also, this news is coming as pope benedict delivers his annual message from the vatican. it just so happens he's talking about violence around the world. we will let you hear part of his message. but let's start with those two christian churches in two cities in nigeria, both bombed today, christmas day, during holiday worship services. an eyewitness to the second explosion says he counted at least 19 people dead, many others are injured. this was happening, and not long after that, another bomb took place in another city of madala. i spoke to someone who was on the scene of that bombing. >> yeah. it's been a terrible event this morning. we have, from my count, 19 dead as of the time of this report. we do not know yet how many are in hospital as of about 8:00 a.m. it was about 10:30 where police officer was injured in a multiple bomb blast inside a church. >> these bombings reminiscent of what we saw really last christmas, same thing. suspected islamist extremists bomb churches there in nigeria. dozens of people killed in those attacks. now thousands also gathering in rome today. they are there to hear and see pope benedict. he's delivering his annual christmas day message. the 84-year-old pontiff presiding over his seventh christmas mass. themes this year focusing on the essence of the holiday rather than the commercial holiday it has become. all the publicity on the need to find peace in an increasingly violent world. >> translator: at this hour, when the world is continually threatened by violence in so many places and in so many different ways, when over and over again there are oppressors' rods and blood-stained cloaks, we cry out to the lord, almighty god, you have appeared as a child and you have revealed yourself to us as the one who loves us, the one through whom love will triumph. and you have shown us that we must be peacemakers with you. >> and part of the pope's message, another part of it on this christmas -- you don't hear that much about the birth of jesus this time of year, do you? you are hearing so much about the celebration of shopping. listen. >> translator: today christmas has become a commercial celebration whose bright lights hide the mystery of god's humility which in turn calls us to humility and simplicity. help us, lord, see through the superficial glitter of the season and to discover behind it the child in the stable in bethlehem so as to define true joy and true light. >> stick around. in just a couple minutes, nadia bilchik with our "morning passport" showing us some of the unique christmas traditions around the world. got to talk a little politics here because we are getting some react after newt gingrich and rick perry failed to get on the virginia primary ballot. yesterday gingrich's team announced they'd launch an aggressive write-in campaign. part of the statement from the campaign saying only a failed system excludes 4 out of the 6 major candidates seeking access to the ballot. voters deserve the right to vote for any top contender especially leading candidates who will work with the republican party of virginia who will pursue an aggressive write-in campaign to assure all of the voters of virginia are able to vote for the candidate. their choice. sounds fine. one problem -- virginia law specifically prohibits write-ins for the primary. the gingrich says it is "evaluating" options. let me bring in our dear friend of cnn saturday and sunday morning, patricia murphy of citizen jane politics, also the daily beast. good to have you here on christmas. merry christmas. >> merry christmas to you! not to newt gingrich! >> what a horrible ending. is this going to have a tangible effect on the race or does this just kind of look back, a little embarrassing. his home state right now technical technically, he lives there. >> how embarrassing is this? you're from virginia, you can't get on your own state's ballot. it just looks bad and reinforces the narrative that he doesn't have the professional operation to actually become president. is he another bubble candidate. that's what this sort of reenforces. if it does get to super tuesday when virginia votes, there are 50 delegates at stake and if this is a close race, everybody needs every delegate they can get. right now it won't have a huge logistical impact but it does reinforce a very negative narrative. >> could this turn off some potential donors? >> donors? absolutely. voters, probably not. a voter in iowa, a voter in new hampshire -- what? who cares. virginia, i've never even been there. but donors are thinking i've got $1 million to give to somebody, i'd like to see that million dollars spent properly. i want to have it to an operation that's going to take my money, put it where they can use it and know what they're doing every step of the way. this says i don't know what i'm doing. >> we have a couple polls we can put up here. he has been holding pretty steady. if it were held today, we were asking folks here if the