shutdown showdown. with friy's deadline looming, the fight over approving president trump's wall is looming. this morning hundredsf o thousands of americans facing therospect of no pay during the holidays. can a christmas compromise be reached? holiday headache. two big storms set to strike during the peak of christmas travel rush. al has thees l on the forecast so you can adjust your plans. war hero or war criminal? aor deced green beret charged with murder. his wife now speaking out,

defending her husband. >> he did not do anything wrong. >> but the u.s.rmy disagrees. what they are saying about new evidence in the controversial case. those st pies,s no money for moonves. inside the decision toeny disgraced former cbs chief les moonves, his $120 million exit package. holiday shipping deadline. the final day to mail your gifts is fast approaching. what you need tow kno to get your packages there in time for christmas. and dance-off? the makers of popular video games fortnite and nba 2k sue for allegedly stealing the carlton by thnc fresh prie star famous. it the dance battle now becoming a federal case. today is tuesday, december 18, 2018. >> announc: from nbc news, this is "today" with savannah

guthrie and hoda kotb live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. >> welcome to "today." thank you for joining us on this tuesday morning. it's one week until christmas. i feel a little panic. >> i know. starting to feel the excitement. iaker is on speed for the weather. we will check in with him on a few.orms in the looming government shutdown threatening to cast a dark cloud over theolidays for nearly one million federal workers. can the white house and congress strike a deal in time? we are going to start with nbc white house correspondent kristen welker. >> good morning to you. this is a high-stakes standoff with the clock ticking. president trump not backing away from his request for $5 billion for his border wall, tweeting monday, anytime you hear a democrat saying you that you can have good border security without a wall write them off as another politician following t party line. there is still no plan.

this morning still no deal. senators meeting late into the night to find a compromise to avert a partial government shutdo, but instead only more confusion. >> we are waiting on instructions from theus white e. >> reporter: it's a shutdown stalemate with the president demanding $5 billion for his border wall, a wall he promised mexico would pay for. >> who is going toay for the paul? >> mexico! >> who is going to pay for the wall? >> reporter: democrats will only giveraim aion of that. mr. trutunning even republicans when he said this last week. >> i'll tell you what. i am proud to shut down the government for border security. >> reporter: republican allies digging in. >> the full $5 billion for the wall. >> there i am not very optimistt democrats are going to yield on providing $5 billion for wall funding. >> reporter: as democrats start to place blame squarely on

republicans and the president. >> i a thinkut people being furloughed. when i think about people not able to pay their rent, not able to buyoys for the kids at christmas. >> reporter: a partial shutdown after friday would affect a dozen agencies, meaning more than 400,0 federal workers would have to work without geing paid. 350,000 others could see their checks delayed. what does a shutdown mean for you? tional parks around the country would close. mortgage and loan approvals from the irs could be delayed. desengs services like border curity, air traffic control operations, food inspection and u.s. mailelery would continue during a shutdown. >> you hav been following this closely. if you are playing the odds, how likely is a government shutdown? >> well,ll that is r the $5 billion question. and there doesn't seem to be an answer on either side ofsy peania avenue. the political reality here is that while the president is threatening a shutdown and his base is backing him up because

they see the walls a core issue, republican leaderso don wantut down. they see it as politically toxic. they are scrambling to try to find resolution. president trump said mexico would pay for the wall. right now it's congress' problem. a big story in washington michael flynn, the president's former national security advisor, will find out today hse ntence for lying to the fbi. ahead of that court hearing a closer look at what exactly he told investigators. nbc's justice correspondent pete williams is on the story this morning. good mornin g >> reported morning. in a tweet this morning, president trump wished michael flynn good luck. flynn's lawyers are asking the judge to impose sentence of no ison time, just probation, and robert mueller's prosecutors sat they would object to that because he has been so helpful to their investigation. michael flynn learns today whether he'll spendny time behind bars for lying to fbi agents just four dcas after he

president trump's national security advisor. flynn denied falsely that during the transition he asked rsia's u.s. ambassador to go easy on reacting to obama's sanctions agnst russia to give the new administration a chance to improve relations. his lawyers say he should be sentenced only to precipitatiob taking his 34rus yeplus year in army into account. he met with them 19 times providing firsthand information. >> that's the coin of the realm for a prosecutor is getting someone in the door initially in order to begin to crack the case and put pressure on others to come forward. >> reporter: flynn admitted covering up his business dealings during the campaign with the government of turkey, whic wants a dissident cleric living in the u.s. to be sent

keion was charged with acting as a foreign agent on the project. court documents say flynn was emailing and texting about helping turkey during thein f weegs of the presidential campaign and wrote this election day newspaper column, pushing turkey's foreign policy view claiming they re his own. former fbi director james comey took republicans to task when asked how the agency he once led handled flynn's case. >> think of what's happened in the republican party. they are up here attack the ai's investigation of guy who pled guilty to lying to the fbi. he shoyod have been warned you shouldn't lie. think of the state of affairs we have ended up in. that's nonsense. >> pete, what is the speciall' coun office saying this claim by flynn's lawyers that he was tricked into lying? >> reporter: so, over the past coup of day including again last night, the fbi's actually through the special counsel's

office released the so-called f2s, the memos ofbi conversations witnn and they say that flynn knew in advance what the fbi wanted to askutim a and was given several chances to correct his story and neverdid, continuing to insist that he did not ask a the russianassador what the special counsel and now he has admitted that he did. savannah. >> rare to have those documents be public. people can read them and see whether or not they feel like hd was trir not. thank you very much. turning now to the pott orms that could put a serious damper on your holiday travel plans. al with e all-important forecast. >> good morning to you. thanks for getting yourheirst we from us. out west it's a mess. today's storm comes onsre. guess what? there is a parade of pacific storms back behindhaall the way back towards the sea of japan. this storm is going to hit there on the weekend. so through sunday rainfall amounts anywhererom 3 to

6 inches, especially in the next 24 hours. a real mess fromhe- the pacific northwest. rain moving into the south as low pressure develops out of the gulf. it taps into all of this gulf moisture. that's tomorrow. thursday the low develops in the southeast, look for airport problems in atlanta. a secondary low starts to avelop as well along the southeasternantic coast. a severe storm threat for south central florida. thursdayight into friday a deep plume of msture sets up nginging heavy rain from boston, new york for an icy mix, strong winds, and isolated flooding is likely. the good news ishis moves out fairly quickly. here's what we are looking at as far as storm impacts. heavyain from miami, tampa, jacksonville a the fwhie tway i

the northeast and new england. a melting snow risk increases that flood threat in the carolinas. as far as impacts on the roads and thepo as, possible delays on thursday for chicago, st. louis, detroit, d.c., new york, boston. likely delays for atlanta, charlotte, on into parts of orlando. and look at the roads. i-75, miami to atlanta, atlanta to raleigh on i-85 and i-95, miami up to washington, d.c. we move into thursday when it's really going to be busy. the airports that most lelely will sees, boston all the way to d.c., raleigh, charlotte, and atlanta. possible delays back through chicago and on i-77 fro charlotteo cleveland. i-80 from chicago to new york. i-95 from raleigh all the way up to boston. we look for delays. it will be a real mess. it's het of here by saturday. by then damage will have

