Transcripts For WRC Today 20100312

good morning. more wild weather. a line of severe storms tears across florida, spawning at least four tornadoes. this morning, a powerful system is promising a weekend of heavy rain, strong winds and possible flooding up and down the et coast. who knew what when? republicans call for an investigation into how reports of former congressman eric massa's behavior were handled. why was house speaker nancy pelosi not told about complaints made to her office as far back as october? this morning, her response. and together again. following a decades-long family feud, ryan and tatum o'neal say they have finally buried the hatchet. and after years of not speaking, they're sitting down for their first interview together, today, friday, march 12th, 2010. captions paid for by nbc-universal television and welcome to "today" on this friday morning. i'm meredith vieira. >> and i'm lester holt in for matt this morning. hope you didn't make any outdoor plans for the weekend because we've got lots of rain. >> it's going to be terrible. >> lots of rain, lots of wind, so your umbrella will be going inside out before this is over. >> exactly. a wet, windy weekend is on tap for much of the east coast, especially here in the northeast, and there are big flooding concerns. we're going to get more from al in a moment. also ahead, new details in the death of actor corey haim. coming up, what his mom tells us she's learned from the coroner's office. we're also going to take you inside his bedroom where he collapsed wednesday. also ahead, a remarkable outcome to what appear to be certain tragedy. a 1-year-old boy declared dead for nearly 40 minutes after drowning in a bathtub. doctors said even if he survived, there would be permanent brain damage, but then a miracle. this morning that boy is very much alive. he's going to be here with his parents who will share their incredible story with us. but we begin with a check of the morning's top stories. natalie morales is in for ann at the news desk. nat, good morning to you. >> good morning, everyone. forecasters say there's a threat of tornadoes over a wide area today from indiana down to florida. on thursday, there were at least four reports of tornadoes in central florida, as they damaged homes and downed power lines. there were no reports of serious injuries. two bombings today in pakistan killed at least 39 people in the city of lahore. about 100 more were wounded. senate majority leader harry reid's wife was seriously injured thursday when a tractor-trailer truck hit her vehicle in virginia. laundra reid suffered a broken back, neck and nose. their daughter was also injured. house democrats plan more meetings today on health care reform, this as chief of staff rahm emanuel says "we're getting toward the end." nbc's white house correspondent chuck todd joins us again. chuck, politically, what's at stake here for the president? >> reporter: well, clearly, it's the rest of the ability to get any more of his agenda moved in the next few months. here's the status of the talks. first, yesterday the senate democrats officially notified the senate republicans are going to use this senate rule, little-used senate rule called reconciliation, to avoid a filibuster in order to get these health care fixes in. two, as you nod, with rahm emanuel and the status of the talks, they're making a lot of progress on everything except one sticky issue -- abortion. and then, finally, three, there's this issue of timing. as you know, the president plans on going to indonesia and australia, and he's supposed to leave next thursday. well, house democrats are saying they just can't get it done by then, and moreover, they say the presidentas to be here. yesterday robert gibbs denied that there are any plans to even postpone or cancel this trip, but house demrats think he may have no choice. natalie. >> all right. chuck todd at the white house for us this morning. thanks, chuck. parole records obtained by the "associated press" show convicted california sex offender and murder suspect john gardner violated parole in 2007 by living within a half a mile of a school but was allowed to remain free. he pleaded not guilty last week to murdering teenager chelsea king and police say he is also a focus in the murder amber dubois. overseas markets are mostly higher this morning. on wall street, cnbc's melissa francis is at the new york stock exchange again for us this morning. what are we watching today? >> reporter: good morning, natalie. retail sales and consumer sentiment are the big items today, this after the s&p 500 closed at its highest level yesterday since octer 2008. janet young is expected to be named vice chairman of the federal reserve today. that's important, because she has a long history of favoring lower interest rates also. china is expected to gulp down even more oil this year, and that could mean higher gas prices for you. back to you, natalie. >> melissa francis at the new york stock exchange, thanks. hall of fame football player, broadcaster and actor merlin olsen died thursday after battling cancer. colleagues called him larger than life, a great athlete and an even better man. merlin olsen was 69. and a reminder for you all, this is the weekend that daylight saving time begins, and people in most of the u.s. will lose an hour of sleep, so be sure to set your clocks forward one hour on saturday night. but of course, what we lose in sleep, meredith and lester, we, of course, gain in sun, so -- >> that's right, at the end of the day. it will be nice. >> so it works out well for us in the end. >> well, not this weekend. >> not this weekend. you'll have to wait for that. >> tune in sunday and this space is empty. >> matt is off today, lester, nice to have you here. always nice to have you here, mr. roker. thank you very much. i wish we had better weather to talk about, especially throughout the eastern half of the country. as we take a look, we've got a risk of strong storms in three areas -- florida, the southeast and on up into themid-ohio river valley with the possibility of hail, damaging winds, isolated tornadoes. this is the live radar coming out of birmingham, and you can see a pretty heavy line of showers and thunderstorms approaching that area, going to cause some big problems. and we've also got reports of some hail in these storms. we've got a flood threat from georgia all the way to new england, as far west as indiana. on the radar you can see the heavy rain now firing up through florida, on into the southeast and the northeast. heavy rain right now. we're looking anywhere from three to five inches of rain in central florida. then as we move on up into the ohio river valley, we're talking about anywhere from three to six inches of rain in the mid-atlantic states on into the ohio river valley as well. and in the next half hour, we're going to talk about the 6r7b8g9s and our main issue here 0e6r the weenld will be just that, urban flooding, tidal flooding, coastal flooding too. we have already seen one round of rain that's going to come our area. and then heavy rain is back. 53 degrees the current temperature, we'll see a high today of 58, moderate to heavy ra and that's your latest weather. meredith? >> al, thank you very much. the controversy surrounding former congressman eric massa is not going away. now republican leaders are asking for an investigation into who knew what about massa's alleged behavior and when. nbc's kelly o'donnell is on capitol hill with more for us this morning. good morning to you, kelly. >> reporter: good morning, meredith. you hit on the really key question. we've reached a point where this really isn't about a disgraced congressman anymore. the new push for an ethics investigation is focused on what happened after harassment complaints were made and what did the democrats in charge do about it? put aside the matter-of-fact style of the house clerk. >> speaker nancy pelosi said she only learned wednesday of misconduct allegations against freshman representative eric massa. >> reporter: this is a politically charged mess. >> minority leader's asking the congressman investigate the handling of massa -- >> reporter: house speaker nancy pelosi and her team are under new pressure under the eric massa scandal. >> i send to the desk a privileged resolution -- >> reporter: a kind of replay of the 2006 mark foley drama. >> and i send to the desk a privileged resolution. >> reporter: when nancy pelosi led the charge to holdr republican leaders accountable for a salacious scandal involving one of their members. in the 2010 episode, democrats and republicans in a nearly unanimous vote -- >> all those in favor say aye. those opposed say no. >> reporter: -- told the ethics committee to investigate what house leaders knew and did after the democratic congressman was first accused of harassing male staffers. now republicans led the charge. >> my concern is, is what actions were taken to protect the staff who were, i think, were in a very vulnerable position? >> reporter: turns out, less serious complaints about massa's behavior were reported to an aide in pelosi's office back in octobe >> her staff had learned of it earlier and decided against briefing her. >> reporter: the speaker told msnbc's rachel maddow that she had not been told. >> i'm now finding out that there had been a conversation earlier, but it had nothing to do, come close to any kind of an allegation. >> reporter: that early complaint did not accuse massa of groping staffers, behavior he's now admitted. officials say the october warning was about massa's foul language, the fact he shared a townhouse with young men who worked for him and that he had too many staffers. "the washington post" reported a top massa aide was alarmed, saying the congressman made a lunch date with a young man who worked for another congressman. pelosi says allegations of sexual harassment against massa were not reported until february. >> and at the same time that it was referred to the ethics committee, and that was the appropriate move. >> reporter: and so, the speaker says all the proper steps were followed, and eric massa had said while his behavior was inappropriate, he says it was not sexual. now, congress has asked the ethics committee to come up with a final report by the end of june. that timing is key because whatever they find will come right in the heat of the summer election season. meredith? >> that's what it's all about. kelly o'donnell, thank you very much. joe scarborough, host of msnbc's "morning joe" is a former republican member of congress -- >> i didn't know this guy, though, i swear. no lunch dates, nothing. >> nothing, nothing. >> nothing, nothing. >> way after your time. >> wasn't in the navy, nothing. >> all right, the house has weighed in. >> right. >> they want the ethics committee to continue its investigation of massa's behavior and what the democratic leadership knew about it. so now the committee has to decide whether to do that. >> right. >> cast their own vote. you've got five republicans, five democrats, which means at least one democrat has to side with the republicans here. do you think that somebody will and that indeed they'll go forward with this? >> i think they will, only because yesterday they had a vote on the floor -- i think it was 402-1 -- >> right. >> -- that they needed to investigate this. democrats know this is deja vu all over again. i can't believe how similar this situation is to the mark foley's a couple years ago. i see john boehner up there going, well, maybe we were hiding -- or she was hiding something and staffers weren't protected. and of course, it was john boehner who was in the middle of the foley mess a couple years ago, where republicans said, we didn't know until this point. >> right. >> the investigation starts -- >> he was accused of a cover-up. >> right. then we find out later after the investigation starts that they actually knew a month before. so, this is so much like foley. and again, the importance of it is that this sort of story gets on the late-night shows, everybody talks about it, and it gives republicans a nice bow to put on their box of culture of corruption which you sell in the fall -- >> so, it's really not about -- >> which is what happened with foley. foley was a small situation. it was bad for what he did, but it had very little to do with deficits or debt, but it was a great punch line for democrats. it was the bow on top of a lot of other things. >> so it really doesn't have much to do with massa's behavior anymore. it's about embarrassing the democratic leadership? >> it's about keeping this story going as long as it can, because when you do that, it's on "the daily show," it's on "leno," it's on "letterman." just like foley. we heard about mark foley for a month or so, and we all laughed about it, but republicans were slow. it's funny, with all the things that went wrong with the republicans from 2001 to 2006, when foley broke, everybody was like, okay, that's it, it's over! americans will wake up and say those guys are out of control. democrats are now concerned same thing may happen here. >> do you think nancy pelosi will be called before this hearing and asked to say what she knew and when she knew it? >> i don't think so, but i don't think she has to do it. i don't think there has to be one of those great howard baker moments in watergate. if republicans keep this story ive, then it will hurt the democratic party, especially now. my god, the timing with health care reform, that's the big issue. that's what will determine whether barack obama has a successful first two years or not. >> let's talk about health care for a moment because it's coming to the home stretch for being passed by the house. it needs 216 votes. thursday, bart stupak, 11 other pro-life democrats said they're not going to support this bill the way it stands. democratic leadership says they think they still have enough votes. do they? >> they don't yet, but i'll tell you, though, this is one of those bills in washington where, really, you know it's a foregone conclusion. this is going to pass because the president's legacy depends on it. his ability to govern over the next several years depends on it it's kind of like the t.a.r.p. bill. when the t.a.r.p. bill went down back in the fall of 2008, you knew they were going to figure out a way to put humpty dumpty back together again. the same thing here. they will figure out a way to pass this bill. >> you know, the president has said, or his people have said that he's going away next thursday. they're not postponing that trip. >> yeah. >> what are the odds there he's going to be in washington? >> if i'm nancy pelosi and harry reid, i say mr. president, send the indonesians a postcard. tell them you hope they have a good spring, but you're staying here. the president has to stay there. go back to 1993. bill clinton had one of these pivotal moments where he was trying to pass his budget early on, and that was seen early on as a do-or-die. the only reason it passed is he picked up the phone and he worked everybody, he called everybody over to the white house. this happens all the time. it happened with reagan with his tax cuts, with awax early in his administration. barack obama can't leave town when this vote goes down. he has to stay there, because there's always one more arm to break. >> all right, joe scarborough, who knew nothing about massa. >> i swear to god. >> i believe you. >> absolutely nothing. >> i believe you. >> i had to open the urban dictionary just like everybody else yesterday. >> "morning joe." it is 7:14. here's lester. >> meredith, thanks. is the federal government partly to blame for the trouble-plagued toyota? the head of the national highway traffic safety administration rejected calls at a congressional hearing thursday that his agency failed to act quickly enough to toyota's recall mess. nbc's tom costello is in washington with details. tom, good morning. >> reporter: hi, lester, good morning. in a moment, we're going to show you what to do if your car seems to get stuck with the accelerator down, but first, the former head of the national highway traffic safety administration says that for far too long, the agency has been reluctant to use its power, and it acted far too slowly to follow up on complaints about out-of-control cars. with 5.6 million toyotas now under recall, the government agency responsible for policing automakers is itself under fire. the national highway traffic safety administration or nhtsa, has ten field offices but only 21 investigators. >> we are not branding these cars safe. it's our job to enforce and to police the marketplace. >> reporter: on the job for just two months, david strickland is now defending nhtsa against allegations that for years it's been far too cozy with automakers. "the washington post" found as many as 33 former employees at the department of transportation and the national highway traffic safety administration have left those jobs in recent years and now work for automakers, lawyers and lobbyists for automakers, including two former nhtsa officials who are helping toyota deal with its current problems. that's not illel, but consumer advocates are troubled. >> with toyota, you're looking at a classic example of government employees going to work for the company and then coming back and lobbying the agen agency, exactly what you used to do before. >> reporter: critics allege toyota and nhtsa were aware of reports of stuck gas pedals as early as 2003. now members of congress are asking why nhtsa hasn't itself ordered any recalls in 31 years, instead relying on carmakers' own voluntary recalls. >> count me as skeptical that in a 31-year period, there has not been an instance where automakers acted responsibly in every particular case. >> reporter: all of this as the anxiety over toyota and its recalls grows. investigators still haven't determined conclusively why some toyotas' accelerators are sticking. dr. allen hoffman, a retired physician at the mayo clinic, is now telling his story of what happened back in december when his prius took off backwards. >> this was a car that was great for 34,000 miles, but those last two seconds were really bad. they were really bad. >> reporter: well, dr. hoffman says he and his wife practiced what to do if the accelerator got stuck, so we want to reiterate some of the points that experts had given us. we're in a brand new prius here. the first thing that they tell you to do is to make sure you apply both feet to the brake. now, don't pump the brake, but both feet on the brake. at the same time, you want to try to, if you can, put the car in neutral. on a prius, it's different. you've got to hold this hand over here on the neutral button until it engages. and then you try to steer the car over to the side. now, if the car still isn't behaving, then you try to turn the car off. again, on a prius, you've got to hold the power button down for about three seconds. that's a lot to keep in mind if you're trying to hold a car in control, but the bottom line is, you've got to try to keep this button down for three seconds and then steerhe car out of the way. the danger, if you do that, lester, of course, is that you risk the possibility of losing some ability to control if you shut the power off to the car. back to you. >> all right, tom costello. tom, thanks very much. 7:18 now. once again, here's meredith. >> lester, thank you. we have new details this moing into what may have caused the death of actor corey haim. "today" west coast contributor maria menounos spent thursday at haim's apartment and she has some exclusive information. maria, good morning, and what have you learned? >> reporter: good morning, meredith. i spent the day at corey's home yesterday speaking with his friends and family. his mother, judy, told me that the coroner's office called her with preliminary results, saying that haim had an enlarged heart and that his lungs were filled with water. i also spoke with haim's father, bernie, who flew in from canada to help support his ex-wife, along with some of haim's closest friends who shared intimate memories of the former child star. >> this is a jacket -- >> reporter: longtime friend and feller actor scott schwartz invited me into haim's bedroom, where he and his family were organizing his belongings. anything from his films? >> yes. "american sunset" -- >> reporter: this is the movie he just shot. >> yes. >> reporter: schwartz says he's auctioning his possessions on ebay to help the family pay for funeral costs, a difficult reality for the star of 1980s teen films like "the lost boys" and "license to drive." after his teen idol days ended, haim battled addiction and struggled with the transition into mature acting roles. but according to his close friends, haim finally seemed to be turning his life around. >> he looked in the best shape i've ever seen him, and he was so positive and so happy, and i was so proud of him. he was about to direct his first film. did not see it coming at all. >> reporter: noah burlow, his girlfriend and sister were among his closest friends over the last few years. >> he's very strong willed, and we saw that will come to light and that transition was remarkable. it doesn't come from someone who gives up. >> reporter: while a final cause of death hasn't been determined, investigators say they found four bottles of prescription pills in the apartment where haim died, including valium, the painkiller vicodin, and an antipsychotic drug. >> corey was on prescribed medication, and he was recovering with prescriptions. and it's definitely a difficult thing for anyone to say that he had a drug problem. he had a doctor problem. >> reporter: since haim's death, there's been an outpouring of praise from t entertainment industry, but ex-girlfriend nicole eggert says that it's a shame the former child star didn't get that support when he needed it most. >> if he could have seen this when he was here and known like how much people really did enjoy him and love him, maybe this would have made a difference in his life. >> reporter: you know, meredith, i had a long conversation with corey's dad, who told me he and his son were very close. they spoke at least twice a day and that corey would frequently say "you're my coach, daddy." that was a quote. when i asked him how he was holding up, he said a piece of him is now gone. >> how sad that they have to sell his belongings, corey's belongin belongings, to pay for the funeral. maria menounos, thank you so much. >> reporter: thank you. just ahead, ryan and tatum o'neal reconcile following a long and bitter family feud. an exclusive interview with the pair, their first togethe just ahead here this morning, back from the dead. the family of a little boy who drowned in a bathtub share their miraculous story. and affordable looks inspired by the red carpet. 