Transcripts For WRC Today 20130103 : vimarsana.com

Told by his mom he didnt buy a 50,000 car. A harmless prank or mom going too far . Well ask her son today january 3rd, 2013. From nbc news, this is today with matt lauer and Savannah Guthrie live from studio 1a in Rockefeller Plaza. Good morning. Im matt lauer. Im erica hill. This is obviously a difficult morning for students at sandy hook elementary. Classes are being held in a neighboring school of monroe, connecticut. To make its easier, classrooms in that school have been recreated to look just like the rooms at sandy hook and parents are being allowed to join their children. More from connecticut on that story. Also secretary of state, hillary clinton, back at home after leaving a New York Hospital and treated for a blood clot and she gets back to work. How much longer will she remain secretary of state . And we learn more about the paparazzi killed after trying to get a shot of Justin Bieber and bieber and the stars hope this will lead to change for stalking of celebrities. And a sperm donor in kansas, helped another couple have a child, signed a way parental rights. Th three years later, the state wants him to pay Child Support. We begin this thursday morning with Staff Members and students at sandy hook elementary heading back to class for the First Time Since that tragic shooting last month. In connecticut, good morning to you. Reporter good morning, matt. The media is being kept three miles from the school as district officials try to get them back to a normal routine but wont return to the school where the tragedy occurred. Volunteers worked several days transforming a middle school in a neighboring town into a place that looks familiar for 500 Sandy Hook Elementary School students. At one point, there were 80 people in the building, cleaning up the building, doing the kinds of things to make it really look cheerful and happy. Reporter they brought the childrens books and desks seven miles from the new school and even renamed the new building sandy hook elementary. We will go to our regular schedule and do the things we know are good for kids. Reporter some parents like andrew pa payley says it is som comfort to the family. You see the smiles on their faces and i know theyre excited to see the kids and get back but obviously have emotions running high, im sure. Reporter teachers and students toured the building windy under a high safe presence. It has to be the highest security in america. Reporter increased security will be increased for days to come. To help the parents through this, parents will be allowed to accompany test their children in the school today. We wish them all the best. Thanks. Secretary of clinton is out of the hospital this morning as she recovers from a blood clot near her brain. Good morning. Good morning, erica. It was all good news according to Hillary Clintons doctors. A spokesman said she is making Good Progress on all fronts and they expect a complete recovery. The secretary of states motorcade pulled out of a new york City Hospital around windy he heading to chappaqua, where she will continue to rest and work from home. Earlier in the day, an upbeat clinton walking handinhand with chelsea, along with husband bill, was seen coming out of another complex. Chelsea tweeted grateful my mom discharged from the hospital and is heading home and even more grateful she will make a full recovery and thank you to the doctors, nurses and stach at New York Presbyterian Hospital Columbia University Medical Center for taking good compare of my mom. Doctors not involved in the care say she will be monitored for unusual symptoms. Worsening headaches, changes in their level of consciousness, if they get lethargic, too sleepy, weakness on one side of the body, we need to evaluate and see whether or not the blood clot has increased in size. Reporter Hillary Clintons i illness will certainly delay any testimony about benghazi but will it silence the critics . Maybe i know this will sound crazy, reduce the cynicism in washington, that she had a benghazi headache and she was just malingering or making up. Its unlikely the secretary of state will be adding any more miles on that airplane before stepping down from office assuming john kerry is appointed to succeed her but her staff said she is looking forward to getting back to the office and to work soon. President obama has just signed the fiscal cliff lbill into law end iing an immediate crisis but today, Kelly Odonnell is at congress. Good morning to you. Reporter good morning. Theres been no break in the action and bitter partisan battles. The congress who served here two years to all of those dramas says goodbye and a new one takes the oath at noon today. Day one on the job for 82 house freshmen and a dozen senate newcomers. Record books take note. 20 women most ever will be called senator. A changing america means 28 hispanics hold seats in the house. Today marks the return of the kennedy family. Rfks grandson, joe, becomes a congressman. It is my honor to be here with all of you this evening as your next congressman for the fourth Congressional District of massachusetts. Reporter and a return to work that meant a year of hard fought recovery for illinois senator, mark kirk, after his devastating stroke. I wanted everybody to say that depressed moment you can have when a stroke hits, say, look, kirk is even walking up the Capitol Steps as an example to patients. But this new Congress Faces le leftover problems. Absurd absolutely absurd. Reporter billions for sup Superstorm Sandy victims was left at mid night on monday. I think its inexcusable we did not have this vote. Reporter setting off anger from democrats and republicans. We cannot believe we had this knife is our region. Time to take the gloves off jersey style. Reporter new Jersey Governor Chris Christie played no punches. It is why the American People hate congress. Reporter aides say boehner decided the house could not demand fiscal cliff cuts and vote on the same day to spend billions in disaster relief. Boehner promised the new congress will vote on sandy help tomorrow. It was an extremely positive meeting. Reporter but more proof in this political environment every kind of issue can veer off into another crisis. Not the country is fractured. Conservatives and liberals, republicans and democrats have very different views how to deal with issues, taxes and spending and entitlements, thats not going away. Reporter this is a critical political day for john boehner as well. We watched him have political setbks in recent days and part of a new congress is electing a speaker. John boehners aides says despite criticism and rumblings, they expect him to be elected. Congressman king, good morning. The speaker says they will now vote on super storm sandy and are you confident all the money will be delivered to the people in need . I am. It is a 9 billion bill voted on friday and january 15th, to the rema remaining amount. Many districts are devastated. My own neighborhood and community devastated, staten island, breezy point, new jersey, this is devastation in some ways comparable to katrina. Take me back some days. Congress is debating the fiscal cliff bill and you and others were adamant the sandy will be taken up. Did you talk to Speaker Boehner and were you as angry and outraged as you were yesterday . Yes. We worked on this earlier in the week and told by congressman cantor and told it was coming up windy evening or tuesday or windy morning. Tuesday evening or wednesday morning. We started getting rumors it may not come up, might be pulled. Did you express your outrage to the speaker . At that time, i was not outraged. I askedon boehner if there would be a vote. He said let me ask cantor and said it was 99 certain and decide what would happen. After the vote, the speaker left and we found out from an aide the bill was pulled. Heres what you said wednesday. You said Speaker Boehner had a quote dismissive and cavalier attitude towards new york and new jersey. You went further, republicans have no trouble finding new york when it comes to raising money. I would say to any from new york or new jersey who contributes one penny to Congressional Republicans after this should have their head examined. Do you stand by those comments . I stand by what i said at the time. It was shock therapy. Did you mean it . At the time, absolutely. If we did not get this aid, this could be disastrous for the people in new york. This isnt a special gimmick we were looking for. This is life and death. I have people in my district living in their cars and dilapidated homes. John agreed to put everything on the calendar and it will be voted on. John boehner is a friend. You came out of that meeting and say not only is he a friend. You will vote for him for speaker of the house. John boehner has a dismissive and cavalier attitude towards new york and new jersey. You represent people in the district of new york. How can you vote for a speaker who has a dismissive and cavalier attitude towards the people in your district. Whats done is done. When the decision had to be made, john boehner made the decision, to put it all on the calendar and a vote held. I wish it had been done monday night and yesterday morning, the fact is it will be done january 15th. If we carry that the rest of our lives well never get anything done. John boehner is not known to mince his words when hes angry. Did he call you out for calling him out wednesday. No. He did make a joking obscene reference with a smile and said, i love you, and then we went into the meeting. It was very cordial and businesslike. I do consider john boehner a friend. I do consider him a friend but i hurt yesterday. John said he understood that and the pressure and suffering and had to make a decision and felt there was too much going on. I disagree with that and he has the speaker and the fact he came around so quickly and work with us and get it on the calendar, i am happy with that. Do you have any doubt john will be elected speaker . John is a voice of reason despite what i said yesterday. What a difference 24 hours makes. Thanks. My, how things change. Time for a check in the morning of other top stories. Willie geist is in for natalie at the newsdesk. Good morning erica and matt. We begin with wall street where the dow saw its biggest gains in more than a year wednesday. Courtney, another good day today . Good morning, willie. This is shaping up to be another active day on wall street after the dow gained 300 points on wednesday and marked the biggest point gain we have ever seen on the first trading day of the year. While the market is cheering that fiscal deal, the relief rally could die down a little bit. They have employment data, auto sales and the nation hes retailer retailers report their december sales. Thanks. With fighting intensifying, the death toll in syria hit a new milestone. More than 60,000 people have died in the 22 monthlong conflict according to the united nation. Fighting in the countrys north surrounds the military airport and Government Air strike on damascus wednesday killed dozens of people. Al jazeera is making a wide push for an american magazine as they purchase current tv founded by Vice President al gore in 2005. He says al jazeeras mission is to quote provide diverse points of view. And christmas can turn a grown man into an excited little boy and they decided to cheer him up when they had to put down t their maltese. When they asked dad to unload the groceries from the car, he found something special. Aw hello dad named the little guy monty. As you can see here, they are already unacceptable. Erica and al, the question gets him every time. No question. Mr. Roker is here with a first check of the weather. Thats right. You have snow where youre not expecting it and other places you will. We start with rain in the southeast and l two inches thro of the southeast. Weve got a quick clipper coming across and it will bring lake effect snow over the next 24 to 48 hours and were looking at one to three inches. Not a big deal. The big story is in texas, the big bend area. Winter storm warnings and Winter Weather advisories and were seeing moisture come up to cold air and that will bring a lot of snow over the next 24 hours. Were talking some areas partly cloudying up to eight inches of snow in the mountains in the southwest of texas. Well get to your local forecast. First this message. Sunrise about ten minutes away and a clearing sky on this third morning open january, 2013. Live view from the news4 city camera. 31 at Reagan National and its komd elsewhere down into the 20s and teens. Much of the region this morning. And its going to stay below freezing for the next two or three hours and then get into the 30s to near 40 by early to midafternoon with lots of sunshine. More of the sam thats your latest weather. Erica erica. Al, thanks. New concerns about the paparazzi this morning after a photographer was killed trying to get a shot of Justin Biebers ferrar ferrari. Good morning to you. Friends say chris was always hustling, looking for the next big shot and payday. But after an exclusive photo, he paid the ultimate price. The flash bulbs, the screaming. Its high stress. The mob scene. Its a price to pay. Are you willing to pay it. A cat and mouse game between paparazzi and stars that can get downright scary. Please dont chase me, im pregnant. Justin biebers car was pulled over for speeding. He didnt know he wasnt in the car and as he tried to get a shot in a busy road, he was killed by a passing suv. Reporter saying the right picture can bring anywhere from 50 to 100,000. Were dealing with a billion dollar industry called hollywood. This aint no joke. It is money that drives you. Reporter Justin Bieber has had his own share of runins with the paparazzi including this confrontation in a parking lot last may and high speed chase on a los angeles freeway that landed bieber a speeding ticket in july. In a Statement Released wednesday, bieber expressed his condolences for the family and said hopefully this tragedy will finally inspire meaningful legislation. A statement echoed by miley cyrus, hope this accident is a wa wakeup call. Wasnt this enough of a wakeup call . Sn sponsoring two paparazzi ls in effect in california since 2010. The one law we can go after is antistalking law to keep them from stalking the celebrities day and night. Reporter their sometimes dangerous relationship will go on as long as fame goes with so much fortune. It this is price of fame you have to deal with the paparazzi and you have to put up with it. Late last year, prosecutors in los angeles used one of those new antipaparazzi laws to file charges against the photographer in that high speed chase with bieber but a judge threw out most of the charges calling the antipaparazzi law vague and problematic. Jason, thank you. Its about money. If they keep paying big money for pictures like this, people will still take risks to get those photos and accidents like this happen. And if people keep reading those magazines weve been calling for a wakeup call since 1997, when diana died and havent had one yet. Still to come, the sperm donor who signed away his responsibilities as a father but is now being asked to pay Child Support. And an 8yearold burst into tears after his mom convinces him he accidentally bought a 50,000 car online. Did she take a joke a little too far . Well ask her. First, this is today on coming up, this isnt good news, why this flu season could be the worst in years. And who invented the french fry . First your local news. List of almost two thousand Corporate Partners Companies Like microsoft, American Red Cross and adobe to create options for you. Not only that, were using what we learn from these partners to shape our curriculum, so that when you find the job you want youll be a perfect fit. Lets get to work. Thanks to new jif chocolate flavored hazelnut spread. Now anytime of the day can be delicious time. Choosy moms choose jif. Progressoh [ female announcer ] with 40 delicious progresso soups at 100 calories or less, there are plenty of reasons people are saying progressoh share your progressoh story on facebook. [ female announcer ] take the special k challenge. Lose up to six pounds in two weeks. With the cereal you love. And so much more. What will you gain when you lose . Good morning, its 7 26 on this thursday, january 23rd with. A atraffic alert four drivers heading to d. C. Through Friendship Heights. Big delays on wisconsin avenue because of a water main break. Tony is live in chevy chase with more, tony . Reporter a significant backup along wisconsin avenue right now. Route by door set avenue. And if you look to our left you can see the water main break crews cutting out the old pipe and putting in the new one and say it wont be repaired until about 11 00 this morning and the road wont be paved until about 2 00 p. M. Major traffic backups along route 355 on to wisconsin. Well send it back to Alexis Davies in for danella. Thank you, two southbound lanes are closed on route 355 wisconsin avenue between cumberland avenue and dorset avenue. Elsewhere, 270 seeing delays as you head out of frederick this morning and as you approach the [ male announcer ] now at your neighborhood subway the big hot pastrami melt. We perfected the pastrami sandwich filled with hot, juicy pastrami, pickles, yellow mustard and bubbly melted cheese. All piledhigh on our signature freshly baked bread. Made hot, toasty and just for you. And dont be afraid to put your spin on this deli style deliciousity add your favorite ingredients, like spicy jalapenos or crisp green peppers. Get to your local subway and taste some perfect pastrami today subway. Eat fresh. Good morning, sun just now coming up over the potomac and a clearing sky. Live view and the sun will be with us throughout the rest of the Daylight Hours with temperatures struggle to get above freezing over the next hour so right now Reagan National at 31. Elsewhere, down into the low to mid 20s. Nearby suburbs, teens. Farther west and north, later today into the upper 30s to near 40 around the metro. Staying only in the 30s elsewhere. Lots of sunshine and more of the same on friday and saturday. Although maybe a little milder during the afternoons. And sunday looking cloudy with a small chance of flurries and highs reaching mid 