been done. back to you. >> thank you. craig is here joining us with new developments on a story we are following. >> good morning. cbs announcing that the investigation into sexual misconduct allegatio against former ceo les moonves means he is not going to be receiving that $120 million severance package. nbc senior national correspondent kate snow here ntwith major develop in this story. >> that's right. les moonves not getting thate mass payout his contract once stipulated because cbs says he was fired for cause. the report revealing why and what investigators say was wrong culture.cbs this morning a bombshell new report with cbs revealing the network had multiple reasons to termate disgraced former chairman and ceo les moonves. the cbs board issuisa a statemenng, we have determined that there are grounds to terminate for use, including his violation of company companies and breach o his employment contract as well as willful failure to cooperate

fully with the company's investigation. cbs says moonves will not receive any of h $120 million severance. moonves was forced to step down as chief of cbs in september as le women came forward of alles of sexual misconduct. in a statement to nbc news overnight moonves' attorney said in part the conclusions of the cbs board were foreordainedend without merit. he criticized the leaks of the report adding mr. moonves denies any nonconsensual sexual relations and cooperated fully andh extensively w investigators. investigators say that harassment and retaliation are not pervasive at cbs, but that they learned of past incidents of improper and unpro official conduct. the company's historical policies, practices and structures have not reflected a high institutional authority on preventing harassment and retaliation.

the report also concludeseq inte resources have been developed to the company's human esources, training, development, diversity and inclusion departments. last weekes "the new york tim" reported a $9.5 millionse lement between cbs and actress eliza dushku, who believes she was written off a show. >> objection,it thess is speculating. >> reporte she did not respond to nbc news' arequest for comment. charlie rose was fired last year afr allegations of sexual misconduct which he denied but apologized for any inappropriate behavior. last week aet settlementen three women who allege the network was aware of rose's behavior but didn't do enough about it. and jeff fager was fired thier year a sending a text messagebso a c reporter covering a story about misconduct allegations against him, allegations fegre vehemently denies.

after a period of upheaval, cbs hoping to turn a new leaf in the new year. investigators also said that employees cited past incidents in which hr did not hold high employees accountab for their actions and didn't protect employees from retaliation. cbs says its board now has sixw members. >> all right. kate snow, thank you. also this morning, two chicago police officers have died after getting struck by a train whileesponding to a shots fired call. it happened on the city's far south side. the two officers were on foot at th they have been identified as 37-year-old eduardo marmalajo and conrad gray. all eyes on wall street this morning aft the dow fell another 508 points on monday. the s&p 500 fell to its lowest level in more than a year. se stock market now on pace for the worst december since the great depression.

there are several factors e mar rt, includining interest rates and that possible government shutdown. also trade tensions between the u.s. and china. smeanwhile, t morning fresh prin"fresh princ l-air" s alphonso ribeiro suing the makers of two popular video games. it's all because of that dance known as the carlton dance. it was mad famous in the popular 1990s sitcom. he claim that the makers of fortnitend nba 2k used his steps without his permission. he is asking for a judge's order to stop both games from using his moves. he has been doing the dance 20 years. >> you know, when you start to do this -- ♪ >> yes. i think you're right. that move. >> that's the move that -- >> yeah. >> you should represent that.

>> maybe i wi . mr.roker, the rest of your forecast? >> there is where you live. none of this. none of that. this is whereou live. all right. so let's show you what we have going on. gusty winds in the northeast today and new england, maybe ort delays. dense fog through the lower mississippi river valley. going to be gorgeous in the central plains. stormy conditions especially as you get intohe mountains of the pacific northwest. we are going to be looking at a little bit of snow. suhine and calm asou move into the southwest and southern california. we are going to get to your local forecast coming up in the next 3

expect more sunshine out there today, a little bit of a breeze, but dinitely cool. we continue the sunny skies through tomorrow but cloud up on thursday with afternoon and evening rain and then friday lots of rain all up and down the east coast. current temperatures right now most of us in the 30sli anna 40 degrees right now. we are headed into the mid-40s, a little coolees thanrday, and a little breezy. and then tomorrow around 50 with plenty of sun befo t more rain rsda >> that's your latest weather. >> thank you. nd coming up, the green beret now charged with murder in the death of a suspected taliban bomb maker. what his wife and the pentagon are saying about this controversial case. and in the wake of tt alarming spike in teen vaping we are going to get a group of students to open up about how popular and dangerous this trend

has become and what parents to here.e first, this is "today" on nbc. n hear. first, this istoday" on nbc. "

coming up, the holid shipping rush in high gear this morning. the key deadlines to remdber firsthand look at how your packages get from your desk to your door. and you wantstars? we have ellen degeneres and then hoda and her bestie, sandy bullock to talk about everything under the sun. first, oneeek from christmas, check your local news and we oyour local news and weather. fyour local news and yoe

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this is a news4 today news break. >>6 is your time on this tuesday, december 18, 2018. good morning to you. i'm eun yang. >> i'm aaron gilchrist. several big votes today for the d.c. council. hold them the council will a final vote on a red flag gun safety law. it would allow certa people to seize guns from someone who poses an immediate danger. developing this morning in prince george's county, amtrak says a man idead after falling down an escalator at the new carrollton station overnight. check our naacp fobc washingtonr updates. now our weather. trouble in springfield, 395 northbound. a long standing issue with a

broken down vehicle blocking the right lane. to the 14th street to the bridgeway east, a crash. back to you. >> thank you. tonight on news4 at 5, a follow up to an i-team investigation that revealed a scheme by someood truck operators. >> the d.c. council is expect to pass newla legon today because of that investigation. the sry tonight at 5:00. we will check your forecas.

. wide receiver looking good across the -- we are looking good across the area, 30s right now warming into the mid-40s today. a slight breeze out there. plenty of system. this storm system will be moving through. thursday night expect all r tn alough the day on friday. it's going to be a soaker from

florida up to the new england coas eine. lingerinly on saturday. looking good through chris. >> thank eru. anoocal news update in 25 minutes. >> for now back to "the today show" after this short b.