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"ask away today" starts on monday. that's going to be fun. also on monday, an exclusive interview with former child star todd bridges. he's going to lay it all on the line about his days on "different strokes" and how he plunged into a life of drug addiction and crime. that's an exclusive interview with todd bridges monday on "today." but we begin this half hour with the rocky relationship between ryan and tatum o'neal. the father and daughter have now reunited, sitting down for an interview together after years of not speaking. here's nbc's lee cowan. >> reporter: it's one of those father-daughter reunions that's worthy of a red carpet. >> tatum! >> reporter: after all, there are few llywood families with more drama than tatum and ryan o'neal. >> it feels beautiful, you know. >> it's overdue. >> yeah, it's erdue. >> reporter: for decades, they've been highl publicized strangers, even enemies. but they now tell "access hollywood" and maria menounos that they've finally buried the hatchet. >> reporter: who made the first move? yeah? >> yep. >> we don't have any cross words. we don't have any -- we don't go back. and that's the only way to do it, i think. >> and i'm just grateful, just grateful to have the time, grateful to be a part of his life. >> reporter: but the thaw didn't come easy. the darling duo firston hollywood's heart and the academy's in "paper moon." >> you don't like me, do ya? >> no, i don't like ya! >> reporter: it was an oddly telling moment. at just 10 years old, tatum o'neal became the youngest actress ever to win an oscar, but it was hardly an award-winning relationship. behind the smile was a life as harsh as the spotlight. a childhood she claims full of neglect and abuse, which for years tatum blamed on her father. >> i don't think i'm the first woman that he's ever hit and maybe i'm the last and i hope i will be. >> reporter: her autobiography was blistering, most of which ryan called malicious lies. >> i think he's done a lot of damage, not just to me, but to my brothers. >> reporter: it described impossibly uncomfortable moments like tatum walki in on her father and a friend, actress melanie griffith, just in her teens. >> did you buy drugs? >> reporter: drug addictions would follow and arrests, signposts of a family's life in free fall, all played out in bitter silence. >> reporter: how many years had it been since you guys had talked? >> too many. >> too many. >> reporter: really? >> yeah. >> too many. >> a while. maybe a decade. >> reporter: and then came the death of ryan o'neil's longtime companion, farrah fawcett. >> the fact of the matter is it may have been the funeral. >> reporter: yeah? >> may have been. >> reporter: but for better or worse, that tragedy brought the family together, and somehow, it stuck. >> people reconnect, especially if it's your father, it's your father and you're the daughter, and it's pretty big, big stuff. >> what do you see in tatum now after ten years that -- who's the new tatum to you? >> i keep thinking i'm in a dream and i don't want it to end. i don't know how i got in this dream, but i'm in it and she's in it with me. >> reporter: and that in itself may be farrah fawcett's legacy. >> she didn't like any kind of strife or upset in the family, so i think she'd be very happy about this. and you know, who knows, maybe she had a little hand in it. >> reporter: together again, a father-daughter team once electric, plugged back in, for now. for "today," lee cowan, nbc news, los angeles. >> you wish them the best, you know. >> yeah. they have a lot to overcome. >> an awful lot, yeah. >> you forget about all at. much more of the exclusive interview with ryan and tatum o'neal tonight on "access hollywood." and now let's head outside for a check of the weather with al. >> hey, thanks, guys. it'starting to rain out here, drizzly and everybody very happy. where are you guys from? >> from maryland. >> maryland? having a good time? >> i'm from buoy, maryland! >> not just maryland, buoy, maryland! >> buoy, maryland! >> okay, want toake sure we're geographically correct. let's check your weather. here in the northeast, this is nothing. take a look. we've got flood watches all the way from georgia, tennessee, on up into new york for heavy rain, and the rain is starting to work its way here into the northeast. we're just getting the first batches of this. this is not the main batch. the main area is going to be coming up from the south tomorrow on into sunday. rainfall amounts, we're talking anywhere from three to five inches. some areas may pick up eight inches of rain. we've got saturated soil, rapid snowmelt. plus, along the coast, we're going to be looking at 45-mile-per-hour winds and beach erosion. so, it is going to be a mess from the delmarva peninsula all the way into new england right through sunday night. so, if you've got any air and right here we're going to take a look at bouie, maryland, because that is one of our cool spots, down around 54 from quantico to manassas and up in fairfax county. we do have that patch of rain that's slowly moving north and northeastward and so it's making slow progress around loudoun county and prince water vapor imagery. periods ofain and then and got a birthday girl, what's your name? >> taylor. >> taylor, happy birthday. 14 years old. meredith? >> al, thank you very much. just north of seattle, there is an ongoing search for a daring fugitive who has evaded police for years. a suspected criminal who has reached cult-like status at the ripe old age of 18. here's nbc's miguealmaguer. >> reporter: it's been a manhunt for the history books in the misty and remote san juan islands. this week, a black hawk helicopter was on the prowl. a few months ago, it was police in tactical gear using an armored vehicle. their target not a terrorist, not even a violent felon. it's this fresh-faced kid, 18-year-old colton harris-moore, possibly the most famous fugitive in the entire pacific northwest. >> he's famous, huh, that's unreal. >> reporter: he's been impossible to catch. harris-moore has taunted and embarrassed local authorities for years. the sheriff's office isn't even sure how many crimes he's allegedly committed, but it's clear they just can't track him down. >> it's really starting to feel like a movie script. >> would you like a drink after takeoff? >> milk? >> reporter: harris-moore has been called the modern-day "catch me if you can" thief. on facebook, he has more than 20,000 fans, wanted for burglarizing roughly 50 homes and businesses in two years. he's also wanted for stealing and then crash landing at least four small planes. it's believed he even taught himself how to fly by reading flight manuals, having never set foot in a cockpit before he stole his first plane. >> sometimes i think he thinks he's james bond. >> reporter: colton's mother, who doesn't want her face sho on camera, says her son grew up without a father and began to get in trouble with the law at a young age. on an island home to about 4,000 people this time of year, there's always been a sense of safety here. most neighbors don't even lock their doors. well, times here have changed, and some are going to extreme measures just to protect their property. >> i have my dogs here with me and i also keep a gun here. >> reporter: grocery store owner kyle aider was victimized before and says it won't happen before. police believe harris-moore smashed the store's surveillance system to pieces, then stole thousands of dollars in cash, then left a calling card of sorts, footprints with a message. ayder now sleeps in his office right above his store. >> no one can be safe. no one can be sure that they're not going to be next. >> reporter: colton harris-moore may be somewhat of a legend in these parts, but locals say he's nothing more than a pet tit thief. the drama of a movie set playing out in real life. miguel almaguer, washington. >> you wonder how that kid has gotten away with this so long. >> it's a small island. he would stand out, you would think. >> you would think, but he's getting away with it. just ahead, tips to boost your tax refund and what to do with that extra money, after this. but five minutes ago, i took symbicort, and symbicort is already helping significantly improve my lung function. so, today, i've noticed a significant difference in my breathing. and i'm doing more of what i want to do. so we're clear -- it doesn't replace a rescue inhaler for sudden symptoms. my doctor said symbicort is for copd, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. it should not be taken more than twice a day. symbicort may increase your risk of lung infections, osteoporosis, and some eye problems. tell your doctor if you have a heart condition or high blood pressure before taking it. my copd often meant i had to wait to dohat i wanted to do. now i take symbicort, and it's significantly improves my lung function, starting whin five minutes. symbicort has made a significant difference in my breathing now more of my want-tos are can-dos. as your doctor about symbicort today. i got my first prescription free. call or go online to learn more. [ male announcer ] if you cannot afford your medication, astrazeneca may be able to help. why not? have you ever climbed a rock wall in the middle of the ocean? or tried something really wild? why not? it's all possible in the nation of why not. royal caribbean's floating nation where you are free to do anything you want. which y be nothing at all. royal caribbean international. call 1-800-royal caribbean or your professional travel agent today. wore only what i was wild about. always knew what i loved, and insisted on wearing it. ♪ chicka om boom boom i guess some women are destined to wear chico's. that's why nature's bounty makes... a full line of high-quality vitamins, like fish oil for heart health. go to naturesbounty.com now for a $2.00 coupon. nature's bounty. perfect for every body. ♪ could open a world of wonder ? ♪ ♪ so sensory ♪ so satisfying ♪ the discovery ♪ never seems to stop ♪ ♪ it's the magic friskies ♪ ♪ makes happen ♪ every day ♪ in so many ways ♪ friskies ♪ feed the senses we're back at 7:42. this morning on "today's money," what to do with your tax refund. the irs says this year's average rebate check will be about $2,800. so, how can you make the most of your extra cash? cnbc's personal finance correspondent sharon epperson is here to tell us more. sharon, good morning. good to see you. >> good morning. >> a lot of people have filed their returns and they're saying where's the check, especially the state checks. are some of the states holding on to the money a bit longer? >> well, you know, a lot of states are in financial trouble, and so, you may get a delay in getting your refund back. you're going to probably get it, but you may not get it as quickly as in years past. some states are saying some taxpayers may not each get the refunds until the summer, june or july. >> we're talking about the refund for 2009, but i understand there's another pile of cash the government has from 2008 refunds that haven't reached their owners. >> and the average refund that has not been claimed is about $950. you can go to wheresmyrefund@irs.gov and you can find out where it is. >> a lot of people file their returns the same every year and may have missed the making work pay credit. first of all, what is it, and if you missed it, what do you do some. >> that's one of the things that came out of the stimulus act last year, and what it is is a $400 credit if you're single, $800 if you're a couple, and it is hard to find because it's not something that stands out on the tax form. if you don't have software, you may miss it. you want to look for that line 63 and make sure you apply for that. >> a lot of us spend that refund money before it arrives in the mail. what to do with it. let's talk first of all about savings, emergency fund. i know the financial adviser in me wants to say that's where you should put the money. >> of course i'm going to say that's where you should put the money and people are often scared about us saying you need six to nine months of savings. start with one month and this is a way to get started. >> people talk about paying down debt. where do you start? >> start with the highest debt first. if you have a card with 18% interest, pay that down first. so start with the highest interest debt first. >> i don't think i've done a segment like this with you before i.r.a. comes up. it's very important. >> it's very important. a traditional or roth i.r.a., you can contribute $5,000 for 2009 up through april 15th. so you may want to use that check if you're eligible for a deductible i.r.a. and put it towards that. then you may also be able to get even another deduction or refund if you amend your return, because you hadn't put it on your 2009 return. so, that's something to consider as well. >> i would also think this is a good opportunity to start saving for college. and you've talked many times about the state programs. >> about the 529 plans. >> 529, right. >> that's great. a lot of states will give you a state tax deduction for contributing to a 529 plan. savingforcollege.com is a place to find out if your state offers that deduction. >> you mention insurance coverage, one i hadn't thought of. >> a lot of people don't, and that's very important to have. make sure you're covered across the board for life, auto, health insurance, but also make sure you have the deductible that you can pay that deductible when it comes due. so, you want to make sure you have a slush fund for that. put your refu in that pile. >> we mentioned college, but this is also a good opportunity really to demonstrate to our kids how to save, isn't it? >> exactly. especially if they have earned income, if they have a job. you can contribute to a roth i.r.a. for them up to $5,000. so, maybe you want to put some money in their pile. and also, maybe you want to match dollar-for-dollar what they're already putting in of their own contribution. so, that's something else to consider. >> sharon, let's stop being so dog gone responsible. let's have fun with this money. what do we want to do if we want to splurge? >> you're stressed out, i don't know what you want to do for fun, but you do want to have fun with that money. personally, i'm probably going to get a massage. >> that's a great idea. >> that's what i'm going to use my money for. >> meredith asked me a question a few minutes ago, have i done my taxes yet. i haven't -- >> i haven't done mine either. >> remind me again the rules of extension. >> you have until october 15th. you can have an extension there, but you have to apply for that extension and you also have to make sure if you owe money that money's still going to be due on the 15th and you're going to start paying interest and penalties if you don't pay that on time. >> all right. sharon epperson, good to have you on. thanks for the important advice. you can find more tax tips including the most overlooked deductions on our website, todayshow.com. just ahead here this morning, affordable red carpet fashion inspired by this year's academy awards. but first, these messages. okay, class! we're going to do our test now. ♪ a little encouragement changes everything. molly es muy muy intelligente. and right now, hallmark's got a whole new way to do it. new gifts and cards to cheer on kids of all ages. come in and pick up a free card today. nine to choose from. only at your hallmark gold crown store. trying to be big like you, dad. you're so good at keeping everyone full and focused with your fiber. but you already are great at doing that. really? 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[ male announcer ] get started at bank of america. ♪ matt damon's new movie from our sister company, universal pictures, opens today. it's called "green zone," and our gene shalit gis it a gold star. >> good morning, and welcome to the "critic's corner." matt damon, after scoring in "the informant" and "invictus," a pair of excellent talking pictures, now swings back to action pictures in "green zone," directed by paul greengrass, who guided two of damon's "bourne" movies. set in the turmoil of iraq soon after the invasion, damon is an officer ordered to find iraq's alleged weapons of mass destruction. one of the official justifications for the war. >> hey, chief, how do we know this guy's leading the ambush? >> we don't. >> when damon's searches come up empty -- zip, nothing, nada -- >> the site's empty. >> -- he's perplexed, he smells cover-up, he smells a rat and other similar expressions. >> does it make sense to you that we're still coming up empty? >> no. >> aided by an iraqi civilian called freddie, a wonderful character played by khalid abdullah, who acts as his interpreter, damon takes off on his own and he wants to find the truth. >> he'll lead you right to him. >> he lands in the thicket of duplicity, treachery and intrigue. >> chief, we're here to do a job and get home safe, that's all. the reasons don't matter. >> they matter to me. >> keys to t payoff are an intel topper, greg kinnear. >> who is ma gellon? >> ma gellon's the best source we've ever had. >> a reporter, amy ryan. >> what are you tking about? >> you know i can't talk to you about that. >> come on, something's got to be going on. >> the cia's chief in iraq, grendon gleeson. >> you have no idea who you're dealing with here. >> it is a far-flung, fateful flick. >> you're my prisoner. i'm bringing you in. >> and that's the ill littive "critic's corner" for today. >> i'd love him to say that to me, you're my prisoner. >> bring the popcorn, let's go. >> i want to see it. it looks great. just ahead where to find the hottest looks from oscar night at prices you can actually afford. plus, an incredible story about a baby declared dead after drowning, miraculously brought back to life. we'll meet that boy and his parents, after your local news. >> so cute! 