40s. Back to you. Why did you buy that 50,000 car on ebay . I didnt. You did. Oh, can we it wont cancel it. You hit buy. That is 8yearold kenyon getting a little upset after his mom told him he had accidentally bought a mustang online. She posted it on youtube. You know what, not everyone is laughing about that. Is it funny or a prank gone too far. Well talk about that with kenyon and his mom when they join us in a couple minutes. They seem to be smiling about it. 7 30 on a thursday morning, the iii of january, 2013. Im matt lauer with erica hill in for savannah. A georgia woman free on bond after she allegedly hit a 17yearold student with a car with a dispute over a parking space. You wont believe whos behind the wheel. We have bad news when it comes to flu season, off to a quick start, cases now reported in all 50 states. Well talk about that with nancy snyderman. You are hearing more and more people complaining about the flu. And als battle with obesity, a struggle that started when he was a child with ups and downs and he will explain why hes never going back to being overweight. This is a new book that will be inspirational to more people. A sperm donor at the center of a bizarre legal battle. Can the state force him to pay Child Support. Michelle franzen is in topeka. Good morning. Reporter good morning, erica. The state of kansas is seeking at least 6,000 in Child Support from a topeka sperm donor who signed away his parental rights more than three years ago to give a family the child they wanted and hes now preparing for a Long Court Battle to prove hes not the legal parent. When william decided to be a storm donor in 2009, he thought it would be an act of kindness to help a lesbian couple conceive a child. Its difficult when there are no men in there and i donated. Now the 46yearold is caught up in a Child Support legal battle, not with the couple but with the state of kansas. No good deed goes unpunished. Reporter the former mechanic found and ad posted on craigs list. It offered 50 but decided, along with his wife, kimberly, to take no payment. This is nowhat we signed up for. Reporter he signed a legal contract with this woman and her partner at the time giving up any legal rights and the contract also says he would never be held responsible for any Child Support. The couple has since separated but still care for the child together. We never intended for him to financially support her. That was our responsibility as her two parents. Reporter bauer became ill last year and her partner applied for Financial Assistance and kansas does not recognize same sex marriage and bauer could not legally adopt the child. Have the joy of raising her and loving her every single day. Its only because of william that i have that. In a statement, kansas Officials Say the state is entitled to pursue Child Support costs in cases where the parties do not go through a licensed physician or clinic. There remains the question who actually is the father of the child or children. In such case, dcf is required by statute to establish paternity and then pursue Child Support from the noncustodial parent. The idea is the state of kansas shouldnt be paying support if there is a person legally obligated to pay support. Reporter maurada says the case made him question his good intentions. With what i know now, i dont think i would have been a sperm donor. Reporter his family has filed an argument to have this case dismissed and hes trying to figure out how to pay the thousands of dollars in legal fees hes already had to in cur. Thanks. Now, a check of the weather now from mr. Roker. Thank you so much, mr. Lauer, as we go to the big weather wall and show you what we have. It is cold not only in the northeast but southern texas where theyre looking at snow. Look at these temperatures, amarillo, 12 degrees belownow, below normal. Salt lake, 27, mobile 11 degrees below normal. Boston will get up to 24 degrees. In the teens in cleveland and look at these afternoon temperatures. Teens and 20s throughout the lanes. 40s in the Pacific Northwest and down to southern florida to find some warm weather with the 80s. But some showers in Central Florida along the southeastern atlantic coast. Look for snow showers and windy conditions through southern texas and showers moving back to the Pacific Northwest. Thats whats going on around the country. Heres whats happening in your neck of the woods. 20s and teens and partly cloudy sky clearing later today with lots of sunshine and rice reaching upper 30s to near 40. 20s tomorrow morning. And news4 out look, a dry pat person. Highs of mid 40s and sunday, maybe midtoupper 40s and briefly a small chance of a flurry as a front comes through with clouds. Good weather for the skins game dont forget that weather on cable and weather. Com. Got the ducks going up again. Wildcat wildcats matt. Al. Thank you very much. Now, to a parking dispute in Georgia Police say got way out of hand. Surveillance video shows a driver hitting a High School Student with her car. Thats shocking enough. Whats even more surprising is the identity of the driver. Gabe is in cartersville, georgia. Good morning. Reporter matt, good morning. It seemed like any other day just after christmas, a busy walmart parking lot, shoppers vying for a space. A teenager claims one driver went too far. Reporter a parking lot showdown caught on camera. Pay attention to the girl in the dark pants, right there. Then watch this white suv, as it drives down the aisle, pauses, then i thought she was going to pull out. I didnt think she would actually hit me. Emily says she was holding a parking spot for her brothers girlfriend, a new mom. Things got ugly. She approached and rolled down her window and told me to move. I politely said im saving the parking space. She tells me to move again and rams me with her vehicle. Reporter the case is getting a lot of attention as it turns out the driver is the vice chair of the school board, the same district where she is a high school senior. I was a child in this situation and she acted like the child. Reporter police reviewed the video, measured the tire marks on the girls jeans and arrested co coronett. From the video, its obvious the pedestrian was standing there and the vehicle lurched forward and has to get out of the way quickly. Reporter but her attorneys s says the student leaned against the vehicle and the tire marks only show it brushed against her not that she was run over. Mrs. Coronette regretful this occurred and dont believe any l laws have been broken. This video says it all. Reporter it is something the police are looking into. I cant believe somebody would hit somebody, especially over a parking space. Thats not really important at all. Reporter the district superintendent is with holding comment until this case works its way through the courts. The School Board Members Attorney Says while his client regrets the incident, she did not break the law, matt. Thats going to be open for debate, gabe. Thank you very much. Looked like a pretty big parking lot. One more loop around might have yielded a parking spot. Seems a little out of control. Flu cases in all 50 states, is this going to be the worst season in years . We talk with doctor nancy right after this. You can actually use. Tragically, their buddy got sacked by blackouts. But its our tradition thats roughing the card holder. But with the capital one venture card you get double miles you can actually use. [ cheering ] any flight, anytime. The scoreboard doesnt lie. Whats in your wallet . Hut i have me on my fantasy team. To say get well to your loved ones. This came for you, mommy. [ female announcer ] but it takes the touch of kleenex® brand, americas softest tissue, to turn a gesture into a complete gift of care. [ barks ] send your own free kleenex® care pack. Full of soothing essentials at kleenex. Com. Kleenex®. Americas softest tissue. Try our new southwestern mac and cheese with grilled chicken, served with soup or salad. Chilis lunch combos. Starting at 6 bucks. More life happens here. Yep. Doh. [ boy ] slurpably fun and a good source of calcium. Dads who get it, get gogurt. These are sandras homemade yummy, scrumptious bars. Hmm . I just wanted you to eat more fiber. Chewy, oatie, gooeyness. And fraudulence. Im in deep, babe. You certainly are. [ male announcer ] fiber one. Im in deep, babe. You certainly are. With a new project in mind, some howto knowledge to give us an new years clutter is no match for someone with big ideas. Edge, and more savings down every aisle. It only takes a few twists and turns for those bright ideas to make the new year even brighter. More saving. More doing. Thats the power of the home depot. Start fresh and save with hdx 20 gallon totes, a special buy at just 5. 88 a piece. The. Special buy. The. Special buy. back now at 7 41. Flu season is off to its earliest start in nearly a decade with cases reported in all 50 states and has some of us wondering if it might be a sign of worse things to come. Dr. Nancy snyderman. If you havent gotten your flu shot, it may not be too late . It may still be early. We may be looking at a flu season that goes into spring. Normally we tell people to get their flu shots in september, november, october, if you havent done it, do it now. Normally we see a spike in januaryfebruary, this started more early december. It started early. It started in the south where we dont normally see it and weve seen a continuous spike. Not only early but a lot. Thats probably because its isolated to this influenza a, hta, technical term. The last time we saw it was in the 20022003 flu season which was notoriously bad. I dont expect this one to have a lull right now, especially with the cold snap in the northeast. People are coming in and closing their door and were passing germs more readily in the north and i suspect it continues in the winter and early spring. And we dont havehave a map l 50 states and strongest in the south and east. If you look at that southeastern red hot zone, i suspect we will see more states turn red over the next couple months. You mentioned the h strain. How successful was this . They nailed it. They turn this scientific guest work what will be around the bend. We have hits and misses. They nailed it this year. The vaccine is not only good, its for everybody. Even if youre a Young Healthy woman and thinks its not for me. If youre pregnant, it protects your fetus, if youre grandparents around children, it protects your kids. And it is hard to knock out and theres the nasal mist if you cant muscle up the courage for the needle. And people young and old and most at risk, besides getting the flu shot or washing your hands, anything else you should be paying attention to . Its so interesting, we have become so lax about Public Health and we can prevent disease, we thank our doctors for giving us antibiotics and going to the hospital, something as simple as an immunization can keep you from getting sick in the first place. If i can keep you from getting sick at your sickbed two weeks and a compromised person, young person, pregnant woman, thats a really important part about Public Health. Last year, we saw pregnant women as their own isolated group. I think its safe to say for everyone 6 months or older, get your flu shot and prevent illness. 25 to 40,000 people die every year from the flu and no reason to do it anymore. Its not just you, the people around you. Absolutely. Protect those around you. Nice to see you. Still ahead, al shares his personal candid story about his lifelong struggle with weight. Up next, the Battle Royale with french fries. Are they really french . Had a cl. Shed been doing her own tax returns for maybe two or three years. I said, let me just lookem over and make sure theres no mistakes. They were really, really wrong. I did them over, and i called her. And said, youre gonna get a total of about 10,000 back. I wave my wand and refunds suddenly appear. I can help you. Now you can get 4 box tops for education on 70 General Mills products. 4 more box tops. So we can help our schools even more. Thats 84 box tops [ female announcer ] get 4 box tops, now only a walmart. She gives me snickers Peanut Butter squared and i eat it. Its snickers with creamy Peanut Butter, would you like one . Lets just keep an open mind. [ groans ] [ male announcer ] if you like Peanut Butter and chocolate, youll love Peanut Butter and snickers. Try snickers Peanut Butter squared. I got it made, i got it made i got it made fresh at subway breakfast made the way i say [ male announcer ] at subway, you got breakfast made. Like an under 200 calorie steak egg white cheese. Subway. Eat fresh. Like an under 200 calorie steak egg white cheese. We replaced people with a machine. R, what . Customers didnt like it. So why do banks do it . Hello . Hello . if your bank doesnt let you talk to a real person 24 7, you need an ally. Hello . Ally bank. Your money needs an ally. Thats been wrapped in a flaky crust stuffed with a gooey center toasted up all golden brown then given a delicious design . A toaster strudel. Pillsbury toaster strudel. So delicious. So fun. Pillsbury toaster strudel. Ive always had to keep my eye on her. But, i didnt always watch out for myself. With so much noise about health care. I tuned it all out. With unitedhealthcare, i get information that matters. My individual health profile. Not random statistics. They even reward me for addressing my health risks. So im doing fine. But shes still going to give me a heart attack. Were more than 78,000 people looking out for more than 70 million americans. Thats health in numbers. Unitedhealthcare. [ man ] excuse me miss. [ gasps ] this fiber one 90 calorie brownie has all the deliciousness you desire. The brownie of your dreams is now deliciously real. Nice people waiting outside. Well go out there in a couple minutes. Meanwhile, one of americas favorite snack is the subject of a fierce debate in europe. The question is this, are french fries really french . Michele kaczynski is in paris, good morning to you. Reporter here, they call them fried potatoes. The americans named them french. The bell gins decided to investigate. The french dont really care. For the centuries of peeling, chopping, luxurious hot oil treatments, whether in the suddenly gone translate bag or work of culinary art. Bon appetite. Reporter could it really be the crispy salty, restoratively groce french fries is actually not french . We took to the streets of paris and found surrender. Are they really french . Yeah. No, theyre belgian. You think theyre belgian . Yeah, i think so. Reporter we asked foodies. Would you be terribly upset if french fries were not actually french . No. Reporter consulted authors, experts. Even though theyre belgian, i still think of them as french. Reporter you know theyre belgian . Everybody says theyre belgian. Reporter belgians, who serve thousands with mayonnaise decided to find out which tale from the deep fryer of history might be true. Could those from the revolution not eat cake but potatoes to survive or was it belgian fishermen lacking fish to fry invented fries. The belgians finally decided the french story was the more plausible but still as unclear as a wellused fry pit. Reporter is it important to you they be french . No,it isnt. The most important is its delicious. I dont care. Doesnt any dispense their fries as french . Youre willing to fight for the french fry . Not really. Everyone say theyre belgian so reporter you dont mind . No. I think we have more than just french fries. Reporter but of course. Its not belgian fries . No. Reporter my hand slipped whatever they are, theyre still good, arent they . We hope so. [ speaking Foreign Language ] well, some accounts have this spanish scarfing down fries as early as the 1500s and long before freedom fries, remember those . It may have been american soldiers in world war i who named them in french but only after trying them in french speaking belgium. All that matters is theyre hot, slightly crispy and seasoned with coarse salt because we may never know the truth about fries, matt. No. Were going to get to the bottom of it right now, michelle. Thank you very much. We turned to willie geist all things world history. French or belgian . I think theyre belgian. Ive done the work. Southern part of the country . I spoke to someone else and he says theyre belgian. Which tastes better . French fries or belgian fries . Should we try . Only one way to find out. Which ones which. You have to ask which ones which . Theyre more of a meal in belgium. In france, more of a side dish. In belgium, lots of mayonnaise. Do you like mayonnaise on it . A little too much oil. I like the way it clears out your sinuses. Is that the belgian . Those are belgian. Those are french. Those are pretty good, too. Belgian is the father. Sorry, paris, back after your local news. Or tall. Its not all about who sparkles the most. Or who is the best dressed. What nature really cares about is what you have to offer. Like the stevia plant. Small and humble with a surprising secret to share. Sweetness. Truvia sweetener. Zerocalorie sweetness, born from the stevia leaf. From nature, for sweetness. But add some sauce, pepperoni and cheese and fold up the crescent dough. And presto tuesday night just became crescent pizza pockettastic pillsbury crescents. Let the making begin [ female announcer ] hamburger helper stroganoff. Beefy. Creamy. Stroganoffy. Helpers. Forty dishes, all delicious. [ male announcer ] lets go places. Not just the ones you can find on a map. But the ones you can find in your heart. Lets go beyond everything we know. And embrace everything we dont. And once weve reached our destination, lets keep going. Because inspiration doesnt favor those who sit still. It dances with the daring. Oh, oh, ohoh, oh [ male announcer ]. And rewards the courageous with ideas that excite, challenge, even inspire. Ideas that take you places you never imagined. Ideas big enough and powerful enough to make the heart skip a beat and, in some cases, maybe two. Toyota. Lets go places. 7 56 is your time. Good morning. Traffic alert on wisconsin avenue just north of the Friendship Heights metro station. A water main broke last night and work is still going on with one lane getting by but big delays so avoid wisconsin avenue if you can can. Now for a look at the rest of the first 4 traffic heres Alexis Davies. We have an accident in vienna. Leesburg pike. Use caution. 