>> announcer: from nbc news, this is "today" with kathie lee gifford and hoda kotb live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. ♪ i don't want a lot for christmas ♪ >> love that. >> that is mariah carey. it's christmas eve, try die friday, december 22nd. >> and a lot of bus, the new denzel washington movie "fences." >> and global singing sensations. known for their popra sound,

spirit. they're great. those guys. >> they are. grab the kids for something very, very special. a few animals very busy this time of year and may even get a visit from one of santa's reinde reindeer. how about that? >> what a tease you are. >> i like thavlgts add cozy touches from your guests arrive with lilliana's luxe for left. making great hostess gifts, as well. >> can't believe it's christmas eve. shool we break out our stocking? >> let's go it, hodie. >> since we're not going to be together on christmas day. ♪ have yourself a very merry little christmas ♪ make the yuletide gay ♪ >> this is a long song. >> all right. >> since we're not going to be together on christmas and will be christmas eve. shall we exchange gifts? >> yes. >> look in our stocking. >> i'll look in mine first. is this mine? >> yeah. you go first, hoda. >> you know how i gave you a long time ago, a -- a v

had in -- in forever and ever, put away. i thought in your new place you might be able to find a place for this. [ laughter ] now, if you don't take that home and put it out, i know that we have a problem. >> okay. all right. so here's yours. there's a note in there, because, i had to put into words -- >> crank the music. >> not that one. it's the other one. there's a purple card. >> oh, sorry. >> you have to look. there are two of them. three of them. >> clueing. >> look for clue number one. >> clue number one. >> i love a game! okay. what does it say? read it aloud, pleads. >> i traveled across water to see you today. >> oh! >> travelled across water? who could he be? >> santa? >> to find me get up from your chair and look around. i am near you somewhere -- >> he's somewhere. you have to look

is it an elf on a shelf? i don't want one of those. >> he might be hiding. >> and the third clue. >> head towards the window where you'll find me leaning. >> where is he leaning. you gave me as a gift i have true meaning. it's one of the elves! right side. >> it's the painting! ♪ happy gold be days, happen olden days of yorn ♪ >> now it's my problem again? that's hysterical! >> how about it? >> gave it up. >> merry christmas. >> merry christmas! >> and you don't have to pay storage anymore. >> boy that is beautiful. >> a beautiful painting. that's old new orleans. >> are you positive? it doesn't seem like it. >> old! before you were around new orleans. >> by the way, it's a gorgeous painting. it's so funny. i don't remember it. >> had it appraised you would have never given it to me. >> that's a beauty. >> hoda, i already miss my

with the picture. yes, and -- it's almost like that, o, henry, remember? it ended up being bad. this was that. >> thank you, i'll just keep little bambino. i can't handle -- can you believe that painting? the guys were like you still want that one small box you have in there with it? >> what's in it? >> i don't know. it's a huge storage unit. shall we try some cookies? >> where are these from? >> nestle toll house every year puts out delicious new cookies. we're going to taste test and see which nestle toll house we're talking about. all new. what do they taste like to you? >> this one looks good. >> hmm. >> so -- is that, like, toffee? maybe -- toffee. >> this is kind of peanut buttery, which i like. >> uh-huh. it is? >> we're goi

>> okay. start down here. >> these are snow caps. taste them and then we'll -- >> hmm. >> hmm. >> okay. this one's butter finger. >> i love butter fingers. delicious. >> you love that? >> uh-huh. >> thank you. >> this, hoda, is triple chip. >> okay. >> and another triple chip. >> uh-huh. hmm! uh-huh. triple chips are good. >> another triple chip and what i had was butter finger again, and again. and the last one is -- bunch a crunch. >> hmm! >> oh, my gosh. i'm so happy. >> she's a happy hoda woman. you know what it is? 50 anniversary of the tv's yule log. even the yule log is younger than i am. that's very upsetting. first aired back in 1966 on new york's wpix. original footage recently found. where the heck's it

who hides the yule log video? believed to be the first ever. probably is. wow! it almost looks like the ten commandments. that, to me is not -- that's -- that, you would know would burn up in about five seconds. >> what's great about the yule log, you live in the south, never put a fire in, it's so festive. >> that's going to burn up quickly. >> but it's a video. it just keeps going. >> hallmark has a dog and cat in their yule log. look at this. courtesy of bill abbott's. see? that's lovely. and playing "handle's "messiah." that's awesome. and offers three hour trendy pink yule logs. >> what about one like josef has in his house? >> nothing says pink like a yule

