could get a few inches. it depends on what happens with the track. >> we'll be sure to tune in on the news and see how much everybody got. >> from the sun. >> you know, the grammys are there while we're there. >> i now. -- know. >> did we plan this? >> we didn't plan it that way, but there will be a lot of happening. it's hard to even get tickets on a plane -- >> the hotels are -- >> yeah. we did it, and we're going to be there. >> here's the deal with the grammys. there is apparently a memo that came out at cbs, and they don't want to see any side boob. >> no side boob, no butt crack, no -- >> we have to read this. it's crazy. >> it's unbelievable. >> please avoid exposing bare fleshy under curves of your buttocks. >> i love that word. >> and buttock crack. it says here. bare thighs or under curvature of the breasts. can you believe someone is writing that? is also problematic. >> problematic. >> please avoid sheer see-through clothing that could possibly expose female breast nipples. please be sure the genital region -- >> somebody got excited. >> please be sure -- listen. look at this one. >> with some guys it's so easy. you just say the word. >> please be sure the genital region is adequately covered. >> what region? the general region. >> look. there so no visible puffy bare skin exposure. >> what does that even mean? >> what puffy are they talking about? cbs says it shouldn't have been written down in a memo form. >> some people need it spelled out for them, and guess what, they're going to ignore it. >> you're talking to the music business. >> this is from "the daily news". it's called "crackdown." these are all the outfits people have worn. >> toni braxton -- >> she's our guest this morning. we'll have to ask her about that. >> there she is in the top corner. anyway that's interesting. >> it's not just that. they're also saying, you know, language or any -- language we know because the fcc goes after you big-time. gives you huge -- >> how do you have time to -- this is the hard part. they're rock stars. they sing this way every other word is nasty, vulgar, something like that, and they talk that way, and then all of a sudden they're supposed to come on television and forget all the -- their natural rhythms and just say i want to thank my mother and god. it isn't going to happen. pink looked amazing when she did that. >> that was great. >> that was artistry. >> that didn't feel like exposure. >> that wasn't exploitive. that was amazing. >> i think telling rock stars how to dress is not a great idea because now it's teeing it up for what will definitely be people showing more. >> that's what people do. they say don't show it, and then they show it. i thought toni looked great. >> i never looked that good one minute in my entire life. >> me either. >> how does that stay up, though? >> they have ways. they have ways. lots of tape. >> tape and stuff. front page of "the daily news." >> i know a lot of our audience is going to say we told you we don't want to hear about it anymore, but we are in the news, people. >> this is alleged from "the daily news." it says she's living back at home broke and back at home with mom. her mom did say i saw in an interview where she was -- she wanted lindsay to move back home with her because she thought -- >> she could keep an eye on her more? >> there would be less -- >> influence by some of the -- >> yeah. anyway, she's back in long island, according to this newspaper, and living in her teenage bedroom where she lived when she was younger. >> what do you think about what we're seeing? >> if it was just lindsay that needed help, but it's that whole family that needs help. if they can get it together and get help together, because it's truly a dysfunctional family. i don't think they don't love each other. i think they do love one another. they don't have the skills to cope. >> all of it seems to be playing out in public because i think dina was interviewed by a couple of people and there were pictures of her out and about. >> quit giving interviews and go get healthy. quit giving interviews. until you have some answers. once you share them with people, then they -- that will help them through their tough times as well, but otherwise it just seems like this never-ending train wreck. >> you are watching it in slow motion, which is the worst thing. you see it coming. >> the other story that seems to be big and it's a story about rihanna. there are all kinds of pictures that rihanna is back with chris brown, and she's going to court with him. this is