50 westbound, accident blocking the right lane. You can see from these live look the delays start at route 410. Significant delays. Good morning, sunshine now and teens northwest of the matter area. 20s localry right around the beltway in the nearby suburbs and near 30 around the bay, Northern Neck Eastern Shore later today. Only reaching upper 30s to near 40 with lots of sun. Cold mornings and chilly afternoons but dry weather tomorrow to the middle of next were back on a thursday morning, the iii day of january, 2013. You know what . What even though its chilly out, were in the mid20s, pretty cold out here. Gold star for everybody sticking out the chill. We appreciate you sticking by. Think about it. Its 11313 today. Erica is here while savannah is taking a little vacation time. Were joined by mr. Roker as well. Coming up, the excitement we all remember probably when you get your first car . Yeah. A good thing, when you mean to do it. That is probably not the feeling this 8yearold had when her mom let him use her ipad and told him he had bought a 50,000 car online. As you can see he was a little upset about it. The video was posted on youtube getting plenty of reaction and some people thought it was funny and others said, mom, you went a little too far and well talk to mom and kenyon and see how they feel about it. We will talk to mr. Roker. Weve known each other 20 years or so. Throughout that time, al has made no secret about the fact he has struggled with weight, on and off successfully and not so successfully and hes written a new book called never going back. If youre someone that has struggled, you will find a lot of inspiration in it. And well be back with you. Im looking forward to sharing thoughts and in sight, not a preachy book and maybe giving you my path and maybe it will help you. We look forward to it. We will go inside. Natalie is off and willie geist standing at the newsdesk. Good morning. Good morning, everyone. It is back to school for the children of sandy hook elementary. It is back to school for the First Time Since a gunman killed 20 children and six of the staff at a connecticut school. And they have outfitted a building in nearby monroe connecticut to accommodate him. Secretary of state clinton has been released from the hospital after doctors treated a blood clot in her head and expected to make a full recovery. President obama signed the fiscal cliff bill raising taxes on the wealthiest americans, and the battle over spending cuts will be taken over by the 113th congress that begins today and their First Priority is approving aid for hurricane victims and the senate will have a new look with over 20 female victims. Families that lost loved ones in the aurora colorado email massacre have a new source of outrage, an email inviting them to the movies reopening. Good morning. Good morning. Many of these families say the pain is still too fresh to revisit the place they lost their loved ones. Reporter 12 lives were taken in just seconds, when a gunman opened fire at a Movie Theater in aurora, colorado. That theater is set to reopen this month. The parents of victim jessica, wont be there. None of us are ever interested in stepping foot in that theater, that killing field ever again. Reporter what hurts even more, they say, they were invited to the reopening via email from the Colorado Office of victim assist stance two days after christmas. Cinemark, the owner of the theater would like to invite you and a special guest to an evening of remembrance. The invitation asks guests to please reserve tickets for you and your guest by responding to this email. We understand this may be a difficult time for you. Counselors will be available at the theater if you would like to speak to someone. They never returned a phone call, they never sent a condolence letter. But now they want the Public Relations ploy of having us there to support their grand reopening. Jessicas family and several other victims family countdoer with their own lettered, our family members will never be on this earth with us again and a movie ticket and some token words from people who didnt care enough to reach out to us nor respond when we reached out to talk to them is appalling. As early as last september, the mayor of aurora sent the theater a letter saying after hearing from the victims of the shooting and the community, we are hearing a collective wish and desire for the community to reopen. At least one family who cosigned the letter placed a lawsuit against the chain accusing them of security measures. And they asked for it to be dismissed because there was no way to foresee a mass shooting. And the shooter will be in court next week. Thanks. For a special edition of whats trending today and our all baby edition, what has you talking online, the first viral photo, the mim imagine of a baby grabbing a doctors finger during her csection delivery. It was taken by an arizona dad in october and just posted on the Moms Facebook page. Incredible. Definitely dont try this at home. A baby girls ride on a roomba robotic vacuum cleaner originally posted three years ago, now posted online and attracting criticism from those who feel the baby could have been hurt. Looks like shes having fun. And no worries for this baby born with a natural fear of vacuum cleaners. See you later. Thats true. Anybody with kids knows a vacuum cleaner scares them. Lets hope they wouldnt do that over and over again. Im sure they wouldnt do that for the benefit of a viral video. Nobody would do that, willie, right . Never. Never. Thank you, sir. Mr. Roker has a check of the weather. Its a little chilly outside. Its very recoupup prative. Youre 91 years old . You look fantastic. Its grandma . Happy birthday, grand ma. Me, especially, yeah, grandma lets check your weather and see what weve got for you. Seattle, washingt you. Seattle, washington, cloudy, cold and 44 degrees. Well take 44 today. Look at this front bringing showers from the gulf coast to the southeast atlantic states. Got a clipper coming across the breaks great lakes and bringing light snow, one to three inches and another front coming in bringing showers into the Pacific Northwest. Snow in the big bend area of texas, three to six inches and the mountains could see eight inches before its over. I like this drawing of the four of us. Weve been made anime. Its your 17th birthday . Yes. Heres whats happeninging in your neck of the woods. Very cold this morning. Good morning, im storm team4 meterologist tom kierein. Heres a live view from the city camera showing the eastern skies streaked with high clouds. The sunrise was about half an hour ago or so and its 30 degrees thousand at Reagan National with a gentle breeze. And we have temperatures elsewhere northwest of washington. Down into the teens right around the beltway and only lid i 20s and later today. 30 t thats your latest weather. You know that picture willie showed a second ago of the csection, baby grabbing he hand. This is jimmy, our cameraman, who said what the baby was saying, hey, pull my finger you should be so proud of yourself. Thank you so much. A beautiful moment ruined. Coming up, a mom who had her 8yearold son in tears when she told him he accidentally bought a 50,000 car online. Well talk to them but first these messages. [ female announcer ] now yoplait is the only yogurt brand endorsed by Weight Watchers and your taste buds have always endorsed us. So, you know what this means. This is a real win win yoplait, it is so good. I made the clear choice. Im getting claritin clear with claritind. Nasal congestion keep me away . Not since i made the clear choice. Nondrowsy claritind. Decongestant products on the shelf can take hours to start working. Claritind starts to work in just 30 minutes. I cant wait hours for a nasal decongestant. Thats why i made the clear choice and got claritind. It has the best decongestant for colds. This cold season, get claritind at the pharmacy counter. Live claritin clear. Mom, pop it. Two inches apart, becky. Two inches. Tminus nine minutes. [ ding ] [ female announcer ] pillsbury cinnamon rolls. Let the making begin. For their annual football trip. Thats double miles you can actually use. Tragically, their buddy got sacked by blackouts. But its our tradition thats roughing the card holder. But with the capital one venture card you get double miles you can actually use. [ cheering ] any flight, anytime. The scoreboard doesnt lie. Whats in your wallet . Hut i have me on my fantasy team. Delicious. But say i press a few out flat. Add some beef sloppy joe sauce. And cheese fold it all up and boom i just made an unbeatable unsloppy joe pillsbury grands biscuits. Let the making begin. With mcdonalds dollar menu at breakfast. Home of the irresistible sausage burrito. And freshly brewed Premium Roast coffee you love. Plus other amazing tastes for just a dollar each. Every day, as always, theres a lot to love for a little on mcdonalds dollar menu. Just about 12 minutes after 8 00 now. Back with a mothers prank that has a lot of people talking. Her 8yearold son was using her ipad looking at cars on earthquakebay, when he thought he accidentally purchased an expensive car. Why did you buy that 50,000 car on ebay . I didnt. You did. I did . Can we get it . It wont cancel it. You hit buy. Is that true . Did i . Im afraid so. Well have to sell everything, im horrible. Youre not horrible, baby, you make a mistake. Oh, no what kind of car was it . It was a mustang. I didnt mean to buy it. I was just looking at it. Then when i tried to exit out it buyed. I didnt mean to. I was like, oh, no hey, bub. You didnt buy it. You didnt buy it. Oh. So youre sitting here watching that. Youre kind of laughing as youre watching yourself. You werent laughing when it happened. What did you think when your mom said she was kidding . I was like, that was a funny little prank. So you werent too worried . You thought it was kind of funny. What made you grab your phone and Start Recording this . He got pretty upset at one point. He has some emotional responses sometimes and i thought it would be pretty comical. I thought i would just record it mostly for him to watch, but it turned out to be a lott funnier than i anticipated. You had a little cabin fever trapped inside passing the flu back and forth among your family. Then you decided to put it on youtube. Boy, what a response you got. My goodness, yes. What kind of response are you hearing from people . Some positive and some negative. Heard a lot of things about my parenting. I think i caught more flak for a vertical video than even my parenting. You kind have have to let it roll off your back. There have been some pretty pointed comments, one saying this is a classic example how to teach our children how not to trust any. Right. I think honestly teaching your kids to have a sense of humor is pretty important and teaching them to take a joke is a good deal, too. I think hes just fine. I dont think its going to cause trust issues. So, kenyon, have you been back on the ipad since . Yeah. I go on the ipad, i just dont go on skype as much. You were trying to find a car to build with your dad . You guys were trying to restore a car . Yeah. We cant get you a 50,000 mustang. Just as a Little Something to tide you and your sister over we heard in the background offered to share her allowance with you. We have a couple of cars for you to take back with you. One for you and one for your sister to tide you over. You think you will post any videos . If i do, they will not be vertical. For those watching, thats how the shot was taken. Its a collectible. Glad we passed the test. Coming up next, al opens up his struggles with weight and what it finally took to overcome them right after this. We were skipping stones and letting go [ female announcer ] Nature Valley granola bars, rich dark chocolate, toasted oats. Perfect combinations of natures delicious ingredients, from Nature Valley. Nature valley granola bars, nature at its most delicious. To make Peanut Butter so deliciously creamy. It can even be a game changer. Thats why choosy moms and dads choose jif. [ annoyed ] im pure milk chocolate on the inside. And i love that about you. And here i thought you loved me for my brain. Is that made of chocolate too . yer always after me lucky charms whoa. I forgot how good these taste [ lucky ] theyre magically delicious trying to find a better job can i folikbe frustrating. Gs,aste so at university of phoenix were working with a growing list of almost two thousand Corporate Partners Companies Like microsoft, American Red Cross and adobe to create options for you. Not only that, were using what we learn from these partners to shape our curriculum, so that when you find the job you want youll be a perfect fit. Lets get to work. Back now at 8 18. Millions of americans making a resolution to lose a little weight. As al will tell you, its a struggle. He lost more than 100 pounds a decade ago. In his new book never going back, he kept it off. Talking with dr. Nancy spiderman. Reporter ten years after undergoing gastric bypass surgery, al roker has finally shed the fat man image. You look more handsome in person. Reporter but five years when his mother was in the hospital, his old habits came creeping back. Al turned to junk food to deal with the pain and gained 40 pounds. One thing you drive home is surgically is not the be all and end all . No. It is a means. Just another tool in the toolbox to lose weight. You can eat through a bypass. You have. Ive done it. I was lucky, i was able to put on the brakes and found something that helped me get back on track. You can eat through it. Heres whats happening in your neck of the woods. Reporter it was from that moment gone al changed his diet for good. He went on a 28 day detox plan cutting out caffeine, alcohol, sugar, dairy and gluten. He lost 28 pounds in the first 28 days. I think the problem for most people is not the losing of the weight. I think most people can lose the weight. Its the keeping the weight off. Maintaining was a killer. Reporter so how does he do it . Al began a workout routine called the slow method, exercise for 30 minutes three times a week. Strength training creates more lean body mass, in turn burns more calories. Al changed his diet to only whole unprocessed foods, high in protein and low in carbs. It sounds basically you need a discipline and rules around a very specific part of your life . Thats when i do best. I dont want to do points, i dont want to do this, i dont want to do that. Just tell me what ive got to eat. Reporter hes stuck to his new routine for the past four years and says hes never going back. I was there and i went back. I hated it. I didnt like the way i felt. I know what i have to do now to keep that from happening again. Were joined now by al and dr. Nancy. Good to see you guys. I think theres points people want to know about. 340 pounds at your heaviest, you talked about binging. Yes. You are a successful public picture, happy family, everything. People want to know what was the cause of the binging . What was the unhappiness. One of those things to a certain extent, you dont feel worthy, dont feel like youre going to be found out as a fraud and not as good as you think you are, all those Different Things and i really like food. Beyond having a good piece of steak or Something Like that, id have to have two steaks. I remember after the surgery, i sat here and it was like the incredible shrinking man in front of our eyes, you were dropping the pounds and dropping the pounds. It seemed as if it was going off without a hitch. You write in the book there were a lot of challenges. Absolutely. Its a breakfast program, dumping issue if you eat something high fat and high sugar. You can have an embarrassing experience. At the white house with the easter egg roll. I thought one thing would happen and Something Else happened and had to get rid of my shorts. Its a breakfast show. You also open up in your book the pressures being obese put on your marriage. You ce said your wife said to you, she once told me my feelings werent just about my weight about my lack of discipline and low selfesteem. How do you feel when the loved one in your life says that to you . It brings you up short. Even that really wasnt enough to say, you have to do something about this. That was the problem. For the folks in their life who are overweight, i will help them. Its not just a help. We know were fat. Ive known als wife longer than ive known al. When debra sat down, she said i always thought there was a third person in this marriage, food. Its not my problem. Its als. I can be supportive but its als problem and he has to do it. Was she worried about him . She was there in a supportive role knowing this is his life to live. A lot of people can identify this. I have shared a very special relationship with my scale. Sometimes i think im more married to my scale than i am to deborah. I live by the number i wake up to every morning. How does it feel today when you wake up and look at the number . Are you still as careful about it . I weigh myself dr. Nancy thinks im nuts. In the morning makes sense. In the morning and at night. I knowy that number is. If ive gone off over the new years holiday i gained three pounds and working to get that off again and i dont want that number to go up. You also know what triggers your eating these days. Are most people as good about identifying it . The great thing about al, this is a lifelong change, not a diet. He knows what his triggers are. He loves food. He loves great food and he loves junk food. When mcrib came up in the conversation, i could see the spit coming out of his mouth, he was like, seriously, seriously . Where have you been my friend this is the real al. He knows it. Its not that hes done with it. He knows the demons, and, frankly, hes figured out ways to get around them. Is that fair . Yeah. You talked about eating through the bypass. Right. You also talked about finding something that could get you back on track. Im not sure i understand exactly what got you back on track. You know a friend of mine, john harris, gained 40 pounds, lost it, looked terrific. I saw him, say what are you doing . People do deficit cleanses and i use that in combination with this slow workout from this trainer, melissa bowman. It really helped change me. Heres the part that made me a little sad. You write this in the book, you talk about how much more you could have achieved if you didnt feel while being fat, if you had been fit you could have achieved more. You still have doubts about that. Not that im complaining about where im am, im thrilled where i am. Life is pretty good. Terrific. I wouldnt trade it for a moment. You always wonder where you would be if x hadnt happened. Look, im thrilled i finally got to this place, at 58 years old, i finally got it figured out and feel good about it. Do you still get the occasional person that walks by and say i preferred you when thats their problem. And others say that hey, you cheated by a gastric bypass. You look great and feel great. Thats more important. Al will do a chat and we will have more after the local news. Breaking news at 8 26. News4 confirmed a body found in adams morgan and a young man who vanished on new years eve. The police found the body of michael powe in a shaft in the parmt building on built more street. He was last seen on new years eve. No word on a cause of death. Also aa heads up trying to drive through Friendship Heights. This is a theres a water main break on wisconsin avenue north of the Friendship Heights metro station. That happened last night as well. One lane getting by right now and that is causing some major [ mom ] dear chex cereal, i just had to write. You cant imagine how long ive been searching for Something Like this for my family. Im amazed you make so many great flavors that are gluten free. My guys are crazy for chocolate chex and honey nut chex. For me, its cinnamon. It means a lot to be able to give them something thats good for them, that also puts smiles on their faces. cause i really love those smiles. Were the harris family. And we love chex. [ male announcer ] love chex . Connect with us on facebook. Good morning, an hour poost sunrise still in the teens northwest of the metro area. Its in the low 20s around the beltway and upper 20s south and east and later today. 