new christmas records, cds. >> we're going to play special edition on covers. we're going to play a christmas or holiday song sung by an artist who release add christmas album this year and we'll try to guess. >> you'll get them all. >> no. i probably won't. >> jennifer nettles. [ bell ] >> oh, my god! that was so exciting. >> i didn't know we had clues. >> i didn't see the clue. >> she's wonderful. song number two, this singer, associated with new jersey is now in his 80s. tony -- tenney -- >> neil -- ♪ let earth receive her king >> tony bennett? ♪ let every heart prepare him room ♪ >> jezzie. >> jersey. >> is it jersey boys? >> frankie valli. >> good for him! >> this is fun. >> number three. he sold over 120 million records worldwide making one of the

best-selling artists all-time. ♪ silent night, holy night >> oh, that's definitely neil diamond i. love him. it's calmed "acoustic christmas." he's fantastic. once he literally gave me the shirt off his back. i interviewed him. i said i love your shirt, he went in a room, took it off and gave it to me. sweet, sweet man. >> another one. her hit song "angel" -- sarah mclaughlin. >> love her voice! >> that's from her new album "wonderland." >> song five, wild card pick. no more for her acting -- >> anna kendrick. >> on a fox tv show. >> i don't know. >> and played ms. hanigan. ♪ the angel did did say was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay ♪ >> i have no idea. >> jane! >> she has a beautiful voice!

was so deep ♪ ♪ noel, noel >> that was great. ♪ noel, noel. >> she's lovely. >> guess what it's time for? >> both: "friday funnies." >> waiting for this. go. there was once a great king named rudolph the red. he stood looking out the window of his palace while the queen sat nearby knitting. he turned to her and said, look, my dear, it has begun to rain. without even looking up from her knitting she replayed, it's too cold to rain. it must be snowing. the king shook his head and reminded his wife, i am the king of this land, and rudolph the red knows rain, dear. [ laughter ] you're only as good as the crap material you were given. you know? i'm sorry. the rest were about -- perverted little elves and i couldn't tell it this close to the holiday. >> by the way, you sold that. you sold that!

that was good. >> all righty. finally, planning that trip to the movies during your winter break. >> we've got one you'll definitely want to check out. >> and catch up with two of the stars. viola davis and stephen henderson, right after this. ♪ ♪ ♪ and off you go, ♪ ♪ ♪ and off you go, ♪ ♪ ♪ and off you go, ♪ for every step, every stride, every start, begin strong with the lasting energy of 100% whole grain quaker oats... and off you go.

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is offense. >> starring denzel washington reunites the broadway cast. >> we loved it when we saw it. earlier in this week we sat down whip stephen and viola to talk about taking the play to the big screen. >> how come you ain't brought bonny like i asked. >> i was just in the neighborhood thought i'd stop by. >> here it come. >> your daddy got a promotion on the drivers. going to be the first colored driver. read the paper like the white fella. >> pop if you knew how to read he'd be all right. >> fight with them people about driving and ain't even got a license. >> you ain't got no license. >> all you do, point the truck where you want it go. drivin' ain't nothing. >> it ain't nothing! i don't know if you saw it hoda, but i saw it. the original tony award winning play. >> we were together then

we went. >> and it was so belurched by the broadway audience you tend to think, well, i know it's in good hands with denzel, but how is it going to be different? >> how was it to be directed by him in this, as opposed to just sharing the stage on broadway? >> perfect. he's a perfect leader. before we started shooting, he called all of us up, and he told us two things. he said, remember the love that the family has. so therefore when a tragedy happens you really feel it. and the second thing he said was, trust me. >> that's all you need. >> that's all you need. and we did. we trusted him. >> and left out lines. >> oui we were going to have that. >> part of the show is about race, but i think it's really about human nature, isn't it? >> it is. family. >> the whole thing really does become about family. does it? >> oh, absolutely. absolutely. and the cherished value of family. and extended family. why i love to be a part of it, because i'm -- i'm so welcomed at ed roses table, yeah. >> everybody's welcome in your kitchen. ian

movie in that kitchen. >> let me tell you something i could not be rose. i would play her miserably. >> this is method acting. >> really. >> so, it would -- with another actress at the helm, it could have been stereotypical, the woman stays in the background, blindly serves her family, but you bring such a richness to it, viola. not surprisingly. when it turns and your husband breaks your heart. most know the story, i don't want to give it way. that one scene, how difficult was that for you? you are an excellent crier. >> well, i did it 23 times. >> you did? >> 23 times. because you have to do it at different angles. but here's the thing -- you can only be as good as the material. >> yeah. >> sometimes, i'm telling you, you have to -- you know what? awards should be given to actors who make bad material work. >> they're right! >> that's when the work comes in. but when the material, when they leave ton the page, all you