republican primary was held today, newt gingrich still coming out on top. at 30%. romney at 25%. he can never really break that threshold. how is romney holding on? >> steady as she goes. the difference what we're seeing now in mitt romney, we're actually seeing mitt romney. he had been in sort of a hidy hole, almost a witness protection program, not doing any interviews, not showing up anywhere. now is he coming out, holding interviews and hitting newt gingrich hard. finally mitt romney is becoming a presidential candidate and not a minute too late. >> what happens if ron paul wins iowa? how does that shake up the race? >> well, i think right now the expectations are being raised that ron paul will win iowa. so if he does win, all it will do is meet expectations. will certainly energize his base of support that is huge, voracious, very, very strong. but i don't know that it will take him a lot further than iowa. i think also it will knock newt gingrich down a few notches in case ron paul wins. it will not have an effect on mitt romney. he is not expected to win iowa. >> is the president going to be sending thank you cards to the republicans in the house for that christmas gift they just gave him. >> that would be more like a kick in the teeth than a thank you card. going to hawaii with a smile on his face is all the republicans need right now. they need to go home, regroup, have a soul searching session, come back with a fresh face in january, hopefully with a different political game plan. >> maybe it will calm down a bit but it is about to be a heck of a year. >> enjoy the ride. >> thank you so much for being here on christmas day and also my last newscast here. >> i know. >> at cnn. i've been working with you for years and years. we just got you to atlanta to have you in studio, and i'm leaving. don't take it personally. >> i'm not taking you personally but i think you are a great talent and we're going to miss you. >> thank you so much. but we'll be in touch. patricia murphy, of course you'll see more of her on cnn. january 3rd, iowa caucuses. stay here with cnn for america's choice 2012, coverage of those caucuses 7:00 p.m. eastern time right here on cnn. eight minutes past the hour. we're getting news reports -- more reports of more explosions in nigeria. we were telling you that we got word of two churches being bombed there earlier today during church services. same thing happened last year. number of people were killed. getting reports that 19 people were killed and two bombings today, at least 19. but now we are being told that at least three more churches have been bombed, this would be a total now of five churches bombed on christmas day during some christmas services taking place there. again, this is news we are just getting. just taking place this morning on christmas day, unfortunately. but the death toll, according to some reports now, is up to 25. so a really sad, unfortunate story we have to bring you here on christmas day about churches being bombed. stay with me. we'll have the latest. 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[ male announcer ] progresso. 40 soups 100 calories or less. i'm kimberly ryan, currently deployed in helmand province, afghanistan. i'd like to say happy holidays to my family back home in norwich, connecticut. 13 minutes past the hour on this christmas morning. time for a christmas edition of "cross-country." the man known as the secret santa of portland, maine, at it again for the second time. this holiday season he handed out cash to complete strangers. each envelope had $100 bill from it with a note that said "pay it forward." also in bellevue, washington, this mail carrier santa says he's going rogue. a co-worker complained about his santa suit but he decided, naughty or nice, he'd keep on wearing it anyway. spokane also, 60 special kids boarded alaska airlines flight 1225, also known as santa one for a magical flight to the north pole and a visit with santa. they were all chosen because they were especially good. lay-away angel was turned away from not one but two walmart stores? jennifer larue says she wanted to surprise some people by paying off their lay-away balances but she was told it violates walmart's privacy policy? walmart's regional vp though toll our affiliate kprc there is no policy against random acts of kindness. are you kidding me? she's just trying to do a nice thing. >> i know. that's one of those stories, right? well let's hope she finds someone else to help. >> just trying to do a good thing. we talk a lot of christmas talk today, rightly so. christmas around the world though. >> let's start with japan. japan has been through so much this year but during christmas, christmas in japan is synonymous with kentucky fried chicken. about 40 years ago what happened was foreigners didn't have any turkey so what they did was they used to eat kentucky fried chicken and kentucky fried chicken saw this as an unbelievable opportunity and