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[ male announcer ] meet the family and the new sienna on youtube. toyota. isn't this how fiber should taste? eating well has never been so craveable. with quaker wild blueberry flavored multigrain fiber crisps. isn't this how whole grains should taste? eating well has never been so craveable with quaker caramel baked rice snacks. ♪ our time right now is 7:56, as we look at a rainy day here in our nation's capital. in the news4 today, the rain could be the reason behind the serious accident downtown. breaking news, serious accident as we said. the fire truck run into a car at 14th and constitution. here's jerry edwards with details. >> the accident occurred just a very short time ago. the roadway is close right now, 14th street blocked off just moments ago. and southbou is going to be closed as well. the accident occurred right there at the intersection and 14th straight right in northwest washington. we understand that it was a fire truck that hit the back of a vehicle. a lot of fire and rescue crews on the scene and they will be for some time. welcome back, we definitely have some wet weather, loudoun county virginia on out and we'll see periods of light showers for the remainder of the day. we have gotten anywhere from a half to three-quarters of an inch of rain. a flood watch until saturday evening, a real concern for flooding as we can see between three and five inches of rain by late sunday. 53 degrees is your current temperature. we'll see a high of 58 degrees by 3:00. breezy tonight, down right windy tomorrow with gusts over 30 and rain continues until sunday. >> coming up on news4 at 8:00 now on this friday morning, the 12th of march 2010. a friendly reminder to our friends on the plaza and everybody at home as well, daylight saving time begins this weekend, so remember to set those clocks ahead tomorrow night. i'm meredith vieira along with lester holt and al roker making our way out to the plaza. it is a little rainy out here this morning. matt has the day off. it a mess out here already! >> yes. >> it's only going to get worse. >> that's right. going to be ugly. >> that's all you have to say about it? >> pretty much. it's going to be horrid. >> doing mary poppins. >> a lot of rain, a lot of wind. stay inside. >> that sums it up. you wayed the oscars, right? >> yes. >> you admired the gowns, probably wanted one for yourself? >> absolutely! >> sure, sure. >> well, already they are making the look-alike gowns, like the one worn by penelope cruz, and you thought you could not afford it. we'll show you how you can buy a dress just like that. in fact, that's t dress you bought. >> that's the one. >> that's the one. also ahead, i think you met this family inside. they have brought their miracle baby, truly a miracle. this is a child that was in the tub, drowned, dead for 40 minutes and brought back to life, and it seems like he hasn't missed a beat. >> he's adorable. got a little scrape on his noise. >> they're going to share their incredible story with us in a couple minutes. then later on, do you ever wonder where the money you donate to charities goes to and what do they do with it? well, jenna bush hager is here and she's got a fantastic story about what one group does with the money that you give to them. >> okay, but first, let's get a check of the morning's headlines from natalie morales, who is in for ann. hey, nat. >> good morning, meredith, lester and al. good morning, everyone. today, forecasters are warning of a risk of tornadoes from indiana to florida. at least four tornado sightings were reported thursday in central florida. buildings, trees and power lines were damaged. some parts of florida had several inches of rain. in pakistan, officials said the fourth major terror attack this week killed at least 45 people, including many soldiers. two suicide bombers targeted a military neighborhood in the city of lahore. nearly 100 people were wounded. pakistan is a key u.s. ally in the fight against al qaeda and the taliban. pakistan's navy said it successfully test-fired missiles and torpedos today in the arabian sea. it said the exercise sent a message, presumably to pakistan's regional rival, india. officials report no serious injuries after chile was hit by a string of powerful aftershocks thursday, one of them the strongest since a deadly 8.8-magnitude earthquake last month. the aftershocks came minutes before the inauguration of chile's new president. references to god will not have to be removed from the pledge of allegiance or u.s. currency. in two separate rulings on thursday, an appeals court ruled that the phrase "one nation under god" and the motto "in god we trust" do not violate the constitutional separation of church and state. it took firefighters in oklahoma city 2 1/2 hours thursday to extinguish a geyser of flame. the fire was caused by a break in a high-pressure natural gas line. nobody was hurt. emergency crews had trouble reaching the site because the rain-soaked ground could not support heavy trucks. and now here's brian williams with a look at what's coming up tonight on nbc "nightly news." brian? >> hey, natalie. tonight we introduce you to a wounded warrior who's inspiring his nation. lost his legs while serving in iraq, now is a downhill racer, set to compete in the 2010 paralympic games in vancouver. his story of passion, perseverance, that and more tonight on "nightly news." natalie, for now, back to you. >> thank you, brian. it is now 8:03 and let's turn it over to meredith and lester. >> will you put the camera on mark for a second? look at him how cute that is, that look. >> cute? >> like a little gnome. because it's wet out here, mr. roker! it's all your fault! >> al? >> thank you. you're cueing me. the travelocity gnome, mark traud. where are you guys from? >> miami! >> you picked a good weekend to come up here. it's your birthday? >> 50th birthday. >> what's your name? >> arlene. >> arlene, happy birthday. >> thank you, al! >> love the hats. they're nice. let's check your weather, see what's happening. pick city of the day, albuquerque, new mexico. i knew i should have made that left turn at albuquerque! sunny and cool, kob-tv 4. a high of 51 degrees. looking ahead to the weekend, rtheast, mid-atlantic states, ohio valley going to be just a mess. wet weather in the pacific northwest. cool but sunny in the plains, sunshine and warm through texas. then sunday, sunday, more heavy rain through the northeast, showers through the ohio river valley, wet weather in the pacific northwest. southern tier states pretty nice with the exception of the four corners, but they'll be looking at snow and rain. and we've got som -- not georgia peaches, but georgia via and right here, it's either damp or raining where you are. we have got one area of rain that moved out earlier this morning, then we have dry spots in the d.c. area and montgomery county. this little line is lifting north of our area, so rain until noontime for some portions of our viewing area. we'll see a high today of 58, more moderate and real heavy rain comes your way and that's your latest weather. meredith? >> al, thank you very much. and just ahead, where you can find those dresses that you fell in love with on oscar night at prices you can actually afford. but next, the incredible story of how this baby was brought back from the dead. we'll meet him and his mom and dad. eating well has never been so craveable. with quaker dark chocolate mocha hazelnut cafe squares. isn't this how whole grains should taste? eating well has never been so craveable with quaker caramel baked rice snacks. ♪ [ bella ] i love you. 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[ male announcer ] you're surrounded by fabrics all day. ♪ wouldn't softer feel better? try ultra downy. it softens fibers better than detergent alone, for a deep-down softness. and ultra downy april fresh has more than double the softening ingredients than the leading value brand's original fresh. ♪ and softer feels better. get more. feel more. we're back now at 8:09 with a medical miracle. 1-year-old bronson steaker was left unattended in his bathtub and drowned. when he was pulled from the water, he had stopped breathing and had no pulse, but that is just the beginning of this incredible story. >> so, it was just a typical saturday morning here at our house. >> reporter: it was sarah staker's worst nightmare. while giving two of her sons a bath, the young mother briefly stepped away to do some chores, got distracted, and when she returned, the unthinkable. her youngest son, 16-month-old bronson, submerged in the tub. >> he was white. his eyes were rolled back in his head. his lips were blue. and the bathtub was so full. >> reporter: sarah's frantic attempts at cpr didn't help bronson. even the emts couldn't revive him. when they reached the hospital, there was no pulse. bronson was not breathing. >> he was just gone. it was so fast and i just wanted to rewind. i just wanted to do it again and i just kept begging, please, baby, please, please, please wake up. >> reporter: doctors struggled to restore the child's heartbeat, eventually succeeding. >> our sweet little boy laid there with a tube in his mouth and wires and ivs, and i can't even count how many things he was connected to. >> reporter: but with bronson still in a coma, doctors suggested they try an innovative therapy called therapeutic hypothermia, using cooling blankets to drop his body's temperature and hopefully prevent brain damage. >> this is keeping your body temperature cool, but not so cold that you're preventing all your organs from working well. but it's really, just the idea is to keep the brain from all the cellular processes that can then worsen your outcome from happening. >> reporter: as bronson lay unconscious, his mother began putting her thoughts and emotions into words, writing a blog about the ordeal. >> we're trying not to think about the what-ifs and what thens, but are taking things hour by hour. we're still praying for a miracle. >> reporter: for nearly two weeks, nothing, then a miracle. bronson woke up, alert. he started to regain mental and motor functions. >> you could see it immediately, lifting just a little bit with his chin as he leaned forward and he could recognize -- he recognized me when i walked in the room. >> reporter: slowly but surely, the boy thought to be lost forever improved. >> they told us that bronson would have to leave the hospital in a wagon, that he wasn't going to be allowed to walk out of the hospital, but he had a mind of his own and he -- >> he walked out. >> -- walked out on his own power. >> and i am pleased to say that onson is here with us this morning with his parents sarah and matt. good morning to all of you. >> good morning. >> he looks and seems great. >> he's perfect. >> i mean, same little boy that you knew before. >> absolutely. it's almost unbelievable, really. >> sarah, let's go back to that horrible day. you cringed a moment ago when i ed the word unattended in describing what happened. you and i talked before this segment. i think every parent has had that moment where they made a mistake, and most of us, thankfully, got away with it. describe what that moment was like when you went and saw bronson in the tub. >> it was horrible. it was the most helpless feeling i've ever had in my life, you know? to walk in and see that he was gone. there was no question in my mind that he was gone. he was white. his lips were blue. his eyes were rolled back. he didn't look like himself. >> as we noted, they couldn't revive him. matt, you guys got to the hospital, doctors worked and worked. had you resigned yourself to the thought and the belief you'd lost your son? >> i don't think at that point. his heart was beating, but they were breathing for him. however, it was an undescribable feeling. any parent would just be so distraught and traumatized to see their son or any child with all the wires and tubes in him it was terrible. >> and then in the middle of this, the doctors are saying, look, even if we revive him, he's not going to be normal. he's going -- there will be brain damage. and they had talked to you about this hypothermia therapy. what did you know? what were you told about it and was it a tough decision to make, sara? >> it was excruciating because every fiber of your being as a mother wants to hold your child, especially when they're hurting. you want to hold him and hug him and wrap him in a blanket and keep him warm. and so, the thought that he would have to lay there, where we couldn't hold him, we couldn't touch him -- >> in a coma. >> in a coma. >> with his body temperature drastically lowered. >> exactly. he was so cold and puffy from all the fluids they were pumping through him. and it was just excruciating. >> but matt, there was really no other choice, was there? i mean, what did they tell you, it was this or what? >> they gave us the option of going forward with the treatment, and we just asked them, we said, if this is your own child, would you do it? and they said absolutely, yes. so, we said, well, all of the positives outweighed very few negatives, so we went forward with it. >> and 13 days go by, sara, and you describe in the taped piece a moment ago that moment of watching him wake up. did you believe what you were seeing? >> you know, it had just been such a long -- i mean, you completely lose track of time there in the picu or the icu, and to walk in one morning and expect him to be the same child he had been with this whole interim of time was such a shock. >> but how quickly did you realize that he was the same child? >> instantly. >> because you -- really? >> instantly. >> because you had been told he probably wouldn't be. >> no. we were told we would probably take home a 16-month-old newborn. we were told probably it would be months of rehab, maybe even years, before he began to regain -- >> but he recognized you. >> immediately. i walked in the room and it's like the lhts were on, you know? immediately, i could see that he was tracking and connecting and looking from one nurse to the other, and when i walked in, he lifted his chin and i could see that he knew who i was. you know, there's that difference when someone looks past you and through you and kind of vacantly off or when they look at you and they know who you are. you can see that. >> yeah, and matt, i've seen some of the video, home videos you guys took where -- there you are playing with the toys, all those things. the connections, everything was there? >> everything was there. it was -- still he was weak because he was laying down for, you know, he was laying down for 11 days. so, of course, he was weak, but all of his cognitive of his brain was still there. >> and what do they say, he'll continue to grow -- the doctors -- progress at a normal pace? >> you know, before we left the hospital, they had suggested that we set up about six months worth of physical and occupational therapy appointments for him, and they had sat with me and made a list of things that he could do and was capable of before the incident, and we set those as goals, you know, for the next six months worth of therapy, we'll hope that by the end of that time, he'll be able to do all of those same things. >> sure. >> we'll re-evaluate and set six more months of therapy. so, we were in it for the long haul. and from the time he woke up until the time we left the hospital on friday morning, the 12th of february, he hit every single one of those milestones. >> oh, that's wonderful. >> it's like we were living the first year of his life all over again in fast-forward. it was incredible. >> this story gives me chills, i'll tell you. >> it was amazing. >> it has got to fundamentally change you as a couple, you as a family. how many ways has it changed you? >> well, i think that the scope of what we've learned goes far beyond the bathtub, you know? i think that the lessons that we've learned are innumerable. i feel like life is just so fragile, and it's -- as parents, you know, we're so busy and we try to multitask things and do so many different things and it's really easy to get distracted by the things that aren't the most important things, and then the things that are most important suffer. and i hope that we've learned that lesson. i hope that we've learned, most of all, that god is the god of miracles. he's a loving father in heaven and that he hears us. he knows what we need. he answers our prayers. he answers the prayers of the thousands of people that we don't even know from around the world that were praying for us. >> and i know a lot of strangers rallied for bronson and for you. and i just want to thank all of you for coming on and sharing this story and the life lessons that came with it. matt and sara and bronson, who's just having a great old time here. we're so happy to see him having a great old time and we're so happy for all of you. thank you, again, for being with us. >> thank you. up next, want to look like jennifer lopez on oscar night? 