good morning. the fixer speaks. good morning. the fixer speaks. donald trump's former right hand man points the finger directly at the president to the payoff for the porn star. >> he directed me to make the payments, to become involved in these matters. >> the president in a new interview claiming he had no idea. just ahead, the said/he > said. bomb threat bannock. who was behind that waive of coast cou coast to c. threa weekend washout. the eastern half of the country bracing for impact of a massive storm bringing heavy rain, snow, and ice. the third straight storm in the last three weeks. al is tracking it all. >> plus, new scandal atth cbs.

e bombshell revelations from two popular actrees about the network and its bosses. from their family to ours. kensington palace releases the cture perfect christmas cart. and happy al-iversary.at 40 gre years of al in our neck of the woods. friday, december 14,2018 >> announcer: from nbc news, this is "today" wit savannah guthrie and hoda kotb. thank you for joining us on this friday morning. where were you 40 years ago? >> we know where this guy w. >> right here at nbc. >> most of you weren't alive. >> al, it's a big day today. >> i know, it is. >> we have dubbed it the

al-versary. >> we are so excited not only to celebrate you, but how you have been rerse aging automatic the -- all these years. look at weu. re going to have a lot of fun. >> for most of you. >> and we have a weather story coming up, too. bel start in washington. michael cohen is speaking out and pointing fingers after being sentenced to three years in prison. he is placing the blame on the president's shoulders. the president fires bac saying cohen failed him. it has to do wit a payoff to a porn star. >> reporter: as the political peril mounts for president trump lashing out at his former lawyer michael cohen and this morning cohen is speaking ou for the first time since his sentencing and takingim at president trump. >> they said he didn't lie. >> reporter: this morning with pressure mounting president trump reacting h angrily to

former fixer michael cohen. >> i never directed him to do anything wrong. whatever he did, he d on his own. he is a lawyer. a lawyer who represents a client is t supposed do the right thing. th's why you pay them a lot of money. >> reporter: in court documents prosecutors say president trump did direct cohen to make hush-money payments t two women who claim they had sexual encounters with president trump. in his first interview since being sentenced, cohen refutes the president. unless ig was done was done through mr. trump. he directed me, as i said in my allocation. he directed me to make the payments. he directed me to become involv in these matters. >> reporter: and this morning a new twist. nbc news has confirmed from a person familiar with the matter in auguston 2015, two mths after mr. trump announc his campaign, candidate trump was in the room when cohen and

"national enquirer" publisher david pecker discussed ways's peck magazine could help bury negative stories about mr. trump's relationship with women. prosecutors saype er's company ami later wrote a check to karen mcdougal in concert with the campaign to buy her story but never presentintedt. a practice known as catch and kill. mr. trump. enied >> i don't think we paid any money to that tabloid. >> reporter: in 2016, cohen secretly recorded a separateti converon with mr. trump in which the two appear to be discussing a plan to use david pecker andna "thonal enquirer" to silence mcdougal. >> i need to on up a company for the transfer of all of that info regarding our friend david, so that i'm going to do that right away. >> reporter: a as president trump says his only mistake was hi >> in retrospect, i made a mistake because what he did was

all unrelated to me except for the two campaign finance charges at are not criminal and shouldn't have been on there. they put that on t embarrass me. he reporter: and overnight incoming democratic chair of the ouse judiciary committee jerry nadler said the central question comes back to what was asked during watergate. what did the president know and when did he know it? yet another sign wn democrats take over the house in the new year, you can expect them to launch a number of new investigations into this presidt and white house. >> kristen welker, thank you. and speaking of the gwing pressure on the president, there are reports of a new investigation this morning involving his inaugural fund. chief white house correspondent hallie jacks here with us. >> this centers around the inaugural committee which organizes parties, raises money for the events surrounding the swearing in of donald trump. more than $100 million.

according the wall street judge federal prosecuteers are looking at whethert money was sspent. that could violate corruption laws. "the new york times"in is repo the government is looking into whether foreigners funneled money into that inaugul campaig to buy a better relationship with the president. we should not that n has not independently verified the story. apokesperson for the chair of the inaugural committee said he never talked to any forgn ent tie about donations and a lawyer says they have not been contacted b prosecutors. the press secretary says this doesn't have anything to do with the president or the first lady saying their focus was not on fundraising but on the actual swearing in itself. the bottom , there have been a number of people in donald trump's orbith dealing w legal trouble. michael cohen, michael flynn, paul manafort, and this new

reporting, hoda and savannah, shows another possible legal threat to people in and around trump world here. >> thank you. > the search on for a person or persons behinde a w of bomb threats that caused panic across the country yesterday disrupting schools and businesses in at least 21 states. nbc's kerry sanders with the latest on that. >> reporter: this morning more umb threats in theted states and around the globe from hereto in miamanada to new zealand. so widespread, if you were not directly impacted by one o those precautionary evacuations, you likely know someone who was. communities acros the country are on edge following a wave of bomb threats that prompted schools, businesses and hospitals to vevacuate. the search for explosives turning up empty. the fbi investigating what law enforcement sources tell nbc ar wide hoax. some of the threats coming by

phone. others in emails demanding $20,000. the scary message reading, transfer it to met in a bioin and the bomb will not detonate, but do not try to deceive me. law enforcement officials telling nbc news the emails were sent robo style at random. the menti of bitcoin penalty allling tpeeking /*d investigators p kill. >> officials urging the public to take every threat seriously. just because no bombs have been found at the threatened locations, investigators s anybody getting a threat today should take it seriously and call police. savannah, hoda. >> thank you. now to a huge winter storm headed towards the east coast

after bringing rain and strong wind to the south. al roker is following its path. >> good morning.an you for getting your first weather from us. flash flood watches from d.c. to florida for 28 million peopl a risve for severe weather the next 24 hours from southeastern georgia all the way into central florida. rs and thunderstorms firing up. this is part of that sysm that started in california earlier thisk. w it's double-barrel low pushing to the northeast. a flood risk inou theeast. tomorrow rain along the east coast, isolated areas of heavy rain. sunday lingering rain in the northeast and then the system slowly moves offshore, but not before drawing in some cold air and bringing snow to pts of interior northeast and new england. heavy rain and flooding, excessive rainfall with a flood risk, and melding snowre ies the flood risk in the carolinas. airport delays for atlanta, charlotte, cincinnati, memphis, raleigh, durham, and tampa.