now in japan, it is christmas with kentucky. and in south africa, remember, it is not winter. there is no white christmas, it is summer. you will be having christmas on the beach and with a barbecue. you'll be having a barbecue with sausage. in the ukraine, a rather beautiful tradition. you will have an artificial spider and spider web but the legend is so beautiful because there is a very poor widow and she couldn't afford either tree or decorations and a pine cone apparently dropped into her home and grew a tree and there were no money for decorations so what happened was the spider spun a web and with the glint of the sunlight created the most beautiful decoration -- >> is that a true story? >> supposed to bring you good luck. it is just a legend. now in true christmas tradition, i have a gift for you, a christmas gift and a parting gift because, 269 j., you've been such a wonderful part of my life. >> oh, wow. >> this is a peyton man ining se ball. you have shared your passion for american football. i've shared my passion for rugby. especially to t.j., a ball for you. so merry christmas, kwanzaa and hanukah, my friend, t.j. holmes. i have loved every moment on the set and off. >> you know as well we're big sports guys, me and reynolds both. we started this "morning passport" a while back -- >> it's been nearly a year-and-a-half. >> you've added so much to this show, some elegance that reynolds and i just cannot bring. we appreciate it. it is always interesting, always a pleasure. we are saying bye on the air but we don't have to say good-bye. >> well good-bye, good luck, and i know t.j., you are a star in every way. >> thank you so much. still got a little work to do here though. mike young has made it his mission to help more than 100 rescued dogs. he's not helping in the way you might think. you will you a meet this pilot's very special cargo. take a look. >> my dog's name was conan. he was a german shepherd. we paid good money to have the cancer treated. he was finally well from the chemo but his kidneys failed and that's ultimately why we had to put him to sleep. now i'm on pilot and paws which is a website that people have dogs that have to be transported. these are rescuers who pull them from high kill shelters, post on this website that they have dogs to move from point a to point b, and pilots like me get e-mails saying another request has been posted. and i scan through them to see if there's any rescue flights that are within my area that i could do. >> how's life treating you this fine day? >> we're doing good. >> save some more dogs! >> it's okay, bo. it's okay. they actually look like they know that they're about to be saved. this is different. there's people loving them. there's other dogs around them and they almost know that they're going to be going to their forever home. >> bo seems to want to be in the back seat. you know what? he just managed to get to the front. transporting dogs is one of the most important steps in saving dogs. you have to move them from rural areas typically to more urban areas where there's a higher probability that they're going to get rescued. >> come on, girl. >> she's beautiful! >> hi, sweetie! >> hi! >> what do you guys think of your new addition to your family? >> she's absolutely before! we love her! >> you look into the new owner's eyes for the first time they're going to get to hold their dog. >> you want to hold your buddy? >> and they just hold their dog like they had it forever and they were waiting forever for this dog. you know that dog's going to have a good life. >> have a merry christmas and a happy new year and thank you. you actually made our christmas. >> so how can i not spend my time an money giving to these dogs, giving the owners of these new dogs the opportunity to have the love that i have for these dogs? and really that's what it's all about. >> you can be sure to watch cnn's "giving in focus" special today at 4:30 eastern time hosted by tom foreman. santa's got a gift for you sports fans today. yeah. nba games. a lot of them. five key match-ups. also to my viewers an my followers on twitter, i've been teasing you all about my final guest that i would have. i gave you some hints. i said it would be a good friend of mine. said it would be a hall of famer. told you it was a multiple emmy winner as well. you recognize that guy? my final guest on cnn is next. >> i'm here in southwest asia. this greetings is going to my parents, family and friend in enterprise, alabama. happy holidays. i love you very much. [ woman ] my boyfriend and i were going on vacation, so i used my citi thank you card to pick up some accessories. a new belt. some nylons. and what girl wouldn't need new shoes? we talked about getting a diamond. but with all the thank you points i've been earning... ♪ ...i flew us to the rock i really had in mind. ♪ [ male announcer ] the citi thank you card. earn points you can use for travel on any airline, with no blackout dates. 