♪ ♪ the snow'soming 7:30 now, tuesday morning, december 18, 2018. one week from today, probably just about this time, who are we kidding? 4:00 a.m. kids across the country wio be racingee what santa left under the christmas tree. >> are we ready? >> no. >> getting there? >> i don't want to jinx it, but yeah. >> i he a ways togo. we have seven days. >> and all the shipping deadlines coming up. >> all right. we will start this half hour with a check of today's the fight over president trump's long-promised border wall going down to the wire. e government shutdown now just a few days away. senators met late into the night tryingo find compromise

before friday's deadline. the president isemanding $5 billion for his border wall. democrats will give him a fraction of that. a partial shutdown would affect more than a dozen agencies, but essential services like border security, traffic control operations, and u.s. mail delivery would continue. former cbs ceo les moonves will not recei his $120 million severance package after the company'sre board of ors determined he was fired with cause over sexual allegations. the board said it reached that decision after finding moonves failed to cooperate fully with investigators looking into the allegations. he was forced to step down in september after multiple women cameorward with allegations of sexual miscondt spanning period of decades. a frightening video that shows a gd samaritan saving a toddler who was wandering around a busy street. it happened in califorcaa. a manideo showing doing a u-turn after seeing the young boy walking on the side of

the road. he gets out of his car. moments later the boy starts to chase a ballth istreet. the retired police officer picked the boy up just in theni of time. you can see oncoming cars speedi down the road. another man walks into the street and t boy. police are investigating that matter. >> wow. a now to a controversial case getting a lot of attention, he white house. a decorated green beret charged with murdering a suspected taliban bomb maker while serving in afghanistan. now we're hearing from him and his wife. nbc's chief white house correspondent hallie jacks's got thetory this morning. hallie, good morning. >> reporter: good morning to you. on this question of whether major mathew golsteyn is a war hero or war criminal, president trump is making very clear where stands, i support of the officer. now lsteyn's wife in new interview with nbc news says her husband did nothi wrong and needs no strings pulled.

a new twist today in the story of a decorated green beret who killed a suspected terrorist admitted it on national tv and now faces a murder charge k >> did youill the taliban bomb maker?yes. >> reporter: major mathew golsteyn accus of ignoring army rules of engagement and murdering the alleged bomb maker in afghanistan nearly a decade ago. >> they were looking for anything to get him. it was their opportunity to nv reopen the itigation and try to find something. reporter: golsteyn's wife julie is referencing how the army already knew about 2 the010 killing. golsteyn acknowledged it during an interview for a cia job which triggered a military investigation. he wasn't charged then. justed repri and stripped of his silver star and special fot'es tag. >> ibeen incredibly painful and very difficult. >> reporte after that interview on fox news in 2016, the army reopened the case.he last wy charged him. a move tint once a made

headlines. >> a once decorated green beret could face the death penalty from our own government. t reporter: this catapulted the case onthe president's radar. at the request of many he tweeted, i will be reviewing the case of a u.s. military hso. >> this not a situation where matt did something wrong and we need a favor, we need strings pulled to get him out of trouble. he did not do anything wrong. >> reporter: golsteyn t nbc news a comment attributed to him in the original investigation is a complete lie. ae maintains he did nothing illegal. ource familiar with the investigation tells nbc news new evidence has cast doubt on of golsteyn's version of events and an army spokesperson says sufficient evidence exists to support the new charges. >> hallie,s this a military prosecution. >> right. >> the president's tweet, his potential intervention, how would that work o w andt would it mean for prosecutors handling the case?

>> it dependsn what the president does next because it is possible that the presint could pardon golsteyn even before this case winds through mitary court. e pentagon says the dod will respect the integrity of thispr ess, clial i out. we should d note that noe has been set for the initial hearing in golsteyn's case, but he does face the death penalty if convicted. >> all right. hallie jackson, thank you. switching gears, a check of the weather f>>m al. owards christmas, actually temperatures are fairly mild. how come? well, the jet stream, the polar jet that we normally see dipping down to the south is not being push bid the polar vortex. that's pushed up, out, and over asia. so we are left with fairly mild conditions. pierre 53 degrees. that's 22 degrees above average. dallas 64. tomorrow austin, texas, will be flirting with 70.

minneapolis coming close to 40. cleveland 46 degrees. later this week ahat warm spreads all the way to the east. by friday it's in new york city. 60 in charleston. omaha will see temperatures in the low 4. that's about 10 degrees above average. that's what's going on around theoury. here's what's happening in your neck of the woods. well, we have got some sunhine out there as the just came up at 7:22. utlittle over ten minutes ago. it is a bul looking morning out there. it's a chilly morning. theeratures are in mid-to-upper 30s at this point. we will continue to head into the mid-40s today. now, no rain today. no rain tomorrow. then by thursday afternoon, the we starto see some rain, widespread rain on saturday, but again it's cooler but more sun today, but heavy rain late through friday and into . >> that's your latest weather. >> thank you. much more ahead on this ngtuesday morning, incluow do they do it? an inside look atow the

holiday orders get from your desktop to doorstep and the new shipping deadlines to live by this week. , ple are catching up with two big stars. first, ellen opening up about her long awaited return to stand-up after 15 years. and then sandra bickhullock. before all of that, an eye opening conversation with teenagers about vaping in the wake of that new study that shows a huge jump in the use of e-ci a whoa! the mercedes-benz winter event is back, and you won't want to stop for anything else. lease the gla 250 for $359 a month at your local mercedes-benz dealer. mercedes-benz. the best or nothing.

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today." th country's new vaping crisis. >> a new study found the number of teenagers using-cigarettes has increased at an alarming rate. so nbc's morgan wratfordt to the source. a group of students to find out a little bit more. this is a fascinating conversation, huh? >> they had a loto say. what's also interesting is that the u.s. surgeon general is issuing aew advisory just this morning, precisely because he says the vaping is so bad.e the high schoolers i spoke with said many of their friends started vaping because they thought it was edgy and then quickly became ad cted. a troubling trend reaching a new high. a federly funded study revealing the number of high school seniors using e-cigarettes nearly doubled this year. with approximately 3 llion

more teens lightingam. >> what percentage of your friends vape? >> some people, they get jittery or can't think straight if they are like away from their juul for one day. >> reporter: it's not just high school seniors. vaping up is up significantly among younger students. how easy is it for an eighth grader to get access? >> very easy. >> reporter: they are easy to hide. the fun flavo areempting and olar pressureayo a rs pl e.>> doing it, not so much because they want the buzz. >> you come for the coolness, it's not a cigarette. you know, we are >>rom a t young age about not smoking cigarettes and the damage of cigarettes and stuff lyiike tha >> reporter: they are not in associating v with cigarettes or nicotine. >> ty are like,t's water vapor and flavoring that gives you a rush. >> reporter: that's something th feder say is a big problem. >> 75% of the mket is juul.

all juul products in particular contain nicotine. nicotine, if uniquely -- it's armful to young and developing brains. it can cause learning, attention and memory problems and prime the brain for addiction in the future. >> reporte the report comes months after a fda announced a crackdown on teen use labeling a ploon to limital ses of flavored e-cigarettes to teens both in stores and online. some companies, including blu and juul, said they e already working to limit underage sales. blu raising the image age to buy pods online of 21 across the u.s. ofl stopping the sale certain flavors to retail stores, responding to the latest study saying we must act to solve this problem. so a lot of the teens said tsot al media played a really big role in their friends' dec to vape. companies like juul are no longer actively using their facebook and instagram pages to

market the products. >> the government aears toe trying to rei in this thing in. are schools doing anything? >> they are. one school in connecticut is holding information sessions ebcause parents and staff don mbers don't know what to look out for. the devices are small, easy to hide. >> it'seco interestingse after all of that public awareness, a lot of kids are li, smoking, ew! little do they know, there is nicotine in >> they said changing the name makes it feel less nefarious. >> thank you. coming up next with the holiday shipping tdeadlines looming, a fascinating look at how they dos it. what the rush like from the inside? how your packages manage to get to those dnations right after th. hurry in to old navy and get up to

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to all of you last-minute holiday shoppers. your time is running out.