i-64 st. louis tool no i-75 cincinnati to tampa, o85 atlanta raleigh and roi-95 f d.c. down to daytona beach. so it's a bigmpact storm, but then moves out and next week starts off fairly decently. >> al, don't go gto good morn tow you. details emerging out of west virginia about that harrowing o rescuef three people who spent four terrifying days trapp an underground abandoned mine. nbc's kevin tibbles is learning more. y,vin, good morning. >> reporter: craig. it was a nightmarish ordeal. fo days underground. no food, no water, no light complete darkness. something they are not soon to forget. >> started thanking god. our guardian angels sent from

heaven. >> reporter: a dramatic rescue for three people trapped in an abandoned west virginia coal mine. >> it was terrible. >> reporter: reunited with their loved ones after four excruciating days underground. today kayla williams, erica treadway and cody beverly are safe. >> is a whole 'nother world down there. it's dark. it's dangerous. >> there was a couple times i thought, you know, they are not going to fbod our es. they are not going to know when we passed away. there is not going to be a bare result. >> reporter:ve rescuers trad more than 4,000 feet into the mine pumping water out while pumping air in to help keep the group alive. how do you feel about the people that went in there and got you out? >> oh, i am so grateful for everybody, for the prayers, for the thoughts, for the support, the rescue teams, the national

guard, the newseam. everybody. >> reporter: the group isn't ouw of theds yet. it's illegal to enter closed mines in west viinia, and authorities have not said whether charges will be filed. but cody maintains they were not there to steal. you weren't going in to get copper wire? >> no, no, no, defitely not. you take two girls, you know in amine, y think you are going in there looking for copper? weas just exploring. we thought it was fun. >> i am glad to see you in the light. >> it's nice, ain't epit? >>ter: now reuniting for the first time since they got out, cody and eri say the ordeal has brought them even closerie together. s for life? >> definitely friends for life. >> reporter: and cody sayssiis family crs his rescue a christmas miracle. >> my family said tt they are going to wrap me up under the tree. they said that i'm the christmas presen this year. >> reporter: the father of one of the k girls,la williams,

says the group was underground looking for copper to take. police in the area say with the depressed economy, it is a common occurrence and they are investigating this case. back to you. >> certainly again happy they are all oka >> i love how he said, he is the present under the tree. what a nice thing. well, there is big news for anybody dreams of space travel one day. richard branson's virgin atlantic passed aajor milestone. a test flight took twoilots to the edge of space. the images are spectacular. mm costello covers aviation for us. goning. when can we go? >> it could be about six months away. this is all about proving the virgin galactic spaceship is safe. they could actually see the earth.re of the for a few hundred thousand dollars, you can, too.

>> reporter: dawn in california as virgin galactic spaceship 2 mother ship lifted off fromhe mojave desert climbing to 50,000 feet and then release. >> three, two, one, release. >> reporter: spaceship 2's pilots in a sudden freefall. >> rolling to the right. >> reporter: before firing the roet, then extreme acceleration. machone, nearly thre times the spe of sound, soaring to 51.4 miles beyond what the faa calls the edge of space. >> welcome to space. >> million dollars view ter:ki rep.or vwhwat 700 customers have alre paid, $250,000 to experience for just four minutes. the urvature of the eart western u.s., canada, even mexico. then a perfect landing back on earth. >> isn't hee beautiful?

she has just been to space, which is richard branson's victory comes four years after vigen pilot michael os bury died in a similar test flight. investigators blamed pilot error. branson hopes to fly in six months and then start carrying the customers who already signed up, including lee harvonardo di, justin bieber, and tom hanks. >> if we can get the price down to a l where they could afford it, that they would absolutely love to go up on virgin galactic. >> reporter: brans son is not alone. a new space race about tourism is hting up. >> i would like to introduce the first paying customer. >> reporter:lomusk's spacex announced a japanese billionaire tourist has signed up to fly around the moon. jeff bezos, amazon's founder, plans a manned test flight of his blue origin rocket sometime

in 2019. >> is there room for any more? can you sll sign up? >> are you interested? branson tells me they stopped signing people upnce they hit 700. they ex excepected to open up t list again. the ycurrent price, 50,000, that price is going to go up before it goes down. a ride on jeff bezos' rocket will set you back a cool $200,000. >> wheni washinking it might be good al-versary for al. maybe not. >> you might all chip in for a one way? >> come on! >> al, we are going to party with you all day. you have a check of the weather? >> yes. what's gdng on aroun the rest of the country. to thrmth returning central plains. that will spread to the east. wet and windy northern california to the pacific northwest. from the gulf coast the mid-mississippi and owes river valleys and into the southeast it is going to be a messy day.

your local forecast coming up in the next 30 seconds. good morning. i'm storm team4 meteorologist chuck bell. skies are mostly cloudy overhead. rain yet. don't leave home without the umbrella. rain is in the forecast for later today. currently it is a chilly to cold start this morning. per 20s to mid-30s for temperatures now. we will get into the upper 40s to aund 50 degrees with rain chances moving in quickly once we get into the afternoon hours. so probably dryndetween now lunchtime and rain much of the

weekend. >> and that's your latest weather. c coming up under fire. new bombshell velations from o popular actresses claiming they both sufferedan harassment. retribution from the bosses at the network. we have their stories and wst cbs saying about it. christmas and cannabis. why many are turning to pot as the ultimateif holiday g this season. first, this is "today" on nbc. >> wow. "today" on nbc.

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>>s is a news4 today news break. 7:26 is your time on this friday, december 14, 2018. good mning to you. i'm eun yang. >> and i'm aaron gilchrist. in the news this morning, police are reviewing surveillance video as they search for the killers of a 15-year-old boy. poli say two masked men shot the teen multiple times last night. this is have a from the scene on langston line at the apartments at southeast providence hospital in northeast d.c. will officially close several any part of the hospital that does not support the emergency care center wil close. the emergency depar ent will stay open through april. now let's check in with wtop's jack taylor in yr first

4 traffic. >> good morning. we have trouble on 210 northbound. crash activity near kirby hill road. the right lane isetting by. it's causing massive delays out of fort washington. 395 main line northbound after glebeid road an at was put on to the shoulder. major delays inprgfield. 66 east we had two trodeles. 28.in sy. both in the middle of the roadway. a check of your forecast is up next. stay with us.

it's a mostly cloudy and chilly start to the morning. temperatures in thepper 20s and mid-30 for most of the area. clouds will lower and thicken and rain chances go up with time. 's likely to be raining not long after 2:00 or 3:00 this afternoon. look at all that rain. this means it will be no sunshine at all this weekend and 100% chance of rain tonight and

tomorrow.80 chance of showers most of your sunday, too. >> another local news update in 25 minutes. >> back to "the today show."

as we take a look at the temperatures and conditions at 5:00, partly sunny to mostly sunny skies, 65ee guys. at 13. falling barometer. 52% the relative humidity. >> look at you, al roker. one of your first appearances here on "today. >> that's w nbc. >> that was w nbc, which is the same thing. by the way, thi a week it's about you, al. this is your 40th year at nbc. we will be cebrating all day. how do you feel, by the way? >> it's my sister alisa's birthday today. >> wow! happy birthday too hert >> that's w this is all about. >> all right. we have lots to celebrate.