to do is right the wave like a great surfer and that monologue is four pages but look at words. >> yeah. >> it's so heartbreaking. >> it's every woman who's ever stood quietly and one day has that moment where she just can't take it anymore and needs to be heard. >> yes. and you know what? i always say that smoemt about fighting for her life. what he's taken away from her. taken away her purpose, he reason for being. the highest rate of alcohol and depression in women in the '50s. the only role we had was in the home. >> especially women of color. >> yes. absolutely. >> stephen, you are such a star in this. every time you show up on-screen, you just smile. there's something about your presence. >> yes. you want a best friend like him. >> yeah. we want to be your pal. >> nice of you to say so. >> you had to warn him he was on the wrong road. >> he's been a great guide for me. a mentor for me. sometimes you have to remind your mentor of the principles that instilled in you,

lovingly. >> well, again, i joined viola in saying, it's august wilson. >> all the accolades you deserve and many more. >> congrats. >> "fences." >> such a powerful, powerful film. >> thank you. merry christmas to both of you. >> "fences" oms in theaters on christmas day. lilliana helps you deck the halls with your guests with luxe for less and more. >> and more food. >> just what we need. >> first, these messages. taste the many sides of brookside.

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you don't have much time to get your home party ready. >> so if you are looking for a few ideas to spruce up your space, or the perfect gift for someone you're visiting with, look no further than -- >> both: lilliana vasquez. >> and under $50. >> everything is under $50. you can have slots of style this season and into the new year without spending a lot of money. >> start with the table. >> okay. if you are like me and don't want to fuss too much over a holiday party dinner use harlow and gray, disposable paper plates but have upped their game and added a marble finish. i love the black and the gold. very, very stylish. everything from napkins, to plates to cutlery, available. >> and better than plastic for the environment. >> for the environment and looks really great. >> really cute. >> adorable. look kind of vintagy. harlow and gray

cozy up your home two things to add immediately to spice up any couch. cozy, fluffy pillows. >> i have some of these. >> you have a lot of those. >> my favorite, available and kirkland.com. >> and go greatry the painting when you take that back. >> beautiful with the painting. >> can you believe the painting has made rts way back -- >> it's karma, baby, karma. >> these are available at etsy.com. >> look at the little -- >> he's cute! >> whimsical. an owl available athome.com. all under $20. and matches. all colored and coated for holidays from joyoflight.com. little reindeer. matches don't have to be basic and boring. up your game for the holidays and then i love a cozy blanket like this one. >> yes, with the fire going. >> touch it. it's so good. available at qvc.com. three different rs

reversible and machine washable. i know! >> put that in your purse. it will look great with the painting. >> the painting's up. everything from marshall's. candles, going to somebody's else, picture frame, coasters for the table, don't want to ruin it. place mats all available at athome.koch. >> com. >> that area rug, i have two- >> should we just say, style? >> thanks, lilliana. >> the three tenors. >> treating us to a holiday classic. >> don't show up empty-handed this weekend. goodies that will have the host singing your praises. >> but first, your local news. '. we rely on our courage. the kind of courage that shows up when we need it... and when cancer is least expecting it.

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oh! >> hi. how are you?

it's try day friday. two days until christmas. hosting guests or looking for something creative to do with kids, perfect sweet treats to put everybody in the best of moods. >> not just goodies. inspired by christmas songs thanks to our friends at "women's day" magazine. >> lifestyle director is with us. >> both: terran mormon. >> hello. >> happy holidays. >> a little one on the way. >> we're excite ford you. >> you've taken christmas carols and combined with sweet treats. the first song we're working with is -- >> both: ♪ rockin' around the christmas tree ♪ >> a topper. melt these green candy melts and line your pan with parchment paper and line up your

trunks. still warm, go back and forth. >> back and forth. >> get in a groove after you do it a couple times. stop halfway, two-thirds down to have room to stick it into your cupcake. >> why don't you do it. >> while they're wet, yes, you need a steady hand. and a star topper to trim this tree. >> uh-huh. >> then let that set. in the meantime, you can ice your cupcakes and while still wet you want to -- >> yep. >> top them with your finely shredded coconut. you're going to -- instead of using a plate where you smoosh the icing down, you're going to turn it in a circle in the bowl and then look how pretty they come out, and they're all ready. >> this is adorable. >> for your little amazing -- cupcake toppers. >> so cute. >> adorable. >> really darling. >> what's the next song? is it -- >> both: ♪ hark the herald angels sing >> not just singing angels but