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[ laughter ] [ male announcer ] a consumers digest best buy. with a 100,000 mile powertrain warranty. it takes you farther... and brings you closer. this morning on "today's style," oscar looks for less. jill martin is a "today" a "us weekly" contributor. jill, good morning to you. >> i'm surprised you recognized me. >> you look marvelous, darling! and you are wearing one of the look-alike dresses. >> i'm cameron diaz, which i'm surprised you didn't even realize yet. this is from abs, oscar de la renta. it's amazing what they do. the second these celebrities walk out of the car and down the red carpet, the pads are out, pens are in hand. we have some sketches here, actually. and they're ready to go. so, these are hot off the presses, these dresses. >> it hasn't even been a week. >> no, and they're hot off the presses, overnighted to us and now we ha five to show you. >> let's get going. besides this gorgeous one, miss sandra bullock was absolutely beautiful on the red carpet. >> amazing. this is mark haza, $35,000 was her original dress. this one's from abs, $400. it will be available in may or june and just -- >> $400, that's great. >> look how beautiful it is with the lace overlay and the sequins. this bag was from kohl's. hers was designer, of course. the shoes. really a beautiful interpretation of the dress, and of course, the accessory, her red lips, and at the end of the night, her oscar. >> absolutely. she looks absolutely beautiful. >> beautiful. >> another actress that created buzz for looking stylish was queen latifah. beautiful lilac is what she had on. >> this was badgley mischka, and she was wearing over $200,000 worth of jewels, so it only complicated that. and this continued with the asymmetric neckline that we saw so much in the oscars last year. this is fabiana, $298. and just look at the beautiful detail. and this is really great for a black tie affair or a wedding. and obviously, the jewelry is fabulous. this is fantasyjewelry.com. $35 for the earrings. >> and the body like the original is so beautiful. >> so beautiful. and it shows your shoulder, which is always a beautiful part of a woman's body. >> all right. beautiful, beautiful. moving on, penelope cruz. we can't have an oscar without her and that red dress of hers that looked absolutely gorgeous. it was well received. >> i mean, she could wear a garbage bag and look gorgeous, but this is donna karan, this is abs's interpretation for $400. and she made this jewelry this week as well, all under $100. >> how are they able to so closely match the original? >> they've been up since sunday working on it. no sleep. >> okay. that one is absolutely gorgeous as well. the dresses so far we've seen, very bold. next one is different. let's move on to maggie gyllenhaal, who wore a print at the oscars. >> right, which is very rare that you see a print. look at this beautiful dress, and this is really relatable because you could wear this to a cocktail party. >> absolutely. >> this was made just for her, and this designer actually made her wedding dress, so, she's a big fan. this is fabiana, $258. it will be available in four to six weeks. and the jewelry is kohl's. look how pretty the jewelry is. >> and it looks great with that dress. >> $130. and this was fun and a bold statement on the red carpet. >> can anybody pull that off? >> you know what, strapless is something you really have to be comfortable with, obviously. >> yeah, ye. >> and this print i think is a little youthful. so, she was able to do it. but i think it's fun. >> it's very fun, absolutely. and last but not least, the always glam j-l. lo in a very interesting gown. >> and a high slip. this is abs's terpretation, $350. and then you see the clutch from jcpenney. you're really able to mix and match this so you can get the celebrity look. >> that is gorgeous. why don't we bring all the ladies out? jill, talk to me a little bit, again -- who are the people that are there, you know, with the pens and the pads to put all that? >> i was talking to the designers at fabiana. they're not even in l.a. they're in new york and are literally sitting there with the pen and pad. and the second they step out, they say what can people relate to? what dresses should we make? and this is what they came up with, because it was such a bold, whimsical red carpet that people are now going to have fun, other than last year, which was a little more subtle. >> and a lot of people end up buying these look-alike drees? >> they do. a lot of people want to look like their favorite celebrities. you just have to know where you're going, especially in these dresses. >> are you channeling your cameron diaz in there? >> it's still strange you're calling me jill martin. i'm really loving it. >> you look gorgeous, ladies. you look gorgeous as well, jill martin. thank you very much. >>hanks for having me. taking a live look outside t rain we have been talking about all week is finally here. it's 8:26 on this friday march 12. good morning, everyone, i'm kimberly suitors. a serious accident has shut down a number of streets downtown. jerry edwards has those details. >> kimberly, the accident occurred just shy of an hour ago now 14th street at constitution avenue downtown and because of the seriousness of the accident, could be a while before the roadways reopen. 14th street is completely block ed, northbound traffic is causing problems coming in from virginia. southbound side is blocked off at pennsylvania avenue. be forewarned, this is going to be a tough commute for welcome back, it will be a wet couple of days coming to us. got some rain that's moving northeast out of the area. moderate rain from frederick county, virginia to frederick county, maryland. 53 down south in quantico, your high58, we'll have heavy rain coming back tonight. >> coming up tonight on news4 at 4:00, we'll introduce you to someone who found love on face book's hot or not . this is miss emrick's class from painesville, ohio, and this is why our class is extraordinary. >> 8:30 now on this friday morning, march 12th, 2010. this is one of the entrants in our "wizarding world of harry potter" contest where one lucky class will win a trip to the attraction's grand opening celebration. and there is still time for your kid's class to enter. just head to our website, todayshow.com, for all of the contest rules. and coming up in this half hour, when most people shop for wine, you think i've got to pair the wine with something to eat, right? >> yeah. >> have you ever thought about pairing wine with music? >> no, not really, but it does make a difference, i imagine, setting the ambiance. >> sets the mood, sure. >> you're absolutely right. we're going to show you how you can do that. >> all right. and also -- >> also coming up. >> a way to use sprinkles to improve the lives of kids. jenna bush hager will ce along to explain that for us. >> interesting story. and you no longer need to be a trivia buff to win some cold, hard cash. chef guy fierri is the host of the new game show "minute to win it" and it pits everyday people against rather seemingly simple tasks. contestants compete in 10 one-minute challenges. for example, moving an egg across the floor with a pizza box. you have to do this in a minute for a chance to win up to $1 million. >> i love it. this is stuff you can try at home. >> i asked a guy in vancouver, the guy with the tissue box -- but i forgot to watch it. you can catch the two-hour series premier of "minute to win it" at 7:00/6:00 central time here on nbc. >> it's like "the marriage ref" with that wonderful person in it, just the facts, ma'am. i can't ever remember her name. >> i love how you plug me. >> love new shows that are fun. >> thanks. >> i can't hear what you said. [ chanting ] >> who ja wa are you? >> jawa! >> jawa. okay. >> maybe we should toss this over to al? >> al. yeah, where is al? >> that's right, we're here at the rockefeller center ice skating rink. the opening ceremony for the vancouver games, believe it or not, exactly one month ago. well, today the city hds another olympic opening ceremony for the 2010 paralympic winter games. victor calesi is competing in a sport called ice sledge hockey. victor, good to see you. >> thanks for having me today. >> we're watching some of the team back here. tell us, what's the difference between traditional hockey and sledge hockey? >> there really isn't many differences at all. we play on the exact same rink as everyone else does, the nets are usually the same height, pucks -- the only difference is that we sit down. >> you know, in this instance, you know, you've got athletes who are just as every bit as good as any other athlete out there. how important are the paralympics to highlight the skill and the dedication of these athletes? >> oh, it's -- being disabled and wanting to play a sport is great, and disabled athletes have a disabled sport and it brings such a satisfaction to be able to play with your peers and to be able to be active. >> over 600 athletes, 40 athletes all taking part in these paralympic games. when they get out there and they're on the moguls, they're on the ski slopes, they're no different than anybody else. >> not at all. not one little bit. actually, they probably work harder. >> in fact, you played for team usa in 1998. when you get out there on that ice, how does that feel? >> oh, it's amazing, especially in that olympic venue. you're there, you're part of something big, and the excitement and the joy that comes over you is overwhelming. >> i'm watching these guys out here, and their enthusiasm and the noise is just like any other hockey game. >> like anything else, it's loud. you have to concentrate and be aware of everything around you. >> all right, vtor calise, thank you. >> thank you. >> have a great games out there. i know you'll be helping out with universal sports. >> nbc sports and universal sports have been great and the wheelchair sports federation is always promoting disabled sports, so they can always check out our website along with the u.s. paralympics. >> we appreciate it. victor calise, thank you very much. nbc sports' coverage of the 2010 paralympic games begins tomoow. universal sports will have and right here, we have had wet weather all morning long, but now we're starting to see some breaks, we'll have an occasional light wind, so that will be listing northward up until noontime. 52 is the temperature right now, 54 degrees in fairfax, 54 in quantico. your high today 58 degrees and by the way, just like the olympics, the paralympics, they've got cowbells! i've got a fever that only cowbells can cure, lester. >> more cowbells. >> more cowbells! >> al, thanks very much. up next, jenna bush hager will be along to show us how sprinkle and we're back at 8:37. since its inception 56 years ago, the trick-or-treat for unicef has raised more than $140 million in the u.s.,nd our contributing correspondent jenna bush hager is here to show us where some of that money goes. hey, nice to see you, jenna. >> thanks, meredith. i'm sure you remember those orange boxes. >> i sure do. >> the campaign is centered around halloween, but it has evolved into a year-round effort. and now, unicef, an organization i work with, is going door to door with what may be a solution for a devastating problem. she travels more than 100 miles over rugged roads. hikes treacherous hillsides to reach those she calls the forgotten children. maria claudia santiso is on a daily rescue mission with unicef in guatemala to deliver sprinkles, a tiny but powerful weapon against malnutrition and to save lives. guatemala is a country rich in spanish colonial history, deep religious heritage and culture. but despite tourism and agricultural jobs and coffee and sugar cane export, more than half of guatemalans live in poverty, many with no plumbing, little food, little else. >> in guatemala, one out of two children are malnourished. >> reporter: santizo is trying to change that. what type of babies do you see? >> we see sad kids. first what you see, you see the kids are, they don't smile. the first thing they lose is their smile, and they are very passive. >> between birth to the age of 2, they're not getting the proper nutrients and their brain development stops and it's irrevocable. i mean, it will never come back. >> reporter: even worse, maria knows the children who are malnourished can't focus in school and will drop out. lydia starash raises her family on only $5 a week. she can barely afford the basics -- beans, tortillas and an occasional banana. and the lack of vitamins in those limited foods is putting her children's lives at risk. >> translator: i have days that go by that i don't have any food to give them. >> reporter: and how does that make you feel? >> translator: it's very sad when i see them suffer. i just want to give them food. >> they put their children to sleep very early in the afternoon so they don't ask for dinner. >> reporter: guatemala is a lush and a vibrant country where fruits and vegetables are plentiful, but becau of the rising cost of food and the lack of education about nutrition, most kids go without. parents say that even when they can get fruits and vegetables, they are worth more to sell than to eat. lydia's youngest son, ludwig, is undernourished and underdeveloped. >> translator: i was very worried. i used to thk, what's going to happen to him? >> reporter: there is a health clinic, a day's walk away, but it only has two doctors for 15,000 patients. >> malnutrition. >> reporter: so, maria goes door to door, teaching mothers about good nutrition and encouraging them to use sprinkles, a simple vitamin additive packed with vitamin a, c, zinc and folic acid. >> they can put it into their tortillas, they can put it into beans. and the children is receiving all the micronutrients that they are not receiving through the food they are eating. >> reporter: unicef says sprinkles work. children's death rates are going down and their weight and height are going up. >> they can save lives. >> reporter: and give a mother hope. have you seen a difference in their health? >> translator: i notice that they play more, they are healthier, they are stronger. my children are a gift. >> reporter: the love of a mother matched with the determination of a health worker, saving lives one meal at a time. and i asked lydia what she would say to the people here in the united states if she could say anything. her response -- thank you. thank you for those whoave helped provide to save my son's life with these packets of sprinkles. >> amazing. >> meredith, it's amazing that something this small can save a life and help a brain develop so that kids can go on to learn. >> and as you told me, she already lost one child to malnutrition, 26 years old with five babies. >> it's amazing, but there's hope is the wonderful thing. >> absolutely. >> with these small packets. so, it's great. >> jenna, thank you so much, jenna bush hager. we're back with much more on a friday morning. if you love baseball, you probably once dreamed of spending the summer as a bat boy or girl for your favorite team. mike lubika's latest young adult novel i the bat boy" is about a 14-year-old who gets that chance and helps a fallen sports hero find redemption. mike, good to see you. >> good morning. >> you don't talk down to the audience. you deal with real-life issues of redemption, of heroes who may not have been all we hoped and we'd seen. you almost have to do that as an author, don't you some. >> lester, i've got four kids and kids will bust you so fast if they think you're talking down to them. i'm on roller skates trying to keep up with my readers because they're smarter and funnier and hipper and cooler, but these stories still resonate with them because they're ultimately about family and friendship and gettg back up after you get knocked down. >> this is a kid who becomes a batboy for his favorite team, the detroit tigers, which is a fantasy. i mean, did you have that fantasy growing up, maybe not the tigers, but -- >> i couldn't imagine that there was a cooler summer job, and this -- the boy in this book, his father had been a baseball pitcher, and somehow, the kid never felt the sense of family that he does once he gets inside that clubhouse. and then his love of the sport helps a guy who's busted out because of steroids. >> so, this guy -- yeah, this guy who is his hero is mean to him, he was busted out from steroids, he can't seem to get back on his game, and this kid hangs in there. i mean, what's the life lesson here you were trying to teach? >> well, i'll tell you what, the boy in my book is a lot more forgiving than baseball fans are. he's willing to give this man a second chance, and it's brian, the hero's love of baseball that kind of makes the fallen hero rediscover his own love of baseball. and the baseball star isn't the hero of this book. a 14-year-old boy who's strong and loyal is the hero of this book. >> this baseball player, hank bishop, your fictional character, is he based on anyone that we know who we would have followed? >> he's all of them. he's all of the guys who lost their way and tried to get better using drugs and realizes that it's a huge mistake, and now he's trying to rehabilitate his good name and his reputation and also trying to get to 500 home runs. >> how many times have we covered the redemption story in sports, from steroids, from scandal, from you name it? i mean, tiger woods right now. >> yeah. >> he, like the character in your book, has a chance to redeem because he's still in the game, at least he will be back in the game. that's the key, right? >> it's the key thing. the retired players, they have no usefulness left to fans, but if you've still got some talent left, there's still time for you. you know when i go arod the country and talk to kids at schools, i always say it takes no talent to get knocked down. anybody can do that. but it's how you get back up that's a measure of your character and your spirit and your heart. >> but isn't that a sad commentary, that to redeem one's self, you have to prove yourself athletically? you know, tiger woods' issue is a family issue. yo know, the baseball players who have gone through steroids, ultimately, that's a character issue. but why is it you have to redeem yourself only as an athlete? >> because at the end of the day, the only way that you can show people in some way that you are what they once thought you were was to win again. you're completely right. it makes no sense, but tiger woods, his game plan really is to win his way past everything that's happened to him. >> you've had great success with these stories, again with this target audience. the kids that you're reaching, are these kids that might otherwise not be picking up a book right now? i mean, i -- this day in age, you think kids have so many other distractions, so many other things to do to learn from, besides books. >> somehow, since travel team 5 1/2 years ago, i've become known as the king of the reluctant readers. i was at a broadway show the other night, in intermission, i get a tap on the shoulder. a woman standing there says i'm a school librarian. i can't keep your books on my shelves. boys who never wanted to read, i've now established a relationship with. that's about theoolest compliment that you can ever get. >> that's a great endorsement. >> lester, identify got no wizards, no vampires, no werewolves. these books are about regular kids like the batboy who's trying to do something great. and u're right, with all the stuff kids could be doing, kids still love a great story. >> spring training's here. i know it's a great time for you. enjoy. not as great as the winter olympics, but -- inside ke. >> lester, it's over, man, come on. it's over! >> the book is "batboy," mike lu lupica, always good to have you here back at 8:51 with a suggestion if you are picking up a bottle of wine for the weekend. instead of thinking how it's going to taste with your meal, consider how it will pair with your music. winemaker and restauranteur joe bastianich is here to enlighten us on wine and song. did you make this up or what? >> it's something that combines great passions in my life, wine and music, and it's not such an out-there concept because both wine and music make us feel a certain way, have a certain place and sensibility and they go together. >> let's start with what's in front of me, reggae music. >> it brings you right to the say beach, to the cool breeze, and we thought hawaiian, like a southern rome, like a cote-rotie, delicious, brings you right -- >> when i think reggae music. >> brings you right to the place. so, cote-rotie and reggae, natural pairing together. >> i am there! >> i'll buy into the reggae music thing and the island feel. disco. >> disco. >> i wouldn't even know where to start. >> what wine is more disco than pink pinot grigio, right? >> of course! >> disco was a time and place, we dressed a certain way, danced a certain way -- >> "stayin' alive." >> this is a pink pinot grigio because it sits on the skins a little bit. delicious, delicious disco wine. >> disco wine. >> very nice. >> your hands will shoot up right now. >> i know. ♪ >> so, from disco wine and the wine of everyone, we go to the more elitist -- >> classical. yes, okay. >> and what music doesn't stir more emotion than opera? opera resonates to the very soul -- >> yes, absolutely. >> to the core of our existence. >> pavarotti. >> and we have the perhaps most famous wine in the world, champagne dom perignon. >> class me up. >> and i think just the champagne brings us back to the essence of european music and culture. i think champagne is the essence of real european. so cheers to that. >> you look real quiet. >> no, i find it fascinating. >> it's an excuse. >> not every pairing is so literal. with country music, you have like good, toe-tapping, feel-good. it's americana. it's what really, what kind of distinguishes us as a people and it's all about feeling good and enjoying life. d with it, we have a cherry pie pinot noir. >> wow. >> an american pinot noir, really gives the sensibility of the