let's start this friday with a check of tod the gunman wanted in the deadly attack at a christmas market in france w killed last night during a shootout with police. fren officials say the spotted him in strasbourg last night. when police confronted him, he shot at officers. police returned fire and killed him. they say chak at had a lengthy riminal record and was on a or on a new jersey highway thursday and then things got ugly. the cash spilled out when the back door of an armored car mall un drivers were stopped in their tracks trying to collecthe money. the local police chief says people have a duty to return that money. last night 7 th$7,000ad been turned in. in case you don't get a christmas card from the royals this year, w got you covered. sensington palace released the photos earlier torning. check out the duke and duchess

of cambridge and their adorable children. that was taken at amber hal in . that photo was snapped ashe couple was watching fireworks at their wedding reception back in we start this half hour with more news this morning tied to embattled former cbs chief les moonves. it involves actors from hit shows on the network, both past and present. nbc's steanie gosk has been following this story. she joins us with the latest. g>> good morning,s. you may know eliza from "buffy the vampire slayer." according to the new york sometimtis she was pushed off a show after she confronted the male star about his alleged bad behavior on the set. this comes as hollywood veteran cybill shepherd claims her awarwinning show cybill was pushed after she rejected advances from lesov moonves.

night new revelations of a bombshell cbs settlement with l actress eliza dusku. it's against the network's former ceo les moonves. "the new york times," which obtained a dra of the report, learned cbs paid her a $9.5 milli settlement after she was written off the show bull. she believes her exit from show was retaliation for confronting michael weatherly for what she says were inappropriate comments about her appearance and off-color jokes. aey both declined to comment to nbc. statement to "the times," d forerly denied he pus her removal adding whrks eliza told me she wasn' comfortable with my language and attempt at humor i was mortified to have offended her and immediately apologized. after reflecting on this further, i better understand that what i said was both not funny and not appropriate.

according to "the times," cbs confirmed the settlement and pledged to improve working conditions. it's another black eye for the network embroiled in controversy. thursday former cbs star cybill shepherd said her show was canceled in 1998 after she rejected sexual advances by moonves. >> his assistant and my a assistant mad dinner date and we went to it, and he was telling me his wife didn't turn him on, some mistress didn't turn him on. >> reporter: ttn got more uncomfortable. >> i am watching him drink alcohol. he goes why don't you let me take you home? i said, no, i have a ride. i had my car outside with a good friend of mine who was an off duty lapdofficer. >> reporter: shortly thereafte she started having issues with the show which she says could have run another five years. cbs declined to comment and moonves did not respond to our request for comment.

in september, w moonvesas forced to step down as chief of cbs after multiple women accused him of sexual misconduct. his lawyer says he denies having nonconsensual sexual relationships. >> on the line is $120 million severance pay. we reached out to shepherd for comment. she is not doing interviews right now. >> word that cbs settled a lawsuit pertaining to charlie se. what do we know about that? >> "the washington post" is reporting that cbs settled with three former employees who accu network of failing to act on alleged sexual harassment of charlie rose. now let's go to al who is in the 40th year of broadcasting. >> feels like it all today. we are looking at finally a break in the temperatures from the northwest all the way into

the northeast. we are looking at warmer than usual temperatures. look for temperatures getting up to 36 in duluth. that doesn't sound warm, but 13 degrees above average. egrees.51 nashville ten degrees above average at 60 today. over the weekendoston ...i just got my ancestrydna results: 74% italian. ...and i found out that i'm from the big toe of that sexy italian boot! so this holiday season it's ancestrydna per tutti! order your kit now at ancestry.com this week at target, the the more you save!toys save $10 on swift toys. save $10 on surprise toys. save $10 on action toys. save on toys only at target.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ taylor swift turned 29 years old this week.

iit's how she dealing with unwanted attention that's making headlines this morning. >> godty schwartz has more on this story. >> good morning, guys. yeah, for years taylor swift has endured being harassed by stalkers. now the singer is reportedly fighting back using cting-edge technology and an elaborate ruse. but is it >>ethical? eporter: taylor swift blasting out a video trailer on her birthday to 83 million taylor swift followers for a netflix movie about her stadium tour. >> i love you guys so ormuch. >> repter: what fans who went to see the poptar in concert didn't know is they might have been ucreenedng facial recognition software. rolling stone reports that in may fans visited a kiosk that played rehearsal videos. g to a security officer who attended the concert and saw a demo of the chnology, fans' pictures were taken. they were sent to a command post

and cross referenced against hundreds of the pop star's stalkers. for swift the threat of stalkers is real. last week a 22-year-old florida man pled guilty into breaking into swift's home last april. the "new york post" reported that police found the man sleeping in her empty bed after using her shower. facial recognition technology also been used by chinese authorities to cch fugitives. here in the u.s. ticketmaster told "today" it's been beta testing similar e at live events. privacy advocates are raising concerns. reakaclu said swift didn't any laws but say it's unethical if people are not told what' happening. whether or not this is our future, this bringing a whole w meaning to the face value of your ticket. swift did not return callsor a statement. we reached out to the source of the rolling stone article butot dideceive a response. what do you think? >> you know, i mean stalking is

not ethical, right? i mean, i guess the argument cod be made that, yeah, why not? >> swifty ifans, the no bad blood at all. like they are still behind their girl. >> that's why the name is the song -- >> yeah. >> thank you, gadi. coming up, natalie sits down with the stars of "flip or flop" as they open up about working together after their marriage ended. and this week, perhaps you heard, al's 40th at nbc. we are going to look back at some of the fun times, and there have been many. it's h big al-iversary. >> yes! first, your local news and weather. >> come on, al. soak it in. >> i think i'm asleep. so when his joint pain from psoriatic arthritis got really bad, it scared me. and what could that pain mean? joint pain could mean joint damage. enbrel helps relieve joint pain, helps stop irreversible joint damage and helps skin get clearer.

enbrel may lower your ability to fight infections. serious sometimes fatal events including infections, tuberculosis, lymphoma, other cancers, nervous system and blood disorders and allergic reactions have occurred. tell your doctor if you've been some place where fungal infections are common, or if you're prone to infections, have cuts or sores, have had hepatitis b, have been treated for heart failure, or if you have persistent fever, bruising, bleeding, or paleness. don't start enbrel if you have an infection like the flu. since enbrel, dad's back to being dad. visit enbrel.com and use the joint damage simulator to see how your joint damage could be progressing. ask about enbrel. enbrel. fda approved for over 16 years. give joy,at kohl's!... with an extra 15 or 20% off!... save on fleece for the family... diamond earrings - just $29.74... and an air fryer! plus get kohl's cash! and - snap a free picture with santa th weekend at kohl's! give joy, get joy - at kohl's.