where he -- he is in court recently for not showing up and allegedly doing what he was required to do by court order, which was his community service, picking up trash in different places, and they're saying they have all kinds of evidence that he wasn't where he was supposed to be at the time he was supposed to be doing the community service. everybody talks about this article, hoda, about why some women could continue to go back to the bad boy, but, you know, there are bad girls by nature too. i don't mean they're bad like god doesn't love them kind of bad, but bad behavior. >> i think rihanna has made a choice, and it angers people that you go back to the guy that's hit you and they've seen the pictures. she says she's making her own choice and she doesn't care what anyone thinks. it's her decision. if it's her decision it's my mistake. here's her quote. "i decided it was more important for me to be happy. i wasn't going to let anybody's opinion get in the way of that, even if it is a mistake, it's my mistake." >> they're all going to be saying that at the grammys. it wasn't my fault i didn't realize that my left what was showing. yeah, yeah. if it's a mistake it's my mistake. >> now, do they all sing live at the grammys? >> oh, yeah. oh, boy. remember the milli vanilli thing? >> that was big. >> especially now in light of all that's happening. i'm excited that we're out there when the grammys are going to be there. >> are you going to the party? >> the clive davis party. we're invited to the clive davis party which is so much fun. we're doing three shows saturday and two on sunday, and weir we're in santa monica. >> i was just reading in "usa today" and it said the toughest ticket to get is the clive davis party. maybe we'll go. >> then i'm going. >> so this go daddy thing that we've been showing you with the slurping and licking. >> can't do that at the grammys. >> no, no. >> no kiss and no slurping. >> no tonguing. it's taken on -- again, you remember the go daddy one. it's taken on a whole other dimension. oh, are we going to watch the -- >> anyway -- >> oh. >> can't hear it. >> it is a little slurpy. like going to 7-eleven. >> now leno had some fun with it. let's watch this. >> hey, bar, that go daddy super bowl commercial you did was great. it's one of my favorites. >> thanks, jay. that's so sweet. >> i'm thinking, any chance we could recreate the ad? >> sure. pucker up. >> oh. oh, oh, oh. i thought he wasn't going to open his mouth, but he did. ah. >> he was probably wondering i had no idea she had such facial hair. you know? ooh! >> do you know just before i walked on the set here, who kissed today? willy and al. >> on the lips? >> on the -- ♪ let's get it on >> oh, no. no, no, no. do it. oh. ♪ >> we don't judge. >> we don't. >> we don't judge. >> okay. so how about this little kid that was so cute. the little kid shooting baskets. >> adorable. >> also in the studio while we were wandering the halls there was this little boy who apparently -- >> prodigy. ever since he could hold a basketball, any kind of ball, he was throwing it in the air and hitting hoops. he loves it. so this is one of those youtube sensations, and you say -- his parents posted it, and you think, wow, that's really cool, and six -- what? is that really six feet? seven foot. oh, indeed. >> unbelievable. >> oh, my gosh. >> look how high he has to throw that. >> wow. and then he came to the studio, and usually those things work -- >> those things can be edited. >> yes. we don't believe everything we see. >> we're cynical because we're in news. >> this kid came here, and he was hitting the shots. >> remember i told you, hoda, that when tiger woods was a little teeny tike, he came on the show with me and regis, and we had a putting green set up. every single one of them. >> you're kidding. how old was he? >> i think he had to be 5 years old or something. >> that's amazing. i don't remember exactly. >> you think, oh, it's just -- goes on to be tiger woods. >> are you ready to take us to california? this is a song that's going to launch us on our plane ride. you're going to love this one. it will put you in the mood for california. we want everybody to be california dreaming. >> it's the mama's and the paw pass -- papas? >> i don't think so. >> is it the beach boys? >> nice try. get back in this century. ♪ i know a place where the grass is really greener ♪ >> is this katie perry? >> yes. ♪ warm, wet, and wild there must be something in the water ♪ >> ready? ♪ gin and juice >> that's why you like it. ♪ underneath the