>> christmas is one week from today. so it is crunch time if you want to get your gifts to show up under the tree. nbc's kerry sanders is with the people trying to make that en at a ups facility in philly where they are sorting and sending nonstop. we are wondering how this whole thing works, kerry. >> reporter: it's fascinating. if you are a procrastinator, craig, and you have yet to start your shopping, craig, then you need to get thoseou present the door to a relative or a friend, craig. the clock is ticking, craig. >> thanks, kerry. >> reporter: this morning a holiday buying frenzy is in full ing with online shopping, more popular than ever. this year retail experts say more than half of aurases will be bought with the click of a mous some big-ne retailers offering free shipping if you buy by this thursday, december 20th.

walmart, target, best buy are all guaranteeing your gifts will arrive by christmas but that special something to get from desop to doorstep, shippers cranking 24/7. amazon, fedex, ups, the u.s. postal service. working like elves to get your packages there on time. >> we are ready. we are prepared for it. >> reporte the post office says online shopping has made the busiest day a thing of the past, but this should be the busiest week. mail carriers delivering some 200 million packages and nearly 3 billion pieces of mail, including thoseagerly anticipated christmas cards. this thursday is the absolute last day to send packages first class or priority mail. for ups, today is the deadline for three-day shipping, arriving by christmas eve you still have to december 20t for two-day shipping. fedex in some cities let's you ship right up into christmas,

but every day you delay it will cost you more.am on prime members still have time, too, but the so from inside these planes today just here in phidelphia they will move about a million packages. 150 flights coming and going, craig. and sot i know t savannah and hoda are sitting there acting like, what's going on here? but truth is the two of them know t same thing. they haven't done it eier. they are both procrastinators according to my very good sources. >> your sources are half l righ ght? that's all we are goin to say. >> you have all of your shopping done, kerry? >> sorry. we have lost contact. >> yeah, yeah. >> i rely on santa. santa never misses. >> t >> reporter: santa never misses. >> thank you, kerry. >> kerryiv is neverg those

up. just ahead, the stars are out. ellen opens up to savannah about her start in stand-up and a comedy comeback. and hoda talks to sandra bullock. >> cooking withinena gardner after your local news. ♪ the united states postal service makes more holiday deliveries to homes than anyone else in the country. ♪ with one notable exception. ♪

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break. >> 7:56 is your time on this tuesday, decber 18, 2018. good morning to you. i'm eun yang. right now we want to check on your commute with wtop's jack taylor. >> thanks.ng. good morning. we start with delays o 395 to seminary road acrosshe freeway east. the crash on main avenue has the right side of e roadw getting by. the left side is blocked off. crash in arlington on 110 northbound near marshall drive. right side, ng the staying left to get past. >> thank you. we will take a break now. we will check your forecast next. next. .

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i'meo mlogist lauryn ricketts. a beautiful morning out there right now. plenty of sunshine, blukies. that is the way it's going to be today. it's going to be chilly today, too, especially compared to yesterday. we made it to the mid-to-upper 50s. mid-to-upper 40s today. 54 tomrow, plenty o sunshine, increasing clouds and rain chances thursday night. friday all day rain. even through christmas, looking dry. >> thank you, lauryn. aether local news upd in 25 minutes. .ack to "the today show" after

it's 8:00 on "today." coming up, deadline looming. can republicans and democrats work together t avoid a partial government shutdown, or will the batt over funding president trump's wall curb a compromise? >> i am not very oimistic that the diction areng garoie live ae plus, dreaming of a wet christmas. two powerful storms roll across the country bringing heavy rain and flooding. so howha couldeffect your holiday travel plans? al is tracking it all. and star-studded morning. savannah sits down with ellen to talk about the comedian's big return to stand-up. >> when you first set out on that stage, did you have the butterflies? >> i really didn't. i went to amall club in l.a.

i kind of surprised people, it was like i had just done it last week. >> then i catch up with oscar winner sandra bullock to talk movies and so much more. >> you cut your hair. th >> this is what makes her a good interviewer. and chef extra ordordinaire garten in studio. >> fulous and 40! >> mother/daughter/sister trip. >> missing my finals to be here today. ♪ >> celebrating my 5th from tennessee. >> celebrating ten years of marriage on>> today! easons greetings from kentucky. woo! >> oh, yeah, welcome to "today" on this tuesday morning.

one week before christmas. wesant to thank you for starting your day -- oh! some beautiful people on the plaza. can't wait. >> nothing better than a holiday crowd. >> yeah. >> we are going to get this half hour started with a check of ur news. no breakthrough in the budget battle over president trump's border wall. that means a partial government shutdown could be just days away. nbc white house correspon kristen welker has the latest on this story. hey, kristin,>>ood morning. ood morning to you. well, the clock is ticking and this morning there is still n deal it partial government shutdown. ng late into the night to try to find a christmas compromise. instea only more confusion. now, the president is demanding $5 billion for his border wall. a wall he promised mexico wou pay for. democrats will only give him a fraction of that, about $1.3 billion. . trump saying he would take responsibility for a shutdown.

that sent shockwaves through the republican party because republican leaders see a shutdown as politically toxic. they are scrambling to find a resolution. democrats are pointing the finger squarely at the president republicans. the deadline is midnight friday. what would a partial shutdown mean? ll, it would affect more than a dozen agencies, meaning more than 400,000 federal employees would have to work without esseianterl sviscee lik border security and u.s. mail delivery would continue during a shutdown. l s like national parks around the close. would expect another day of high stakes negotiations in washington with less than four days to go. >> thank you. parts of the country already getting slammed with the kind of stormy weather that willru d travel nationwide. al is looking at allf it. ut west a big parade of storms. they are going to keep coming. heavy rain and mountain snows. rainfall amounts beforll it's over we are talking some areas

as much as six inches orno more. the other system that we're worried about that's going to be a potent weather maker, low pressure out of the gulf moves into the south. moisture taps in from xie gulf of . thursday heavy rain from atlanta up towards washington, d.c. aea severe t for central florida continues friday up into the northeast with a double-barrel low bringing more rain behind it andno icy mix with rain in there. thursday and friday we areywhers from florida all the way to new york. airports are going to be affected on thursday. the biggest atlanta, raleigh-durham, possibility inth northeast and i-75, i-85 in miami. we are looking at i-95 to washington. and then on friday big, big travel day, looking for airport delays from boston to chartte, and atlanta possible delays back as far west as chicago. i-77, charl to cleveland. i-80 from chicago into new york.