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this is a news4 today news break. >> 7:56 on this iday, december 14, 2018. good morning to you. i'm eun yang. right now we want to check on

your commute with jack taylor. how is it looking, jack? >> good morning. i think the crash on the southbound bottomng of wasn parkway on 197 cleared. fog out the, too. d.c. 295 southbound at eastern avenue a new crash in the leftl . still slow traffic to pennsylvania avenue, riding over the big steels. pla now there is a reported crash near pennsylvania avenue. on 210 northbound long standing stent at kirby hill road has only the right lane getting by. delays building quickly back in fort washington. back to you. >> thank you. we will take a break now. we will check your forecast next. stayith us.

it is going to be cloudy today. it will be raining before the day is over. umbrella.ur near 50 today. 50s and rain tomorrow. near 50 with showers on sunday, too. next chance of the sun is monday.

it's 8:00 on "today." coming up, war of words. yethe president's lr speaking out this morning in his first interview since being sentenced and pointing fingers. >> he directed me to make the payments, directed me to become involved in these matters.d him anything wrong. whnever he did, he did o his own. >> what happens noe we are lt the white house. plus, talking with jerry seinfeld. >> i never thought i could make a non-friend. >> right. >> laugh. >> no turning back from there for you? >> no. >> willie sits down with a legendary comedian to talk about his incredible career and about his show about nothing almost never wad >> they s there was no segment of the audienwed tepres inrest no seeing the show again. and happy al-iversary. >> here's what's happening in your neck of the woods, yeah! >> we are celebrating 40 years

of alexander acos roker. today is friday, december 14, 2018. >> hi, al, we are here to celebrate your 40th anniversary. >> here from dallas, texas. >> hey, mom and dad. >> good morning to our kids brock and merit. >> in soutcarolina. >> here'sthe man. >> the myth. >> the legend. >> al roker! >> all i want for my 18thhd birtay is to meet al roker. >> today's forecast calls for a celebration. >> happy al-iversary! >> it's fine. good morning, everybody.ba welcome to "today." so nice to have you with us on a fridayis morning. is not just any friday. we celebrate this man right here. >> yes! [ applause ] >> 40 years of al. >> you will have to soak it in. he hatesaking a compliment.

we are making sure that you enjoy it all today. >> i am enjoying it. it's very nice. everybody here has been very nice. >> look how awkward you are. >> last hour he is like, it's m sister'std hday. it will be fun. to the news at 8:00. days after he was sentenced to prison, president trump's former attorney michael cohen is sounding off in a new interview. nbc white house correspondent kristen welker with the latest on that. good morning. >> reporter: good morning to you. president trump is tapping the week on a defiant note insisting he never directed his former attorney michael cohen do anything wrong, but cohen is refuting mr. trump in his first interview since being sentenced to three years in prison. he says president trump directed him to make hush-money payments to silence two wen who claim they had sexual encounters with mr. trump. >> allegations the president and deniedes >> nothing at the trump

organization was done unless it was run through mr. trump. he directed me, aslo said in my tion, and i said as well in the plea, he directed me to make the payments. he directed me to becomehe involved in matters. >> reporter: on thursday, president trump said cohen acted on his own and insisted his only mistake w hiring cohen in the first place. all adding fuel to democrats who are vowin investigations in the new year. >> kristen welker, thank you. the senatet has s a strong message to president trump over his defense of saudi arabia in the killing of journalist jamal khashoggi. some republicans voted w democrats thursday to withdraw u.s. military support for the saudi led war in yemen. and senators voted unanimously to hold saudi's crown prince mmmed biadn responsible for khashoggi's murder.

some concerns this morning as a massive r stormls across much of the country with high winds and drenching rains. . roker is standing by, he has it mapped out for us. trouble especiall down south? >> yeah, and into the east. we are talking about the same el storm we wereng you about on tuesday. we have got flash flood watches for 28 million people from d.c. down to florida. also parts of missouri. also, through tomorrow we have got a rk of severe weather from southeastern georgia into centraflorida a these heavy showers and thunderstorms roll in ahead ofa this. ood risk in the southeast. the northeast will see the rain by this evening, and thens we move into tomorrow the rain is up and down the east coast. more wet weather back through the midwest and sunday lingering rain in the northeast. then on the back side of this system look for snow making its way through the interior sections of new york and new england, the northeast of new england. excessive rainfall, a flood risk. airpor delays from new york city to dallas and all the way down to miami and tampa. theoads i-64, i-75, i-85 and

i-95 from d.c. to daytona beach being affected. now to an incredibletory of survival. a california man spent nearly five hours inside a carbm ged in a river. rescuers used a tow truck to lift the vehicle tthe road. they say airbags were blocking theinws so they couldn't see anybody inside until the doors opened up. rescuers were stunned that someone had actually survived. the 28-year-old driver says he did so by breathi from an air pocket inside the car. he was taken to the hospital and released the next day. >> that is a miracle. that was a boost. i will give you more. this mom was having fun at her 10-year-old's expense. take a look. ♪ >> oh, it gets bette the fans at the terrapins

basketball game caught her singing along to kelly clarkson's hit "since you been gone." the 10-year-old trying to become invisible. by the way, the reason i found this at all was because kelly clarkson re-tweeted it. she isik i love this mom! of course, blake and kelly all make fun. all right. coming up, jerry seinfeld sits down with willie for an clusive interview. that reminds us of. >> hello! elaine! >> your boyfriend is goingha to to catch the next train. >> he is not my boyfriend. >> he's not? interesting. >> here to celebrate this week's al-iversary right. after this >> soak it in! give joy, get joy.

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kevin, i hav♪ your caramel brulee lattes ready! what's the wyou don't ? about paying for things the-- paying. and what's the best part about getting things you do want for free? free stuff. that's why verizon now comes with six months free app. i like music. i like popcorn. how dare you! (vo) but the latest iphone,ho get xr on us. verizon. we're back on this hour of "today." aying al's favorite song. oh, my gosh. he has bn at nbc for 40 years. we are not going to stop celebrating you. >> you mada lot of friends along the way, mr. roker, here on the plaza and internet as

well. >> sociamedia users have been celebrating al. they are using the al-iversary. al,ay to live your best life. >> bernie posted congratulations on your 40 z anbiversary with i have been watching you for many years from my neck of the words. and kasie writes classiest, funniest, genuinist guy. happy al-iversary. that true. if you want to keep the messages coming, let's just keep it goi all day. >> yes. >> use the hashtag al-iversary. >> i like that. we are going toet to al's big celebration in a few minutes. but mr. willie geist, been hitting his stride, got a very good special sunday interview with jerry seinfeld. >> yes. he didn't do the full 18 -- >> yes. impressive restraint. >> well, jerry seinfeld doesn't do a ton o tewsrvinie thrilled with him at new york's famed