palm trees >> come on. let's hit the chorus. ready? >> i have been ready for about 30 seconds. >> not this ready. now you're really ready. go. ♪ you can travel the world nothing comes close to the golden coast ♪ >> that's kathie lee's coast. >> i do love it out there. love it. california girl. ♪ california girls, we're unforgettable ♪ ♪ daisy dukes bikinis on top >> yep. that's why cody loves it. ♪ melt your pop sickle >> that's it. >> that is the real song. >> not a great one, but really it's a song. >> all right. okay or not okay? the question is is it okay to lip-synch? here's what we have to say about that. ♪ >> some organizations insist on it for technical reasons like the anthem at the super bowl, and you actually have no choice if you want to do it, you have to lip-synch it. >> not okay. i would rather have it live, maybe imperfect but real as opposed to lip synced and flawless. >> you would say no to the nfl if they wouldn't let you do it the way you wanted to do it? you would say, no, i will not. >> i have my integrity. >> yes. you wouldn't sing for nothing? >> exactly. >> this is a really cool lady. an 81-year-old woman. elizabeth larry lair. she hangs out at an airport in texas. look what she does. she just hugs the troops who come many one after the next. >> ah. >> she's giving out an estimated 530,000 hugs. >> that makes me crime. it really does. >> she says she'll continue as long as god gives her the strength to do it, and as long as they'll let her come out here and do it. ? look at them lining up. lining up for it. >> oh, how sweet. >> you know what's sad is there aren't more people welcoming them home? their families and friends i'm sure at that point, but i'm so glad we're doing our everyone has a story today. it's also in honor of our servicemen and women. >> great. >> yeah. she's a six-time grammy award winning singer and an actress. the very lovely toni braxton is here, and we'll be talking with her about the grammys. >> they have been plucked off the plaza and swept into hair and make-up. we're ready to reveal their new looks after this. [ female announcer ] going to sleep may be easy, but when you wake up in the middle of the night it can be frustrating. it's hard to turn off and go back to sleep. intermezzo is the first and only prescription sleep aid approved for use as needed in the middle of the night when you can't get back to sleep. >> with more than 60 million albums sold worldwide and six grammys toni braxton has always been a leading lady in the world of music. now she's landed her first starring role in a lifetime movie. >> it is called "twist of fate." toni plays a single mom, nina, rooted in the church who meets a mysterious man and discovers they share a mutual love for singing. take a look. ♪ with every moment ♪ god has a passion ♪ he is sending my way at this moment ♪ ♪ he believes in me ♪ i believe in you >> he looks like -- >> ah. >> they're singing live. it's not lip-synching. so good to see you. >> that's beautiful what we were just listening to. >> it's reminiscent a little of the music from -- >> this is a mysterious man you meet, you fall for. >> not initially. my character, her name is nina, and she's very -- she's a schoolteacher. i went to college to be a teacher. i'm a preacher's kid and lived next door to the church. >> she's buttoned up. >> very angry at love and life. have been reported. abnormal behaviors may include aggressiveness, agitation, hallucinations, or confusion. alcohol or taking other medicines that make you sleepy may increase these risks. in depressed patients, worsening of depression, including risk of suicide, may occur. intermezzo, like most sleep medicines, has some risk of dependency. common side effects are headache, nausea, and fatigue. so if you suffer from middle-of-the-night insomnia, ask your doctor about intermezzo and return to sleep again. ♪ with just a few ingredients. simple, wholesome goodness. kellogg's. start simple, start right. laura's being healthy and chewing her multivitamin. with one a day vitacraves for women. it's a great-tasting gummy multivitamin designed for women with more calcium and vitamin d. it's gummies for grown-ups. one-a-day vitacraves for women. \s ♪ unbreak my heart >> with more than 60 million albums sold worldwide and six grammys toni braxton has always been a leading lady in the world of music. now she's landed her first starring role in a lifetime movie. >> it is called "twist of fate." toni plays a single mom, nina, rooted in the church who meets a mysterious man and discovers