aesthetic of american wine and delicious, full-flavored, yummy juice. >> yummy juice! >> yummy juice -- >> that's what i call it every night. >> yummy! mm-mmm! >> mom and dad are having a little yummy juice. >> for my house, what would you pair with a spongebob squarepants soundtrack? >> maybe beer. >> then this is meredith's -- >> now, now, now, there is something to be said that the wine you like, the best wine is the wine you like the most. and we know that meredith -- >> i lovehe toasted head. >> loves the toasted head chardonnay. >> i do. do you like it, too? >> i do like this wine. it's delicious, it's sweet. you obviously are a lover of a full-bodied, extracted white wine. >> and this is her favorite song. >> and my favorite song! ♪ >> this brings me back to our plane trip home from vancouver. >> uh-oh! >> now, the champagne's expensive, but something like this wine is not. most of these wines you picked pretty reasonable? >> yeah. some of them are reasonable. some of them are a little more expensive, but sometimes it's not about the conceptual pairing. it's about having a sip of wine. >> exactly. >> and listening to a song and learn to taste with your ears and listen with your palate, exchange -- >> you're doing this in vegas? >> yes, for "uncorked," which is the bon appetit wine festival. we're doing wine and foods that rock. >> we're back after your local news. in the news for today, we have breaking news too tell you about. a serious accident has shut down four streets doubt. what did you find out, tracey? >> reporter: we're at 14th and constitution, i want to show you what it looks like, you can see just how serious this accident was. we had a fire truck heading to th rept of a fire at gw library, going west on constitution. and then there was a collision involving three vehicles, two people are now in critical condition, they have been transported to the hospital, a second person is in serious condition, no one injured on the fire trucks, these are folks who were in these vehicles who were injured in this accident. see the investigation into this is now beginning, there was also a second accident here that involved a metro bus and a car, no one was injured in that, that was a minor accident. jerry edwards is now going to give us information on how to get around this. >> this is having a major impact. you can see the bottom part of your screen, that's 14th and constitution, the scene of the acdent. but pennsylvania avenue is closed off at independence and it is jam #. multiple accidents in maryland, 270 as well as the beltway and central avenue and the wilson bridge. >> your weat back to the right? no, back here. how about over here? n-- let's go back to the left. waffling is back at dunkin' donuts. for a short time only, enjoy the return of the delicious oven-toasted waffle breakfast sandwich. america runs on dunkin'. welcome back, we have had some wet weather out there this morning, around i-66 to i-270, from 52 to 58, heavier rain tonight. we retur back now with more of "today." i'm telling you. on this friday morning, march 12th, 2010. some light showers in the big apple today, but that doesn't seem to be bothering folks gathered on the plaza kicking off their weekend with us. it will if they stick around. al's going to tell us a bit later, it's going to become more than light. anyway, we appreciate all the folks being there, you at home as well. inside studio 1a, i'm lester holt in for matt along with al roker and natalie morales. coming up, more on the untimely death of corey haim, the child actor. we will have preliminary results of the autopsy and hear from friends and family. we'll also look at the epidemic of drug abuse among celebrities in hollywood. also, remember the case of the man who called himself clark rockefeller? it's been called the longest running con in fbi history. he claimed to be part of the wealthy family and lived in elite circles, marrying and starting a family, but he was ally a man who was from germany, christian gerhart streiter, living a series of lies. now his dramatic story is being told in a made for tv movie starring "will & grace's" aaron mccormick. are you sweeting? >> i think he's trying to take a picture. >> okay, there we go. >> he's rebooting. >> there you go. whatever it is, it's not working for him right now. >> that technology! pl, stretching your buck in the real estate market. we've crossed the country to find the best homes for sale at the most reasonable prices. so, if you're looking to make a move, we're going to show you some open houses from about $200,000 to $500,000, courtesy of the fabulous barbara corcoran. first, ann is off this morning and natalie has the headlines. in the news, there is a threat of severe weather, as we've been talking about all morning, including tornadoes over a wide area today from indiana to florida. on thursday there were at least four reports of tornadoes in central florida. they damaged homes and downed power lines. there were no reports of serious injuries. and there were also record rains this morning in parts of florida. a man raised in new jersey is now under arrest in yemen, suspected of being a member of al qaeda. sharif mobley is also accused of killing a guard while attempting to flee a hospital where he was being treated for wounds suffered in a shoot-out. chile has reached a settlement in toxic dust health cases involving thousands of ground zero rescue and recovery workers. a judge and the workers themselves have to approve the deal. two bombings today in pakistan killed at least 45 people in the city of lahore. about 100 more were wounded. the blast targeted army vehicles. senate majority leader harry reid's wife was seriously injured thursday when a tractor-trailer truck hit her vehicle in virginia. landra reid suffered a broken neck, back and nose, and their 49-year-old daughter was also injured. the government of chile today estimated damage from last month's earthquake to be $30 billion or more. on thursday, strong aftershocks triggered a fresh wave of panic across chile. there were no new fatalities reported. the death toll from that powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake two weeks ago now stands at nearly 500 with 500,000 homes damaged. > and hall of fame football player, broadcaster and actor merlin olsen died thursday after battling cancer. colleagues called him larger than life, a great athlete and an even better man. merlin olsen was 69. he's certainly being remembered very well today. it is now four minutes past the hour. we're up to date. >> what a great guy. >> you know, he was a football player, some few him as a football player. >> everything. >> tv. >> actor. >> "little house on the prairie." >> "father murphy." great legacy. and nbc sports as well. he was a great broadcaster. all right, let's check the weather, see what's going on. and unfortunately, a real mess throughout the eastern half of the country. we've got three areas of severe weather right now. possibility of tornadoes down in central and sthern florida, the southeast and on into the mid and upper ohio river valley. you're taking a look. we're live right now,tanooga do. heavy thunderstorms. some of these may have hail and strong winds embedded inside of them. we also have flood watches in effect from georgia all the way up to new england, and the radar, you can see the heavy rain down in florida, the southeast, the mid-ohio river valley. another slug of moisture coming into the southeast and the northeast. rainfall amounts up to three to five inches in florida, up to six inches of rain along the delmarva peninsula and back through the ohio river valley. and then by sunday morning here in the northeast, anywhere from three to eight inches of rain. saturated soil, rapid snowmelt going to mean flooding, plus coastal winds, coastal gail winds, beach erosion and and right here for today at least our heaviest rain, well, it's pretty much passed. we're seeing the pockets move out of the areas around winchester, loudoun county and frederick. we'll see light showers during the daylight hours, then some heavier rain later on tonight on through tomorrow. 52 degrees, the current temperature in dpk. morning sun with 50 degrees right now. your high today, and that's your latest weather. now to new details in the sudden death of 38-year-old actor corey haim. "today" west coast contributor maria menounos spent thursday at haim's apartment and has some exclusive information. maria, good morning. >> reporter: good morning, al. i spent the day at corey haim's home speaking with his friends and his family. his mother, judy, told me that the coroner's office called her with preliminary results, saying that haim had an enlarged heart and that his lungs were filled with water. i also spoke with haim's father, bernie, who flew in from canada to help support his ex-wife, along with some of haim's closest friends who shared intimate memories of the former child star. >> this is a jacket -- >> reporter: longtime friend and fellow actor scott schwartz invited me into haim's bedroom where he and the family were organizing his belongings. anything from his films? >> um, yes. "american sunset." >> reporter: oh, this is the movie he just shot. >> yes. >> reporter: schwartz says he's auctioning haim's psessions on ebay to help the family pay for funeral costs, a difficult reality for the star of 1980s teen films like "the lost boys" and "license to drive." after his teen idol days ended, haim battled addiction and struggled with the transition into mature acting roles. but according to his close friends, haim finally seemed to be turning his life around. >> he looked in the best shape i've ever seen him, and he was so positive and so happy, and i was so proud of him. he was about to direct his first film. did not see it coming at all. >> reporter: noah berlow, his girlfriend silva, and her sister sylvia were among haim's closest friends over his last few years. >> he's very strong-willed, and we saw that will come to light, and that transition was remarkable. it doesn't come from someone who gives up. >> reporter: while a final cause of death hasn't been determined, investigators say they found four bottles of prescription pills in the apartment where haim died, including valium, the painkiller vicodin, and an antipsychotic drug. >> corey was on prescribed medication and he was recovering with prescriptions, and it's definitely a difficult thing for anyone to say that he had a drug problem. he had a doctor problem. >> reporter: since haim's death, there's been an outpouring of praise from the entertainment industry, but ex-girlfriend nicole eggert says that it's a shame the former child star didn't get that support when he needed it most. >> but if he could have seen this when he was here and known like how much people really did enjoy him and love him, maybe this would have made a difference in his life. >> reporter: you know, al, i had a long conversation with corey's dad, who told me he and his son were very close, they spoke twice a day, and that corey would frequently call him or say "you're my coach, daddy." and when i asked him how he was holding up, he said a piece of him is now gone. al? >> maria menounos, thank you so much. courtney hazlett is the celebrity correspondent for msnbc.com. good morning. >> good morning, al. >> there is something kind of sad, besides this tragic, untimely death. less than 24 hours after he's dead, people are going through this is clothes to put them on ebay? >> that was definitely a shocking revelation that maria menounos unkouferd right there. i think it's more difficult to mourn this properly and to give the fact that this is a struggle with addiction, whether or not that was the exact cause of his death, this is a serious struggle with addiction. and in hollywood, this at play here, when you hear all of a sudden, oh, we're now putting his jacket onebay. >> how would you describe corey haim, and this longtime addiction to drugs? it obviously has been a big problem. >> obviously been a big problem. he's been very outspoken about it, so in some respects, this should come as zero surprise to nobody. he said i will be an addict for life, i will always be an addict. so, this shouldn't come as a huge surprise, but i think because he was off the radar, because he wasn't successful throughout his entire career, he peaked in the '80s and that was about it, that was a it. >> is that a problem for these child actors, their careers peaked in their teens or early 20s and now they're dealing with the fact of dealing with reality. >> right, i think the struggle is, unlike most people who have careers ups and downs -- we all have it -- when you're a child celebrity, you go from everybody catering your every whim, putting you on planes, dressing you, making sure you have what you want to eat when you want it, to not having your calls returned. but i take issue with the comments corey feldman said, hollywood needs to take better care of his celebrities. >> why do you think that? >> because i don't think it's hollywood's job. i don't think it's any industry's job to take care throughout their life. >> right. >> i think that's the parent's job to take care of a child celebrity. >> but back in the '30s, there was legislation enacted, at least to financially make sure that these kids, these young kids were protected. >> sure. >> should there be something that, at least help -- some sort of counseling that goes into effect when these kids are working and they're at the peak of their powers? because parents may not be -- >> i think it's past the point of that. i agree completely. i think we're past the point of having new legislation, especially -- that legislation you're referring to was enacted for financial purposes only for scripted programming. now what you see so many kids on is also this unscripted program, reality, which as we know is not real reality. i think it's past time to make sure that our kids who are getting this treatment are protected. >> 2008. heath ledger's death, accidental overdose, that really kind of woke people up to this prescription pill abuse and a link to celebrities. >> prescription pill abuse is the worst unkept secret, whatever you want to call it, in hollywood. because it's socially acceptable to pull out a prescription pill bottle and take something. >> sure. >> right? a lot more acceptable than doing, clearly, illegal drugs in public. so, i think like you heard before, he was helping his addiction through these prescription pills. they're still dangerous. it's not safe. >> charlie sheen, a guy who's grown up in hollywood, grown up around all this, he's managed to keep a successful career while battling fairly publicly his addiction. >> sure. teflon charlie has done a fantastic job of this. i think part of the reason he's able to stay successful, he's the highest paid actor on television right now. nobody's going to step in and do some massive intervention, say you need to step aside, charlie, when he's the highest paid actor on television. >> quickly, michael jackson, who really brought into light the idea, there are a lot of doctors out there who just say yes to celebrities when they should be saying no. >> it's not only michael jackson's doctor, i would argue it was probably corey haim's ctors as well. it's a lot easier to phone something in than to sit down with this person who's under more pressures than we can probably ever wrap our brain around and say what's really going on here. >> courtney hazlett, thanks for the insight. >> thanks, al. coming up next, aaron mccormick leads a double life. well, not him, but his character does. in the real-life tale of the man who called himself clark rockefeller. we'll talk to him about it and his other friend as well later on. but later, from oregon to new hampshire, what you can get from about $200,000 in today's real estate market. first, these messages. can you believe how fast kids grow these days? 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[ cheerios spilling ] cheerios. how can something so little... ...help you do something so big. try new chocolate cheerios with a touch of delicious chocate tastin every bite. he called himself clark rockefeller and for years claimed to be part of that family, but his real name, christian gerhart streiter. his story captured national headlines, culminating at a trial last year and guilty verdicts for kidnapping his daughter and assaulting a social worker. before the trial, i sat down with him and his attorney for a jailhouse interview. is there a real name that we should be calling you? >> clark rockefeller. >> clark rockefeller, you say is still your real name? >> i believe so. >> you believe so. >> yes. >> but you're not sure. >> well, from what i've heard lately that it may not be, but as far as i know, that's my name. >> do the memory gaps bother you? >> i really only look forward. i very rarely look back at anything. >> you never try to piece together what's happened in your life? >> not particularly. >> who you are, where you came from? >> almost makes no difference to me one way or the other. >> well, now a movie based on that bizarre story is being brought to television. it stars eric mccormick and sherry stringfield as his wife. >> i thought you understood. i thought you supported pro bono work for the third world. >> i just want us to live within our means. >> well, if i can't enjoy a decent glass of wine. >> where i'm from, you don't bounce checks. it's embarrassing. can we just sell one of these paintings? >> no. >> eric mccormick joins us now. good morning! >> eric mccormick may not be my name. >> slash clark rockefeller slash -- >> from what i've heard lately, i don't know. i never look back. i only ever look forward. >> and those memory gaps don't bother you? >> you'd have to talk to my lawyer. i don't, i don't remember. i don't remember. >> what was it like for you to play him? because i mean, so many affectations, so many, you know, things about him that, i mean, you go back in his history. i mean, as i studied up for that interview, which i understand you watched several times. >> i did. as much for you as for him. >> thank you. i appreciate it. >> no, but he -- your interview with him was the only sort of piece that one could as an actor sort of study the mannerisms. >> yeah. >> the great thing about the story is it unfolded the way the movie unfolds, almost backwards, that in those six days that he was on the lam, your show was day after day revealing a little bit more and the fbi was discovering a little bit more -- >> piecing together his trail. >> he was not only a rockefeller. he made up these other personas on the road to rockefeller, but in fact, he was this german kid who came over here and slept on people's couches and lost his german accent by watching "gilligan's island" and creating this idea of what american aristocracy is, and the result was a sound, a voice that was a little odd, his mannerisms were odd. but he was loved. he had a lot of friends. he was very convincing. >> very. i mean, he fooled everyone. from the art dealers on to, you know, the people who saw his artwork thought they were all real. >> and thought it was very telling -- >> to his own wife! >> when he was busted, a lot of these people said, oh, no, no, no, clark's a great guy! >> right. >> he truly had friends. he was truly charming. the fbi called it the longest con they had ever seen, but i was saying, you know, con men usually have an end game where they disappear with everyone's money. he didn't. he wanted to be buried clark rockefeller. this was a full on persona that he was going to carry to his death, which i found fascinating. >> and you say playing him, essentially, you're an actor who's playing an actor. >> right. >> who's acting out a whole role for himself. i mean, do you believe that he himself was tly so delusional or thought that he could get away with all this? >> i think, you know, when you're playing -- i hate to compare it to hamlet, but when you're playing hamlet, at some point, hamlet pretending to be crazy usually becomes crazy. >> right. >> and in this case, i think he showed up with this developed persona in the early '90s in new york, but at some point, i think he truly looked in the mirror and saw clark rockefeller. >> convinced himself. >> yeah. >> that's why, when i did that interview, i thought i think this guy really thinks he is clark rockefeller. >> and the only crack in that armor was the birth of his child. i think he truly loved her, and i think that's got to be hard when you've created a complete facade and then a real thing -- >> real, exactly. >> -- comes out of you, your life for your wife. and he adored her. who adored her, clark rockefeller or christian? and i think that must have been the thing that drove him to act so out of character. >> and we talk about the affectations, the language, and that's something you delve into in the lifetime movie. you do have to -- how is it as an actor -- i mean, usually you're training, you're trying to get an accent down, but in this case, you're doing a nonaccent with an accent. >> right. well, like i say, your interview is what i had to go on in -- >> because he said he had no accent -- >> in the mannered, considered way he spoke, which was elusive. he answered almost none of your questions, really. he just, he dodged them. but it was -- that's nice to have that hang your hat on, you know? >> well, i appreciate that. by the way, you've got a lot of projects. i mean, you have a reoccurring role on "the new adventures of old christine," and what else are you working on? >> we wrapped that the other day, the season finale of that in new york. >> good. >> and then this summer, for those of you who loved seeing vancouver and the vancouver olympics -- >> yes! my favorite city. >> i lived parttime -- you guys were up there. do you have a fun time? >> i could pick upnd move there tomorrow, if it weren't for this little show we do. house there, live there part-time. we're doing a play there. >> a great play, wonderful. eric mccormick, always great to have you, and a great role for you. >> thank you. saturday night. >> saturday night, you can catch "who's clark rockefeller?" on lifetime. still to come, it's a surprise for some lucky ladies on our plaza this morning. they got an ambush makeover! we're going to show you the results. ...kept coming back... ...or that i could help prevent them in the first place. the problem was that my controller medicine... ...was treating only 1 main cause of asthma symptoms. but there are 2. airway constriction. and inflammation. unlike most controllers, advair treats both main causes. advair treats both main causes. and that helps prevent symptoms in the first place. 