beacon theatre will here will rn next month. here is a little taste complete withis interview that will air in full on sunday today. >> do you remember the first me someone told you were funny inassapequa? >> sure. >> was it your mom o dad? >> no, i was never funny around them. my friends said, t but iught they were just as funny. the first time i got up in a little club in midtown manhattan at a place called the golden lion pub, and they laughed, that was -- i had never thought i could make a non-friend laugh. >> no turning back from there for you? >> no. >> medium crab bisque. >> you didn't get any bread. >> just forget it, let y it go. >> a moved along and moved into "seinfeld," i interviewed julia louis-dreyfus, i read that

famous nbc research note. do you have thatramed in your bathroom somewhere? >> yes. >> i think the line was, "no segment of the audience expressed an interest in seeing the show again." >> right. >> how did you get through that? how did you power ove tha >> i figured we were dead at t.at po it was ove here is the funny part of the story for me. it started, the reason i got the eeries is my manager george shapiro wrote a n to the president of nbc and it was one sentence. he said, call me auy crazy but i think some day jerry seinfeld is going to be doing a series on nbc. when he wrote that note it was 1988. i had been onthtonight show" for seven years, three times a year, destroying for seven year >> is anybody using the breast pocket on yo p pajamas? yo a pen in there, you roll

over it overnight and you kill yourself. >> and geoe has to say to nbc, i know this sounds crazy. what was so crazy about the idea? >> right. >> that was network television in the '80s.er was no competition. it was the only game in town. a guyike me, could you imagine? i would never have gotten past my second set today before they would have grabbed me. hey, this guy is good, grab h. somebody come up with something netflixfo, hulu, something? >> yeah. it was amazing. he told me a story. it happened two days before our interview where he realized t impact of the show "seinfeld" when he was doing cty lhaikri that. his guard is down, almost emotional, saying i finally understood 20 years after the end of the series why it was so important, why it means so much to so many people. >> wow. we quote it here every day.

>> exactly. see the rest of the interview on sunday "today." >> thank you. i have a school appoi tment. i hav leave a little bit early. i am wishing you a happy, happyi rsary. i love you so much. >> i love you. >> now we have the weather. >> how about that?t geo work, all right. here we go. and you want to be my latex salesman? we are looking at severe storms firing up today stretching from really the lower mississippi river valley into the southeast. warmth will return to the plains and that spreads east. wet and windy weather in northe california all the way to the pacific northwest. that's what's going on around the country. here's what's happening in your neck of the good morning,body. you can see on satellite and radar there is a lot of rain coming in our direction. not anything around the d.c. metro area just yet, just cloudy skies for now, but the rain isn't all that far away. take your umbrella with you. temperatures now in the 30s for most. we should be warm enough today where in is going t be rain this afternoon. temperatures will be in the upper 40s to around 50. degre

your weekend though, outdoor plans may need to be rescheduled. quite a bit of rain on saturday and all showers on s >> and that's -- come on! >> come on, everybody. >> we are late to the rty. >> you are never late. >> come on in, willie. >> thank you for the foecast. >> we all here. >> thank you for that forecast. and for the thousands of done sts that you have over the last 40 years here at nbc, 22 of those here at "the today show." so it's time to take a moment to look back on those four decades and your incredibl accomplishments. >> so, al, here are a few by our estimates you have survived 2,200, 3:45 a.m. wake-ups. covered 24 rose parades. >> le you. >> love you. 23 thanksgiving day oarades. mpics, among many other events. take a look. >> let theroker-thon begin!

my people! [ applause ] >> what's not to love about al? >> forget about the sun tans. >> i love everything about al. >> i am going to tell you, these penguins are really smart. >> al roker has been aroun since almost the beginning of television. >> i guess not. >> it's al roker. i grew up watching him. >> just a teeny-weeny beat of drizzle. >> he has been there since we can all remember. he will be there long after we are all gone. >> iom kne the very beginning that he was a real great piece of talent. we have been at olympics. we have traveled together. >> he wakes up every day and never forgets howe lucky is to get do this j, toet to interview all of our idols. >> i am quitting the weather, i am moving out here. >> to get to make people laugh and share a little bit ofliheir ves. >> it's contagious. >> al roker! [ cheers and applause ] >> all anyone ever wants to do is meet al roker. >> if you wanet to recognized in an airport, travel with al roker.

everybody is like, al! >> al roker, i see you al! >> yes, sir. >> it can be freezing outside. al roker will go outside, shake hands, literally hold tbabies. >>here are morale al signs. there ar more al roker hugs. >> people empathize with him, relate to him. >> he loves the viewers and you feel that every time you turn oe thvision. >> boom, there you go. al obody does weather like roker. >> let me practice. and here's what's happening in your -- wait, hold on. >> that's- what's what does he say? >> it's not in your neck of woods. >> that's what's going on around the country. ap>> here's what's hning in your neck of the t'ods. >> tha what's going on around the country here's what's happening in your neck of the woods. yeah! he t's harder to say than makes it look, doesn't it? people might think, al, he is this lovable, hilarious, warm, jolly weatherman. very, takes his cra very seriously.

when it comes time for big winter storms,anig hurric, big events that affect so many people across the country, he wants to be there. we're okay, we're okay. >> nobody works harder and has nor compassion for those victims of storms and b circumstances. >> al is really great with trivia and pop culture. >> everybody! >> he is loss >> quicker than anybody i know. he always lands the jokes. >> are you fro norway? >> yeah. >> did you drive here in a sord? >> he referencing movies no one has seen. he is making us laugh and don't know why. >> i get his jokes. not many people can say tha >> the first rokerthon went to e restroom and didn't realize he was broadcast everywhere. >> new meaning to the phrase live stream. >> it turns out on the air we are down right romantic. >> al was the first person who

reached out and wanted toet to know me. who is this girl who camerom washington? >> thrilled it be here. >> i was so nervous. he greeted me with big hug. he was so kind. he gave me words of advice. >> it was the day that i had just come out of breast cancer surgery and i was sitti in my hospital room. he walked in and sat at the edge of my bed. tothis day i will never for that as long as i live. >> when my husband jay died in 1998, al was so incredibly suortive and caring. >> that's al's thing. he shows up. he shows up for life. he shows up for his friends. he is the guy who is cheering you on, and i feel like in a world where so many people are about themselves, al is about you. >> 40 years at nbc.ho [ bleep ]! >> i thought i had been there a long time. that's impressive. >> you have bn working here longer than i have been alive. >> al, i just adore you so much.

you're a trail blazer. you're a friend. u're a mentor. >> you are the heart and soul of this place. you bring the warmthe and t compassion andhe fun that's so important in what we do. >> you defple nbc. most p are a part of it, but you define the whole entity. >> thank you. thank you for being a shining example. >> thank you forhowing us the way. >> thank you for being there, for all of your colleagues every single day. >> go, go,o go, guy, and keep going. >> keep spreading that joy years and years from now. >> here is to another 40 years. i love you, al. >> wow. [ applause ] >> mr. roker! mr. roker! >> thank you. thank you. thank you. thank you. [ cheers and applause ]

>> all right. >> well, from the moment i stepped foot at wkyc in cleveland when it was owned by nbc to getting a job at wnbc, i thought i had died and gone to m heaven becau parents could turn on the tv and see me, to being here with all of you, it' an an amazing ride. willie scott, if it wasn't for him, and of c all of you and my kids. lela, and of and course my bride deborah. i couldn't do this without everybody. >> well, we want to give y some roses. >> bacon! bacon! i would have gotten myself, but i don't have thumbs! at's fantastic! >> a couple more friends wanted to show some support, and they sent some special messages for you. >> so, al, i thought 25 years of doing the oprah g show wd with that. i am thinking that's a milestone record. then hear about you 40 years.