30s to near 40 with lots of sun and a cold morning tomorrow morning and low to mid 20s and afternoon highs mid 40s on friday and saturday and sunday. A lot of clouds around on saturday afternoon and evening into sunday and then dry in the its the new year and jay welcomes an old friend, plus arnold schwarzenegger. The best and brightest. Freestyling with the roots. Tonight on nbc. 8 30 now on a thursday morning. T the 3rd day of january 2013. Take a gander at the Rockefeller Plaza and the christmas tree, only a few days to check it out. It comes down on monday. Get down here and enjoy a last like at that iconic holiday symbol. Im matt lauer and here with erica hill while savannah is taking time out. And mr. Al roker and mr. Pickpocket with those gloves, be careful, he can pick a wallet in two seconds. Whats coming up . Its that time of year everybody wants to lose a little weight. What if you didnt lose weight and want to dress like it. You know, al, i could save you a lot of time and effort here. But when you get to a size 60 suit, it doesnt matter. We have style secrets to maybe help you dress a little thinner and make you feel younger in what you wear and better walking out the door. Lets be honest. After the holidays, you feel a little bit blue and wonder whats coming up in the new year. And we will tell you how to master your emotions. A lot of College Grads hitting the streets, its tough out there. We will tell you about 13 companies doing great from hightech to retail and where you should be looking. Before we get any further, for a second straight day, Meredith Vieira has Kathie Lee Gifford locked in a closet so she can take another turn at the fourth hour with miss hoda kotb. Good morning. Good morning. What are you doing today . We are going to talk about this controversial tv show called buck wild. Buck naked but called buck wild. And critics say its the appalachian version of jersey shor shore. We will have stars on. I said that. I dont listen when she talks. We will have mimi leaks on, a nice little actress, talking about the new normal, that show hes on. And having al on our show. No cursing, nothing today . I did not curse. Okay. I thought i heard something slip yesterda yesterday. Hoda. And meredith in our fourth hour. Mr. Roker, check of over the weekend, tomorrow we have snow showers on the eastern great lakes. And snow continues in Central Texas and rain in southern texas and look for showers in the Pacific Northwest and on saturday, weve got more lake effect snow showers hanging around and wet weather down through the gulf coast and showers along the Pacific Northwest coast and sunny and cold and windy in new england and sunday sunday, we got more snow showers around the great lakes. Frigid in the plains. Cool weather stretching from the plains all the way down into texas. Rain along the Pacific Northwest kohls to Central California and snow interior sections of the Pacific Northwest into the central area as well. Thats whats going on around the country. Good morning, im storm team4 meterologist tom kierein. Sky ask streaked with trails over capitol hill on this very cold thursday morning. Third day of january. Live view from the city camera. Now 30 degrees at regan thashl. Thats one of the warm spots. On the warmer waters of the potomac. Teens northwest of the metro area and later today, into the 30s. Maybe bravely near 40 right in washington. Lots of sunshine, cold mornings and chilly afternoons. And t weather. We will tell people we will have more on your book never going back and struggle with weight loss over the years on dat l dateline, mr. Roker telling more of the story. Thank you, sir. Now, lets head to washington d. C. And say hello to big willie scott. Reporter the National Gallery of arts hosting us today. How nice of them. Ill get my hockey skates and do and show you figure 8 United States states figure 8s in a minute. You will be here a long time. If you look at hans moen, from bridgeport, washington state. 100 years old today. He loves restoring old cars. I have to send him a couple, he might love my old cars. I have a couple. Paula blumenfield, of new york, new york, a former model and still looks fantastic. Beautiful ankles and gorgeous knees. And we have father richard raner, from fort myers, beach, ordained as a priest in 1958. God bless. Still performs daily mass. Here is the highly acclaimed katherine atwater from boomer, West Virginia. Avid seem stress and very active in her church. And take a look at emerson burkhardt, from margate city, the great state of new jersey. 100 years old today. He was a Flight Surgeon in the air force during world war ii. God bless you. Here is lucretia martin. 100 years old today. A registered midwife. And she loves to dance. Cant beat that. Take a look at glenn if you will, please. Glenn cunning ham from des moines, iowa. He is 100 years old today. He loves to play golf. He is a good man and played golf once with dwight eisenhower. How about that . Now, back to the great city of new york on the hudson. Thank you very much. When we come back. Simple style tricks that will trim years off your appearance. First on a thursday morning, this is today on nbc. Back now at 8 38 with todays style. Simple changes that will make you look younger and thinner in a mere seconds. Fashion contributor and fashion editor, nice to see you. We need instantaneous gratification. We have really great styling tricks. We will start off with people thinking they need to look a little more youthful sometimes. You have options for us michelle is sporting for us. Michelle head to toe looks much younger. I think she wont mind me saying shes 43 and looks not a day over 25. It looks casual and dont want it to look sloppy. You dont want to look like youre try toing to look too young. This is the big friend for the season. Almost a little bit schoolgirlish, not too much. Opaque tights better than sheers, more youthful and this shoe has a youthful appeal. And lady like strap rather than purse with a handle, a grownup schoolbag. A good look if we want to look a little bit more youthful. And there are other ways to make yourself appear slimmer. Its amazing. The right accessories can drop areas you dont want attention to. Your bag for example. Your bag can make you look slimmer. If you have a tiny clutch. And if youre heavyset, but not even for heavyset, its disproportionat disproportionate. And big and sloppy. That will add pounds. This is the natural skinniest part. You use a belt, its miraculous. Put it over a blazer or dress and do something with stretch in it and not too skinny. Skinny belts should be for skinny skinny people. You dont want muffin top going over it. And this is worn by the duchess of cambridge. She has supported this more than once. Whos counting . These are great pumps, nude, elongate the leg. Think about the heel size, every inch, five pounds lost and why i wear five inch heels. So do i. And on someone heavier set will look disproportion at and bigger. And its a bit to walk in without the platform. Yes. And then you dont fall. Jewelry. Jewelry on the necklace, draws the eye down and elongates. Elongates. Love the elongate. Some other makeup tips you have for us that can help wipe away the years which we all love. Fake tan were not encouraging orange look but fake tans can take back the years, makes you look more toned and fresh and covers a multitude of flaws. This is my favorite for the moment. Get something two shades darker than your skin. You can fake muscle definition, if you put one more layer on the tricep and bicep, it can make you look more toned. Makeup, if you want to look more natural, youre wearing makeup. It has oxygen in it and it plugs the skin instantaneously. Its sheer, not a heavy look and not add the ages. Knew dont feel you have to scrape it off. Hair is important, too . Fringes and bangs, hides the crows feet and wrinkles. This is a fringe you can place in. If you dont want to commit to the bang. Exactly, angela david, a great friend. Ponytail is a quick shortcut to a face lift, lifts the eyes and forehead. Shows off your cheekbones. And this is very important, always use shape wear. How fitted should it be . You dont want it too tight . Absolutely. Some women buy something too tight and thinks it will have a better benefit. No, it budges in all areas. It should compress you and helps you keep your posture better because it sucks you in. You should be able to breathe, too. We have a layer here, layering can actually help us look thinner . Layer yourself thin. If you choose a darker color underneath, it draws attention to here and minimizes the area. It also makes you look like you know what youre doing when it comes to styling. You have a cardigan, blazer streamlines it, two thin layers. Not talking bulky. Clean slimlines and choose a jean thats not tiedyeed but washed. Thank you so much up next, the Top Companies for new College Graduates looking for a job in 2013. First, this is today on nbc. Were back at 8 46. As College Seniors head into their final semester, many are starting the all important job search. This morning, we have the top 13 companies College Graduates will want to work for. Editor of inc magazine which focuses on this. Good morning. Glad to have you here. As we mention these, not in any special order. Thats right. My team put together a mix, some politic and some public. Employees who worked there said we love working here. Who knows better than the employees themselves. Are these Companies Hiring . Thats right. Theyre all growing. Cant be a great place to work if theyre not hiring. Lets talk about companies, facebook, google, microsoft, some of the ones you like. Why . Tech is a hot field. This is the place job seekers have the upper hand. Theres a lot of competition for software engineers. All the companies different. Facebook, the Biggest Company in the world with a billion people logging in every month. If you work there, you know your work affects a billion people. You want a degree in Computer Science . Thats where the premium is. To zap pos, online retailer and trader joes. Zap pos is based in nevada and has a Silicon Valley feel. Great pay and perks and fun culture. The model there is create a little fun and weirdness. I always heard recently airlines are struggling yet you like one airline in particular, Southwest Airlines. Why is that on your list . Your perception of airlines is right. Southwest is the exception. Southwest a long time ago decided the best way to forgive their customers a great experience is make sure the people who work there are having a good time. They have great pay, great benefits and really fun culture. What jobs specifically might people be looking for at Southwest Airlines . There are a lot of jobs at southwest. Its the same culture. Work had the gate, flight attendant, pilot. Have to have the training to be a pilot. Recent college grad, might want to train a little bit. You say the state department and government it Contracting Company called fci federal are good places. If youre going to work for the government, why not work at the part of the government that will send you to a foreign lo kail, teach you a Foreign Language. That would be the state department. Ftic is a Government Contractor and the government outsources paperwork to them. Whats unique about them, they hire mainly high school graduates. This is a great place to go if you want to launch a career as a high school graduate. Edward jones cuonsulting, boston consulting group. Edward jones is a Financial Planning group. It is a hot profession and as baby boomers age, they need financial advice. Edward jones got through the financial crisis without a lot of layoffs and its reputation intact. One other country, the owners of the shake shaq. Union square hospitality group. Like southwest, they own a lot of restaurants in new york and the shake shack decided the best way to please customers is make sure employees are happy. They put employees first. Great pay and Health Benefits for restaurant workers almost unheard of. You talk about great pay. The last thing we talk about is teach for america, a Nonprofit Company and makes me wonder what kind of salaries they offer. This is an interesting company. You dont do teach america for the money. You do it because you want to help the country. It recruits College Students from the best colleges and asks them to teach in inner city schools for two years. People who graduate from the program say it is a great resume booster but most of all, it gives you a good feeling youve done something for the country. Good information. We hope the soon to be College Graduates were listening. Thank you. My pleasure. Up next, how to keep your emotions from sabotaging your goals in 2013. First, this is today on nbc. This morning on new year new you on 2013, controlling your emotions to get the most out of life. The founder of life choice psychology and author of the new book, your killer emotion. Seven steps to masking the top emotions and impulses that sabotage you. He is an agent for a number of news anchors, including some of our own. Nice to have you this morning. Youve down sampled people over the years and you say mastering your emotion is the first step. What do you mean by that . I wrote killer emotions because i have found over the years counseling people to make great life choices your emotions can sabotage you. They can sabotage your life and the lives of those you love. You must control and master your emotions. If you make life choice, erica, when youre sad, hurt, angry, when you feel rejected, oftentimes you opt for a quick emotion essauging quick fix. That life choice is often counter to what you really want in your life and decision youd make when your ogtively clear. That can have serious consequences. Because especially so many of our choices in life are emotional. Obviously, you said dont make important life decisions when youre feeling really emotional. You also talk about identifying whats most important to you. What you value most in this decision. Absolutely. I call those your personal emotional triggers. Thats a discussion i have throughout your killer emotions. If you can figure out what you love, what you want more than life or what you hate, what you loathe, what you fear, those motivations can drive you to make great life choices and break through your toxic emotional skipping. You mention the word toxic, a word that comes up with a lot of people talking about their emotion es. You talked about consequence, cogniza cognizant. You want to be aware what the consequences are. That should be a part of your entire thought process, thinking it through . Absolutely. We so often dont think about the consequences of what we do. Think about excia director, david petraeus, if he thought about the consequences. Tiger woods, kobe bryant in eagle, colorado, if they thought about the consequences to their lives, their livelihood, they might not have done what they did. Conversely, if you can think about the great consequences of doing great things. Al talked about losing weight, foregoing food, whatever that is, if you can think about the things that drive you the most, that can change your life, your Decision Making pattern, and all of that. In terms of things that can really drive you, giving to others in need. It feels good, the right thing to do in many ways but also can benefit you. Absolutely. If you put a little selflove in your heart, you can fill your heart of hearts with positive feelings, high selfesteem. I found that if you have high selfesteem, you will make great decisions because you know that youre worth making great decisions for, you feel like you deserve it. So one be gets the other. You talk a lot about visualization, this is something my husband is very big on, really picturing that outcome that youre hoping for. Whats the best way to do that . How do you make that happen then in reality . The seven steps of emotional mastering your killer emotions, the first four steps are prepare torey. I believe if you will make a great life decision, ryou want o prepare ahead of time and anticipate you making a great life choice. One of the ways you anticipate that is by visualizing the scenario and the decision you want to make. You always want to know the result of the interaction