23 minutes past the hour now. let's just go ahead and take these two shots so the viewers can see who we got in the building today. chuck, how you doing? >> man, i'm glad to be back to work. i'm glad to be back to work. >> tell the truth, nba kicking off today, december 25th. yes, christmas day. but would have you preferred the lockout went a few more days so you didn't have to work christmas? >> not really. first of all of, i enjoy my free vacation time but there's so much collateral damage from the people who work at the arena, people who work for the teams, and also all the businesses around these arenas. so that's the thing that frustrated me the most. i wasn't worried about the players and owners because they're both greedy, but there's so much collateral damage, i'm glad to be getting back to work. >> you try to not just dog the players while it was all going on, but who really screwed up. you called everybody greedy but did the players play this one right? >> well, i thought the owners went overboard. they won the game and they were trying to run up the score. i was very disappointed in the owners. the players really tried to get a deal done much sooner but i thought the owners, they had the hammer and they really used it. >> is it all going to be forgiven and forgotten when today you kick off -- you all, tnt, 11:00 pre-game show, then you all have a game at noon, the knicks-celtics today. but all forgiven and forgotten once they get back on the court? >> i don't know what the fans are going to be. it would be presumptuous to say. but listen, it is business. sometimes it is uncomfortable when you're in business, when you're negotiating but i hope the fans come back. like i said, the players screwed up and the owners screwed up. that's the only way to look at it. but i'm just glad we're back to work. >> the heat going to lose this year? >> i think in the east miami and chicago are the two best games. boston had a chance before they lost jeff green. but boston -- that really killed boston's chances of winning a championship. but miami and chicago are the two best teams, by far. and the west, you got dallas, oklahoma city, and memphis to me are the three best teams in the west. and we got to figure out the rest of them. >> you didn't mention lakers. >> i did not mention the lakers. kobe bryant has been the greatest player for the last 10 to 15 years. but he's older. let me -- he's old. listen, his best days -- no disrespect to him -- are behind him. also i don't think their guard play is very slow with the efficient ron artest. they are not the defending champs. mavs are. >> you always say you figure out -- when you figure it out that it was time to retire is when guys -- >> when guys who can't play are kicking your behind. that's when it's time to give it up. >> you look at that guy and you know he's no good and he's beating you. >> yeah. and it is very frustrating. because your ego speaks for the player you used to be. kobe bryant's going to be a good player. but as far as his days of being the best player, those days are over. the best player now is probably lebron, dwight howard, dwyane wade, those are the best players. >> all right. we aren't done here with charles. many of you all know -- and may not know -- chuck has been one of my best friends since i've come to cnn. he's given me some guidance in this decision i made to be leaving cnn. we might get into that in a second. we'll leave basketball here for a moment. after the break we'll continue on a bunch of things, including weight watchers, also some political commentary. i'm going to get you to take back something you said last week. this is what i'm talking about. look at this. >> as a democrat who loves the president, i am downright giddy! there ain't no way we can lose to them idiots! i am so glad to get rid of it. just to be able to wake up in the morning on your own. that's a big accomplishment to me. i don't know how much money i need. but i know that whatever i have that's what i'm going to live within. ♪ ♪ it's good. honey, i love you... oh my gosh, oh my gosh.. look at these big pieces of potato. ♪ what's that? big piece of potato. 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[ male announcer ] ask your doctor about cymbalta. imagine you, with less pain. cymbalta can help. go to cymbalta.com to learn about a free trial offer. at the bottom of the hour on this christmas morning, unfortunate news we have to bring you. breaking story out of nigeria where at least five -- five now -- christian churches have been bombed today during holiday worship services. earlier today -- we were telling you a little while ago this morning two churches had been bopped. but in the past few minutes we've gotten word at least five have been bombed today. reuters reporting as many as 25 people have been killed. this is certainly reminiscent of the same scene we saw last year, christmas day. same thing suspected islamist extremists bomb churches