4-0. you win. you got it. congratulations. you win. hi, this is tina fey. i want to say congratulations, al roker, on your 40th nbc anniversary. you make loren michaels look like a plpart-time ee. >> 40 years with nbc. congratulations, al. happy anniversary. >> mr. roker,, s happy 40th anniversary. we are all so very proud of you. we all love you so, so very much and we need you every morni. so don't g anywhere. here's to another 40 years. here's what's happening in your ne of the woods! have a great day, man. i hope you have an awesome time celebrating this moment. and hi, everybody! hi "today" show family! >> yo al, congratulations, man. 40 years? 40 years, man? you know what? b, youn there so long, i think god called you to figure out what the weather gonna be

today. >> hi, al. happy anniversary. 40 years? i can't believe it. i wanted to tell you the weather without al is like coffee without cream. >> well, happy 40th anniversary with nbc. that is so significant because it's literally longer than i have beenu alive. ake what you will from that, al. i take joy. i hope that's what you take as well. love you, buddy. >> oh, my goodness! [ applause ] >> it just keeps coming. >> but there is more. >> we thought, what is a celebration without a cake. we got to have a cake. >> bring in the cake.pl [ apause ] >> oh!

[ cheers and applause ] >> how about that, al? >> love from paris. they couldn't be here. i got my passport stamped. >> thank you so much. >> congratulations. >> thank you to all of you. thank you to all of you forg puttp about me all these years. i appreciate all the bad dad jokes. thank you so much. >> what's the highlight over four decades? >> just getting to ce here. it really is. yeah. my dad always said, if you can look in the mirror and say you have done your best at the end of the day and you like the people you work with, you have had a good day. i miss them more than i could

possibly tell. wish they were here. but i love you. >> we love you! [ cheers and applause ] >> congrats. >> all right. >> have you smelled this cake? nextup, the stars of "flip or flop" and more celebrating al. deborah, nick, thank you so much. >> tnk you, buddy. applause ] local news. this is a news4 today news

break. >> good morning everybody. 8:26 on this iday, december 14th. i'm aaron gilchrist. right now let's check on the morning commute with wtop's jack taylor. hey, jack. >> good morning. we had a trouble spot north on i-295 the ramp inbound on the left street bridge. at one point one lane getting by. that has justne o 295 at eastern avenue a crash in the left lane. kirby hill road,inally the crash cleared. it will be a while before the delays ease. approaching university boulevar under policdirection, a vehicle overturned. back to you. >> thank you. we will have a look at your ckforecast when we come ba stay with us. s

thanks. it'ke a smart thing. what's the weather? [cowza device] sunny, perfect chicken eating weather. how'd you get in here? [cowza device] it's time for chicken. what's the traffic like? [cowza device] rerouting you to chicken. okay. hey cowza, order pizza.

[cowza device] ordering chicken. no, pizza. [cowza device] chicken. moooo okay, chicken it is. it's chick-fil-a catering season. [cowza device] now that's smart. good morning everybody. if you are looking for some dim sun thisth morninge it is. 100% chance of rain later today. temperatures mostly in the 30s now, 50 for a high today. 50s and rain tomorrow. near 50 with more showen your sunday. >> thank you. and you can get the latest news and weather anytime in the nbc washington app.

[ cheers>>nd applause ] back now at 8:30mon this fridrning. it is december the 14th. we are so happy to see all these smiling f tes. especialhe one that stands here with us. mr. al we will get back to him in just a second. jenna is spreading holiday cheer, too. jenna is collecting toys for our toy drive.o and that is g get us right to the proud moment. first of all, you look fine, deborah. the crowd has another surprise for you, al. are y'all ready? are you sure? here we go. ready? three,wo, one, go! >> hob happy 40th al!

[ cheers and applause ] >> oh, but the >> wow. >> oh, but there's more. there's more. >> ready, deborah? all right. so today in your honor, mr. roker, we have decided to rename thew! plaza. roker feller plaza. >> and if i get one-tenth of the rent, i'm out of here today. >> is it all sinking in? deborah, what do you think? >> he is classy. >> al, thank you. we love you. >> really sw ht. >> thi been such a beautiful day. we are so happy, deborah, you guys came together. >> i didn't know it was 40 years. i didn't know ih was w an older guy. years, i will be announcing my own smucker's jar. this is great. all right. f> coming up this half hour on aday morning, natalie sits down with the stars of "flip or flop" for their first interview

togeer since their divorce. also ahead, we found household gadgets that will take stress out muof the holidays, le a hangover helper. two delicious recipespe ect for giving as gifts. first, on this 40th anniversary, al roker, will you give us a check of the weather? >> absolut let's see what we have got for your weekend. >> announcer: thisunday night football weather is brought to you by verizon. the unlimited plan you need on the network you deserve. >> all righty. let's see what we have for your weekend. sunday night footbal just a moment. but your outlook, soaking rains the ohio river valley into the mid-atlantic and northeast. we are looking for a return to warmth in the plains, but cooled clearer out to the north. and then sunday, nday, a wintry mix in the northeast. to the storm coming in pacific northwest and northern california. will to make a whole country wide trek? we will let you know about that coming up just a little bit.

that's what's going the country. here's what's happening in your neck of the woods. it is a crudy sky o washington. there is a few slifrs of sunshine left outcu there. ent temperatures in the chilly zone of the mostly in the 30s to near 40 degrees now. hourly temperatures toda no ouble climbing up into the 40s, by rain becoming likely an 1:00 or 2:00 this afternoon. could have a few showers earlier than that. the weekend will be cloudy indeed. showers and rain tom total rain between now and sunday, one to iwohes. flood watches are up. >> today hasd been a goo day. the best day we save for last. it's sunday night football night in america! it's a good one. we have got a bird of prey, the philadelagles flying into the rams. i don't know who will win, but you will have to tune in as the l.a. memorial coliseum, eagles

versus rams night. it all begins at 7:00 on sunday night foball night in america! back to you. >> wow. after 40 years, he still brings it like that. >> that man is amazing. to hgtv holiday on today, natalie mo natalie morales sat down with the couple from "flip or flop." good morning. >> good morning. yeah, for seven seasons, tek and christina el moussa were the husband and wif team whoswho ma or flop" a hit. they divorced, but as the old saying goes, the shonymomust go on. the tension between the two is ve ear. >> reporter: we first met tarekc andhristina el moussa six years ago after a successful audition launched their careers as house flippers on the hit show "flip or flop.." they buy ugly run down houses,

