we will reveal her mystery guest musically after this. we are ready to bring on the special musical guest today. >> just walk straight. >> okay. >> okay. keep walking. >> tell me if i need to -- pretty soon th the blue bird and asked you to come here, you didn't watch our

show but that is fine. you were sitting on the bar stool here and looked at me and said i feel like i'm going to fall off this bar stool. i said play that song like you played it and every girl in this room was weeping. i never forgot the moment. >> appreciate you having me. >> so happy. you going to sing us another song. >> you are? >> i think it says that. >> he is not. it is lil john. i'm 60 almost 1. >> play a little "epitaph" on the way out. >> sorry about that, hoda. ♪ i was going to love her until the day i die ♪ ♪ but she's gone