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(announcer) get your first prescription free and save on refills. advair. now you know. - uh-huh. - ( rope creaking ) - ( rope snaps ) - ( piano clangs ) - ( crashes ) - glad forceflex trash bags are so strong, one bag is all you need to pick up the pieces from even your biggest disasters. - ( doorbell rings ) - where do you want the piano? for stretchable strength get glad forceflex. love to see kids' spirits shine. superstar and mom, martina mcbride and sunnyd for stretchable strength shine on sunny taste. sunny spirit. sunny d. brings out the best in kids. shine on sunny d find martina's "shine" cd in stores now. how about a bedtime snack? yay! come here. favorite. perfect. put your milk in. okay. ♪ whoa. okay, that's good. [ female announcer ] at the end of the day, a bowl of rice krispies... what do you hear? i hear..."pop." i think it's saying, "night night." [ female announcer ] ...sounds pretty good. all done. good job. mustache. ♪ [ female announcer ] childhood is calling. coming up, you don't even have to leave your sofa. we're going to do all the work for you. we'll show you the best houses on the mart from $200,000 to $500,000. plus, the hottest spring fashions. ♪ blueberry pancakes are so good ♪ [ male announcer ] bisquick. pancake lovers unite. ♪ blueberry pancakes are so good ♪ can you believe how fast kids grow these days? and since 90% of bone strength is developed before adulthood... it's so important that they get enough calcium every day. that's why there's new danonino. danonino! unlike leading kids yogurts, danonino has twice the calcium of milk, ounce per ounce, with vitamin d. so it's power packed for healthy growth. and its rich creamy taste is... yummy! so they can start building strong bones today... for stronger bodies tomorrow. new danonino from dannon. power packed to help kids grow. good morning, it's 9:26, i'm kimberly suitors, we're following breaking news this morning out of northwest washington. a serious accident involving a fire truck h sent three people to the hospital and shut down several downtown streets. it happened around 7:30 this morning at 14th and constitution. a fire truck was heading to a fire when it collided with two other vehicles. two people were taken to the hospital in critical condition, another in serious condition. >> at this hour we have the closure of 14th street between constitution and pennsylvania avenue, obviously jamming up traffic now trouacross the 14th street bridge, the roosevelt key and memorial are all jammed now as people try we may not have much moderate rain left around the area, as was the face earlier today. the roads aretill wet and we'll see scattered showers throughout the day. the temp is now between 50 and about 54 degrees throughout the area. we'll see a high today of 58 and the return of some moderate to heavy rain and through at least half of tomorrow. the winds will start picking up later and a down right windy day tomorrow. >> and because of all that rain, we have just learned the chain bridge will be open this weekend. you've been hearing it will be closed for repairs until monday morning. i'm up so early, even the weirdos aren't up, you know in they've gone to bed. they say, what's the point of being strange? there's nobo out here to see it. that's the answer to the question we get a lot around here, how early do you go to work? from the cast to the producers to the crew, it's early for everyone. next week on "today" you'll get the answer to all your burning questions like what do we do when we hang out together on our days off or off-air time or what meredith would do if she weren't in front of the camera. that's "ask away today" all next week. meanwhile, coming up this half hour, a real estate reality check. it's still a rocky housing market out there, so if you're scared to jump in because you're worried about not getting a good deal, we have great properties to fit any budget from the pacific northwest to new england. and we are stepping into spring from prints, polka dots and florals to african-inspired. we have the hottest fashions to flatter any figure. before that, you happen to notice these two book-ending, lester holt and amy robach, here to tell us what's coming up this weekend. >> by the way, we sleep in. probably don't get up until 5:00, 5:45? >> we're slackers. anyway, a heartbreaking story that's all too common. it's the lengths families have to go to care for loved ones who need long-term care. also, a wildlife photographer so determined to capture the perfect images of lions and baab yooms, he submerge aid himself in an af2)n6 watering hole for three months. we'll look at his survival and breathtaking pictures and probably breath-holding pictures. >> animals don't just drink at the watering hole. we all remember the "seinfeld" episodes of the mansier and the b rnk oro. well, there is a men's version of spanx. this weekend, the unveiling of the spanx for men, or manx, right? we've got before and after photos you definitely won't want to miss. >> i'm sitting here, i am not sure what a spanx is, like a girl -- >> it sucks you in. >> oh, come on, lester. >> it's hosiery. >> you've got one underneath that. >> my mama'am if i'm lying my mama's home crying. i've never heard of this. >> yeah! boom! >> can you say that again three times fast? >> no, i can't, i absolutely can't. >> that was great. plus, we want to remind you to wm up that video camera. last year we crowned a special dog best in show. well, this year we're looking for today's top dog. whatever makes your dog special, a scale or heroic act or whatever makes your dog outstanding, we want to know. logon to todayshow.com and get all the information about "today's top dog" and all that cute little -- >> hula dance. >> hula hoop. >> he's the top dog. all right, you've got a check of the weather for us. absolutely. let's see what's happening for your weekend. saturday, the northeast is going to be a mess into the ohio river valley. west coast looks pretty bad. midsection of the country from the plains down to texas looks pretty nice. cool to the north, but nice and warm through texas. the warm weather continues on sunday, sunday! with warm conditions down through texas, heavy rain, though, in new england. more rain in the pacific northwest. sunny and cool in the southwest. mild conditions from our first wave of moderate rain is behind us, we'll see some showers coming through the rest of the day, but those will be light showers. and at least it's going to be mild today. the temperature right now says 52 degrees, 52 here in d.c. quantico as 53, 55 degrees currently in culpepper, we'll have a high today of 58 degrees, the return of that moderate to heavy rain tonight. there will be some power outages and that's your latest weather. >> thank you, al. coming up next, a real estate open house from the northwest to new england. >> come on, hold it together. hold it together. >> the best deals, right after this. sweet! 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>> oh, a keeping room actually is any small room adjacent to the kitchen that has a fireplace. and in the days of old, they used to use it to keep the babies warm near the only heat source in the house, but today it's more often a tv room. you saw a shot of it there. >> very cool. let's go to albuquerque, new mexico. this is interesting, a modern pueblo at $389,900. a three-bedroom home. >> and you have to remember that albuquerque has something that very few places have, 300 days of sunshine a year. and this house that you can see off to the left is actually right on the foot of a cotton olive tree whole forest, so it's very bare around it, but if you could just get ten feet to the left there, you could see you go into a forest of your own. private in every way. there's really no neighbor on either side of you. this house is very modern. when you look at the inside, you feel like no one is livi there, and the truth is, no one is living there. so it gives you a very stark feeling. >> is that a good thing? >> well, it's good they have at least some furniture in here because they had to move out to relocate, but it's bad because they just didn't go far enough. i don't think it looks cozy, so it needs a shot of color here or there, but the's lots of space here. granite countertop. there's a beautiful -- well, look, there's an advantage of an empty house. at least you can picture all your stuff on that shelf. use your imagination, right? but the community here -- that's the community pool, not part of this actual house itself, but it's within a few short blocks. >> very modern. that's not to everybody's taste. >> not to everybody's taste, but in this part of the country, it looks great like that. >> all righty. now let's head to a suburb of portland. this is tualatin, oregon. a five-bedroom house priced at $399,900. >> and it's a town that everyone who lives inust loves it. it's got a small town atmosphere, it has an annual crawfish festival that they fish out from that tualatin river that the town sits on, the face of it. there's a shot of the living room. it's not all that grand, but the proportions of all these rooms are really, really nice. i just think it feels like it's kid-friendly in every way. you can just picture a bunch of kids running around and you wouldn't be upset about it. so, it's all about the family. the ceiling heights are nine feet throughout the house. that's a good family kitchen. actually, quite beautifully designed. beautiful cherry wood cabinets there, stained light. and that's a little dining area, open doors that go back into that back deck ar. the fully fenced backyard, which you'll see after we have a peek, i guess, at the master bedroom here, is very lovely in that it's great for children, again. and you can kind of get a feel for the neighborhood. you're close to the houses, but that's a great shot, because you kind of get to see what the neighborhood would look like. a real neighborhood. >> it looks perfect for small kids. >> you got it, and a friendly neighborhood to boot. >> all right, let's head to the capital of new york state, albany, new york. although a lot of crazy stuff going on in albany at the state capitol. this is a nice victorian town home priced at $499,900. >> when you look at this town home, you can pinch your eyes closed and think you're looking at a townhouse in brooklyn. the difference is this sells for $475,000. in brooklyn, it would sell for probably $2 illi. and what you can't see from this shot so clear, but if you peek out of that window, is it's situated on a beautiful park which is boston's equivalent of central park. so, think of this as fifth avenue, a townhouse on our fifth avenue. >> look at the ceilings! >> look at the ceilings and the detail. it's got all victorian detail, the original tin ceilings in tact. look at those windows, the bay windows, the bends in the room. this is a luxurious home, basically,s what it is -- >> fabulous kitchen. >> at $475,000. a great kitchen. >> it's got a garden apartment. could you rent this thing out and maybe make cash toelp with the mortgage? >> easily. that garden apartment for this market is worth about $600 a month. picture taking that tenant's rent and putting it toward your mortgage. what a nice feeling that would be. you'd love your tenant in no time at all. >> that's right. now we're going to stay in the new england area, show you a big-ticket item, exeter, new hampshire, $515,000, four bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths. >> and this house shows you more than anything else what a difference mature trees make to a property. >> that's beautiful. >> without the trees it would be a pretty house, with the trees it feels like a mansion. there's the living room with a stairway that goes up to the upper landing. see those windows? they're all original windows, in perfect condition. you could eat off the floor in this house. there is nothing to be done to this house. you move in with your toothbrush and call it a day. everything about the house is spacious. it's got the cathedral ceilings, a beautiful wood-burning fireplace we saw just a moment ago. there's the small extra kitche area that is just a little dining area. and look, that's a great shot of the backyard, and it's beautifully professionally landscaped and worth all the money, i'm telling you. >> it's got a private suite above the garage. does that add to the value of this house? >> of course it does. you know, you could dump your teenagers that you can't stand anymore, put them there, the in-laws, whoever you want. but that's a beautiful place if you just want to use it as a man's den of some kind. >> all right. barbara corcoran, have a great weekend. >> my pleasure, al. >> good to see you again. if you have any questions for barbara, head to our website, todayshow.com, post them and we'll try to answer them for you. next, welcoming in spring with eye-catching prints. ♪ a little encouragement changes everything. molly es muy muy intelligente. and right now, hallmark's got a whole new way to do it. new gifts and cards to cheer on kids of all ages. come in and pick up a free card today. nine to choose from. only at your hallmark gold crown store. a rich and airy treat. ♪ because after you've washed the bills... and paid all the dishes... it's finally me o'clock. enjoy it with mousse temptations. three decadent flavors. 60 calories. it's me o'clock. time for jell-o. you'd savor exquisite specials and a fine chianti. but rome is like 4,200 miles away. that's why there's bertolli chicken florentine for two in a luscious white-wine sauce. bertolli. italy is served. a whole new life for your hair. aveeno nourish plus. active naturals wheat formulas. proven to target and help repair damage in just three washes... for stronger, shinier... hair with life. aveeno nourish plus. why do women like you halove activia light? sometimes i have no choice but to eat heavy greasy food that's hard on my diet... and my digestive system. so i eat activia light every day. it helps me feel good and look good too! ♪ activia! $68 paid automatically. finally convincing your boyfriend to go with you: priceless. pay gym, cable, utility and other monthly bills online with mastercard. fact: your child could pick up the flu virus from surfaces. lysol disinfectant spray kills cold & flu viruses, including h1n1. lysol is the number one pediatrician recommended brand. lysol. disinfectant to protect. their brains are 75% water. their muscles are 73% water. their lungs are 80% water. wa to grow a healthier, happier family? water daily. embrace the pure life. nestle pure life. ♪ this morning on "today's style," we're setting our clocks forward this weekend, and that means it's almost spring, and what better way to welcome in the warm weather than with some eye-popping florals or some african-inspired prints? rachel zalis is a contributing editor for "live & style weekly." good morning. >> good morning. >> what are some of the trends we can look forward to? >> yes, good-bye winter and solids and grays and blacks. we are going to see tons of prints. i mean, everyone from mark course to michael jacobs, floral and tribal. it's a lot of color and really fun and everything we're showing you is under $75. >> and you're mixing up prints, too. >> yes. >> this dress is gorgeous. >> from macy's, it's my moroccan inspired print. it's so fun. >> let's go tribal, the first look we're talking about. >> absolutely. >> one of the things you saw on the runways. here's a look for a lot less, modeled by ariel for us. >> this is our african influence. it's the tribal pattern, and this is from metropark. it's $64. i love when it's an all-in-one piece and it's so affordable. >> it's cute. >> tribal tends to be more casual, and what i love is when it's done in this dress. it looks polished and professional. you could wear this look to work. >> a little jacket over it or cardigan, too. >> absolutely. when you're doing this trend, think about it pairing it with accessories that have wooden and beading. these shoes from endless.com, $55, and it really ties the whole look together. >> it's great. >> and it just gives a great sort of ethnic vibe to it. >> stick to those themes. >> yeah. >> thank you so much, ariel. okay, next is our floral look, and the flower power is back. >> absolutely. >> and we've got alanna showing this off. >> in full bloom this spring. >> casual. >> what we're seeing is the oversized floral, which is so beautiful. and this top is from zara. it's about $39. and what's great is it's a long tunic that you can wear long over your jeggings, as we call them, or you can belt it. this is a way to mix your prints. and you just want to make sure when you're mixing prints that they're in the same color scheme. >> it makes it more modern doing that, too. >> it definitely makes it more modern. and of course, the shoes completely tie this look together. >> it looks great. >> echoes the floral. the chains around the ankles from baker's, $59. it's just a beautiful, fresh look. you know, a whole dress can sometimes look garden party. >> right. >> if you stick to just a top, it just looks fresh. >> and have something to kind of anchor it down, which is the jeggings or the jean leggings