metimes sight unseen, transform themnto beautiful homes, and make a nice profit and great tv. >> it's a rat! >> reporter: then fame and fortun took a toll on their marriage. >> flippg houses put us in the spotlight. >> wn our marriage fell apart, it was more public than we could >> reporter: why did you decide it was worth continuing with the show? was there a lot to let's walk our separate paths and go our separate ways? >> it was up and down. shot the pilot in 2011. it's part of who we are and away do. for us to throw everything away, it wasn't worth it. >> yeah. most importantly, we have two amazing kids together. so, just easieret to work tr and get along. >> reporter: while tarek and christina are back working together on seasonth 8 or popular hgtv show, getting along is easier said than done. are there days when you want to kill him? >> yeah, of course. today might be one of themth >> there are days where i

don't want to kill her. >> reporter: is it easier because the dorce is done? you know, when you were shooting those shows when the relationship was going through the rough patches? >> i think it's easier now. >> than wh? >> than two years ago. >> >> oh, god, no. >> reporter: after their 2016 split, the lingering tension was undeniable. at times the couple's fights were so bad they made it on to the >> one of the worst days on set. getting in an argument over a designth seytar. but, you know, with everything going on, it became personal and other this came up. >> i'm over it. >> over what? >> a the director i sat back, just listening to see when they were going to cross the line and when thedid then i jumped in and got in the middle of it. i didn't want them to continue to fight. >> i want ty live m life, come here, do my job. i can't do my job if you don t me talk. >> reporter: what about date sng how has that been handled? you have a relationship going. >>believe you have said that you

approve? eah. he is great. >> reporter: that sounded wholeheamsed. >> he sike a good guy. my kids seem to like him. >> reporter: are you dating? >> oh, yeahs >> reporter: it matter if she approves, doesn't approve? >> i don't think i will have a relationship for dwight soquites e >> reporter: their business of flipping houses is going strong. when they are not taking swipes at each other, it's a kitchen cabinet or a qual taking the hit. they make it look easy. i pitched in on their most recent renovation project that nearly took out half the crew. >> here is the trick. you never swing towards people because the things go towards them. >> reporter: now you tell me? >> i know, i was waiting for christina. she was coaching you. come on. >> i'm good. thank you. i'm good. >> come on. >> i'm r:od. >> repor this is therapy, guys. >> you were a trooper. >>od we're >> clearly, they have some things to work out. as for that renovation on that ,

particular ho it turns out you will have to wait until season 8 of it premieres on hgtv in the spring. also coming up ely next year, christina el moussa gets her own show without tarek called christina on the coast, also on hgtv. >> that is awkward to say the le t. >> yes. all right. thank you. up next, how to keep kids busy even cooking this holiday season. we will learn about creatives gadgnd products that will make the holidays a little easier. but first, this is "today" on nbc.

it hasn't always been easy, has it? ♪ there have been days when you doubted yourself. ♪ and days when you were ready to quit. ♪ but you didn't. ♪ because you had the courage to venture into something powerful. education. if i leave you with just three words of advice: never...stop...growing. [cheering]

iall your streams come true... [ kids laughing ] that jerk is ours. play home alone. watch your holiday favorites however you want and find them faster with the x1 voice remote. now that's simple. easy. awesome. switch to the entertainment you've been streaming about. get started with xfinity internet, tv and voice for $79.99 a month for 2 full years. click, call or visit a store today. better holiday basics is brought to you by starbucks. p a cup of magic.>> our series showcases innovative ideas for everyday products. this morning all about holiday helpers and gadgets that can in

make these c weeks a little simpler, a little less stressful as well. n is back. she scoured stores to find the products that are going t change our lives. we know that when you come, you bring the cool stuff. we are excited. >> good stuff today, starting with something i love. if you are entertaining, tethered to the stove, this is better tha a wooden spoon. it's an automatic stirrer. >> automatic stirrer? >> yes. if you have aed sauce that ne to be stirred, turn it on this way. there is a timer. set the time for how long you want it. each dot is a minute. leave it in there. it turns both ways, stirs the sauce. you can entertain your guests, have a cocktail, chat with your friends. >> how much is that? >> this is around like $35 at uncommon goods. >> all right. that's pretty cool. i should i turn off? >> we can turn it off. >> i don't want to set the studio on fire here. what do we have here?

>> so we have got -- i know. perfect. now we haveab lels. better than your basic guess as to what you are supposed to b eating as far as leftovers, you write the date and they wash off in the dishwasher, totally dissolve, or hot water. if you have leftovers from a party, label them. >> great idea.is he season for holiday cards. drawer, throw them is to stuff away, you feel bad about that. ions.ve two great sol first the quick lights. we found these on amazon. they are fairy lights with photo clipsdso display your c in front. >> oh, yeah. that's cool. >> isn't that smart? it becomes decor. this is a cool innovation. an how many cards it hold? >> i believe it can hold like 30 or 40 cards. it will cover the width of a house. it's a fun, cool thing. indoor and outdoor. you canse it for other things.

i think this is so smart. this is it's a stand. >> it's a stand? >> it's a tempo removable reusable stand. c youan turn your holiday cards -- this is my holiday card. t you can turn it into a work of art. display them. you bend it. just take off the little adhesive strip. put it on the back of your card and reuse it. all of a sudden you have like a photo display. >> thatan't be that expensive? >> no like $5 for a pack. it's a cool thing to use all year round. >> what do we have here? >> these are scent-cicles. if youhr have a fauxtmas tree, which two-thirds of americans do, these are little likein faux sprigs that have scent in them. it smells like a real tree. >> what is this? this is snow fox.

this is stainless steel insulated glassware. don't serve your guests warm cocktails. th keeps them nice and cool. >> they look great, too. >> they are lightweight. they look high end and, you know, like a nice cocktail glassware. r seekeeps everything cold you. it's priced. dishwasher safe, the whole thing. >> what about this? >> this is cool. you are not a wine or martini drinker, you can put a bottle of beer i here. it opens up in the bottom. it fits it perfectly. it's neoprene inside. it keeps it cold andca onated. >> that's perfect. of all of the items here, i find this the most fascinating. tell viewers what this is. >> these are filters. this d is callenk pure wine. there is ones for glasses or for a fl bottle o wine. it's better than the hankover. you put this in a glass of wine or a bottle for three to e ht minutes. it takes out theulfites and

histamines so you don't have a hangover the next day. i teste it heavily. i took it upon myself to make sure that this, you know, you ill get all the great effects, the great taste of wine, but -- >> this makes it awkward asking at 8:45 in the morning. do i still get the wine buzz? >> no more awkward than drinking hie wine at hour. cheers. you get the buzz. you get all the good stuff and none of the bad stuff. >> genius. why wouldn't you put this in your wine before you drink? >> ridiculously >> no.sive? the bottle is $9.99he and filters for individual glasses around the same. >> if you are shopping for craig melvin this year, look at that. >> if you have kids coming over and you f want somethi for them, these are flavored drink bombs. they are natural ingredients. you drop it in. put a little ice in there. >> my kids would love that. >> and they e delicious. throw in some ice and there you go. >> get to these two. >> these adorable girls here.