make them with any angel cutter and any gingerbread or sugar cookie recipe. the trick, take a floured large hole piping tip or a straw, if you don't have this at hope, and poke the holes in either side before you bake it. >> she's listening to herself singing. >> we're distracted. sorry. >> string them up, hang them on your tree. how you get the frosting to look so beautiful. the secret, it's royal icing. first outline, let it dry and go back and flood. essentially, this is -- a fancy term for coloring inside the lines. >> okay. so you do that. >> you're going to fill. it's going to spread. >> it will on its own. >> and i'm going to help it with a toothpick. go back and sort of -- >> this is not easy. >> you practice a little, but, i mean, patience. it's fun. like you said do it with the kids. >> okay. >> let's go on to the next. >> darling, darling, i love the color -- >> "o,

>> stray your cookie cutters with a non-stick cooking pra - spray -- important -- bake five to six minutes. >> it melts into -- that's fantastic! >> then can you use a chopstick or skewer to create the hole and hang those up as well. >> genius! we have oreo cookie bark? >> we do. no-bake bark. takes you 15 minutes. line the bottom of the tray with oreos and then you're going to gently spoon in melted white chocolate. so when you get this all in here. >> hmm! >> i'm going to show you how to make this awesome wreath on top. we've decked the halls. now we need to deck the dessert table out. right? >> yeah. >> same spread. it is spread. and you -- make your wreath shape. use a toothpick to sort of fan it out and then you can go back and add pretty holly sprinkles. >> look how

amazin amazing. >> look how pretty. that's gorgeous. >> santa is coming to town. >> oh, stop it. >> on his little skis! >> hitches a ride on his cookie sleigh. >> so cute. >> we want to show you how to turn any rectangular cookie bought into a sleigh into royal icing. >> back to royal icing gep. >> again. >> apply extra coverage. stick it on. hold 15, 30 seconds. later -- >> tap it. >> i'll do that. >> we love them. thank you so, so, much. a visit from one of santa's reindeer and tricks up their leaves. >> really? >> after this. ♪ the man with the bag, 'cause christs is coming ♪

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world's ambassador, julie scardina. >> who do you have with you, julie? >> oh, she is -- >> our old friend maxine. hi, maxine. >> hi. >> hi! >> yeah, baby. >> she's been with us before. >> yes. i know you loved her, so we wanted to bring her back today. she really gets into christmas, because she loves interacting, not only with people but it's enriching for her to learn behavior and some of the things we've done, which is teach her to decorate the tree, is all very -- >> she does know how to decorate this tree. >> she does. do you want to dot that maxine? okay! good birdie. >> come on, maxine. >> want to go over there and do that? >> oh. she wanted to eat something on the way. >> i think it's going to happen. >> let's decorate the tree. >> how old is she, julie? >> she is 32 years old. >> maxine, she's wants another treat. >> she wants a treat. >> treat, please. >> do one more. >> treat, please. oh -- oh -- >> that's a little harder. >> look at her going up high. >>h!

good birdie! there you go. >> way to go, maxine. >> so many beautiful things. her wing span is beautiful. >> she is -- >> and show off a little bit more, huh? want to dot a chicken? no. a chicken. can you bark? okay. how about a big eagle? okay! good birdie. >> and you want, we want everybody to know this is like having a 2-year-old for a lifetime, right? >> absolutely. we do not recommend them actually as pets because they're so needy and difficult, but they are wonderful animals. >> so happy you brought her to us. >> ready for the next animal? >> yes. >> hold on. >> so -- >> hasn't finished! >> she wants a treat. >> come on. go back to tanya. there you go. >> oh, yes. thank you, maxine. >> she's so sweet. all right, this is forest. and forest is actually a little rescue.

want to go down there first? >> is he a fox or is he a coyote? >> yes. a gray fox. >> beautiful. >> and fourcnd across the unite states. none for being one of the only dog species that can climb trees, and they dig. they use those great claws for doing a lot of things. we did have a present for forest but i think he decided he wasn't going to -- >> wasn't into it. >> wasn't going to open it up. i figured we'd still bring him out. >> he's beautiful. >> sea world and busch gardens rescued over 29,000 animals. forest was rescued by a different organization. really important, that people keep an eye out and see an animal in need, call the rescue. >> yes. >> what else do you have for us? >> whoa! there you go. nobody wants to go today! >> they're all having fun. >> all right. who else do we have? >> our next animals are our north american river otters. where are the brothers? >> oh! >> so -- >> weov

this is our favorite. >> two days befe christmas, but they're totally into this. again, "tawe talked about with maxine. having activity, training positively with behavior is really, really enriching for these guys. >> oh, my gosh. oh, we got one. uh-oh! >> we lost one. >> he's going up under the couch, apparently. >> he got out. okay. >> but it's fun. these guys are almost 20 pounds apiece, also rescued as orphans when they were very, very small. they're doing so, so great that they are -- they love coming into schools, teaching kids ow important it is to keep waterways fresh. >> get in there. you know it. you can do it. >> get in there. get after it! get after it. >> whoa! [ laughter ] >> oh, i've done that a few times. [ laughter ] >> all right. >> there you go. all right. well -- we couldn't have our segment end without bringing in a reindeer on christmas. right? >> oh!