they share a mutual love for singing. take a look. ♪ with every moment ♪ god has a passion ♪ he is sending my way at this moment ♪ ♪ he believes in me ♪ i believe in you >> are you lip syncing there? i'm kidding. >> ah. >> they're singing live. it's not lip-synching. so good to see you. >> that's beautiful what we were just listening to. >> it's reminiscent a little bit of "once" isn't it the music from "once." >> this is a mysterious man you meet, you fall for. >> not initially. my character, her name is nina, and she's very -- she's a schoolteacher. i went to college to be a teacher. she's a p.k. i'm a preacher's kid and lived next door to the church. >> she's buttoned up. >> very angry at love and life. they meet and find each other, but not initially, as i said before. he loses his wife and his kids, tragically. he is jewish and a cantor, i'm an african-american and a christian, and a gospel singer in the church, and we meet and fall in love. >> can't stop love. >> this is true. >> how do the families react? >> well, his parents don't know. once go black, you don't go back. >> now, do you enjoy the acting? obviously we know you as a singer, but you seem to fit so well in this role. >> i think it was very natural. >> thank you for that. i think it was the character i was representing. i have to commend lifetime for being courageous and airing -- i should say doing a script like this because it was risky. there was a scene they wanted us to make out in church. i said, guys, i can't make out in church. it's a multi-purpose room. it doesn't matter. >> they changed it and said, you're right, let's change it. it was a very brave movie >> it's another person acting in this as well. >> your son has a role in this. >> diesel. what a cool name for a kid. >> i love that. oh, my gosh. >> i'm his teacher. he's a student in my classroom, and he comes in and asks me a few questions. he is excited about that. >> in real life your son has been diagnosed with autism. >> uh-huh. >> he was offered the leading role, and you thought it might be too much for him. >> as a mom and school had just started. he would have to have tutors and too much responsibility. baby steps. >> you have become an advocate for autism. haven't you? >> absolutely. yes, very lucky. early diagnosis has changed the situation with my son. he was considered high risk, now high functioning, very lucky. >> we showed off one of your dresses from back in the day. you were showing it all. >> that was b.c., before children. >> let's just live here for just a minute. >> what do you think about cbs saying we don't want to see as much skin exposed? >> i don't understand. it's rock 'n' roll, and we are always pushing the envelope. you don't want us to look so trashy? >> do you know how much this costs? >> i'm a little disappointed, but we'll see. they'll be clever. >> you think they'll obey the laws? >> no, no. >> they're rebels and renegades and radicals. they're not going to obey. >> someone will have a dress with butt crack on it. this is not my butt crack, but -- >> they say no signs. they'll fuzz out everything. they don't want you thinking butt crack. not even thinking. >> that's no fun. >> nothing allowed. >> toni, best of luck with this movie. >> yes. >> "twist of fate" premiers this saturday on lifetime. . they are ready for their closeup. two ladies get the surprise of their lives with our ambush makeovers. first these messages. ♪ this girl is on fire how to play guitar; ran ten miles while knitting myself a sweater; jumped out of a plane. finally, i became a ping pong master while recording my debut album. how you ask? with 5-hour energy. i get hours of energy now -- no crash later. wait to see the next five hours. diarrhea, gas, bloating? yes! one phillips' colon health probiotic cap each day helps defend against these digestive issues... with three strains of good bacteria. [ phillips' lady ] live the regular life. phillips'. [ phillips' lady ] live the regular life. so if ydead battery,t tire, need a tow or lock your keys in the car, geico's emergency roadside assistance is there 24/7. oh dear, i got a flat tire. hmmm. uh... yeah, can you find a take where it's a bit more dramatic on that last line, yeah? yeah i got it right here. someone help me!!! i have a flat tire!!! well it's good... good for me. what do you think? geico. fifteen minutes could save you fifteen percent or more on car insurance. >> getting new makeup and new clothes. >> the big reveal. our ambush makeovers. >> everyone has a smile and comfort. for military