this is cha of the town t-shirts. a basic outfit for a holiday ard photo oy an activor kids if you are having a holiday party. they have dhauk boarch on them. >> you guys are artisti by the way. if you want to start over, get a dampasloth and start over again. >> machine washable? >> yes. and reuse a them as often you like. we have some fun examples here. kid sizes, adults. >> fantastic. thank you so much. f d out information on these holiday helpers plus a few surprise others, head to today.com/shop. aad, we are going to bhip whip /* whip up some tasty liday treats. first, this is "today" on nbc. yourself, as well. this is "today" on nbc.

this morning on blueprint on "today," we are cooking up holidayres. popular food personality gail simmons teamed up with dylan and

nbc universal's blueprint online to create videos for your holiday cooking nds. fun creating a honeycomb crunch. apparely, it was a little stressful. take a look. >> there we go.ht all r oh, my goodness, my heart is racing. >> watcheh bd you. >> ready? >> year just p it right out. >> yeah, you might want to use your spatula. >> look howluffy it is! >> isn't it fun? >> it's like fluffy marn mellow. my a is so sore right now. we >> i am sweating. >> yes. it takes a lot of effort to get this just it's a science experiment. >> it is. it's perfect and so fun. it's like an adrenaline rush. >> you are burning off calories. >> that's one of the recipes to k out. e are making today, wait until you bite into these lemon squares. >> okay. what are they called?

>> rosemary pecan lemon bars. >> all right. >> they are a great holiday gift,re for dessert, easy, easy. start with the dough, salt, sugar, pecans andlour. >> y can substitute -- >> whatever you want? >> walnuts, whaver y want. give that a buzz. it comes with a chunk with cold butter. put it into a pan, press it down in the oven. >> that's hot. beautiful. >> then i am making the lemon curd. pour in the lemon juice. >> all of this? >> lemon juice. sugar. it is going to bsweet. gl okay. >> remember, you are not eating it all. yo sharing it for the holidays. >> flour? >> no. yes. sorry. and then, of course, my favorite ingredient in t world, just fresh lemon zest. >> we are letting everybody know this canfte a too. you need a hostess gift.

so you whip that up? >> you mix it together. let it sit for five minutes. the foam is going to come to the top. you want to skim that off because that creates air bubbles in the curd. it looks like this. pour it into the finished -- isn't that easy? this is baked. the crust. go for it. thank you, isn't she the best. >> i love dylan. >> i want you with me at all times. learned a lot working together. >> there you go. bake in the oven another 20 mites. the bar are -- >> first, the rosemary. >> sprinkle a littlery rose >> is it a strange like -- >> yeah, the sweet thing. >> for the holidays, it adds a little bit of that kind of essential oil and it makes it so seasonal. in the summer, blueberries. for the holidays,osemary. can do a little bit of confectioner sugar. >> package them up for your friends. they are the perfect holiday treat. bright sunshine, right? >> what i this one? >> bacon jam.

i am obsessed with the go pro by the way. i have made bon crispy in the pot. i am going to dump in fennelnd shallots and fennel fronds and garlic. >> y keep the -- >> yes, you have two tablespoons of fat after the bacon is rendered. saute it soft. lan, if you putn water, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar and again all of my favoring. sage and rosemary, orange zest. >> the brown sugar gives it the jammy sweetesaste? >> cook it down. cool it down. into the food processor. buzz it and it comes out like a beautiful lmarmalade a bacon marmalade. c great with cheese, oysters, so many applications. >> wrap it up as a gift? >> exactly. >> delicious. thank you, gail. dylan, thanks. on these recipes click

today.com slash food. head to blueprint for more. first, this is today . happy holidays. classes. we'll be we'll be this holiday, no matter who's on your list,

we've got great gifts at great prices! so, bring us your husband who thinks he's a celebrity chef. get him something stain-less and pain-less. bring us your sister who's always asking "can you hold this... and this?" you're both welcome. and bring us your daughter, the daredevil. a bike. she'll love it. and bring us your parents, who are super competitive... ...oh boy... game on. find the perfect gifts for everyone. for way less than you'd expect. we've got ideas, and great prices. tj maxx, marshalls and homegoods. wehey, batter, batter, and[ crowd cheers ] like everyone, i lead a busy life. but i know the importance of having time to do what you love. at comcast we know our customers' time is valuable. that's why we have 2-hour appointment windows,

including nights and weekends. so you can do more of what you love. my name is tito, and i'm a tech ops manager at comcast. we're working to make things simple, easy and awesome. allight. we have been having a blast celebrating 40 years of al ooker. we are pleased report that the hashtag al-iversary is trending on twitter and deservedly so. so al roker, we love you. a great day. >> and we are still going. >> you have a lot coming up o the weekend? >> comg up tomorrow with holiday parties happening the next few weeks, an important question to be answered. should you spend money on expensive wine or get a box. we will do a taste test to see if we can tell the difference. >> what do you think? >> i think cheap wine. my interview with mark and donny wahlberg's mom.

>> thank you for hanging with us. bye-bye. all right. good-bye. nice talking to you. have a great weekend. this is a news4 today news break. >> good morningbody. friday, on this december 14. i'm aaron gilcrest. a check on your morning commute. wtop's jack taylor has our first4 traffic. >> south george washington parkway at the windy run bridge project an incident causing ow down. glebe road at 5th strt south a water break. the inner loop of theridge wards alexandria a delay in maryland getting from 210 to the shoreline. back to you. >> thank you. we will check your forecast when we come back. stay with us.

good morning everybody. clouds continue to move in and thicken.ut

no rain yet, the rain is down across parts of southwestern virginia. it will be here before the day is done. temperatures 30 to 40 now. 50s later today. 100% chance of rain later today. flood watches posted through saturday. get the latest news and weather anytime in the nbc washington app.

live, from studio 6a, this is "today." >> good morning, everyone. anthwelcome. is a very, very special day. we need a t-shirt foyou. >> i know. i wore this nice dress. and now, i'mtuck wring your t-shirt. >> here c with dylaig, sheinelle, and the man of the hour, or two hours. >> three, countin one. >> it is a very special morning because al is celebrating 0 years here at nbc. what a milestone. >> wow. it's been a realride. i started at wkyc in cleveland, the nbc-owned station there. and then, i got my