and i-95 from raleigh all the way up t boston on the roads may be affected as well. guys. >> all right. al, thank you. the women's tennis association is updating its dress doed and changing rules to protect the players' ranking after maternity leave. those issueson cond serena williams after she had a baby. she wasomnseeded in events when she returned and she caused an uproar a the french open when she wore a skin tight body suit which said improved her circulation. they will not be prohibited from wearinghem without shorts over them. time for the boost. taki little wounones to pose wi santa claus. dylan took little calvin. look, everybody isr. toget but behind the scenes you can e santa had to new yowork his m.

hold on. similar for yo savannah. yours looks picture everyone sitting quietly. then, i don't know, gleback a coup of pictures and you'll see charlie. >> oh! >> they are like, where'swild a. >> slithering around. >> we we drawing crowd. i was like, oh my gosh, i got to get out of here. >> here is dylan's. sweet at the end. >> i alm bt like itter, you know? it's so funny. just ahead, we go one on one with ellen degeneres. what she revealed to us about her road to stardom and returning to stand-up after 15 years. a new look the controversial presidency of richard nixon 50 years after his election and its parallels to today. tom brokaw will joi with that right after this. daddy diaper duty...

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marking 50 years since one of the most tumultuous tes in erican history. >> so much happened in 1968 that shaped our nation, not the least of which was the election of president nixon. tom okaw has been doing a l of thinking about that. good morning. >> i have been thinking about it a lot because four years lheer as re-elected in record terms. george movern won one state. richard nixon blew o the lights on that electoral map. they were already in the mid of watergate. given what we are going through now, i thought it was worth it to look back at the richard nixon experience and how it's remembered at his library in califo. >> reporter: the revamped nixon library is a collection of elegant structures in josh a linda, california. the orange county village where nixon grew up in a small house

made from a sears and roebuck kit. it gave a view of this complicated man. the only president fced to resign. >> the new exhibit is much more integrated, much more honest. it acknowledges nixon had his problems, to put it mildly, but it shows the many positive sides of richard nixon. >> reporter: iis a reminder that before watergate, nixon began a new relationship with russia. he went to china, a stunning diplomatic coup that changedrl e order overnight. he took on vietnam, ending the draft, reducing troop levels. but he also escalatedombing ain trying to aorce peace talks set off a national anti-war crusade. he claimed a silenrity was thwiim h a, wndonma re-electiony a historic landslide. but nixon's presidencyas consumed by watergate. a clumsy break-in at t democratic party headquarters.

>> nixon was a funny mixture o mixture and strategic ability and deepened security. deepened security. a >> reporter: nixon's watergate cover-up set off a constitutional crisis that went on for more than a year. >> let others wallow in watergate. we are gonna do our job. >> reporter: then came t saturday massacre. nixon firing theig watergate special prosecutor and the attorney general. demanding that the investigations end. >> one year of watergate is enough. >>eporter: but the investigation went on. impehment was inevitable. in the summer of 19co the supremt ruled unanimously that president nixon had to give up the tape recordings that proved he knewhat was going on. >> it is clear that president nixon is actively considering resignation. >> reporter: defiant to e end, but realistic, richard nixon

became the first president to resign, leaving behind accomplishments and deep shame. nixon biographer frank gannon is conflicted. >> hewr is an enigmped in a riddle, wrapped puzzle. fascinating, brilliant, complex. shakespearian. >> reporter: at the end of the guy, gannon hears a welcome than i did w hen i came in, buti had no idea he did al wthese thinch affect my life today. >> reporter: at the entrance to theibrary, an invitation. who was this man? walk these halls and you decide. actually, it's architecturally and in terms of content ang stri and historic building. you go through the russian opening,enhe china g, aou turn there is a long corridor and in big bold letters watergate. they t oe it at his library.

the national parks foundation had a big role in that. they have to sign off on what goes on there i wasstunned, quite honestly. and i covered watergate. i was stunned by how effective it is d how instructive it is whenever you stand in th richard nixon area. >> how you get from a landslide re-election to watergate. the expert says at the heart is insecuri. >> and the essential question, why was the watergate break-inn ssary? they now they were going to blow out george mcgovern. these bumbling burglars whok couldn't l the dooran appropriatelgot caught. and it got worse and worse and worse. in the context of what we are going through right now are the lessons we ought to be learning as a country and what should be president be learning? >> thank you, tom. >> merry christmas, tom. >> thank you. switching gears now. >> we look at a pleasant day in

the central plains into the n p northern plains. n northern california into the pacific northwest am dense fog in the lower mississippi river valley. gusty winds in the northeast and new england. sunshine along the southeastern coast down into florida. that's what's going on around the country. here's what's happening in your neck of thewoods. well, we are a little cooler. we have some more sunshine out today. now heavy rain, we are tracking that as we head into your friday and evennt early saturday morning. that could impact some travel out there. degrees look at that wind. wind at day. miles per hour. at times and ezy feel cooler.f moste day we will feel like the 30s and 40s. mid-40s for daytiay highs t by this afternoon dry.on >> and forget as you head out the door take us with you. today show's sirius xm 108. > now to ellen degeneres and her big return to stand-up

comedy. >> it's howhe got her start in show biz long before t big talk show. after a 15-year hiatus, ellen is back at it. >> a friend of mine was at my house andd i t him i am going to do stand-up again. he said, really? and i said, yeah. i was hoping for more of a, really? he said, well, do you thi you are still relatable? my butler stepped into the library just then. >> what made you decide to get back in the stand-up game? >> i don't know. i didn't think i'd ever do it because i did it for so long, 2 probab years. it's a lonely life. it especially is a womanur by lf on the road. this is a great gig. i get to go home every night. this is fun. but stand-up is different than this. i wanted to see if i could do it after 15 years. >> when you first set out on that stage, did you have the butterflies? >> i really didn't. i went to a small club in l.a. i just kind oftas likeur i s ha

it last week. >> reporter: ellen worke larg larger venue where she taped her netflix special in seattle this summer. >> if i have a baby, i am like, this is cashmere, no. >> reporter: showcasing that signature sense of humor that got her noticed on johnny carson's "tonight show." >> this is ellen. >> reporter: you said before that you, when you were starting out, had this idea you were going to go on johnny carson one y and be the first female comedian he invited to the couch, that you set your intention. >> i did. sit there.ju is s you have to take steps towards it. when i made that, i was living in a basement apartment, you know, that was infested with fleas. i started writing, if you could fleasup god and ask why are here, that's how it started, me writing a phone call to god.