families all around the country. >> first, your local news. >> welcome back to "today" on this thirsty thursday. welcome to the plaza ambush makeovers for two lucky ladies. >> they were given a complete head to toe makeover and working their magic is "today" contributor and stylist to the stars. >> here we go. ♪ luis lacari la, la, la, la, la ♪ >> let us know if you are sick of it, would you, those of you at home? >> they let us know every day. >> "style" contributing editor and author jill martin. >> hey, kids. >> hats and gloves outside. >> freezing cold. cold. most of the audience was very young people. today we did pick one younger lady, and then the older woman we really -- jill really did ambush. i have to give her the credit. she just grabbed her off the street. she was walking to work, and she goes, you. >> jill, how rude, but how great. >> excellent. we can't wait. >> joanne archer is our first lucky lady. she's 53 years old from long island, new york. she never wears makeup. she doesn't even own any, she says. joanne walks by our plaza every day on her way to work, but decided to delay work. jill ambushed her. for a few hours and get pampered. >> good for her. >> joanne is going to be late to work because we yanked you off the streets. what do you think? >> i'm in. yeah, i'm for it. why not? i would never do it on my own. >> have you always looked like this? have you ever had a different look? >> i've had the same for 30 plus years maybe. oh. >> yeah. ready for a change? >> yeah. >> what is, cliff, your husband going to say? >> he will think i went crazy. what did you agree to? >> surprise! >> guess who is here? cliff is here with his blindfold on. so is her co-worker, shelly. okay, guys. please keep on your blindfolds until i give you the green light. here is joanne archer before. all right, joanne, let's see the new you. ♪ isn't she lovely? ♪ >> come on out. >> right there. don't move a muscle. all right, guys, take off your blind folds. >> wait. let's just wait here for a minute. >> all right. joanne, are you ready to see yourself? >> yes. >> you look amazing. >> turn around. >> oh, my gosh. >> yep. >> do you want your glasses on? can you see? i can't see without mine. >> i think you look so chic. >> you look awesome. >> oh, my god. >> she loves what she's looking at. >> look right here. don't move. don't move. look right there. stand right there. >> tell us about the hair. >> her haircut was just a little too solid. it almost looked wig-like, so carson cut into it and gave it movement and this great shape. >> i love the haircut. awesome. >> she also -- i suspect -- put color over color over color, and it became progressively darker and darker. what i did is she's a great brunette. it had to be more -- a softer shade that had nuances of color. >> we have to talk to cliff. he is crying, and so is shelly. >> what do you think? >> i have no words. >> i can't imagine what it's going to be like tomorrow morning getting her out of the house. >> it's going to take a while, isn't it? >> that dress is perfect, jill. >> it's gorgeous. >> a little dressy for work today, but we thought tsh. >> this guy is hot to trot. >> cut-out, if you look at the sleeves, very beautiful and from london times. >> big round of applause for joanne. joanne, you join them over there. >> all right. jackie lathum is 20 years old. she's our second lady from yardley, pennsylvania. she is not into fashion at all and is always in sweat pants. classic college attire. her mom doesn't even know that she is in new york today. >> oh, trouble. >> oh, dear. supporting a cause. we think she will find out soon enough if she is watching our show. let's listen to her story. >> well, matt, i know your friend jackie really deserves this. >> yeah, absolutely. so we're here for the penn state dance marathon which is a fundraising awareness campaign for pediatric cancer, and basically she's an entertainment -- she works so hard at her job, and she's great at it, so we really want her to have this. >> such supportive friends. what do you think of all this? >> i can't believe it. i'm used to wearing a hoody and jeans and converses every day. to have a makeover would be really nice. >> you are going to be glam. >> i can't wait. >> oh, hope her mom forgives her. she's here for a good cause. she's here with her friends, matt, cat and jess. >> all right. let's take a look at jackie before. now let's bring out the new jackie lathum. >> oh, wow! all right. >> take off the blind folds. [ screaming ] you look beautiful. turn around and