there. dozens of people were killed in those attacks. this is still a breaking story on this christmas day. at least five churches bombed in nigeria during holiday worship services. also in rome, thousands of people gathered there as they always do this time of year on this day to hear and see pope benedict delivering his annual christmas day message. he asked catholics to remember christmas for what it is and not the commercial holiday it's become. i was teasing some of my followers and viewers here about who would be my last guest on cnn and lookie lookie who we got, good friend, nba analyst, tnt analyst charles barkley. we talked basketball a second ago. but something else people are noticing just looking at the screen right now, chuck looks good. how much weight did you lose? >> i've lost 50 pounds total. i'm spokesperson for weight watchers. it is something i needed to do because i'd gotten fat. it is embarrassing to be fat, to be honest with you. but i've had opportunities to do other products but i don't think you can give fat people small meals and they stick to it. i like weight watchers because it encourages me to eat fruits and vegetables whichdy not eat -- >> ever. >> ever. ever! but i like it. because they don't tell me to starve myself. they encourage me -- well mandatory eat a lot more fruits and vegetables and it's been fantastic for me. >> you have no problem -- it's so easy for you to call yourself fat. a lot of people -- >> guys, we don't need to talk about diets. sorry, wade, i love you -- >> all of my close friends call me wade. >> that's very true. >> how you doing? >> who are you? >> dude, merry christmas. sorry to interrupt this wonderful conversation. >> that's okay. you know you welcome any time. >> over here it is going to be extremely windy with the santa ana wind over here. in the midsection of the country, it is going to be really snowy and everything. and on the east coast, it's going to be clear, a little cold but clear. to the south, it is going to be a little rainy. see? that's my impression of you. >> i deal with this all the time whenever i hang out with this guy. i had to come by here today because i love you like a brother, man. it's just been an honor working with you but i'm not the only person who feels this way. i'm really not. it is like one of this "it's your life" moments. >> yes, it is! >> one person who also happens to be tuning in with the magic of minor technology, our executive producer here with us from los angeles. i think she has a few words for you. >> hi, nemo! merry christmas! >> if i am on the air and i am speaking proper english, it is because she puts those words in my mouth. my executive producer's been taking care of me for years. >> i wore my christmas red to match that horrible shiny christmas tie you have on. what is that? >> it is the spirit of the season. >> he looks nice! >> it looks incredible. >> looks better in person, i guess. >> okay. merry christmas. >> merry christmas. >> there's someone else tuning in from the lone star state of texas. b betny nyugen. >> betty, betty, my long, lost co-anchor. >> never lost, just a lit farther away. you think i would miss your last day? come on! there's no way. not even the holidays would keep me away from being right here with you on this special moment. and i am just so proud of you, t.j. i real aam. we have been through so much on the air, off the air, our shenanigans, our good times. our tough times. and you are like family and i am just so happy and so proud of you. >> well, betty -- >> congratulations. >> -- you are family. a lot of people certainly know that from our time here at cnn, but what people don't see -- i hope you are seeing it now -- this really is my family here, folks. i spend more time with these folks off the air than anybody would imagine. betty, chuck who's here, betty, reynolds of course as well. this is family, folks. you are seeing some of our moments here. but this really is. betty, i've got an ton of comments from people this morning saying bring betty back, they say maybe betty will be the last guest, because people remember our time here. >> i got to tell you though -- >> i know. do not adjust your television sets. we are here on cnn together. it's amazing. i'm glad to be back leer and sharing this with you. best of luck to you, t.j. i know they're trying to wrap us up. one other thing -- you're going to be closer to me in new york which is so fabulous. actually we may even be working in the same building together. >> don't rub it in. >> i'm going to get more t.j. time. >> don't rub it in! >> guys, sit tight. we've got to cut for a break but we have all kinds of t.j. splendor moments away. it is a holiday thing.p a y helps defends against occasional constipation, diarrhea, gas and bloating. with three strains of good bacteria to help balance your colon. you had me at "probiotic." [ female announcer ] phillips' colon health. truly, one of the things that always made