that youre going to have. The last tip you talked about a couple times, keep those toxic emotions in check. Great to have you here and thank you so much. Happy new year. More after your local news. 8 56 is your time on this thursday, january 3rd, 2013. Good morning. Were following a developing story. Police have oichd a body found in adams morgan late last night and say 23yearold michael powe. He vanished on new years eve after celebrating with friends. They found the body in a vechbt laces shaft in a Apartment Building. In a ventilation shaft. Tsh by still below freezing most of region and rear the low to mid 20s now in the nearby suburbs and much of the region and at 31 now at regan thashl. Later today it may reach 40 but elsewhere highs in the 30s with lots of sun. More of the same tomorrow, saturday and sunday and it will be mid 40s by midafternoon each day. Lots of clouds around late saturday into sunday producing flurries and after that dry weather all the way to midweek next week. Tom, t back now with more of today on this thursday morning, 3rd day of january 2013. A lot of folks with coats on the plaza, getting one last look at the tree before it comes down on monday. Im willie geist along with al rok roker. And back from your day job at hollywood access live. You were outside yesterday. Absolutely. Whose idea was that . If im not going to be out there, you will be out there. I keep showing up and yall keep letting me in the door. I wasnt invited back, i keep showing up. Al and i were talking. We love having you. Thank you. Coming up, if you resolve to get healthy in the new year, takes more than cutting calories, five easy Lifestyle Changes you can incorporate everyday to help lose the weight. And from decades past, beehives and bobs, the old trends are back and how to look better than ever. I personally like the 80s, diffuser and john hughes movie. Tell me about the diffuser. You pump up the hair. You know the 80s, al. Sure. I had a mullet. If one of your resolutions is to save more money, we will tell you what to expect when it comes to prices in 2013, gas, college tuition, whats cheaper and more expensive, we will help you plan your budget. First, a look at the news. I do. For the First Time Since the massacre at sandy hook elementary, students return to class but not to the scene of the shooting, going to nearby monroe, connecticut to make things as possible as normal for students on their first day back. Secretary of state clinton is out of the hospital, resting at home and eager to get back to the office. She was released from the hospital yesterday and she is expected to make a full recovery. During the night, president obama signed the fiscal cliff deal that raises taxes on the wealthiest americans. Today, the 113th congress will be sworn in with dozens of new members. The new senate will include 20 women the most ever. The new house is expected to vote for aids for victims of Superstorm Sandy after the vote was put off earlier this week by Speaker Boehner. That move drew sharp criticism from republicans and democrats alike. A federal judge has ruled the Obama Administration does not have to probably disclose legal justification for carrying out attacks by drone attacks overseas. And lawyers discussed the socalled targeted killing program. In the ruling, the judge said she had no authority to order the documents disclosed. Meanwhile, pakistanian and officials said u. S. Drone strikes during the night killed at least 13 people including mullah nazir. The death toll in syrias civil war is staggering, saying more than 60,000 people have died since the conflict began. Today, fighting is around a Strategic Air base in northern syria. A missile hit a gas station near damascus killing dozens of people. A new study shows fructose may play a role in overeating. When someone drinks the sugary beverage called fru does, the brain apparently doesnt feel full. Researchers say the study is small but fructose can trigger changes in the way people are eating. And nasa bringing in facilities for use by the Space Program for sale or lace. Or lease. Among those, the launchpad where the shuttle was launched and the last shuttle flight ended july, twen 2011, when it launched. Have your next event on launch p pad. I have to get Barbara Corcoran on the case. Now, a check by al. Today brought to you by massage envy. This new year, start your wellness with massage envy. Lets see if you have any go weather envy here. Were looking at wet weather from the gulf coast and the southeast atlantic states. Nothing too heavy less than an inch of rain in accumulation. And lake effect snow to syracuse, new york. One to three inches of snow generally. Maybe a little bit more in the upper area of new york winter storm warnings and Winter Weather advisories from new mexico to Central Texas. Snow is firing up and it will last to friday morning where were specificing anywhere from three to six inches of snow in west texas and southern texas and some areas in the mountains are getting up to nine inches. Still, the below freezing at mid morning on this thursday morning. Good morning, im storm team4 meterologist tom kierein. Right now, near 30 in washington and by the bay and elsewhere, still in the 20s in most locations and later today up around 40 and lots of sunshine. That will be around the metro area. Elsewhere, heights in 30s. 20s and afternoon high mid 40s. Sun and increasing clouds on saturday and 20s in the morning and afternoon highs of mid 40s. Mid 40s again on sunday but good weat now to today ease tatoday where we share our take on stories. Were never going back. We will blow through these first couple and get to al. Heres a couple anyway. Take 1, caped crusaders and crime. A new study from the university of nebraska finds cartoon costumed crusaders may be confusing Young Children about crime. What if i could boil it down, cartoons portray villains as evil and ir deemible, always. Under all circumstances. The riddler, of course, and joker also, it suggests cartoons show cops inept. Police need a super hero being to come in and rescue them. The way we look at cartoons, growing up, jerry beat the stew out of tom. We grew up all right. Wiley coyote. This is a new study in the criminal justice review. I dont think many people confuse dr. Evil or joker with a petty criminal and suggest that person should be locked away. This is just happening when we were growing up. Remember . If it wasnt for scoobydoo and the gang, i would have gotten away with that and you turn them over to the cops. You meddling kids when they take the mask off. Hey, scoob, look scooby, back in the van. This Study Suggests its not teaching our children well about the relationship of police and criminals and eliminates the possibility of rehabilitation, all criminals are bad guys ir deemible forever. Thats a stupid study. You heard it from al. The biggest charitable donations. Warren buffet donated 3. 09 billion. With a b. With a b. Mark zuckerberg gave up 500 million bucks of his cash. Microsoft cofounder, paul allen, 300 million, mort zuckerman, newspaper tycoon, 200 million, and the top biggest donors gave up 500 billion and of that, 3 billion from warren buffet. Its not chump change but not a big deal. I like the big and little. I like more like donating your time. My grandmother always said do as much as you can for as many people as you can as long as you can. Thats what we try to do. Thats what make this country great founded on Charitable Giving and volunteerism because giving of your time is just as important. We dont have the billion with a b. Wall street brokers and others have been mall lined but they have put a lot of time and money in there. Now, weve arrived. Al, as you may have heard is never going back. His new book never going back winning the weight loss battle for good. Als advice, i love this, shut your mouth guess what . Those of us who are fat, we know it. Tell me about this home that has no mirrors. We know were fat. We know our clothes are tight. You telling us to lose weight, if you just try a little harder, its not helping us, we already know it. In some cases it makes it worse for us. Did that happen in your life . God rest her soul, my mom always wanted me to lose weight, id come over, oh, sweet sweetie would you like some pie . We equate food with love and its difficult. A lot of us have saboteurs in our life, both intentional and unintentional. Its tough. We know what we need to do. Its up to us to make the decision to do it. Im curious, al, what you think when you look at some of the 60th anniversary tapes we saw last year and see yourself 10 years ago, 15 years ago, 20 years ago, what goes through your mind . I cant imagine they let me come in here. I just was huge. Do you remember being that guy . I stopped watching. I think unconsciously i stopped watching because it was painful to see myself lumbering around. They say the camera puts on 10 pounds. We have six cameras, so you know, 60 pounds right there on top of what i already had. I was huge was there a breaking point . Was there a day you can remember, week or event or something you said, i have to change this . No. Unfortunately, it was one of these things i had been fooling myself. My dad was dying of lung cancer. I had gone in to see him before the show one morning. Finally he pointblank said, look, im not going to be here to help you raise your children. I need you to swear to me right now that you will lose weight. Swear to god you will lose weight. So i did. How . After that moment. Then he passed away a week and half later. I forgot about it to be perfectly honest. In january of 2002, i decided ive got to do this, ive really got to do this. Then we went to the olympics in salt lake city. I already made an appointment to have the gastric bypass. I ate like a pig. Gametime. It was fantastic. Literally, this could be my last meal. The last supper. I had many last suppers. We know one of your secrets is this peculiar drink youre always Walking Around with. We wonder what it is. It is a mix, a fermented chinese tea. I put a lot of fresh ginger in it. I have a straw but i suggest you sip it because you want some ginger. Is this every morning . Every morning i have this. I also make a protein powder shake i do as well. What does it do . What is it with the ginger root . Antioxidants, kind of helps the digestion. Its chewy. Chewy stuff. What do you do breakfastwise in addition to this . You come in so early. I do a protein powder shake with almonds in it and strawberries, almond milk, mix that up, generally do that for breakfast, maybe have Something Like that for lunch as well. There are all sorts of tips. I wear a jawbone ups that challenges myself to keep moving instead of taking the elevator, im taking the stairs. Wait. Im sorry, what . Jawbone. Nike has it, nike plus pulse and fitbit. They measure movement. This tells you how many steps youre taking today. How Much Movement youre doing, measures your sleep. Keep track of it on your computer. I like that. Your wife, deborah, has been with you every step of the way. I wouldnt say every step. She kind of backed off and thought i would trip and they would be peeling her off, little cartoon, here you go, honey. But shes been there for me, i appreciate. Theres intimacy in the book we wont get into here. Yeah. Read the book. Its disturbing. Als never going back. Five healthy tips. 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Ideas that take you places you never imagined. Ideas big enough to make the heart skip a beat and, in some cases, maybe two. Toyota. Lets go places. A little more. Theres a real, like, camaraderie in the parking lot. Shut up thats it lets go in the car. My time to shine is the smoked pulled pork. I think its done broseph pretty much got it down to a science. Pretty much. We also really like a great pulled pork sandwich even when we cant make the game. You ruined it some people even like it better. Really . Yep. [ male announcer ] new carving board pulled pork, get that delicious slow smoked taste without the hassle. Its game time food. Its oscar mayer. This morning on new year new you. Getting into shape for 2013 the right way. Carey glassman is a registered dietitian and author of the new you and improved diet. Thank you very much. Happy new year to you. Thank you. You have new rules people need to establish to get the year started off right. Exactly. Clients come in and theyre always surprised when i ask them about stress and sleep and how organized their fridge is and when was the last time they got a massage. The fact is if you dont look at these other areas of your life, it doesnt matter how great that meal plan or motivated you are, grocery list is, youre not going to lose weight. On a positive side, if you focus on these other areas of your life, you will be healthier and lose weight almost automatically. It almost sounds counter intuitive, eat more to lose weight. Only one rule directly relates to food. Eat more not less. What i mean is eat from place of empowerment, not deprivation. Flip your food attitude, think about what you can eat and cant eat. When you focus on the Health Benefits of food, weight loss is a byproduct of that. Focus on eating real foods. Get rid of as much processed foods as possible and eat real foods and listen to your body, i know can be hard. Stop when youre satisfied and you dont need to obsess about calories, something everybody can start right now. You need to change these habits. Exactly. You need to look at all these other habits. Your stress and your sleep. One of the things that really does play a big role. I know im a stress eater, a lot of people are stress eaters. Our camera guy is a stress guy. How do you deal with that . Its easy to say it but another thing to put it in action. Heres what i say, breathe your way thin. Everybody has a certain amount of stress in your life. If you dont focus on that you wont be able to lose weight. It wreaks havoc on your health. I want everybody to breathe in for 8 and out for 8 and do an 8 count breath 8 minutes a day. If i can sit still for 8 minutes a day, i promise you anybody can. At one time. Yes. Even if you do it 3 or 4 minutes, you will feel better and ultimately lose weight. Are there foods to help bust stress . You can. I have a lot of stress busting foods as well. Not talking about macn cheese. Dark chocolate, celery, cashews and even grass fed beef. You said another thing, slip your way slim. Exactly. We heard before you need to hydrate. Im sticking to those 8 glasses of water a day. You need it to cleanse your body. Its good for your skin. You also dont mistake hunger for thirst. When you add all this water with lemon or mint leaves and herbal tea, you get rid of drinks and bevera beverages that may not have calorie but loaded with chemicals. You can start to do that now and lose weight by making that change. What do you say to people who crave carbonate d beverages . Selzer with mint leaves. And you say you feel sexier and also helps your attitude as well. Exactly. Feel sexy to slim down. Sex actually boosts your feelgood hormones when you have a healthy sex life, you increase the common connection hormone, oxytocin. This helps you manage stress and helps you sleep better and lose weight. You dont have to have sex to increase benefits. But it helps. It definitely helps and slimming down makes you want to have more sex and slimming down increases oxytone 9 and you feel better. Another rule is taking care of yourself, putting yourself first. When my kids were babies, taking a long shower is indulgent. Depending where you are in your life, take some time for you everyday. Thank you so much. Great book. Beauty trends making a comeback. First, these messages. [ female announcer ] take the special k challenge. Lose up to six pounds in two weeks. With the cereal you love. And so much more. What will you gain when you lose . And so much more. We replaced people with a machine. R, what . Customers didnt like it. So why do banks do it . Hello . Hello . if your bank doesnt let you talk to a real person 24 7, you need an ally. Hello . Ally bank. Your money needs an ally. Progressoh [ female announcer ] with 40 delicious progresso soups at 100 calories or less, there are plenty of reasons people are saying progressoh share your progressoh story on facebook. Home of the allnew grilled onion cheddar burger, topped with melty white cheddar and caramelized onions. Depending where you are in your every day. To say get well to your loved ones. This came for you, mommy. [ female announcer ] but it takes the touch of kleenex® brand, americas softest tissue, to turn a gesture into a complete gift of care. [ barks ] send your own free kleenex® care pack. Full of soothing essentials at kleenex. Com. Kleenex®. Americas softest tissue. At kleenex. Com. Nayou just mix together a few. Simple ingredients, add a bit of heat, and voila. So to make truvia baking blend, we shared one of natures most surprising secrets sweetness from the stevia leaf. For a blend of truvia natural sweetener and sugar that bakes and browns like sugar, with 75 fewer calories per serving. From nature, for sweetness. Coming up, everything old is new again. Beauty trends making a comeback this year. Plus from groceries to tvs, what will cost you more in 2013 . Everything Weight Watchers online worked for us. We dont argue much. We really dont. Meg usually just gets her way, and i go along with it. I think it worked for matt because i did it for him. When im the one cooking, im the one calculating the points. I can microwave things. You get to eat real food. We still get to go out. Were just so much smarter about it. We can keep each other in check. Going, okay, i see you. Weve lost about 110 pounds together. It helped our love life. Happy wife, happy life, right . Right. [ jennifer ] Weight Watchers online. The power of Weight Watchers completely online. Join for free today. Release fragrance into the air, the welcoming scent of fresh lavender and juicy, sunripened peaches quickly fills your home. Then fills you with a Little Something, too. Try the longlasting oneofakind scent of lavender and peach blossom. Available in plugins scented oil, only from glade. Find glade refills, now with a new look. S. C. Johnson. A family company. It is 9 26 on this thursday, january 3rd. Fwoom wm im aaron gilchrist. Police identified a body