take a look at yourself. >> oh, my gosh. >> amazing. >> all right. >> all right. >> young, beautiful girl. what to do, minimal changes. just to brighten her up. i made her hair color just a little bit lighter. notice it's darker at the roots and lighter at the end. by being darker at the roots, it will grow out gracefully. carson shaped around her face and then we used a base before she put on the makeup. >> gorgeous skin. >> it makes the skin look even more gorgeous. >> luminous. >> look at these busting with pride friends. >> so beautiful. >> homecoming queen. >> tell us about the outfit, please. >> even though i'm a wolverine, we did get along. i wanted to give her stuff she could wear. at penn state. ny jeans. it's a great jacket. it's a great leather jacket from andrew marks and a great statement necklace with jeans or when you go out at night. it's age appropriate. she's 20 years old. >> i love it. let's bring joanna -- come on out. bring round of applause. >> great job. [ applause ] >> making a difference in the lives of other military families. a military mom has a great everybody has a story. >> coming up after this. nice job. have given way to sleeping. tossing and turning where sleepless nights yield to restful sleep. and lunesta®(eszopiclone) can help you get there. like it has for so many people before. when taking lunesta, don't drive or operate machinery until you feel fully awake. walking, eating, driving, or engaging in other activities while asleep, without remembering it the next day, have been reported. lunesta should not be taken together with alcohol. abnormal behaviors may include aggressiveness, agitation, hallucinations, or confusion. in depressed patients, worsening of depression, including risk of suicide, may occur. alcohol may increase these risks. allergic reactions such as tongue or throat swelling occur rarely and may be fatal. side effects may include unpleasant taste, headache, dizziness, and morning drowsiness. ask your doctor if lunesta is right for you. then find out how to get lunesta for as low as fifteen dollars at lunesta.com. there's a land of restful sleep. we can help you go there on the wings of lunesta. but may not realize what they can do for your health. we know what it takes to look good on the outside but with 70% of our immune system located in our gut, the core of our health is truly on the inside. that's why i take new trubiotics. it's a daily probiotic that helps in two ways. one helps support digestive health, the other immune health. stay true to your health. new trubiotics. from the makers of one-a-day. ♪ everyone has a moment that changes their life ♪ >> today we meet our newest everyone has a story contest winner. vicky wrote in to tell us about the nonprofit she started, which was inspired by her son who was in the military serving overseas. >> we're going to meet vickie in a moment. but first let's listen to her story. >> i never thought i would be a marine mom. i thank goodness that there are brave young men and women that are fighting for our country. i didn't think it would be mine. but you can't change your story, so i supported my son's decision to enlist. on a previous deployment he had asked me to send some gifts to his girlfriend, so when he was deployed to iraq, i thought it would be good to try and do the same for his squad of 12. 12 gifts for the 12 days of christmas. as i shared with others what i was doing, they got excited and said they would sponsor someone. as a marine mom, i didn't know another military mom until i started full circle home. now lisa miller, an army mom, and i spend most of our time playing santa at christmas or sending mother's day gifts in may. we've wrapped gifts with the first and second ladies of the united states. today we've sent out 6,500 of these boxes. we know that if we don't do it, it won't happen. we know how sleep e satellite and radar you because your son just might get to a computer to skype with you, or if the connection is broken, how you just hold your breath. no news is not good news, and almost home is still in danger. there were so many reasons that i couldn't do this, but i only needed one good reason why i could. that was those who serve our country and all that they're willing to give up. >> oh. >> now you know why we picked this story. it's a beautiful letter. vicky is here with her son, gill. we're so grateful you're home safe and sound, and her friend and business partner lisa. it's just a beautiful story. we wanted to do it now to tell your story so people who want