that we're seeing here. >> absolutely. and the long top is good over leggings. >> great. alanna, thank you so much. you look great. okay, next is polka dots, those these aren't the little itsy bitsy teeny-weeny little polka dots we're talking about here. >> bye-bye the itty-bitty, hello the oversized. this was all over marc jacobs. a lot of women tend not to want to wear head-to-toe oversized polka dots. >> an accessory. >> absolutely. it's a great way to throw it on. mix it with a striped skirt. it's a great way to mix the prints. if you're going to mix, make sure the skirt is a slimmer line as opposed to the thicker striped skirts we're seeing. this is armani exchange, $66, and it makes you look super skinny. >> if you can mix the patterns, and what about if they're different colors? >> you want to say with the same color scheme. if you're going toix it, it's already going to be somewhat busy, so you want to match the colors together. a denim jacket, huge thing for the spring. >> white denim, right? >> white denim. jcpenneys, $44, and it throws any look together. >> karen, you look gorgeous. thank you so much. wonderful. next, bring out danielle, who's got an abstract look. this is sort of fashion imitating art. >> yes, art comes to life. the water colors. >> beautiful. >> the skirt is from h&m, it's $29, and it just gives such a lovely, feminine look for spring. >> it says spring all over it, really. >> yes. absolutely beautiful. and you know, when you're wearing that much color in a skirt, try and think of pairing it with something that's a little bit more neutral, you know, this cardigan. it's very fresh. it has a little bow on the side. it's very lady-like and it's just a beautiful look. throw in some great accessories with bebe. >> and zara shoes, right? >> absolutely. >> i love that heel. they look so mfy, too. >>hinkbout neutrals when you're wearing the bright colors. >> you look beautiful there, thank you, danielle. finally, our last model, and this is bold. we're talking about the bold prints here. >> yeah, bold, graphic prints. great top, $49 from express. >> here we have melissa. >> and this is just a great, classy look. you can wear this to the office. always get a great handbag to tie your look together. gypsy collection, $65, and it really throws the look together. >> looks like a chanel. >> when you're wearing a graphic print that's bold, pair it with something neutral. khaki is huge for this spring, and it just really creates a great vibe. >> yes. if you're going to make an investment, i imagine a khaki skirt or khaki pants, something that kind of anchors your looks, whatever you bgo with on the to. rachel zalis. ladies, come on out one more time. you look wonderful. thank you so much. >> thank you. >> happy spring to all of us! i can't wait. only have to get through this coming up, it's a friday, and that means it's ambush makeover day on our plaza, and we've got some women who got some great new looks. >> and i am so jealous. coming up in the fourth hour -- >> i know! >> miranda cosgrove, star of "i carly." >> my son loves her. >> i guess she's got a new cd out. >> that's right. she's really talented. >> and we've got the best consumer products of the year. what you should have in every home. but first? >> your local news and your weather. good morning, it's 9:56 right now, we are still following breaking news out of northwest washington this morning, a serious accident involving a fire truck has sent three people to the hospital and shut down downtown streets a fire truck was headed for a fire when it collided with two other vehicles. two people were taken to the hospital in critical condition, another in serious condition. >> live pictures just moments ago, authorities released some traffic on northbound 14th street. the accident scene constitution avenue southbound completely blocked still and as you might imagine, the potomac bridges are completely jammed. the chain bridge work will not occur over the weekend. it will remain open. they will reschedule that work after the weather clears up. >> for at least today, i think our heaviest rain has moved on out of here. that patch you see around hagers town, 52 your temperatures, a high today 58 degrees. big concerns on flooding streams and creeks over the weekend, especially saturday and sunday morning. and some winds that could lend itself to power outages. >> we'll introduce you to a couple that met on face book's hot or not application. a reminder, chain bridge will captions paid for by nbc-universal television hey, everybody. it is finally friday. >> thank god. >> we call it dry day. >> yes, we do. >> it's march 12th, daylight savings time starts sunday. >> saturday night when you go to bed set your clock forward. >> hour ahead. >> and spring starts. i love when that time of year happens. >> yes! i'm off to a sunny climate somewhere. >> yes, away. >> yep. i'm going to be gone about a week. hoe cody will be turning 20 years old. >> that's the question you're asked the most. >> and i say how old do you want to feel because people remember when they were born. you're going to have a lot of hunky guys here. >> i am. we start off with jason priestley. we have kirk cameron on tuesday. we have alan thicke. >> his father. >> tv daddio and ralph macchio from karate kid and everybody else and on friday, guess who we have. >> newlywed, andrew shue. >> amy's new husband. that's goingo be fun. >> try not to have too much fun, though. >> i need a little fun. if you're a fan of any of these g guys, monday especially, come down to the plaza, wear t-shirts, bring signs and maybe we'll pluck you out of the plaza. >> to meet the guy of your dreams. >> my mother gave me an order this morning, and it was to make sure mrs. wren and mrs. neal are on tv. >> they don't seem crazy about it. >> they're my old neighbor. >> don't say old -- >> no, we used to live on dogwood avenue. just wave. >> when you have it there, tommy, pan to the right and say hello to our friends, the patricks are here from virginia. no, keep going. keep going. >> everybody's waving. >> just so you know -- >> is this a local show or what? >> it is a packed house up here. >> okay. >> all right. this is kind of interesting. lady gaga is going a little crazy. >> well, she went to go through security at the airport, like we all do. >> yeah, but we don't go through like lady gaga does. >> she had a veil and funky glasses and stuff. >> because she didn't want to be -- you know, no attention. she didn't want to be noticed or recognized. >> she didn't want to go thugh the security. so, she did a thing that you can do, which is the alternate -- look at the boots. >> that's hair. >>ot human hair. >> most people shave their legs but she wears it off the back of her boot which does make it look like a horse. >> she went and got checked out. they pat you down. that's the option. >> are you going to go through ose new machines that they're about to put up? >> i would say i would not. just out of an abundance of caution, especially with health issues, i don't think i would do it. they say it's like an x-ray but they also said cell phones didn't cause any problem. >> with the brain. >> and we don't know yet what the case is. the point is -- >> you would rather be frisked? >> absolutely. >> i know you're into being frisked. >> can i tell you one thing i did yesterday, which creeped me out a little bit? i had a reading -- a friend gave me a psychic read zplg i warned you. >> i know you don't like this. do you know what this woman said real quick? she said i'm going to find love in 2012. that's two years. >> that's also the year the world comes to an end. so, big deal. >> wait, the other thing she said was -- >> you're going to find it. you ain't going to enjoy it. >> i've got two years to wait. >> at least you won't be alone when the end comes. >> stop it. you know what? do you see what i have to deal with? people from my -- okay. and the other thing she told me is the best year of my life, which is weird, is when i'm 59. what is funny about that? >> i'm 56. i'll take it. come on. >> that's what she said. i've been thinking about all the things she said. >> try not to put your faith in people. little higher up, missy. >> just for fun. just for grins. >> it can be wrong. you and i have very big, very important. >> oh, what happened? >> we're not on the cover of "elle." that is the beautiful taylor swift. nicely workd with that darling joey -- where is it? >> joe z. >> nice little feature there. we got to put on some glam stuff to show we weren't pathetic. >> they're taking you from the runway to the workplace kind of thing. we found clothes or they found clothes we could wear, that someone could wear on the runway. >> i found the only two things that fit me. please, don't give me model sizes. >> thank you, josie. >> thank you, everybody, from "elle." >> it will be out on monday. >> yes. remarkable, remarkable story of a 16-month-old baby who was being bathed by his mother along with another one of her children. she had another child who was ailing. she left the room briefly to go check on her other child who was sick and the little boy you're seeing there drowned in the tub. >> yes. >> they could not revive him there. he was actually declared dead on arrival at the hospital, okay >> yes. >> for 40 minutes, he was not breathing, didn't have a heartbeat. they got his heartbeat back. they didn't know what to do. they thought he would have a lot of brain damage. >> look at that precious -- >> they decided to do an experimental thing where you put cold, cold, cold compresses and things all over you. >> bring the body temperature way down without freezing you. >> and to shrink the swelling in the brain. >> yes. >> lo and behold, after he was in a coma for -- >> two weeks, was it? >> yes, 13 days. he opened his eyes. >> it is really unbelievable story. >> this family was on the show today. >> not a dry eye in our makeup room. look how precious. >> this kid -- they thought he was going to have to go babysteps to make milestones to get back to where he was. we're so into this family. >> we love this baby and this mom. can you imagine when you're the one that left the child unattended? she tried to give him cpr herself and even the medical team that arrived couldn't do it. >> revive him right then. miracle. >> shows you there is hope, hoda woman. >> on a friday, you hear that and you feel like the world is good. >> they're starting to use that thermal -- whatever the process is called -- our beautiful makeup artist mary had a friend, an older man that they used it on and it solved the problem for him as well. >> i think that's interesting. i wonder why it's still experimental. >> i don't know. new stuff they find that's good like that, thank you, lord. >> we do like it. guess what. >> what? >> they're opening a whole big, brand new, spanking brand new and really exciting -- >> what? >> ride. >> harry potter ride. >> at universal studios in orlando. it's called the wizard -- flip back a little bit. i want to get the name of this right, please. wizarding world of harry potter. it's going to open, i believe, april or may. we want to send you down there. >> this is really cool. we don't only want to send you. we want to send your entire classroom down. what we want you to do in a short individuvideo, explain wh class is extraordinary. >> for teachers who are supposed to nominate their class. >> so, you could be part of a group on a three-day, two-night trip to the opening celebrations of the festivities of this wonderful ride in orlando, florida. >> you have to answer the question, why is my class extraordinary? >> that's what i just said. >> and a short individuvideo. we have to say it perfectly. >> i just read it. >> for legal reasons, we had to say -- >> i did. >> did you say three-day, two-night trip? >> yes. >> i was looking at the ride. >> over here, talking. three days, two nights. you know. anywayit's going to be very, very, very cool. so, you know. all right, wait. >> all righty. i'm sorry. i'm ready to get on a plane, as you can well tell. i apologize about that. >> we did skip a very, very important topic. men want sex until they're almost dead. >> unfortunately, that's true. yes. >> now, researchers have concluded that men are different than women. men continue to have sex drive until they're practally a foot in the grave. i mean, that's according to the british medical journal. what do you think of that whole -- >> i don't know. do you want me to read that again? yes, it's exactly right, hoda. there's another one, too, which is men change their -- the people that they are, shall we say, attracted to, when they're more stressed out. >> that's interesting. >> they usually go for someone that looks like themselves. >> that's interesting. i thought then how do you explain heidi klum and seal? they are wild for each other. apparently when the men are stressed out, though, they'll go for pretty much anything or anybody. >> when you're stressed, yes, you're either -- yes, you're desperate. >> i wonder if there's more alcohol consumption as well. >> i would think so. >> you know that old country song, all the women get pretty? >> let's go over to sara. >> i have to spit my gum out. i'm sorry. we're talking about men being attracted to a wider range of women. michelle said apparently my partner is always stressed. he's attracted to all women. and being stressed is like beer goggles and it's like women and comfort food. we turn to chunky monkey and they go on the prowl. >> sort of sums it all up. >> absolutely. up next, sparks are flying in the studio. >> miranda cosgrove is here. you know her from icar, but she has a lot more going on in her life. you take it off. neutrogena healthy skin liquid makeup. 98% of women saw improvement in their skin's natural texture, tone, or clarity. does your makeup do that? 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[ male announcer ] progresso. you gotta taste this soup. your kids know her best as the star of nickelodeon's star of "i carly." >> she is the voice of the character in an upcoming 3-d animated film and now is helping to pave the way for affordable afterschool programs for kids. you're very bus. >> i very busy. >> i'm glad to be here in new york. >> you were in harlem. >> yes. >> after school rock. >> quaker chewy after school rocks and it's really cool, helping to bring after-school programs back into schools. i went to harlem rvi, got to meet these kids and talk about the program and stuff. they put on a talent show and had this choreographed dance that they went over for three week. >> how cute are these kids? >> they were cute. >> amazing role model for them as well. do you ever feel the pressure of that, miranda? >> no. i love when kids come up to me and say they like the show and stuff. it's the best feeling. i love when i'm at the mall with my friends and a girl came up and said i loved the episode last night. it was awesome. i like that stuff. >> a lot of people have tuble transitioning from where you are to more adult roles. how do you plan on making that transition? >> anne hathaway, i look up to her. she did that with the "princess diaries." >> picking the right projects. >> right decision. >> right decisions, yeah. >> the's actually a sweepstakes where kids can get up close and personal with you. how do they do that? >> parents have to sign them up at quakeroats.com. i'm really excited about it. it will be my first private concert where i play five new songs. >> from the new album? >> yes. i'll do like a private concert for whoever wins and their friends in their city. >> cool. did you write the songs on this record? >> my single "kissing you" i co-wrote. >> how do you know about kissing at your age? >> i don't. >> the most exciting thing about getting to make an album. with i carly, i play a character. >> who plays your co-host? >> her name is sam on the show. >> she is so good, like watching lucille ball between the two of you guys. you get into crazy situation. >> we do some pretty crazy stuff on the show for sure. raisins ran down on us. we do stunts and stuff all the time. >> tv, music, check, check. what about the big screen, is that next? >> yeah. i mean, i'm a huge movie buff. i just did an animated movie called "despicable me." >> steve carrell's characters. >> in the glasses. >> that's the way to go to work. you don't have to put on makeup, no hair. >> go in your pajamas. >> how old are you? >> 16 years old. sweet 16. >> do you still go to school? >> i do. i do home schooling now. i went to school until fifth grade and now i have tutors on set. it's pretty cool. i'm embarrassed because i still don't have my driver's license. >> neither does my daughter. she's 16, too. >> i'm so embarrassed. >> you're busy. you have stuff to do. >> you have stuff tonight, facebook thing? >> yeah, i'm going to be on facebook, live chat at 7:00. facebook.com/mirandacosgrove. >> we love i carly. still to come, writing is on the wall. we'll show you how to find love on facebook. >> don't look at me. i hate when you look at me. >> try this you've tried everything else. >> i hate when you look at me. the students learn to keep america's wind turbines going and to keep them safe, the only battery they trust in their high voltage meters are duracell rechargeables. so whether you're responsible for tomorrow... or enjoying today... it just has to work. duracell smart power. duracell trusted everywhere duracell smart power. can you believe how fast kids grow these days? and since 90% of bone strength is developed before adulthood... it's so important that they get enough calcium every day. that's why there's new danonino. danonino! unlike leading kids yogurts, danonino has twice the calcium of milk, ounce per ounce, with vitamin d. so it's power packed for healthy growth. and its rich creamy taste is... yummy! so they can start building strong bones today... for stronger bodies tomorrow. new danonino from dannon. power packed to help kids grow. welcome back. on "today's" relationships, if you're looking for love in all e wrong placeses, why not try facebook? >> yeah, why not? that's right. online dating sites are out and online social networking sites are in. rachel greenwald is author of "have him at hello." >> love the title. >> rachel, welcome. >> thank you. >> i did not know facebook was a place people actually went looking for dates. >> absolutely. facebook is about networking. online dating is more about shopping for love. this is networking for love. this is a really new thing. i'm a matchmaker. when i try to set someone up, the first thing they do is go to facebook and try to find the person on facebook. >> called i spy a cute guy, right? >> that's my first tip. you have to start using facebook to find men. it's proactive and empowering. so, play my little game. i spy a cute guy where you go through the friends of -- >> your friends. >> and if you see someone you think is interesting, send a little note to your friend and say i saw him on your page. is he single? would you fix us up? >> i would never do that. >> first of all, you're just going on looks, right? >> you don't know anything about them. >> depending how private their setting is, you might learn a little more about him, what his intere interests are, where he went to school, what he does. it's a great tool. >> you say it's important because you have to have a lot of friends on facebook so u have better odds. that's what she says. >> if you build it, they will come. bigger is better when it comes to your friends' list. you want to get the most number of friends possible because date something a numbers game. you want to have all these friends out there who can be networking for you. this is empowering, you know. so -- >> but what if you like the guy that your friend is goingwith? >> you don't want to go there. >> that's just awful. >> i think things through. >> let's pretend you found someone, okay, that you like. you've e-mailed your friend, hey, is he single? she says yes. >> yeah. >> now what? >> first of all, gorilla marketing is really important on facebook. there are facebook tools to really empower you to connect with somebody so you can update your status saying, hey, i'm going out for drinks or dancing friday night. anyone in this area, the new york area, join me. bring your friends. >> is that what you do, anyone in your area? >> send a note to your friend, mutual friend and say bring your friend along if he's available friday night. it's very empowering. >> so you shouldn't directly e-mail or poke or whatever the guy you don't know? that's what they -- you poke on facebook. >> oh. >> you can send a friendly message and say i see you like the same movies i do. of course, have him at hello being my book title, i love the jerry maguire movie, "you had me at hello." that's what i would say. >> rachel greenwal would do that. >> i would. it's empowering. >> let's look over someone's page. they think their pag are all mess ed up. you have somebody's page. >> we have a viewer from texas. >> who is this? >> cheryl patterson. >> cheryl patterson sent us her facebook profile. this photo, to me, says i would like to hire her, not date her. >> okay. >> so, i just spent ten years interviewing 1,000 men and asked them about their first impressions of women. >> right. >> number one reason in the book that i talk about is this photo. the boss lady. >> so, what should she put? >> maybe she thinks that's the best picture she has of her. >> i had her retake her picture. look at this. this is her after picture. >> better. >> isn't that flirty, friendly? she's wearing purple. i'm wearing pink today. you know, you don't have to spend a lot of money. just wear color. i got this at talbot's. you don't have to go couture. just look feminine. look at her wall. she's telling us her age. she tells us what year she graduated. >> that will come out eventually anyway. >> first impressions are important. i would rather have a guy connect with her on such a great smile and not focus on age. >> that's what she would do. we've got to go, rachel. >> i think we've got to go. >> thank you. >> fascinating. coming up from diet sodas to air fresheners, the top products of the year. two lucky ladies get ambushed on the plaza. we'll reveal the dramatic makeovers. for the best sources to makour mayonnaise. we use eggs, vinegar and oil rich in omega 3. ♪ for the quality that could only be hellmann's. hellmann's. it's time for real. and, now introducing hellmann's light. it's made with 100% cage free eggs. some people will stick with their old way of getting vitamins and minerals. others will try incredible total raisin bran. with 100% of the daily value of 11 essential vitamins and minerals, juicy raisins and crunchy whole grain flakes. guess it's all about what kind of crunch you like. how are you getting 100%? 