i said this is going to get me to carson. >> reporte is it i hope that gets me on carson, or i just know it's going to get me on carson? >> no, i knew it. i it was like, oh my god, zwrjoy carson would love this. every time i saw a female dian on carson, i was praying they wouldn't get called over. >> it's a small dose of >> reporter: with each joke d still giving to her all. >> when i started out in stand-up and every single night you wan it to be amazing and perfect all the time, but o do a show every single day, as you know, sometimes you just have -- if it's a bad showng or somet happens where you mess u you have to know there is another one the next day. i try to make every single sho my favorite show. >> reporte are you hard on yourself? do you think about it afterwards? >> sure. >> reporter: even now? >> these people wait for a long, long time to co here. i want them to have

show they could possibly have. >> reporter: the emmy award-winning host has taken her love of games and, well, physical discomfort to the next level for another season oferat want to peer into your psyche, why do you enjoy pranks and our discomfort so much? >> well, it doesn't seem like it's just me. everyone seems to enjoy it he c canly. they are living through meth are saying, yes, go, do it. >> reporter: one tng she never wants to do is nimake fun of anyone. >> i shouldn't even have a m ho car. like if someone cuts me off in a dangerous way, if, i ho they are like, ellen? >> reporter: for now spreading laughter seems t be working well for the entertainer and comedian. she is showing no signs of

slowing down. >> does a plane go back that far? i have never been backryhere. i to promote kindness and promote compassion and hope that it's an escape for people. >> i'm excited to see thest d-up special on netflix.le it's called "r." it's about whether or not she is relatable anymore. look for the season premier of ellen's game of games right here on nbc. the netflix show starts today. >> it's becoming more and more revealing watching her. >> yes. it was fun to hang out with her. >> awesome. >> all right. dylan, you got a little "popstart"? our friend carson daly gearing up for tonight's finale of "the voice." >> and then he can come home. >> and i can g a break. first up, boy george. the legendary artist and his band culture club are releasing a brand new single today called "life." we have the exclusive first look at the music video.

take a look. ♪ when i'm under the water ♪ when i'm under the water ♪ i look to you ♪ you know io ♪ i look to you and the water is gone ♪ ♪ you give me hope when i wake up ♪ >> i like it. catchy. boy george says the video is aboutnd finding hope a is a tribute to his fans.ch to wat the full music video head to today.com. next in the digital series quote bid hoda -- quoted by -- sorry. you are sitting right anyway, everyone from kelly clarkson toar shriver shares an inspirational quote as hoda does every day. a brand new episode out featuring our friend meghan

trainor. >> what is it about the quote that speaks to you? >> my dad has always told me that quote. any time i complain, h is like life will get better if you let it. and that, it just hit me so deep, i guess, because it's like sometimes in life you can't control what happens. most of the time you can't control what happens, but you can control how you look at it and how you can stay positive about it or find the good in it. >> we have that full ep owed is today.com. and nuel miranda, he stopped by "the tonight show." he joined jimmy to sing a medley of popular songs, changing the lyrics to give them a festive spin. ta a look. ♪ baby why don't you help meng ♪ menorah on the table

♪ so help me spi my dreidel ♪ right now i'm getting drunk on wine ♪ ♪ it's christmas shopping on amazon ♪ ♪ oh what the hell did i buy ♪ i'm sobering up ♪ ♪ just your christmas card ♪ your family christmas card ♪ with updates from your year ♪he letter 20 pages long >> i love it! jimmy announced taking "the tonight next month when miranda will take the stage in "hamilton." we are looking forward to that on january 15th. >> all right. dylan, do you hav something from the orange room? >> yes.av wea special guest. look who is joining us. ina garten is here. >> yay! >> come on over.

>> we have to say happy anniversary. >> thank you. >> 15 years with jeffrey? >> i don't feel i likem old enough. >> oh, my god. you are t number one trending topic. j really? >> i think it's alfrey. >> what is the secret to having a marriage? >> the right guy. it's just the luck of the draw. you marry somebody who thinks you are the most important thing in the world and you think he is the most important thing in the world. it's that simp, isn't it? i think people make it so complicated. >> you are a good cook, too. that's got it help, right? >> yeah. chicken always helps. >> you said he is the only person that sampled all of your esdi . n'heisre that r a dish over 50 s that he d like? >> well, he didn't admit to it, but there was o i made very early onas dreadful. couldn't afford to make another meal. we ate it and said it was

delicious. >> how are you going to celebrate your 50th? >> instead of one big event, we are doing it over the period of the weekn we arehe middle of the week. i mean, he is going to take me to a special restaurant tonight. then we are going to paris on thursday. >> wow! >> you get the week>> off? i get the week off. >> is it true that since you posted that, everyoneow is just wishing you a happy anniversary everywhere you go? >> a barista at starbucks came running out last night, happy anniversary! >> good for you. >> we are so happy. for y >> i am so happy to be here. >> you are going to cook for us in a little bit >> yes. with savannah. >> and celebrating your anniversary cooking for us? >> i am posting on instagram another picturerom our camping trip we took for four months. four months? >> we could survive in a tent for four months, you can survivg

anyt isn't that a riot? were we ever that young? >> coming up, sandra bullock opens up and discusses her life coming u this is a news4 "today" news break. >> good morning. 8:26 on thisec tuesday, dber 18. i'm aaron gilchrist. jack tayloras your first4 traffic. >> thanks. good morning. we start with the dels in landmark riding north on 395. good news is that long standing crash on the freew gone. those delays hopefully will begin to ease. majo slowdown off the g.w. parkway to go in on that 14th street bridge. new crash on the beltway outer loop past braddock, blocking the right lane back to annandale. a look at our forecast when we come back. stay with .

temperatures right now mid-to-upper 30s at t moment. so it is a little on the chilly side out there. as far as your travel today, tomorrow looking good, tgrsday morn looking good and friday utst coast travel, saturday and sunday bul. rain starts to move in thursday afternoon, thursday night, all

through the day on friday, soggy mess, lingeri showers early on saturday. looking good all the way through christmas. >> thank you. course you can get the latest news and weather in the nbc washington app. 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.

♪ run, run rudolph santa's got to make it to town ♪ we are we are back. it's 8:30, tuesday, mber 18th. what a day. what a crowd. she is the star of the new bumblebee movie. we will talk about her movie, her latest role, her music. >> very cool. >> ready? >> yeah. >> tyler from wilmington, where are you? what's up, man? how are you? >> i'm speechless. >> you're speechless? you don't strike me as the type that eve gets speechless.

what's your last name? >> mcqueen. >> where are your people? >> right here. >> mom, how are you? >> good, thanks. >> holiday trip? >> that's what he wanted for christmas. >> you got a bucket list. new york city, check. rockefeller, 9/11 memorial. immediate today show hosts. guys, come on over and meet tyler. al roker, dylan, savannah, ha. >> hig, tyler. >> merry stchs, pal. >> merry christmas to you. >> that's a great name, tyler .cqueen. he is going plac >> still to co, okay, we have sandra bullock, you guys. we talked about her new thriller, her take on the hosting controversy. and she has some fun plans for christmast>>e coming up. awesome. plus, we are happy to have the great ina garten in our estchen this morning.