to get involved for mother's day coming up because you can imagine the loneliness of these -- of our service people over there. >> you can't even imagine what it must have felt like when your son first said to you i'm enlisting. what did that feel like back then? >> well, i wanted to hear his reasons, and we talked to the recruiter, and then we tried to talk him out of it. >> when he said i'm going anyway? >> i said all right. we're all in. >> what was the main reason that you gave your mom? >> i have been asked that question quite a bit, and there's really no one answer. it's patriotism, something that i really felt that i needed to do, and it's just -- i would have regretted it if i didn't do it. >> you did three tours? >> yes. >> lisa, you said you always knew your son was going to enlist. >> i think i knew from a very young age and tried like vicky to change his mind, send him to college. that didn't work really well. >> yeah. >> then there was no stopping him, and we were proud for it. >> once you started this wonderful organization, did you ever in your wildest dreams think it would be -- how many? 6,500 now? >> that's amazing. >> it's a lot of wrapping. >> are you -- do you need the support -- financial support? how can people help? >> well, we work out of rochester, and, yet, very few relatively few number of boxes stay in rochester, so they're across -- we're across the country, and so we do need financial support. we absolutely do. whether it's $5 or -- >> gill, your girlfriend when she first got the box, she must have been thrilled, but there's even more to be thrilled about in that department, isn't there? >> yes. she's now my wife. >> oh, stop. >> we're married. >> your son, too? >> oh, my gosh. >> well, imagine after everybody sees this segment. >> coming up, we have a special performance by a broadway star. >> jeanne lehman is going to sing for us a song that david and i wrote especially for you guys. okay? >> nice. hey! hey honey! hey alan. uh, hey.... i'm bob, we talked at the tax store. i did your taxes. i thou??t you were a tax expert? today, i'm a master plumber. major tax stores advertise for preparers with "no tax experience necessary." at turbotax, you only get answers from cpas, eas or tax attorneys - all real tax experts. ...than h&r block stores and all other major tax stores combined. but i'm still stubbed up. [ male announcer ] truth is, nyquil doesn't unstuff your nose. what? [ male announcer ] alka-seltzer plus liquid gels speeds relief to your worst cold symptoms plus has a decongestant for your stuffy nose. thanks. that's the cold truth! with just a few ingredients. simple, wholesome goodness. kellogg's. start simple, start right. ♪ we're back with our everyone has a story honorees. vicky and her son gill and lisa miller. >> we want to share a song david friedman and i wrote just for you all. it's -- i like it. anyway, please welcome broadway performer jeannie lehman singing "almost home." ♪ ♪ home is a word that conjures up emotions, images of comfort and feelings of devote ♪ ♪ but home sometimes is very far away and you wonder at times if you'll ever see the day when someone you love comes home to stay ♪ ♪ don't you pray i never dreamed that my little boy would grow up and go off to war ♪ ♪ i tried to stop him cried many a tear but he told me his country was worth dying for ♪ ♪ and i never dreamed my days would be spent waiting for the phone to ring ♪ ♪ and then if it did, i just hold my breath out of fear that the bad news that phone call could bring ♪ ♪ and so i pray, god, he's almost home, but almost home is not good enough ♪ ♪ god, he is almost here but he is still not close enough ♪ ♪ god, i know he is doing what he feels he has to do ♪ ♪ so god if i can't have him home, please keep him close to you ♪ ♪ now i never dreamed that i would spend my days helping to make dreams come true ♪ ♪ but i do it for him and the others like him who sacrifice so much for me and for you ♪ ♪ and still i pray ♪ god, he is almost home but almost home is not good enough ♪ ♪ god, he is almost here but he is still not close enough ♪ ♪ god, i know he is doing what he feels he has to do ♪ ♪ but, god, if i can't have him home, please keep him close to you ♪ ♪ and heaven forbid someday i get the news that he is not coming home, dear god, give me the strength to say you take him to your home where someday i'll be with him ♪ ♪ but until then i'm almost home ♪ ♪ [ applause ] >> that's gorgeous. >> beautiful. >> jeanne, beautiful job. >> we'll be right back with much more -- if i