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[ female announcer ] with exact eyelights from easy breezy beautiful covergirl. coming up today at midday. >> breaking news at downtown washington, an accident involving a fire truck sent multiple people to the hospital. this happened at the same intersection where a jogger was killed just a week ago. i'm barbara harrison and also coming up on news4 midday, you could be saving some money on your utilitilies. >> announcer: "today's" ambush makeover is brought to you by maybelline new york. maybe she's born with it. maybe it's maybelline. we're back on this dry day. it's time to reveal our ambush makeovers for two lucky ladies outside our studio. >> scouring the plaza. >> scouring. >> pillaging the plaza. >> rummaging. >> uis licari, stylist to the stars and "us weekly" and "today" contributor, jill martin. how was it, rainy? >> we beat the sprinkles. we were lucky. we were both looking and we found great makeovers today. >> look at the hats and all the -- >> this woman, by the way, is 80 years old. >> she's beautiful. >> first lucky lady is jennifer brody, 36 years old from williamsburg, virginia, been married to ronald for 14 years, has two kids. for the past eight years, she's been working as a seblincretary the front office of a high school. she only colors her hair once a year and feels like she has had the same look since high school. let's listen to her story. >> this is so cool because this class from virginia, they're back again. we made you over last year. looks like you're keeping it up. >> absolutely. great cut. >> and now it's your turn, miss jennifer. why do you think she needs a makeover? >> she's the most popular woman at our school. we all love her and she deserve it is. >> what do you think, do you want this? >> i'm so excited. yes, i can't stand it. for once i won't look like my twin sister anymore. >> all right. are we ready tgo, guys? >> all right. jennifer has brought along her students. there's a whole mess of them. keep your blindfolds on until i give you the green light, okay? here is jennifer before. all right, jennifer, let's see the new you. oh, wow! >> all right. students and everybody, are you ready? take off your blindfolds. looks good. all right. are you ready to see the new you? >> i think so. >> jennifer, take a spin. >> oh, my gosh! >> you look fantastic. >> oh, my gosh. >> wow, wow, wow. >> i don't look like my sister anymore. >> turn around. >> she said i don't look like my sister anymore. >> i have a twin sister. we don't look identical anymore. >> little bit of glamour, little change to add dplamer. i softened the base color, add a few highlights, orson gav her bangs, added the shape of the bob and a whole new you. >> who is speaking for the group? what do you think? you've got the mike. >> oh, i think she looks fabulous and she totally deserved this makeover. she's the nicest secretary ever. >> say the name of your school. >> we did a twist on the classic blazer. dkny. show the slit. >> you tramp. >> that's a one-shoulder shirt available at macy's so she can heat it up when she doesn't have the blazer on. >> faastic job. >> thank you, jennifer. our second lady is gerri bretts from cape maine, new jersey. she spends her time volunteering in the community. last time she colored her hair was 20 years ago using a box from the drugstore. she's here with her daughter, alma. first, let's here gerri's story. >> i know your mom is turning 80 on my birthday, april 14th. >> yes. >> i know you think she deserves this. tell us why. >> absolutely. because she's 80 years old and she's really pretty and i always tell her that she should try to get a makeover and here we are with this great chance to do it. >> are you ready to be pampered? >> yes, i am. i'm overdue. >> all right. here we go. are you ready to see a whole new mommy? >> i am. >> alma is here with us, blindfolded. let's take one last look at gerri before. let's bring the new gerri out right now. >> wow, wow, wow! >> oh, my gosh. alma, you've got to look at your mom. take it off, doll. >> oh, my god! you look great. >> you really do, gerri. you look gorgeous. check yourself out right there. >> oh, my goodness. i can't believe it. it's a miracle. >> are you thrilled or just stunned? we can't tell the difference. are you thrilled? >> i'm thrilled. >> look at you before with the hat. >> yeah. i'm always covered up. >> what did you do, sweetheart? >> power of hair color. does this look like an 80-year-old woman or 79-year-old woman? >> no, gorgeous. >> you look 15 years younger. >> thank you. >> takes less than an hour, do it yourself at home. don't ever not color your hair, number one, ever. took her haircut and gave it more -- >> it's very pixie-ish and adorable. >> thank you. >> more fluff and gave you a more modern look. you look beautiful. >> thank you. you do a real beautiful job. for the last hour or so. wonderful. >> are you all right? >> i can't believe it's my mom. she looks great. >> i'll be 80 in april. >> happy birthday. >> same day as jill. >> she needed an outfit for her 80th birthday. >> and it's above the knee. >> little bit above the knee, two-piece suit available at m e macy's. >> beautiful. >> awesome. >> ladies, come on over. good job. luis and jill, as usual. up next, best consumer products you can't live without, after this. his healthy years. a groundbreaking 14-year study by purina, proves that puppy chow, then dog chow nutrition, fed properly over a lifetime, can help extend his lovable antics up to 1.8 healthy years. long live your buddy. oh, max. long live your dog. purina puppy chow and purina dog chow. - uh-huh. - ( rope creaking ) - ( rope snaps ) - ( piano clangs ) - ( crashes ) - glad forceflex trash bags are so strong, one bag is all you need to pick up the pieces from even your biggest disasters. - ( doorbell rings ) - where do you want the piano? for stretchable strength get glad forceflex. son: hey mom! wife: what are you doing? what is that? what is this? guy: it's a special paste i invented to replace socks. we're dipping our feet in it. wife: why? guy: because wcan't find socks that shape to our feet. we're sick of it! son: sick of it! wife: that's really stupid. guy: that's the future. nouncer: hanes makes better-fitting socks the whole family will love. guaranteed, or your money back. we're back now with "today's" consumer from toothbrushes to air fresheners to diet drinks, thousands of products are lining store shelves. >> how do you know which ones are worth it and which os are worthless. from guru.com here with the top products of the year, just hosted the annual product of the year awards. phil, how many years have you been doing this now? >> doing products? >> products. >> you and i go back 20 -- the morning show before it was live. >> that's like in the -- >> flintstones. >> yes, 1800s. >> all right. >> yep. kathie lee was only 10 at the time. >> i know she was. you had to cherry pick -- there are a lot of products to choose from how did you pick them? >> this is not me picking them. product of the year awards is in 28 countries, 22 years ago it started, second year here in the u.s. 60,000 consumers vote on these. >> let's go to the ones that we like the most. we're starting with these colgate wisp. these are toothbrush things. >> these are toothbrushes that have a little gel right in there. you don't need water. >> don't need water. >> brush, brush. >> how do you spit? you don't spit? >> you don't spit. you don't spit. >> that's the fun part. >> well, here, you can spit if you want. >> it's got a little pk on the end. >> exactly. >> not to take it out at a nice restaurant but -- >> toss them when you're done. >> we were talking last night and courtney said it's great for people on dates and so on. >> yes. >> after dinner, you go and -- >> brush your teeth. >> -- brush. the important thing to look for are product of the year logos that are starting to appear. that signifies that these products are a winner. in fact, there are now commercials. this is sprite green, stevia, first soda to use stevia. sprite green. >> tastes like toothpaste. >> this exact kind. >> here, spit. >> tastes exactly like this toothpaste. >> pledge, what's interesting about this multisurface, one can that you can do everything, including electronics. all you have to do -- up until this point -- >> you could use this for wood too? >> wood, ceramic. >> you don't want to clean your toilet and then -- >> not your toilet. >> pledge multisurface? >> multisurface, brand new. >> you shouldn't -- you shouldn't spray the keyboard, should you? >> yes, you can. >> i'm afraid it would get in -- >> i would think there would be -- >> no, not at all. this is courtney's dirty computer we're cleaning for her. >> okay. >> this is riveting phil. >> nice cleaning. >> what's this? >> i'll keep doing it so it's clean. >> please. >> this is sensa, motion detector spray. >> they have these in public restroom. >> she's been doing this for me for a long time. >> i know. >> do the motion detector in front of it, it won't recycle for 30 minutes. see? >> potent. >> sorry. and now for secret, secret clinical, the first waterproof deodorant for women. >> i use that. >> you do? >> bk off. yes. >> i'm just surprised. >> when you're working out, it's great or if you're on the beach. >> i like it. >> clinical, yeah. >> last, but not least -- >> that's for people with a really big problem. >> this is the first home machine with 15-bar pressure. >> this looks like a big ant. >> look at it from that direction. it's all these sealed capsules. >> so fresh. >> it is terrific. in fact, we made some for you if you want to try. >> okay. here you go. >> thank you. what is this, like an espresso? >> it is. not like an espresso, it is an espresso. >> without the stevia. >> without the stevia. >> that's terrific. how much is this? >> $139. product of the year award winners, look for that little seal that's rolling out right now. >> phil, thank you. >> phil lempert. >> thank y. comfort foods easy to make, right after this. but most of us find it hard to get as much as we need or want. try del monte fruit naturals. these portable cups of pre-cut, chilled fruit are ready-to-eat, so the only thing you need to peel is the lid. you'll never be disappointed with fruit that's unripe or spoiled every mouthful is just right, and bursting with flavor. enjoying a delicious fruit snack can be this easy. look for del monte fruit naturals chilling in your produce section now. brand power. helping you buy better. you'd savor exquisite specials and a fine chianti. but rome is like 4,200 miles away. that's why there's bertolli chicken florentine for two in a luscious white-wine sauce. bertolli. italy is served. made with gooey hersheys mini-kisses. spontanious joy may occur. to finish what you started today. for the aches and sleeplessness in between, there's new motrin pm. no other medicine, not even advil pm, is more effective for pain and sleeplessness. new motrin pm. wouldn't softer feel better? 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[ male announcer ] now the best seat in the house is in your house. in fact, with the fios total ticket, it can be in every room. unlike cable, only fios gives you a multi-room dvr that lets you record shows in one room and watch them in up to six other rooms. no one will ever have to miss their favorite shows again. and now you can get a multi-room dvr plus set top box free for six months when you sign up for fios tv, internet and phone. you'll get tv with three times more very satisfied customers than comcast, america's top-rated internet, and phone. get it all together for just $99.99 a month -- a great low price -- guaranteed for two years. it adds up to savings of $419 over two years. fios total ticket is an awesome value that makes every seat in your house the best seat. so why sit still for cable? call now. 1.866.685.fios. call the verizon center for customers with disabilities at 800-974-6006 tty/v. this is beyond cable. this is fios. in "today's" kitchen, we're gettin' saucy with chef ryan scott, making mouth-watering comfort foods. >> yes, he is. nothing better than that, especially when it involves barbecue chicken and beer. >> we're in! >> we love when you visit us. >> threw booze in the mix. always excited about that. >> yes. >> it's march. march madness, but the weather has been dreary. not a pot roast, not a short rib, something a little lighter. >> little surprising. >> little surprising. what i love -- my mom loves this, the chickens that are done at the store. >> they're great. >> i do love this. >> they save you an hour and a half because they're already cooked. >> they're fun to pick. nibble as you pick. >> go ahead. >> want me to pick it? >> absolutely. it's a little bit of a workout. >> what are wee going to do? >> make our own barbecue sauce. saute little bit of onions. i remember i burned you one time. >> i remember that, too. >> like nine months ago. >> oh, yes. >> you haven't forgot that. that's great. >> she doesn't forget a thing. trust me. >> not one thing. >> saute the onions a little bit. stand back. >> do your thing. what is that? >> tomato paste. >> hoda is cooking. >> so exciting. >> you have a vacation next week, huh? >> yes, i do. >> little honey inside there. >> i do too. what? what? >> somebody else got that. >> you get a vacation and i get a vacation. >> all right. little bit of wo rcestershire sauce. mix that up. little bit of canned tomatoes. kathie lee went ahead and picked this chicken already. >> yep. >> let's add yours inside there. >> this is barbecue sauce i just made? >> let it cook for about ten minutes or so, cook down. really easy to make. stuff that's in your fridge. bring the kids in. go ahead if you want to add all that. it's totally fine. >> what did you do? >> we'll make another batch of barbecue sauce. >> i can't even mix it. >> let's ignore t i've got one in the back. you can make to mali pies, chickens are so diverse. i lived in hawaii a little while. key emphasis on a lot of food had pineapple. take the barbecue inside since the weather is still off. sara helped me get these marked on here. >> yep. >> we'll make the sandwiches. these will go on top with the chicken and cheese. we've got it all back here. >> all right. >> slide back here. >> i'm going to have you two ladi work together. this is build your own sandwich. chicken is inside there. lift the buns. dijon mustard or mayonnaise inside. you can build the whole sandwich any way you want. if you're not wanting bread or so on, go ahead and coudo the lettuce or just throw it. >> i don't like to waste food. >> little bit of pineapple. pepper jack cheese is my favorite. spiciness goes so well with it. >> g some of this. thanks for sharing. >> you gave me the lettuce. what is this? >> chilies. little cheese on top. take a little bite if you want. inside the house, bring the barbecue inside because of the weather, use these red baskets. >> that's fun. i think that's all i want. >> let me cut it for you. >> i can't have the bread, though. i'm just going to eat that part. >> okay. i'll cut it for you anyways. >> thank you. >> you're welcome. >> once you take a bite, see what you think. simple. chicken meat is done, little bit of spice, make your own barbecue sauce. >> let me try the bread. >> so much better than sloppy joe. >> if you are watching your weight a little bit, it's so much fun to wrap whatever everybody else is having in lettuce. >> that is fun. >> vietnamese wraps are -- >> you know what? >> let's have some drinks. >> yes! >> check this out. you're going to love this. >> you have 30 seconds. >> i can make this in 30 seconds. ice cream malt ball beer floats. vanilla ice cream, mix it inside here. hoda, if you want to mix this up, i have a little bit of booze added inside here. if you don't want to -- >> what is that? >> if you don't want to, just -- >> try it. it's friday. >> no, it's dry day actually. >> that's crazy. >> good stuff. little bit of jack. add that. >> we have to run. >> ryan scott, this is so delicious. love it. we'll be back. hoda is going to have a vacation from me next week. >> yes, i am. hot hosts, though. but hurry back. >> have fun. >> really hot host, but hurry back. >> jason priestley. >> kirk cameron. >> our web correspondent, sara hains. >> am ion camera? am ion tv? >> hilarious. oh! >> facebook is blow iing up. >> i smell a love connection. >> kathie lee. oh, no, no. >> jug of wine. >> i'm dead serious. >> lonely people in this world go to the movies by themselves. were you alone? >> i was, but -- >> talk about a class act. you girls really know how to class it up at the 10:00 hour. >> that's what you get when you cheat, people! >> there is a first time for everything and you, indeed, did not cheat. >> thank you. wait a minute. what do you first time for everything? that is just rude. >> oh, my gosh! >> she's gorgeous. she's talented. she's -- >> let's move on. >> wow, look how she shakes it. oh, i'm sorry. is that how you do it? >> shake it like you mean it. >> i like that. all right. jennifer, let's see the new you. take a spin. >> oh, my gosh!

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