her rec for a stress-free week night meal so you have more time to christtting ready for coming up in the third hour of "today," country music starn hayes. we paid a visit for our mer christmas y'all series. i hung out wh him. so his mom and dad. she made some of her world mous gumbo. it was a treat. we start off with today and we are watchina lot ofet weather into the pacific northwest. big storm tre. highs ihe midsectn of the country, gusty winds in the northeast and new england. tomorrow we see that storm stum out of the gulf of mexico, rain and thunderstorms in the lower mississippi river valley, snow orshowers in theern rookies, sunny and seasonal in the east to the great lakes. that's what's going on around the country. here's what's happening in your neck of the wo well, asou you make way out the door today, grab the omnglasses. you need themrow as well. and then by thursday grab the umbrella and thengell the rain

by friday. becausegoing to need it we have rain throughout the day. it ends by saturday. so enjoy today because it is going to bemp dry. atures right knew in tnow in the upper 30s. mid-to-upper 40s today. i th it. yesterday mid-to-upper 50s. dry today, a little bit of a breeze, but still plenty of sunshine. >> don't forget you can take "the today show" with you. all you have to do i-- wait a minute. what the heck is this? wow. that.t okay. all you have to do is get in your car and tune in to "today" sius xm channel 108. oh, look, i'm on tv. back inside. >> wow. >> roker run. i have been waiting all morning for this. sandra bullock stars in bird box, which is out on netflix this week. >> it is a thriller sure to keep you on the edgef your seat.

i had a chance to sit down with sandra at rk's back rack hotel to talk about the film and take note of her crazy sense of humor. >> who do you think would enjoy this movie? tat type of person? >> theng that i hope -- i don't like scary things. oddly, this came about when my kid said, why don'te you m something for us? i now realize they were talking about animated or marvel. but when i read itou -- >> are going on the trip now. it's going to be rough. >> hold on skplam! >> bird box is a thriller set in a most apocalyptic world where an evil iisible force has a deadly affect on anyone who sees it. >> if you look, it will cause you to experience your greatest fear. it depends on what your worst fears are, what your outlook is socially on the basis of religion or whatever your

upbringing it. everyone has a different visceral feeling as to what they think it is and what's making them feel that way. it's a metaphor f motherhood, what's going on socially in the world, and i think, you know, we are kind of getting to that w place whereare not looking at people anymore. >> you never, ever take off your blindfold. if you look, you will die. do you understd? >> in the film, sandra plays a mother of two doing everything she can to keep her kids safe. in real life, a mom to 8-year-old louie and 6-year-old lila, who she brought to the set. >> lou was very interested in what everyone's worst fear was. he would say, what is your worst fear he knew mine was anything happening to them, you know. i said i'm not goil to t you how dark i go, but i said anything that happens to you, i think worst thoughts all day. ti worry all time. >> you worry. >> all the time. 24/7. >> now with the holidays around the corner sandra is ready to put work on hold for familyti

. what is christmas like at your house? >> usually overdone. really, really overdone because i verdo it and then i pan didn't do enough and i get more and everyone else has overdone it. this year we just stopped. we just stopped. there is so much happening in ple world where p don't have anything. we said, why don't we just make this about other people? they were amazing about it. so christmas is three small gifts. oscars are coming up and they are talking about who is going to host the oscars. >> yeah, it's me. it's me. surprise! evyone is like, oh, that's not going to be very good. it's going to be amazing. you talk about meryl just like everybody else. i need to make some tasteless jokes, but only three. >> maybe they shouldn't have a host. what do you think? >> it's a thankless job. by the endhey arelike, it was long and they said that tsh like you are meantak to fun of people. book the oscars for 4 1/2 hours.

if it ends early, fantastic, have a backup. >> you cut your hair. >> huge. this is what makes her a good interviewer. w >> they sayn a girl changes her hair, she is going to change her life. >> my life is changing. so fa >> i know. >> but you know what? it's funny. i feel like my hair was there to help me he. and i hide behind my hair. and when i did cut it, i wen oh, okay, that's me. i can be this perso now. it's all about the hair. >> it is. >> it looks great. >> thanks. >> i know it's the weirdest. here is the thing. she said she is a really shy person, which iha always find interesting when you meet actors. she said her hair helped cover her up. she said in this role the only reason she took the rol was she didn't connect when she read it before hing children. when she had kids she understood that crazy protectiveature and it kicked in in a way she didn't

expect. the movie is intense. she is i wihill ai hilarious. >> file like we got to see you guys having coffee or something like that. >> yeah. i am like, your hair! >> and i would watch sandra bullock host the oscars. >> yes. bird box, by the way, is released on netflix this friday. >> all right. coming up next, another big store of a high ly anticipated movie. ch up with haley seinfel first, this is "toda .

hey, batter, batter, batter, batter. [ 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. the screen in 10 with her oscars nominated role in true grit. she proved not only can she act, sings, too. >> she is the whole thing. after a few billboard hits over the yearshe is back in front with bumblebee with a co-star who may be too big for her own

good. >> you see anyone beside me, what do you do? great. perfect. come back now. okay. so let'say we are driving. we are driving and all of a sudden -- hide! there it is. >> good morning. >> good morning. >> really fun. i mean, i'm amazed at everything you do. trying to act with a cgi robot can't be that easy? >> it's definitely on the list of thingsnk i didn't t i could do until i did it. it was definitely a challenge. f it wasn't a tennis ball on a stick, it was not even close to half of what's out there. but, yeah. >> the chemistry with the tennis ball and a stick. it really worked. f>> it's sony because this is

kind of a big action movie, but it feels,ven in that clip, itma feels in somehow about like a relationship? >> absolutely. what's so incredible about this film is transformers fans get everything they know and love with the stunning cutting edge action scene it is a very human story. it has so much heart, so much emotion. it will make you laugh. it might make you cry. it's got a lot in it. >> one of my favorite things is it's set in my personal favorite deca, the '80s, which i don't believe you were alive for i. was not. >> what did you like? the fashion, the music? >> yes. there was some questionable choices that were mad but i loved it. really being able to immerse myself into the world was fun. the music is a hugear in the movie. there is an incredible undtrack which i was able to contribute to as well. >> talk a little bit about the music and the soundtrack.

what do you like about it? >> well, i love that generally that music plays a huge role in this movie. t it's the wayt thisot r in the film i thaay music can help you say what you feel. it's so true. i find that i can sometimes pds into wr lyrics, for that matter, put something into a song that i couldn't necessarily tell you guys. there is something so incredible about it. the music from the '80s is so timeless and classic. >> you contribut song to the soundtrack. how fun is that? >> it's been on my bucket list. i have this song that i co-wrote called "back to life" with some of my favorite writers andpr ucers in l.a. yeah, this is a song that i wanted to explore the music of the '80s and feel like it representedhat time and be a part of my music project today. esyeah, it was an intng approach writing it, playing this character as well. >> i randomly ran intoyoou and

mom in the elevator. you look just like a little girl with ponytail. i was thinking about how your life has changed. how everything has changed. when y thinkbout where you are today and where you were a few yearsib ago, des your life. >> i mean, it's very surreal i have to say just doing press for bumblebee, there are certain billboards in l.a. that a true grit billboard was in that spot. since that movie i have seen that same thing. >> you were 14 years old. >> 13 when made the film. part of meik feels that was yesterday and then i think it was a long time ago. >> a lot of things >> very lucky. but i can't believe that i'm here with this film. if you guys -- it's all happening. >> i remember you coming and singing on the plaza. i think it was pouring rain. >> that's right. >> we made you sit in the cold. then it was rain. but your fans to ask you when is your album coming out? need to know.