can get my act together. >> this is "today" on nbc. [♪...] >> i've been training all year for the big race in chicago, but i can only afford one trip. and i just found out my best friend is getting married in l.a. there's no way i'm missing that. then i heard about hotwire and i realized i could actually afford both trips. see, when really nice hotels have unsold rooms, they use hotwire to fill them. so i got my four-star hotels for half-price! >> men: ♪ h-o-t-w-i-r-e ♪ hotwire.com >> announcer: save big on car rentals too, from $12.95 a day. [ female announcer ] going to sleep may be easy, but when you wake up in the middle of the night it can be frustrating. it's hard to turn off and go back to sleep. intermezzo is the first and only prescription sleep aid approved for use as needed in the middle of the night when you can't get back to sleep. it's an effective sleep medicine you don't take before bedtime. take it in bed only when you need it and have at least four hours left for sleep. do not take intermezzo if you have had an allergic reaction to drugs containing zolpidem, such as ambien. allergic reactions such as shortness of breath or swelling of your tongue or throat may occur and may be fatal. intermezzo should not be taken if you have taken another sleep medicine at bedtime or in the middle of the night or drank alcohol that day. do not drive or operate machinery until at least 4 hours after taking intermezzo and you're fully awake. driving, eating, or engaging in other activities while not fully awake without remembering the event the next day have been reported. abnormal behaviors may include aggressiveness, agitation, hallucinations, or confusion. alcohol or taking other medicines that make you sleepy may increase these risks. in depressed patients, worsening of depression, including risk of suicide, may occur. intermezzo, like most sleep medicines, has some risk of dependency. common side effects are headache, nausea, and fatigue. so if you suffer from middle-of-the-night insomnia, ask your doctor about intermezzo and return to sleep again. ♪ we're honoring a very special everyone has a story group today. jeannie lehman just performed "almost home" so beautifully. we were all in tears for vicky, her son, gill, and lisa miller. also with us david friedman, composer. good job, buddy. and our friend david wilde, who is taking hollywood by storm. >> what do you think of your song? >> we were all sitting here crying. it was just beautiful. it was the way we feel. >> it was poignant. >> my son is still in afghanistan. he'll be home shortly but -- >> almost home. >> definitely written for a military mom in mind. >> we have something to help your organization. we were moved by your story, so we're going to give a contribution to your charity. $2,000 to full circle home. ? that's help so much. >> we really want to encourage everyone else to. if you feel like there's no way you know to thank our military and boys and girls who are literally many of them still boys and girls and the families and everything they're going through, please consider their charity. especially with mother's day coming up. thank you so much, again. thank you. >> let us know, gill. >> coming up tomorrow we're going to have someone from the hit show "white collar." >> and we're getting ready for valentine's day with romantic escapes. >> skills every woman should have. >> lessons in self-defense. >> jane pauley is also with us. we have a busy day. >> have an awesome thirsty thursday. we'll see you for dry day jeff: diving for gold, how an opera singer left it behind to strike it rich. inside discovery's "bering sea gold." >> they are not the boss of us. jeff: braving the wild and each other. >> we haven't spoken for four months. jeff: are you putting me on or is this real? i'm a little uncomfortable here. [applause] jeff: hello, hello. jeff: all right, a little about me. i'm recently married. i work with my wife on the show and i'm learning how to be a dad to two amazing kids in a blended family. i'm hosting a talk show because there's a lot to talk about. this is an adventure. jeff: welcome to the show, have a seat. thank you for the nice welcome. all right, today we're going deep, deep into the world of gold mining down in the frigid waters over the alaskan coast. meet two of the stars of discovery's hit reality show "bering sea gold" and hear about their lives, very dangerous job to go down under with scuba gear looking for gold, but you are hoping to strike it rich. first, lisa ling is back again! [applause]