>> aren't they beautiful? >> wow! >> they're beautiful. >> thank you. right before -- >> they look real. >> they are! >> that is amazing. >> beautiful. >> he's okay? >> so this is holly. >> hi, holly! >> and reindeer are so specialized. which is -- >> kath, careful. >> amazing animals. she has great sense of smell. >> well, she doesn't smell so great. [ laughter ] >> not many animals do. there's carrots if you'd like to feed her. >> we have a christmas present. you hand the reindeer off a second. >> go ahead and give her the carrot. >> do it? all right. >> so, julie, i don't know if you know this. this happens to be julie scardina's final segment with us. >> oh, thank you. the champaign, too. >> she's retiring from sea world, busch gardens. >> careful, kath. >> coming on the "today" show 20 years. check out this joid. in 1996 with bryant gumbel and katie couric and a pair of penguins. remember that? >> i do. that's been a long time. >> all right.

>> instead of the toast, we've prepared a little performance for you. >> oh. >> okay. ready? for 20th year on the show. >> ♪ in 20 years on the today show julie's brought to us 450-plus animals ♪ 150 species, 49 scaly reptiles ♪ ♪ 43 types of birds, 30 ferocious felines 24 endangered animals ♪ ♪ 14 pairs of penguins 12 amphibians ♪ 4 bald eagles three aardvarks and one camel ♪ ♪ and one smelly warthog, too >> ladies, i love you. >> we love you, julie. we'll miss you, sweetie. >> miss you so much. we love you. >> one of the great, great ladies. does so much for so many. >> go to today.com to watch julie's very first segment on the "today" show. >> we've got more singing for you, but thankfully it's not coming from us. >> international super stars

volo perform a christmas classic coming up right after this. >> cheers! should we put a jellybean on the top? purple? absolutely. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ i was born a dreamer... ♪ i was born a dreamer... we rely on our courage. the kind of courage that shows up when we need it... and when cancer is least expecting it. courage. just one reason more of us are surviving cancer

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>> announcer: the citi concert series on "today" is proudly presented to you by citi. they're the singing trio known for bringing popra to a whole new generation of classic music fans. >> honoring their biggest musical inspiration with their new album, a tribute to the three tenors. the song is what, hoda? >> hit number one on the classical albums chart. >> thank you. performing is el volo. il volo

[ singing "o, come all ye faithful" in foreign language ] ♪ [ singing "o, come all ye faithful" in foreign language ] ♪ [ singing "o, come all ye faithful" in foreign language ]

♪ [ singing "adeste fideles" ] ♪ [ singing "

faithful" -- "adeste fideles" ] ♪ ♪ aren't they something? >> e were love them. >> all of their lives, it seem

>> il volo touring next year kicking off at radio city music hall. >> we're going to be back in a moment, this is "today" on nbc. >> yes, it is. that sound. like nails on a chalkboard.

nt kind of sound. the sound of the weekend. it's baking season. warm up with pillsbury. at progresso, we are now using 100% antibiotic and hormone-free white breast meat chicken in all our chicken soups! behold our greatest opus!

our tour drive is all wrapped up. we are proud to tell you we are approaching a 20-year total of $450 million in donations helping more than 180 charities. >> incredible. thanking our partner whose continue to be a part of our holiday tradition. >> before the day ends, you still have a chance to donate online at amazon.com/today. >> we hope you have a wonderful and blessed christmas and happy hanukkah, everybody. we'll see you on monday. >> merry christmas. >> merry christmas. >> bye! ♪ brown paper packages tied up with strings ♪ these are a few of my favorite things ♪

now a on "news4 midday," a suspicious death and a family looking for answers. the mystery after a man was found dead inside a home. the manhunt is over, but not the threat. the german top security officials say the death of the christmas market attacker is not the end of the risk. leave room for time, what you can expect as you hit the road for a busy holiday weekend. i'm derrick ward at the live desk. the breaking news, a tense situation involving a hijacked libyan airliner, an air bus a-320 with 118 people on board