found in adams morgan late last night. They say its 23yearold michael powe. The man vanished on new years eve after disappearing. He was found in a ventilation shaft. Right now the medical Examiners Office is determining what caused his death. Welling check your forecast when we come back. woman 3 days of walking to give a break cancer survivor a lifetime thats definitely a fair trade. Whoo you walk with friends, you meet new friends, and you keep those friendships. It was such a beautiful experience. jessica lee and its beautiful undeniable woman why walk 60 miles in the boldest Breast Cancer event in history . Because everyone deserves a lifetime. Visit the3day. Org to register or to request more information and receive a free 3day bracelet today. Building up from deep inside it was 3 days of pure joy. Susan g. Komens investments in Early Detection and treatment have helped reduce Breast Cancer mortality in the u. S. By 33 since 1990. Help us continue serving the millions of women and men with Breast Cancer who still need us every day. Register for the 3day now. woman its just been an amazing, amazing journey. I love these people. And its beautiful good morning, approaching 9 30. Still much of the region is below freezing. Were in the 20s to near 30 degrees. Reagan national at 31. There it may reach near 40 later today but elsewhere heights in the 30s with lots of sun and then tomorrow, sunny again and 20s in the morning afternoon, highs mid 40s. Mid 40s for highs over the weekend and a lot of clouds around. Might have a in yourry on sunday otherwise good weather for the skins game and the dry weather continues to midweek next week. Milder, maybe upper 40s to near 50 on tuesday and again on wednesday. Thanks, tom. Tune in tomorrow. We begin at 4 28 a. M. It asks you if youre operating a machine. Those are important if youre going to have a baby, you need to thats a look into the hit movie girls, a live look at the hit 20 something about to debut. Well have one of the cast members on. Allison williams, Brian Williams daughter who obviously gets her looks and talent from his wife. And thankfully escaping the clutches of i feel like you all are going after it. Bad news when it comes to prices for 2013. Well tell you whats coming up and going down in the year ahead. In the new year comes new beauty trends, a cue from the past for 2013, everything from big hair to updated makeup. Who doesnt love big hair. Have you volunteered for big hair . Im from the south. Big hair and blush and youre money. A big fight brewing in entrepreneur ov europe over the favorite snack, french fries. We dont really care where theyre from. We want to all right, lets look ahead to the weekend. Starting tomorrow well look at wet weather down through southern texas. Sne in Central Texas and rain in the Pacific Northwest and windy and cold around the great lakes with snow flurries flying. Saturday, more of the same with rain along the gulf coast and more showers along the Pacific Northwest coast and frigid it in plains and sunday sunday, were looking at a more lake effect snow and on the eastern great lakes and rain on the Pacific Northwest coast and interior sections of the Pacific Northwest to central nevada and see some snow as well and showers and thunderstorms in Central Florida. Thats whats going on around the country, heres whats happening in your neck of the woods. Good morning. We have sunshine through high cloudiness over the region this morning. But clear skies should be prevailing by later this afternoon and by then we should have our temperatures warming up but right now its in the teens. Northwest of the metro area quarterback right around the beltway and the nearby suburbs, in the mid 20s now. Upper 20s near 30, near washington and by the bay and later, near 40 in the district but otherwise, elsewhere in the 30s. This cold dry pattern continues and thats your latest weather. Al, thanks, were sirting in ah. Watching you do the weather. Youre flawless, not an um or breath, not a prompter. Im making it up. Now we know the secret. Pro up next, old beauty trends making a come back in 2013. Kit hoover with big hair. Yeah first, these messages. Fr omrogressive, but dont just listen to me. Listen to these happy progressive customers. I plugged in snapshot, and 30 days later, i was saving big on car insurance. With snapshot, i knew what i could save before i switched to progressive. The better i drive, the more i save. I wish our company had something this cool. Youre not filming this, are you . Aw camera shy. Snapshot from progressive. Testdrive snapshot before you switch. Visit progressive. Com today. [ annoyed ] im pure milk chocolate on the inside. And i love that about you. And here i thought you loved me for my brain. Is that made of chocolate too . kit hoover with big hair. Returns out there. With h r blocks second look, people bring in old tax returns, and im like, who did this to you . You have a return. Bring it in; ill look at it for free. Ill go back three years. Im going to get you every single deduction out there. Get your free second look from h r block now. A great clean doesnt have to take long. Im done. Are you thinking what im thinking . Give me just a little more time okay. All right. Oh [ female announcer ] the 2in1 swiffer sweeper uses electrostatic dry cloths to clean better than a broom. And its wet mopping cloths can clean better than a mop in half the time so you dont miss a thing. Mom, have you seen my hey hey he did it. [ female announcer ] swiffer. Better clean in half the time. Or your money back. [ female announcer ] swiffer. Better clean in half the time. Mommy i went potty thats great, honey. Where . For lifes bleachable moments. Its no ordinary nonfat yogurt. K it has twice the protein of regular lowfat yogurt. And at 80 calories, its the lightest greek yogurt with fruit. Its creamy, thick texture helps satisfy you. So you wont feel like youre running low on satisfaction. Up next, old beauty trends light fit greek. Be light and fit. And satisfied. This morning and todays beauty. Updated friends from years past, the chic bob you know you love. Rachel is editor of new you magazine. A good friend of mine. Its our debut issue, courtney cox on the cover. Everything every woman wants to know about beauty. Antiaging, products, trends, game changers, stem cells. Its incredible. Were starting with the 20s. This is a harder look to rock. Its harder look. But it was all hollywood glamor and were seeing naomi and others rocking. Its a short option, super easy to do. Find a texture cream you work through your hair. Easy as literally rolling it around your finger. Taking a pin, either a 1. 99 and doing that and putting throughout the hair and put in hair spray. The pin curling, i can do. The red lipstick, you want to be good at that. Red is an instagram. Put that on and suddenly, you feel like you can go anywhere. Definitely a fabulous look. We have a couple of options with chanel or super matte or you want more glossy. Thats the key to this 1920s glam look. With red lib stick, remember to liqueur finger so it doesnt get on your teeth. And to the 50s, we have the high ponytail. We saw a lot of it on the runways. The 50s was like sandy from greece the 50s was like sandy from greec gra grace grease and theyre under 50. It creates a huge look and i popped it on and gives the wavy wavy look. The other thing about the 50s, you want this flushed look. I love it. We interviewed courtney cox for this issue of new you and says she looks prettiest after being fresh from the gym. This is one you dust on the cheeks and gives you a perfect pi pinkish glow. I love it. It is not matted and makes you look younger. And you can do that in a major way. Now to the cardigan and 60s. And you want to add volume there as well. Use that tease to get high volume. Looking nice. The 60s, im thinking feathered hair. We have the mod version of 60s. Emma stone was recently out. It looked just like this, super cool, super sexy. Number one if you want that king kingwinged eyeliner. I see that. A lot of companies are making the eyeliner. It looks like a tip like this and makes it very precise to give you that perfect black line there. When youre wearing that, you want to make sure you keep the rest of your makeup pretty neutral. Nude lib lipsticks in. Red and nude. And we all like a little tease in our hair. You can take a comb, teasing spray, this will help and make the back comb. The other thing is extensions are womens best friend, the clipon. Here, we can add bangs literally. You can add bangs . Literally clip this on, here you go. Its a different color. Shes a little blonder with these bangs and gives you the emma stone look. Dont be afraid of extensions, theyre not that scary. S there easy when you do it. My decades, 80s, tell me you have a diffuser. I love the 80s. All you need is a triple dual hot waver. These are great tools. You can get it at the drugstore. Kind of waver and crimper at the same time. Instead of rolling it like a typical curling iron, you go down and get this great crimp look. She looks just like beyonce you have to have your super loreal hairspray to keep that going. The other thing about the 80s, color shadow. I love it. Shes wronging the blues. Greens and ideologicals and super fun. Think neon in bright colors. Big brows are back. Whoa yes. I like it. And we have it here. Everything you want to do to look like every decade is in the stores and in the pages of new you. Thanks. Thank you. Up next, from tvs to tablets, what will cost moreorless in the new year. Right after this. [ mom ] dear chex cereal, i just had to write. You cant imagine how long ive been searching for Something Like this for my family. Im amazed you make so many great flavors that are gluten free. My guys are crazy for chocolate chex and honey nut chex. For me, its cinnamon. It means a lot to be able to give them something thats good for them, that also puts smiles on their faces. cause i really love those smiles. Were the harris family. And we love chex. [ male announcer ] love chex . Connect with us on facebook. To make Peanut Butter so deliciously creamy. It can even be a game changer. Thats why choosy moms and dads choose jif. It can even be a game changer. We asked total strangers to watch it for us. Thank you so much. I appreciate it. Ill be right back. They didnt take a dime. How much in fees does your bank take to watch your money . If your bank takes more money than a stranger, you need an ally. Ally bank. Your money needs an ally. A little more. Theres a real, like, camaraderie in the parking lot. Shut up thats it lets go in the car. My time to shine is the smoked pulled pork. I think its done broseph pretty much got it down to a science. Pretty much. We also really like a great pulled pork sandwich even when we cant make the game. You ruined it some people even like it better. Really . Yep. [ male announcer ] new carving board pulled pork, get that delicious slow smoked taste without the hassle. Its game time food. Its oscar mayer. Because four out of five dogs over the age of three develop gum disease, and tartar buildup is a contributing factor. [ dog ] or new dentastix fresh. Clinically proven to fight tartar and now with added ingredients to fight dog breath, too. Home of the allnew grilled onion cheddar burger, topped with melty white cheddar and caramelized onions. Plus all your tasty favorites for just a dollar each. Every day. Back now with whats going to happen to prices in 2013. Some popular items may be getting more expensive and the price of others may go down. Now to jean chatzky. Good morning. Good morning. You say well start with more expensive in 2013. You say cars will get more expensive . Yes. And we pulled together this list and we picked our favorites. Cars will get more expensive because standards for fuel economy has shifted making car manufacturer manufacturers produce engines that will cost a little bit more. We have seen prices of the toyota camry up 175 for next year and cars like the lexus more expensive, even 3,000 on some models. There are some cars we should be looking at that may not jump in price . These fuel economy standards are across the board but your negotiating standard is best if you pair one model against the other. We heard about the fiscal cliff and we heard about the milk cliff. Have we averted the milk cliff . We have. What does that mean for grocery prices . Sn they are going up but the milk price has been averted but the problem is we had a big drought, big in 2012. Grain prices, grass was at a shortage, feed, corn feed was at a shortage. As a result, if you go down the food chain, weve seen higher prices on beef, on poultry, grain related items, on dairy. Prices will be up next year, anywhere from 34 . You want to be more careful about clipping coupons and that sort of thing. Thats a big jump. What about health care premiums, paying more . Significantly more. They will go up about 6 . How much of that gets passed onto you depends on your employer and the type of health care. Come october when its open enrollment time, you want to choose carefully. Talk about college and the skyrocketing price of furthering your education. When we do that, a lot of times we talk about private schools. State schools are getting very expensive, too. They are. States have been under a huge amount of fiscal pressure, as a result, they have not been able to fund these state universities to keep up with increase intuition prices and more are passed to you. We expect state prices to go up a little less than 5 , fees at those same universities and colleges to go up a little less than 4 . Thats big and Student Financial aid is not keeping up with it. Financial aid is not rising with that. Not necessarily. You have to be smart about filling out the fasfa right now and getting what you deserve. I dont buy a lot of copper but it is going up in 2013. You care about this because the price of copper is going to affect the price of beer. Oh. Thank you for drawing the line for me so i could understand it. Copper is brewed beer is brewed in copper in many cases. As a result also, if you have any pipes burst in your house and have to replace them, copper more expensive. We go right to beer. Less expensive, streaming video, netflix. Thats right. They have a new competitor in the marketplace from red box. Were used to seeing them in the supermarket. Theyre rolling out an 8 a Month Service half of what netflix is costing. And e books. If you have a kindle, amazon will discount the price of the ebooks and were not sure how much. Gas expensive . Absolutely. 2012 was the highest priced year on record. Weve seen prices fall in december and expect that to continue. But the copper and beer very disappointing. Big problem for a lot of us. Great to see you. Up next, the origin of the french fry. Was it french or belgian . Well answer the question. But first, today on nbc. [ male announcer ] when your business is powered by verizon, you can do more business per second. And with more reliable internet, thats more per second. And with a dedicated line, its more per second. And with an additional line, its more. Table for 15 . [ male announcer ]. Per second. But most importantly, its more. Mmm [ male announcer ]. Per second. Get verizon highspeed internet and phone for just 84. 99 a month when you sign up online with a twoyear price guarantee. Plus a 200 verizon visa prepaid card and an additional line included. Verizon. One of americas favorite snacks is the subject of a fierce debate in europe. Is the french fry. French or did it begin in belgium . Michelle is in europe. Good morning. Reporter hi. Here, they call them fried potatoes. It may be americans that name them french. The belgians decided to investigate. The french dont really care. For the centuries of peeling, chopping, luxurious hot oil treatments, in the suddenly gone translate bag or work of culinary art. Bon appetite. Reporter could it really be the crispy salty, restoratively glorious french fries is actually not french . We took to the streets of paris and found surrender. Are they really french . Yeah. No, theyre belgian. You think theyre belgian . Yeah, i think so. Reporter we asked foodies. French. Reporter would you be terribly upset if french fries were not actually french . No. Reporter consulted authors, experts. Even though theyre belgian, i still think of them as french. Reporter you know theyre belgian . Everybody says theyre belgian. Reporter belgians who pride themselves on putting mayonnaise on, we decided to find out which tale from the deep fryer of history might be true. Could those from the revolution not eat cake but potatoes to survive or was it belgian fishermen lacking fish to fry invented fries. The belgians finally decided the french story was the more plausible but still as unclear as a wellused fry pit. Reporter is it important to you they be french . No,it isnt. The most important is its delicious. I dont care. Reporter doesnt any dispense their fries as french . I am. Reporter youre willing to fight for the french fry . Not really. Everyone say theyre belgian so reporter you dont mind . No. I think we have more than just french fries. Reporter but of course. Its not belgian fries . No. Reporter my hand slipped whatever they are, theyre still good, arent they . We hope so. [ speaking Foreign Language ] well, some accounts have this spanish scarfing down fries as early as the 1500s and long before freedom fries, remember those . It may have been american soldiers in world war i who named them french but only after trying them in french speaking belgium. Chefs here say all that matters is theyre hot, slightly crispy and seasoned with coarse salt because we may never know the truth about fries. Back to you guys. Michelle, thank you so much. Hows your hand . You never even looked away, just got him. Thats a mom, the flip of the wrist. Got it the mom slap. Whats next . Be belgium waffle . You going after that . I think so. You want the fat one or skinny one. I like the belgian. Its hands down, you cant go wrong with it. Meredith and hoda up next again. 