it fun working with you is i've been in tv for nearly two decades. what's funny is when you work with someone, a lot of times have you a consultant that will come in and try to make two individuals who have completely different backgrounds become friends. it may not even be true, they may not match but they try to make it work. >> you and chuck here. >> you're a cool dude though. >> well, i mean -- but he's the coolest. working with you was the absolute easiest thing in the world. it was always a blast. i'm not the only person on this team that feels the same way. >> planning for the weekend morning. t.j. is leaving -- no! and i'm sad. why are you doing this to me? >> is it on three, two, one, good-bye t.j. >> i thought this was a group good-bye t.j. >> sit here, richard. we can't see you. >> good-bye, t.j. we're going to miss you. best of luck. we're going to miss you. boom! we're gone. >> could you write us all a script? >> t.j., you owe me $50. i know where you live, i know where you're going, you better pay it. >> t.j., it was wonderful working with you and getting to know you. we're really, really going to miss you. >> the thing i'm going to miss most about you is the impact you have in the makeup room. you can make grown women blush. >> t.j., i will miss you so much. 3:30 in the morning, saturday, sunday will never be the same. >> someone needs to yell "focus." >> we start -- nadia, you say 2679 j., we're going to miss you. then everybody's like "bye t.j.!" >> this is the worst message. >> t.j., rap is not music. it means stop talking. stop. i guess you don't have to worry about that anymore. >> what i'm going to miss most is hearing you say where is fredricka? where is fredricka? >> just want to say good-bye and good luck but i have a speak news spigs that you'll be back because i raided your desk and stole your peabody award, a pin and i'm keeping your badge clip. >> hey, t.j. good luck in your endeavors. we're going to miss you around here at cnn overnights. >> bye, t.j.! >> bye, man! going to miss you! >> what more proof do you need to know that people adore you. not just in the world of tv but it also transcends into politics. maria cardona was kind enough to wish you good-bye, also. >> t.j., i just want to say thank you, my friend. have you been a true friend. you have been the consummate professional. you have been one of the highlights of my weekends every single weekend for about a year-and-a-half. the listeners, the audience, the viewers, the voters love you. they love your professionalism. they love your energy. they love our segments together with my friend lenny. and i just want to thank you for giving us the opportunity for a very high-level intellectual debate that is always focused on the issues, is always fun, and is always energetic. >> see? i mean it is incredible. you got a lot of people on left that love you but politically what about people on the right? >> well we don't care what they have to say. >> come on! >> lenny mccallister, merry christmas. >> lenny on christmas day? >> merry christmas! merry christmas, t.j., and congratulations. you know we love you, man. i appreciate being on with you. it's been since 2008 where you and i have had an opportunity to just talk about the political issues of the day. but i want to focus on something happy for you before i let you go. so first of all, merry christmas. congratulations. now you know this is how i roll. right? you know this is how i roll. right? >> yeah, we know. >> but for you, t.j. holmes, january 6th, 2012, because you're nye friend and i love you -- got to do it. whoa pig suey. go razor backs. >> that's huge. >> lenny? lenny? number one, t.j. tells me you're a very nice guy. because me and t.j. were together last night and i was killing you and he was defending you. so we -- he says charles, you're going to like lenny when you meet him because i was killing the right wing at dinner last night. i was killing you! >> you know what? charles, they deserve it. over the last several weeks they've just been turrible! you know this as much as i do! >> lenny, it's been a pleasure and one of the great joys that people like you, maria, also mario armstrong, folks that we recognize something in here on the weekend and put them on the air and now other people are recognizing your value as well, using you on different shows, many of them getting jobs as contributors an networks and other things and we know that's going to happen for you as well. but i think that's a test amount to who you all are that we recognize your talent and ability, put you on, and now other people recognize it. we're not done, of course. >> all the texts and everything, man. please, it is one big team. thank you, t.j., for leading that team. god bless you always. >> merry christmas to you. thanks for coming in on this day and thanks for the hat. >> makes my skin crawl. >> let's try to enjoy this. we got like another two weeks of national champions. >> that's