>> i know. so i had every intention on putting out an album this year. this little movie came about and a tv sw i'm working on with apple called dickinson that finishes the top of the year. after that. >> will you come back and sing for us id we f the sunshine? >> absolutely. >> thank you so much. bumblebee hits theaters this friday. just ahead, the one, the only, ina garten. she is taking the stress out of your holiday season with aan quk easy week night meal. first, this is "today" on nbc. e. e. nbfirsthis, is "today" on c.

here's to the stair takers, e. nbfirsthis, is "today" on c. breakfast makers, step counters, outdoor explorers, faith restorers, appointment keepers, fantastic creatures. farmer's market goers, cholesterol lowerers cell phone silencers. the new lease on lifers, and the positive thinkers. here's to you all that see every day as an opportunity to thrive your way. so their laundry smells more amazing than ever. [darrell's wife] isn't that the dog's towel? [dog sfx] hey, mi towel, su towel. more scent plus oxi boost and febreze in every gain fling. ke priseand ke ntrol of heartburn. so you don't have to stash antacids here... here... or here. kick your antacid habit with prilosec otc. one pill a day, 24 hours, zero heartburn.

"today" food is brought to you by chex cereal, full possibilities. >> and we are back with a special holiday edition of today food. we all need a dinner recipe that's easy and delicio and gets the family set in a matter of minutes. guess what? we havena garten. she will solve it.

ar 11th cookbook, cook like pro. so fun to be here with you and helping you celebrate your 50rs anniy. >> that's crazy. >> what would ina do, how can we livin' live set the table? >> i put ergreens down the middle of the table, pears in the middle and some candles. you're done. you do have to go to the florist for it. everyme florist inca is going to kill me. >> and if you are running out of the goo plates, do you mix and match? >> i mix and match everything.ut i white plates together or orange plates to the. do all kinds of shiss g slaimss. what are we making? >> this is a salad with mustard roasted chicken and potatoes. roast everything on one big sheet pan, make a salad. aisle show you h-- i'll showoou

how to it. i put lemon zest, garlic, thyme in here already. then panko crumbs, which make it crusty. olive oil and butter. butter. o have the >> yes. >> we have lonely dylan over here eating. >> where are my -- >> i don't ow >> that's the crumb topping. i am going to take chicken thighs and i'm going to dip thei in wine and mustard, which i'm going to -- >> i love a mtard sauce. >> isn't that great? >> yeah, the chicken thighs are big. >> yeah. inow. they used to be tiny. now they are really big. and what i am going to do, these are -- im pat the dry so they are nice and dry. then i dip the whole thing in the mustard. >> why do you have to be dry if you are putting it in a wet thing? >> i don't know. i think it sticks better. good question. then it goes in the crumbs just like that. love it. >> just on the top. it goes on the sheet pan.

>> nice. on the top. okay. >> only on the top. got it. okay. >> and then i show you what we do over here. >> okay. >> okay. here we go. t so andn i am going to take fingerling potatoes. >> yum. >> olive oil, salt and pepper, mix it up. i know. it's -- >> why fingerlings? because they are cute and small? >> andhey cook quickly. >> how do you go from crispy to -- i always burn them. >> cook them a little less. >> really? >> then they are not crispy. >> everything ees -- >> i l it. that's easy. >> isn't that great? 275 for like to 50 minutes. >> okay. >> you end up with crispy mustard chicken, crispy potatoes. then i have a frise salad. amake a vinaigrette in this jar. pu the ingredients in. it's got cider vinegar, mustard.

shallots. >> the mustard, we did the mustar sauce over there. >> then pour it over the salad. >> she had tt planned out. >> she thought about it. >> you have done this before, haven't you. >> i mike this dinner a lot. >> if you are not a frize fan? >> you can use anything. holds up. >> it doesn't get wilted? >> exactly. then the chickenn top of the whole thing. the chicken on top. >> looks so yummy. >> you guys have a spatula for me. and all of the potatoes. so it's like hot and cold. it's an entire meal on one platter. >> i love it. it doesn't seem that int'midating. >>not. >> that was pretty -- >> yeah. i know. all right. oh, deveert. >> we dessert. >> you have my favorite ice cream here. >> this is a sundae that i kind ofro bd. chocolate sauce on the bottom. >> that looks like home madeat chocsauce.

>> well, it's easy to do. salted caramelized cream. our particular thing -- >> i love it so much. >> and then i made carmel popcorn like th. it goes on top. the popcornou do >> caramel s popcorn and peanuts. goes on top like that. >> this is my de am. >> you hlittle whipped cream on top. home made whipped cream is easy. >> this looks like love. you know how she stayed married for 50 years? like this. genius. thank you so much. enjoy your week, especially your trip. you want to find these recipes go to today.com/od. for ina's book, go to today.com/shop. this is "today" on n

dylan is getting teips from ina how not to burnes the pota >> donolive oil. >> you want to sort them to cther. >> donk them so long, right? >> that's the best line. >> yes. whave a busy third hour of "today." hunter hayes, michael shannon and marla maples. we love you jeffrey on ts 50th anniversary. >> i love you, jeffrey. happy anniversary. >> how to get stuck with these two. >> i'm his biggest fan. >> here is your local news.

this is a new today news break. >> 8:56 is your time on this esday, december 18, 2018. good morning to you. i'm eun yang. right now we want to check in with wtop's jackit taylor your traffic. >> a couple of spots vginia north on i-95. dumfries on thee right s of the roadway.

prince wilam parkway an accident. inner loop in maryland towards arena drive a report of on the right side of the roadway. that delay is easing out. maybe that was quickly moved to the shoulder. back to you. >> thank you. we will take a break now. stwe will check your forehen we come back..

welcome back everybody. current temperatures out there ght now in the 3 to right around 40 degrees. now as we go through the day mid-40s, plenty of sunshine, a little breeze. five to fif me 15 a milhour tod. then we have rain thursday night all day on friday, endg early saturday morning. looking good for christmas. get the latest news and weathe i anytithe nbc washington app.

live, from studio 6a, this is "today." >> good morning, everyone. welcome. i'm sheinelle. i'm here with al, craig, and looking the wrongway. >> craig, al. >> if you squint, you kind of look ik >> not even close. >> here's the thing -- >> how depressing foryou. >> can i explain? i was reading in order of what it ys. and you look that way. >> if it had said kier first?ho >>d we startr? all ove good morning, everyone. i'm here with al