9 57 is your time on this thursday, january 3rd, 2013. Good morning. The medical Examiners Office is determining what caused the death of a young man who was found in an adams morgan Apartment Building late last night. Police identified him as 23yearold michael powe. He hasnt been seen since new years eve and officers found him in a ventilation shaft in an apartment on built more street. A Prince William Police Officer killed in the line of duty. Chris young, the wake will be from 6 00 to 59 at the chapel in wood bridge. He was killed monday amp when he collided with a mini van while responding to a call. Heres your forecast from tom kierein. Good morning. Almost 10 00 and still below freezing. High clouds drifting through with sun shining through. Up near 40 later and elsewhere, highs in the 30s. Chilly dry pattern continues to the midweek next week. Ahead on news4 midday, tips from nbc news this is today with Kathie Lee Gifford and hoda kotb. Live from studio 1a in Rockefeller Plaza. Its thirsty thursday. Its january 3rd, 2013. Kathie lee is still enjoying some time off and recovering from her root canal. Oh, did you talk to her . I left her a voice mail, but she wasnt answering. Shes probably sleeping. Taking drugs. Taking drugs. Which she likes to do. How was your night recovering after your birthday . Yesterday we did this whole segment about how you want a dog and youre so excited, and you could handle a dog and then i go home, and im taking down my tree, christmas tree, which is so dry. People should take their trees down and let go because theyre dangerous. They really are dangerous. Right. Anyway, im taking it down, and i smell something awful, and my poor little doggy jasper has vomited all over the rug, okay . All over. Then proceeded to have problems throughout the house. What does that have to do with the tree . Nothing. Except i went to dr. Kay, who is our vet. He is unbelievable. I digress. I went to dr. K. I was so worried. He was trembling. The doctor said did you take your tree down by any chance . I said yeah, how funny that you ask that. He said if the dog drank any of the water that could make him quite ill. I dont know if thats what it was, but my point in all of this was when you get a dog, you are really getting a baby. Have you to prepare yourself for the fact that animals have accidents. Its not on your time frame. Its when theyre ready. You cant just leave it for somebody else. Why do you think i wouldnt be good at this . I have seen you in the dressing room. Okay. Okay. Dont get a dog. Wait a second. I have already i already have a dog walker. This is before i have the dog. That way, see what i mean, when i come to work during the day, someone can walk the dog. You dont want to walk the dog. I do. When im out. I know when i was going to starbucks right by my apartment, theres a vet right there. Thats good. Okay. Im ready. All right. I just hope youre prepared for all the things that can happen in your home. If you have really nice things i dont. Forget about it. I dont. Speaking of dogs, there was a little bit of a controversy yesterday during our show, okay . I was holding a dog that was kind of like a kangaroo. Its legs were really long. Oh, my gosh. It was long. Anyway, so while the we were doing the segment, the dog got a little out of control. Crazy. And then it ran away from me, and there are a couple of places that said i cursed, which i dont think i ever do on the air. I think they thought you said the sword, right . The sword. Lets watch and see what really happened. This is called keighley. Yeah. Did you catch her . I probably did. [ slow motion ] well, that doesnt help when they slow it down. I didnt say what did you say . Come on. I think i said shes shes shiz, like sheeeez. Gawker both think there was some cursing going on. Why do they care . I dont know why they would care. If they really want to hear cursing, they can just go to your dressing room. Theres another side of meredith that only we know. I am a little bit bad that way. Youre right. Its nice. I had an accident on the air once. Not an accident on the floor. You did . Lets take a look back. Meredith. Oh, jeez. You shouldnt be oh [ bleep ]. Okay. Im just going to clarify something in that last segment we did that i was behind the wheel. I thought i saw a shift in front of me. It wasnt a shift. It was actually a vehicle. Thats the finest driving ive done. No, you said i said chip. I said chip. Thats what i said. Exactly. Theres some video out there that is causing some controversy. We saw if in the makeup room earlier, and its one of those things that makes you cringe a little. This is a woman from south dakota. Her 8yearold son, right . Its christmas time. Yeah. Shes running a video of him. He has gone on ebay, right, to look around and thinks that he pressed the buy button for a mustang. A real mustang. And he its heartbreaking actually to watch it. He is crying and saying im so bad or lets watch the tape. This is while his his mom taped it while he was craig. Why did you buy that 50,000 car on ebay . I didnt. You did. I did. Oh it wont cancel it. You hit buy. [ crying ] is that true . Did i . Im afraid so. I am horrible. Youre not horrible, baby. You made a mistake. [ crying ] what kind of car was it . It was a mustang. I didnt mean to buy it. I was just looking, and he said i hit buy, and i didnt mean to. Im, like, oh, no, oh, no, so i turned the ipad off. Hey, bub, you didnt buy it. [ laughing ] you didnt buy it. Oh. That sounded very upsetting to look at. The mom and the son were actually on earlier in the morning. Yeah. She was asked do you have any regrets, and she said my regret is i took the video vertically because thats where she got criticism. I think its weird to first of all, that kind of stuff is being funny, i dont get it. I dont get she said she wanted her kid to learn how to take a joke. Develop a good sense of humor. When he was asked how did you feel when she told you that it was a joke. He said that was okay, right . Its not okay. This video a lot of these, they live forever and ever and ever. I can even just think of today like this kids classmates are saying its already on youtube, and its gotten a gazillion hits. She thinks its funny. You are watching her embarrass him. I was totally turned off. I dont know the family dynamic. When you look from the outside at it, you just see a kid thats heartbroken. He thinks he is going to have to sell everything. Were against it. Okay. So Meredith Vieira, we asked people to tweet you yesterday. Okay . Meredith has a twitter account, which we found out. That sounds disgusting when you say it. Tweet you. Its a contation. You are a total sicky, okay . These are the tweets that you have done over the last your last one was 607 days ago. Okay . You have never err yes, you did. I was with you when you tweeted. Dont you remember when you were learning . Yeah, but i never i dont think i ever you did. Here. You wrote this one. Two of them. Now that im tweeting, that twit lauer cant be far behind. That sounds like me. And then you wroted this one. Its cold outside, but im one hot mama. I did not write that. Apparently you did. 600 and how many days . I cant see. I dont know. I cant see. 678 or 687. Lets do a tweet, should we . Okay. Were going to tweet your first tweet. Her twitter handle, by the way, is meredith Meredith Vieira. Thats so original. What do you want to tweet . I do not dont even do that. I do not want wanty. Want to tweet. Im not twting. Im deleting that. Goodbye. Goodbye. How about im just going to write tweet me. Come on. By the way, i just want to let you know how many no. This is what youre doing right here. Okay. Okay. Tweet me. Send. Now, the thing is you got since yesterday right. An additional not just 1,000 twitter followers. Not an additional 2,000, but an additional 3,000. Why would how do you get followers if you are saying you dont tweet . I dont theyre following me. Theyre following you. Theyre waiting patiently for you. Well see. All right. Play list thursday. Go ahead. This is a good one. I think youre going to like it. Its old school. You may know it. Wait, wait, wait. I know all about this music, okay . Kathie lee and i have talked about your play list. Get ready. This one is so good. Get ready. Weve hijacked what . Take a listen. What is this . Oh, no. Note my love could hold you oh, no. K. L. G. Is singing at alabama jacks. Im crazy for crying oh, no. Im crazy for loving you oh, no. What is alabama jacks . A hangout . Yes. Its a hangout that she loves. Its where bambino is front and center. This is in key west where kath is, and this is one of her favorite hangouts where she says people do clogging and they drink a lot. Clogging . Really . I thought that was North Carolina clogging. Yeah, i like it. All right. Does she ever do this, or its always you that does the music . Its always me. What happened, meredith . Can we do mine still . Sure. I guess. Youll like this one. Lets do it. No . We dont have it . What . That was it. Oh, no. Is it okay or not okay. We do this thing every week. Lets see. The question is is it okay to leave your underwear at your home . You mean not wear underwear . Yes, not wear underwear. Okay. What do i say . I needed a little i cant read it. No, its not why do you have this prop . No, its not okay. Why, oh why, would you ever go without your you understandies . If you are wearing a super clingy dress and you dont want panty lines, i kind of get it. Apparently have you done that. Otherwise, keep your undies on, please. Kathie lee says ask the people who regret doing so, ask theres your answer. Have you ever done that . Seriously. Be honest. Be honest. Just be honest because who cares . No. No, i have worn spanx without underwear, but i always wear spanx buzz im very selfconscious. Really . I always wear spanx even if theyre hanging out. I would rather have them hang out than have them on. Do you ever go without your underwear . Not the way these women do where they get out of cars with their legs wide open. I do not do that. Why would you ever go without your because when i was a kid, i took tap dancing, and so i always wore a leotard, and sometimes ill have a leotard thats covering up. But you would never just go free . No, no. No. I would never do that. All right. It is time for were going to turn to our girl sarah. Hey, girl. Hey. We have another fun one to make you laugh. Theres Nothing Better than these cute little babies. Okay. Go ahead. Lets run it, and then well talk. [ laughing ] [ vacuum noise ] its okay. Its okay. The vacuum scares the little baby. Theyve seen the reaction earlier, and they wanted to see if it was the vacuum, so they turned it on again to scare the kid again. Its good parenting. Today is the theme is good parenting. Cruel. This is a cruel program. All right. Coming up, he kept it off, and well talk to our friend al roker. Look at him reading to children. And talk about amazing transformations. Ambushed on the plaza for head to toe makeovers. First, these messages. [ female announcer ] take the special k challenge. Lose up to six pounds in two weeks. With the cereal you love. And so much more. What will you gain when you lose . Mom, pop it. Two inches apart, becky. Two inches. Tminus nine minutes. [ ding ] [ female announcer ] pillsbury cinnamon rolls. Let the making begin. The blissful pause just before that rich sweetness touches your lips. The delightful discovery, the midsweetening realization that you have the house all to yourself. Well, almost. The sweet reward, making a delicious choice thats also a smart choice. Splenda nocalorie sweetener. With the original sugarlike taste you love and trust. Splenda makes the moment yours. Oh, chip. Many of you wait in the new year. Wait. Just go ahead and put it on gawker immediately. Okay . Im so sorry. Stay where you are. [ bleep ]. I dropped all my cards. Were a little late with the beep. A lot of people are vowing to lose weight and get a little inspiration. Our good friend al roker is here. Spent a lifetime battling his weight. At his heaviest al weighed 240 pounds. Today he is more than 100 pounds lighter in his new memoir never gone back al talks about breaking the yoyo dieting cycle for good. Hello, al. How is it to have pair dit back, al . So good. Meredith has done this. Theres a cleanse. What is it . This is almond milk, strawberries, protein powder. I usually put a little almonds in it as well. Hmm. Put that down. Yes, ill put that down. Okay. Al. Yes. By the way, this book is riveting. For those of us that have known you for a long time, its funny how revealing it was even to us. Were you at all uncomfortable with revealing that part of you . You know, i wrote it, and i worked with a terrific cowriter, a woman laura morton. You know, i didnt think it was that big a deal, and then i started hearing from people and they say its brutally honest. I thought, oh, wait a minute. Maybe i shouldnt have put this in here. Why did you . It is brutally honest. Some of your stories are whenever i go out to speak or im at functions where people keep wanting how did you do this . What did do you . I say maybe i should write it down. Thats what i decided to do. Well, your dad was such a major player for many, many years, and on his death bed he asked you he said to you, al, you know, i want to you lose the weight. Thats a lot to carry around. Yeah. You know what, it was one of these things where i did it. You know, he made me promise, and he made me swear to god that i would do it, and i did. He was gone about a week and a half later. You kind of forget about that stuff, and then the new year started, and i started really thinking about and we found out we were pregnant with our second child nicki, and i thought, you know, i have to do this. I had been thinking about bypass earlier. Kind of had gone back and forth and said, no, im not going to do it. Im just tired of this. Im tired of doing this, so i decided to go ahead. I met with this fantastic surgeon and got it done. You said you have to do it. Anybody who is dealing with weight issues, have you to do it for yourself. Yes. We know were fat. Your telling us, oh, have you to lose weight, we know we do. Thats the way it works. But until you in a sense its like any alcoholic or anybody who abuses drugs. Until youre ready to do this, no program, no 12step program, nothing is going to work for you until youre ready to say, you know what, i think enough of myself that im going to take the step to do it. The pain that you carried around from when you were a kid is something i think a lot of overweight people can identify with, but when the comic strip fat albert, the cartoon, came out, that was something that really cut to the quick. Oh, my gosh. Im a sophomore in high school in new york city, and lets see, is he black, he is fat, he is funny, and his first name is albert. Well, check, check, check. It was horrible. I mean, the first day of the morning after going into school and hearing everybody go hey, hey, hey. You joke about it, and you oh, yes. Are you dying. You said that an insecure kid and very shy kid. Im still very shy. You know . You hide that well. Well i would never think that of you. Like my mentor, willard scott, he is a great speaker in public, and he is one of the most famous weather people ever. You know, and you find ways to mask that pain, and for me it was food. You know, youve had issues with weight and then you have lost weight and regained weight. The name of the book is never going back. How do you know that . What are you doing now that convinces you . Look, i had the bypass. I lost almost 140 pounds, and then about four and a half years, go and my mom got sick. I was driving back and forth north shore to long island on the l. I. E. , and i fell back into the same old habits. The trigger, the pain, the fear of losing my mother. After she passed, i thought, you know, i cannot do this again. I put 40 pounds back on. Just so happened that a dear friend of ours, john harris, had lost weight doing this cleanse with a nutritionist, Melissa Boman lee out of chicago. Your assistant accide, brook, h this. I met with her, and it changed my life. Whether do you this cleanse or juice cleanse or whatever, whatever you do, that but the exercise, as you know, is so important. I found melissa does this slow exercise. A little less. Youre not sweaty. You do it in a cold gym. It changed my fez evening and changed how i felt about exercising. I still hate exercising. All that stuff is great. This book is a terrific read. Its fun to read. There are recipes in the back. Theres a lot of takeaway, and i think its inspiring, and were so happy for you. So happy for you. Its so good. Im glad i got to meet with you. I missed kathie lee. Youre the gift that keeps giving. I love that. Yesterday when you said obviously you havent had any work done. I have feelings too, you know . Whatever. You were fantastic. Anyhoo hey, are you going to tweet us some more because that was riveting. Als book is never going back. He is never coming back. You can check out our story on dateline new year new you. Two hours. At 7 00, 6 00 central here on nbc. Coming up, the small town stars that make their way to the big. Were going buck wild from mtvs newest reality show. First, these messages. Ho w do es it feel to try smooth, wdelicious hersheys chocolate with 30 less fat . Hersheys Simple Pleasures chocolate. 