true. >> we're the defending national champs for another two weeks. speaking of celebrations, we've got more of t.j. holmes' finest moments. we're moments away from that. >> ooh. >> no, it's okay. like ripping off a band-aid. it is painful but it is all good. ♪ ♪ ♪ [ male announcer ] everyone deserves the gift of a pain free holiday. ♪ this season, discover aleve. all day pain relief with just two pills. for a hot dog cart. my mother said, "well, maybe we ought to buy this hot dog cart and set it up someplace." so my parents went to bank of america. they met with the branch manager and they said, "look, we've got this little hot dog cart, and it's on a really good corner. let's see if we can buy the property." and the branch manager said, "all right, i will take a chance with the two of you." and we've been loyal to bank of america for the last 71 years. ♪ sing polly wolly doodle all the day ♪ ♪ hah ♪ there's nothing embarrassing about this whatsoever. >> past five years i've done some embarrassing stuff. >> no, we were talking off the air. some of the people you met in your life is truly remarkable. >> this job, man -- that's such a blessing to be in this position. it gives you exposure to so many things. both of you all know it as well because we happen to have those kinds of jobs. >> i'm a big sanjay gupta fan. president clinton and mr. young. that's amazing. >> it never ends. people that flow in and out of your life when you are in a position like this is great. it is just starting for you. you've had some great moments meeting those people. we have what we consider some of our favorite t.j. moments. check this out. >> wow. >> that is a 2x4 that came through the wall and they say they don't have any idea where that came from. >> 2,753 people were killed right here behind me at ground zero. >> 16 years old. >> yes. >> you tell me you've been shot at before? that sound normal to you, a 16-year-old that has been shot at before? >> i mean does it sound normal to you? getting shot in the head? >> not at all. >> that's reality now. >> that's carry-on bag is necessary. i do not have a carry-on bag that will fit under the seat. >> what can't you fit in here, t.j.? what can't you fit in here that you have to have on the airplane with you? >> you take an overnight trip, a two-night trip, you need a -- couple paris of jeans, couple t-shirts, maybe a jacket. you can't fit that under. then you are asking people to fly for hours -- >> the army build more than a dozen towns and villages and another forward operating bases. the intent is to bombard the trainees with the look, the sound and the feel of iraq. >> i heard you talking, everybody was hearing you laughing saying you've done nothing. you've done nothing. what are you talking about? >> what am i doing here. >> what are you doing here? >> i've done nothing. >> you've done nothing. what are you talking about? >> i've been chasing my footsteps try to find out what can i do? >> it is impossible to come here and not have some kind of an overwhelming emotional response. this is sacred ground. this is the very place, the very spot, where martin luther king was shot and killed. >> you hear all the reports about people being angry and people in d.c. saying, yeah, america is angry. i don't think these folks are any. these folks are disappointed and hurt about what they see coming out of washington. >> should have done this first. >> lot of people follow you. fellows might say why are you not talking to us? why are you not giving us some relationship advice? >> well, that would be great but they don't buy books. >> some of these spices in the cabinet, not just for cooking. >> yes. the magic spice, viagra for women or the cheap high -- which is -- have a smell first. tell me if it has any effect. that is nutmeg. this is supposed to be an arouser. and a well-known fact. >> reynolds is yelling for some nutmeg. >> i'm just going to -- wow. wow. >> first of all, that first thing you did with my man with that ugly bag, that's the reason to keep him off the plane. that is the worst bag. i hope that ain't his real bag. >> he actually runs spirit airlines. >> i don't care. that's the ugliest bag i've ever seen in my life. >> you put that on the seat, nobody's going to sit next to you. >> i remember that interview well because they started charging people for their carry-on bags. we were like, dude, you got to have a carry-on. he said just stuff it -- those were great moments. >> you also had great moments with steve perry and i see excessive facial hair. that's insane! >> hey, man. i tell you, tj., the first time i met you it was at the carter center. you had this really bright pink shirt and sunglasses. couple ladies say it's t.j.! i said there is a grown man with t.j. then i saw what you really look like, i'm like, wow, that's one of my student's names. you're a great dude. >> you come in to give a parting shot? i wouldn't expect anything else. steve perry. here's another