30 less fat, 100 delicious. To say get well to your loved ones. This came for you, mommy. [ female announcer ] but when you send a kleenex® care pack, complete with americas softest tissue, youre also giving a warm gesture of care. Kleenex®. Americas softest tissue. With h r blocks messedup tax second look,there. Of care. People bring in old tax returns, and im like, who did this to you . Dont worry, ill fix it. Ill go back three years. And get you every single deduction out there. That nasty odor coming from your washer. Say farewell to the smell with tide washing machine cleaner. It goes straight to the source of the stink to lift odorcausing residues off your washers drum. Tide washing machine cleaner. Yer always after me lucky charms whoa. I forgot how good these taste [ lucky ] theyre magically delicious with a Samsung Galaxy ii from we Straight Talk wireless. One i forgot how good these taste hell get the same great nationwide coverage for half the cost. Lets see if he notices. Everyone noticed. Joe saved 950 a year. Enough to buy some sweet mother of glory pyrotechnics. Rock on, abigail. Rock on. Same phones, same networks. Half the cost. A Samsung Galaxy s ll with unlimited everything just 45 a month. Straight talk wireless. Only at walmart. Theyre starting off the new year with a brand new look. Ambush makeovers zoosh he is the no nonsense reality star serving up sass. Oh, look at nene. Look what kathie plus, how to look like a million bucks on a dime. We have beauty insider tricks. Local news what else . Weather. Ive heard that rumor. Okay. At a dry cleaner, we replaced people with a machine. What . Customers didnt like it. So why do banks do it . Hello . Hello . if your bank doesnt let you talk to a real person 24 7, you need an ally. Hello . Ally bank. Your money needs an ally. Thats been wrapped in a flaky crust stuffed with a gooey center toasted up all golden brown then given a delicious design . A toaster strudel. Pillsbury toaster strudel. So delicious. So fun. Yeah we both relieve coughs, sneezing, aches, fevers. And i relieve nasal congestion. Overachiever. [ female announcer ] tylenol® cold multisymptom nighttime relieves nasal congestion. Nyquil® cold and flu doesnt. Very interesting. Cool. I like success. Joy. I got cracker chips. [ laughing ] chocolatey pretzel. Mmmm. Special k [ female announcer ] snack and stay on track with special k. I like confidence. I am a confident lady. [ laughter ] s. I said are you going to be my girl were back with more today on this thirsty thursday. Its time for our ambush makeovers who two lucky ladies get plucked off the plaza and we surprise them with brand new looks. Today contributor and stylist to the stars lewis lacari, la, la, la. Thank you, meredith. Today contributor and contributing editor, people style watch jill martin. All right. How were the pickins out there, lewis . It was good. It was freezing cold, i have to tell you, so it was one of those days where you had to look at the eyes, but other than that, it was great pickings. A lot of people were there. You got sisters, didnt you . First up is doris. Shes 61 from montana. Until recently she hasnt done anything to her hair in 20 years, so she was thrilled when we approached her on the plaza. Take a listen. Well, i love doing sisters because this is going to be so much fun, and i can make you look better instantly with this blanket on you. Tell me why you she works so hard. Shes a grandmother. She deserves a new, fabulous look. Oh. I know youre surprised, but excited . I am. Im totally i need this. Are you ready to ditch the blanket for a hot new dress . I am. Oh, my god, yes. How exciting. Okay. Shes here with her sister, who were going to make over next, but shes also here with a couple of friends. Bobby is here and linda. Ladies, please keep on your blindfolds. Here is doris before. All right, doris. Lets see the new you. Wow. Whoa. Wow. Oh, my gosh. Are you ready . Bobby and linda, take off your blindfolds . Oh, my all right. Doris, are you ready to see yourself . All right. Put your glasses on and turn around. Right here. Oh, my god. Wow. You look do you love it . You look absolutely beautiful. Spin right around, sweetie, and look right there, if you wouldnt mind. Tell us about the hair, lewis. That was what a better way to start the new year than with a makeover. This is all about being rich and glum russ. We made her hair color. Added depth, and, of course, gave her this great very simple but very chic haircut. How do you decide the hair color . Its really beautiful. Its a brown, but it has different nuances of color in it, and thats what makes it special. Its very much alive. Look at the friends, by the way. We need kleenexs galore. Tell us what you guys think of the makeover. Montana is not going to be the same. Do you love . My aunty is beautiful. Jill, thats the perfect dress. Perfect. You get some sparkle. This is great for maggie. I just want to show the back. Show the back. How beautiful is that back . Gorgeous. Love it. The jewelry love it. Perfect. All right. Doris, why dont you take baby steps over to your friends. Now were going to talk about youre going to face the wall, okay . Youre going to face the wall so you cant see. All right. Doriss sister, cindy is 53 from south carolina. Her daily beauty routine consists of putting her hair in a ponytail. She jumped at the opportunity to receive a glam new look. Lets listen to her story. Now its cindys turn. What do you think about all this for her . You know, i think that she works very hard, and she never gets dressed up. She never does anything for herself, and so she deserves this. She needs to feel better and, yes. Thats so nice to hear, right . Yes. Okay. Shes beautiful anyway. All right. Its a love fest, and there are tears, but were going to turn them into smiles. Are you ready . Im so ready. Okay. So obviously cindy has never hasnt seen doris since her makeover, and look at doris, shes being block the by our floor manager. Weve seen cindy before. Lets see cindy now. Come on. Wow. Wow, wow, wow. Hot mama. All right. Are you ready . Everybody turn around. Ladies. Get the masks off. Oh, my god. Did you see your sister too . All right. Want to see yourself . Take a look. Look in the mirror. Surprise. Wow, wow. Oh, my god. You look so beautiful. Look right in the camera. Right there, sweetie. Wow. Right . This starts with the hair. The darkest blonde, the darkest warm blonde. Then this is very close to her natural color, which she was born with, actually. She looks a little more alive. The swept away bang erases years. Combine that with the makeup, which is soft. The tip is the aging process goes on, less makeup goes a long way. I dont think people realize that that less is more. The outfit is fantastic. A little leather. When we put this on, she said i want this. Its from andrew market. Its an indooroutdoor jacket. You can wear it indoors and out, and the jewelry statement necklace is scott. Take baby steps. Big round of applause. Good job, sisters. Beautiful. All right. A woman is always looking good. Real house wooif diva nene leakes is here after this. Try delicious light fit greek its no ordinary nonfat yogurt. It has twice the protein of regular lowfat yogurt. And at 80 calories, its the lightest greek yogurt with fruit. Its creamy, thick texture helps satisfy you. So you wont feel like youre running low on satisfaction. Light fit greek. 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Use caution when driving or operating machinery. Common side effects include nausea, trouble sleeping and unusual dreams. With chantix and with the support system it worked. It worked for me. [ male announcer ] ask your doctor if chantix is right for you. Shes famous for speaking her mind and serving up sass on bravo as hit reality show the real housewives of atlanta. Nene leakes has that role on the new normal where she plays rocky, a fierce assist yabt who is not too different from the real nene, as weve noticed. Hey. How are you . Good morning. How are you . Youre a busy bee, i have to say. I am. You got your fame from the real housewives of atlanta. You quickly took it and ran with it. Not everyone can do that, can they . Not everyone can do that. Thats very true. Ive been very lucky and very blessed. I think when you get an opportunity or a platform such as the real housewives of atlanta you have to use it to your advantage, and i was able to do that, and now im on a Primetime Television show. Yes, you are. Are you loving that . I do. I love ryan murphy. He is the creator of glee, American Horror story. I love it. Quite different than reality. Its a whole hour. Lots of hours. You earn the money. Yes, you do. Theres a scene that was the part with the turkeys and all that where you and youre actually playing your mothers role, your fathers role, and your role. That must have been such a trip. So much fun to play all three roles. I couldnt wait to do that. Look at this. Look, i got awe new job. I love that strawberry lemonade. That menu is huge. Thank god for those pitchers. I am assistant to mr. Daddy, my dreams are coming true. Dreams dont pay no bills. You dummy. You wont make it out there. This is so fun to watch you. It must have been fun to do. I was so excited for me to play the characters. I called up a few friends who have done that same thing before, like tyler and i was excited. Tyler perry. I was excited to do that. Youre also on the cover, right, of ebony magazine, money and power. Look at you. Pretty big stuff. Some people were not happy with that. Why do you think that is . I did some interviews, and i talked about i just my personal thoughts are i felt like i got a lot of flack from my own community, meaning the africanamerican community. I feel like we dont support each other the way that we should. I feel like i deserve to be on the cover more than anybody else. I am an africanamerican who crossed over to primetime, which is not easy to do, and its not a lot of africanamericans who are on a primetime scripted series, so that was huge. And i did so many other things. I have my own charity. I own restaurants. I did so many things that i felt that i deserved it. The editors over at ebony felt i sdefshed it, and thats why sigh me on the cover. I know not everybody is kind, and you are known to speak your mind. Do you say what you think . I do. Most of the time i try to keep it really real and say what i think. Sometimes im very direct, which can sometimes hurt people, but when i say direct, im just i dont feel like i have that tone, you know, that voice like a really sweet. I feel like if you ask me and i just tell you very directly, and sometimes it can shock somebody who can i ask directly, are you back with greg . Whats going on . Greg andry definitely back together. Okay. Did he propose to you . We heard a rumor he proposed to you on new years. No. Its not you tweeted about it. I tweeted about it on new years eve. I love twitter. Please follow me on twitter. neneleaks. So you can hear me trash talk. Im not trash talking. No, i think people can see on the real housewives of atlanta that greg and i are together, and i think people want to know if were going to go to the next level. Right. Thats what im asking. The answer is . Youll have to tune into the housewives. Thats not very direct. Thank you. Oh, man. Tuesday, 9 30, 8 30 central time. From normal to buck wild. Oh, no. Some people are calling it the new jersey shore right after this. Okay. My skin loses moisture nearly twice as fast as yours does, mom. Thats why you use johnsons baby lotion to keep my skin baby soft. I love that its gentle enough to use twice a day, morning and night. Youve really got this mom thing down. [ female announcer ] Nature Valley granola bars, rich dark chocolate, toasted oats. Perfect combinations of natures delicious ingredients, from Nature Valley. Nature valley granola bars, nature at its most delicious. Kleenex® care pack of soothing essentials. Go to kleenex. Com and enter the code from speciallymarked bundles of kleenex® tissues. Because only americas softest tissue turns a gesture into a complete gift of care. [ male announcer ] why do more emergency workers everywhere trust duracell. . . Duralock power preserve. Locks in power for up to 10 years in storage. Now. Guaranteed. Duracell with duralock. Trusted everywhere. [ female announcer ] take the special k challenge. Lose up to six pounds in two weeks. With the cereal you love. And so much more. What will you gain when you lose . Move over jersey shore. Mtv has in smu kids in town. The new show is called buck wild, and it follows the lives of nine advenrous friends. If you havent been to a dump truck pool party, then you are missing out. Shane and shay bradley are two of the shows stars. Are you ready . Tonight is the premier. Weve seen some of the clips. Theres a lot of people diving in mud baths and laughing and hooting and hollering. What happens in this show . You know, that was a little bit of it, but its just nine of my friends living in the middle of nowhere. Just making our own fun, doing what we want and when we want. With what we got. With what you got. What do you got . Not much. Thats what im saying. We got away we got. Theres ridiculous stuff. Tell us what you think is rid you can husband that people can have fun with . Like what . You can have fun with a tire. That was just tarps, and we just put soap and water and slide around. Whats the message youre trying to get out, besides your having a good time. Is there something you want the audience to walk away with . Have fun. You only live once. Live it up. The senator of your great state was very upset that this was going to be on mtv, and actually said, look, they went to mtv and said its going to make all of us look terrible. We dont want to all be cast with this broad brush. What do you think about that . Well, as far as the criticism goes, i represent myself and myself only, so to say that nine individuals represent the whole state of West Virginia is just silly. You know . But do you think that its a good thing for West Virginia . I think thats what he is saying. Its not a good thing. That it totally represents young people in West Virginia. Im representing myself. We arent representing everyone there. We are who we are. Even my best friends on the show, if they do something embarrassing, thats on them. I represent myself only. I picked you as the crazy one. What kind of crazy stuff . I get in this big old tractor tire, and first she starts it up. Shes on flat ground. She rolls on it. Lets take it back there to the holler and roll down this big old hill. You roll down in a tire inside it . In the tire. Oh. My knees hit me in the face. Oh, my gosh. Then it flips me out. Then what happens . Then i cant do nothing. Im laying there in a maze. Oh, my gosh. Oh, that was awesome. He does the craziest stuff, and he gets up like nothing happened. You know your lives are going to change because the fame that happened on the jersey shore kids could be happening to you. Are you ready for that . We havent changed at all. Our friendship, nothing has changed. Okay. We wish you guys good luck because buck wild premiers tonight on mtv. Good luck. Uhhuh. Okay. Next up were going to show you how to look like a million for way less. Back with more of today on nbc. Back now with todays beauty and how to look like a million bucks for just pennies. Beauty editor is the author of the new book how to look expensive. Its full of beauty advice that celebrities pay top dollar to get. Hey. Hi, guys. Thanks for having me. Youre going to tell us how to do things. Im going to show you how to do great things that are celebrity secrets. Theyre simple, easy, and most important, theyre free. Essentially free. First thing has to do with champagne. Why are we putting champagne on our hair . We highlighted half of her hair. This is a before. Thats the after. Just wait. Champagne on your hair champagne on your hair. If you have leftover bubbly, it doesnt have to be good champagne. It can be the cheap stuff. What youre going to do is pour some im going to show you what we did. Pour champagne on your hair. Save a little for us. Saturate the hair. Then the heat of a blow dryer, and a diffuser. If you can see the ends of her hair that have the gorgeous ombre effect that people spend a fortune on. It doesnt it adds body to your hair and makes it bright, shiny. You blow it dry. Next time you shampoo, youll still have the highlights. Wow. Okay. Now, these tips come from Jennifer Anistons dermatologist. Shhh. Secret is out. Im talking gauze pads with soy milk. It helps with pigmentation. It counter acts the pigmentation. Dip it in. Im going to do it on your face. You could do it on your chest for pigmentation. Just go like that. Do this a few times. What exactly does that do . What exactly does that do . It counter acts pig meantation. It will even out your skin tone. Dark spots, will it get rid of them . Yes. Really . Soy milk. What about bags under the eyes . Bags under eyes we have two fun ideas. We made squares wrap them in seran wrap, and freeze them. We froze them, and can you keep them in the frig for when you have those nights when you are going to have a bad morning. That is really rude. How long do you keep them on . Leave them on for ten minutes. Okay. Ill give you each one of these. Yeah. Do you eat it . The antioxidant pop sickle. It would be great on the bags of your eyes, and its also a great skin treatment for redness, and everyone has green tea. How easy is that . I keep one in my freezer all the time. Feels great. Im not going to give you one. I think youre busy enough. Okay. This one i didnt quite understand. Its using your mascara wand for eye liner. Any mascara you have will work. This is one of my favorites. What i did is i use a eyeliner brush stick it in, and then you have a twofer. Whats the difference between using regular eyeliner and that . Xheeper. Saves some money. Saves a few bucks. Its also a great trick. Makeup artist dozen this because you can do it subtly, and it makes your eye lashes look really thick. I like the gold too. This is Blake Livelys Makeup Artist tip. She said blake would kill her tore going that. After you apply the black you rim your eye with gold. Its almost like Walking Around under candlelight. Gives you this gorgeous glow. Wow. We all love. Whats the olive oil . This is okay. Were out of time. We have to run. This looks good. [ male announcer ] this commercial is not about getting fios, its about getting fios. That moment after you finally got it that you actually get it. The difference 100 fiber optics makes and you say woah we are not on cable anymore. When online videos arent herky jerky, you get it. Or when a movie downloads in two minutes, you get it. [ female announcer ] switch to fios internet, tv, and phone for this amazing price online, just 79. 99 a month guaranteed for two years with a twoyear agreement. Plus get 300 back. Hurry, last chance to get this incredible deal. Offer ends january 5th. Fios brings you internet ranked the fastest in the nation. And unbeatable picture quality. Its 100 fiber optic, 100 different from cable. So get fios for this incredible price online, just 79. 99 a month guaranteed for two years with a twoyear agreement. Plus get 300 back. Or get this great price with no annual contract. Hurry, this offer ends january 5th. Go to verizon. Com holidaydeal. Call the Verizon Center for customers with disabilities thats verizon. Com holidaydeal. At 8009746006 tty v. And see why millions have switched to americas fastest, most consistent, most reliable internet verizon fios