one we started using, loved on our weekend show. you and i always knocked heads on t.j., but it is fun, energet energetic, respectful. fine, go at it, disagree, be passionate, but don't disrespect the other side. >> you always bring another side to the conversation, even if that wasn't your side. people don't understand that this guy works really hard to be a professional to present you with the information from both sides of the conversation so that you don't have to hear just one side. so regardless of what side i was on, he had to be on the other. good job. >> appreciate you saying that. i don't know what's going on with mario armstrong there. >> we got to check him out. >> mario, mario, seriously. >> t.j.! did you expect anything? it is san today clause, man. merry christmas to you. look, this is a big deal, this is a big moment. you opened the door for me about two years and two months ago and all jokes aside, they talk about steer jobs says put a ding in the universe. i think i take away three things from you, man. passion. everyone wants to find out what their purpose is in life and you clearly know what yours is and do it well. commitment on and off air. i've seen with you trying to deal with people break into the industry and mentoring. and consistency. your quality every week is flawless. so thank you. not only do we, anybody, any employee, get a chance to work with all-stars in their field and you, my friend, are one of those all-stars and i just can't thank you enough from learning from you and working for you and for you opening the door and for tuneesha giving me that chance. if it weren't for you and her, i would still be trying to get on cnn. >> i met mario on a panel two-plus years ago in tampa. i said this guy's great. i immediately called my ep, said come downstairs, you've got to see this guy, put him on tv. we've been using him every week, ever since and he's now been picked up as technical contributor to the "today" show and that is something you, chuck, told me first night i ever met you. you said now that i am where i am, it is my job to pull other young brothers up to where i am. >> no question. i don't know mario that well, but steve perry is a treasure for cnn. the thing he talks so much about education and it is clearly one thing young brothers, young black kids are struggling with in america, education. so steve perry, i'm glad cnn got him on our group. >> well mario, as well, mario, thank you so much for that. steve, both of you. you got families and things to do today on this christmas day and you all taking the time to be here is actually a big deal. it means a lot to me. >> we'll be right back.sori . a new belt. some nylons. and what girl wouldn't need new shoes? 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[ male announcer ] and there you go, business pro. there you go. go national. go like a pro. i want to thank you, thank you, thank you and wish you the best on your new journey and where you're going. i know this is not good-bye, it's just a good-bye for right now. i know we will meet again very soon, and you're going to be here so you're not going too far. i always know where to find you. and i hope you continue to hear me in your ear when you think about those things that begin to pull out your credit card to purchase, you always hear me saying -- couldn't bdon't buy. don't buy. don't buy. my man, congratulations, and i wish you nothing but the best. >> i wish you, boy, all the best. i have a place where i can go and watch you on tv doing the same amazing job that you have done for us here. i wish you everything good, t.j. happy holidays. happy future. >> we're going to see candy crowley at the top of the hour but before then, two more people want to say good-bye one more time. >> it's a minute half left in ha show. make it quick. >> we'll make it real quick. t.j., it has been a pleasure to be with you, to work with you. you've been my brother, my friend. we've fought, we've argued but we've made really great tv and i wish you the best and i love you like a brother. i love marley and i know you'll do great. >> love you, t. >> t.j., i was there the very first day you started on cnn sitting right next to you and watching you as you were bright-eyed and excited about this business. you've never lost that passion. are you so good at what you do. and most importantly, those friendships, those relationships that you've cultivated along the way. like we've all said, we love you. you are not only a colleague, a friend, you are family and i'll be here for you every step of the way and i'm so very proud of you. >> we have got so much to look forward it. this is amazing i'm sitting here with all of my friends, tuneesha, betty, reynolds, chuck, my wife marley is in the booth there with nin-laws as well -- >> i thought you called them outlaws last night. >> as we hand this last 20 seconds to the viewers, thank you for supporting me. five years here a a this networ. i have