election exactly four weeks away. and skin and bones. matthew mcconaughey goes from this to this. the story behind the actor's startling weight loss today, tuesday, october 9th, 2012. from nbc news, this is "today" with matt lauer and savannah guthrie live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. and good morning. welcome to "today" on this tuesday morning. i'm savannah guthrie, and you are? >> i'm matt lauer. >> we're so happy to have you here. >> good to be back. it's been a week. >> i actually requested reunited to get us all in the mood. >> you went right to peaches and herb. >> old school. ♪ reunited >> haven't heard that one in a while. thank you, appreciate it. >> welcome back. >> seems like a busy week. >> very happy to have you back. hard to talk politics with peaches and herbs is playing. >> a lot has happened. >> or big bird coming front and center in the presidential campaign. john mccain is on in a couple of minutes talking about a lot of subjects. the professionals are in the house as well. also a group of high school students suspended for taking energy mints. now, staffers first thought they were taking illegal drugs. turned out they were mints packed though with caffein. they are legal, so why is the school standing by the punishment? we're going to tell you and talk exclusively to two of the boys now fighting to clear their names. >> all right. we'll have new details this morning on the search for a 10-year-old colorado girl. she vanished on her way to school last friday, and her backpack was found over the weekend. we'll get the latest on the case. and i mentioned the professionals are here. coming up they will weigh in on two disturbing moments in the sports world over the weekend. i think you probably all saw those, and a respected guidance counsellor here in new york who was fired because of some revealing modeling photos she took nearly 20 years ago. if you apply this rule all over the place. >> you and i would be -- >> yeah. >> we may be out of a job. >> we'll get started this morning with the sentencing of former penn state football football coach jerry sandusky and the recorded message he released last night. nbc's michael isikoff is at the courthouse this morning. michael, good morning to you. >> reporter: good morning, savannah. jerry sandusky, convicted of 45 counts of child sexual abuse, never testified during his trial, but he's got a lot to say now, and we're expecting to hear more this morning when he's escorted back into this courthouse to hear a judge deliver his sentence. >> they can take away my life. they can make me out as a monster. they can treat me as a monster, but they can't take away my heart. >> reporter: a statement recorded by a penn state radio station and arranged by his lawyer, jerry sandusky spoke out from jail on the eve of today's sentencing. >> in my heart i know i did not do these alleged disgusting acts. my wife has been my only sex partner, and that was after marriage. our love continues >> reporter: former penn state defensive coach blamed a well-orchestrated conspiracy for his conviction and lashed out at his accusers for what he called the worst loss of his life. >> the accusers were products of many more people and experiences than me. look at their confidantes and their honesty. think how easy it was to turn on me given the information, attention and potential perks. >> reporter: sandusky met his victims through the second mile, a charity for troubled youth. eight victims testified during sandusky's trial, describing repeated acts of sexual abuse in the school's shower, even in his basement. >> i never labeled or put down them or their families. i tried and i cared, then asked for the same. please realize all came to the second mile because of issues. some of those may remain. >> reporter: in what promises to be an emotional hearing today, at least three of sandusky's victims are expected to read their own statement. >> well, he's viewing this as his last opportunity to directly confront mr. sandusky. now i think he wants to let mr. sandusky know that he's angry, and he doesn't forgive him. >> my client is still haunted by what has been done to him by mr. sandusky. he will recall the pain, the anguish and the tears that it has caused him. >> reporter: regardless of what sentence he gets, sandusky, 68, says he and his wife dottie will continue to fight for justice. >> people need to be portrayed for who they really are. we've not been complainers, and we couldn't have kids we adopted. when we didn't have time to prepare for a trial, we still gave it our best. we will fight for another chance. we have given many second chances, and now we'll ask for one. >> reporter: now sandusky is potentially facing more than 400 years in prison. legal experts say he's likely to receive a lot less than that but more than enough to ensure that he spends the rest of his life behind bars. savannah? is there michael isikoff at the courthouse this morning, thank you. five minutes after the hour. here's matt. >> all right, savannah, to the presidential race and a new poll showing mitt romney now leading president obama. we'll talk about that with senator john mccain in just a couple of minutes, but first nbc's peter alexander is on the campaign trail in newport news, virginia. peter, good morning. >> reporter: matt, good morning to you. as you noted, this race appears to be tightening now with exactly four weeks to go, and on monday mitt romney, trying to present himself as a plausible commander in chief, attacked the president saying that the middle east has become a more dangerous place than when president obama took office. the latest pit stop in president obama's effort to reach his fund-raising goal of $1 billion, san francisco. >> we cannot afford to be complacent, and we cannot afford to be cynical. we've got to look back at the progress we've made, and that should give us confidence, but we have to understand that we've got a lot more to do. >> reporter: in virginia, a reinvigorated mitt romney may as we will have been singing in the rain, a downpour. >> people wonder why it is i'm so confident we're going to win. i'm confident because i see you here on a day like this. this is unbelievable. thank you so much! >> reporter: romney may have new reason for new confidence, passing out mcdonald's to reporters on his plane and greeting two elementary school students. two national polls show a volatile race after last week's lobsided debate. in the latest pew poll the republican nominee leads the president by four points among likely voters. last month the same poll showed romney trailing by eight points. still, a new gallup poll shows mr. obama five points ahead among registered voters, regaining ground after last week's encouraging jobs report. looking to beef up his foreign policy credentials ahead of the final stretch, romney accused the president of weak leadership in the middle east. failing to capitalize on the arab spring uprisings and delivering the harshest response yet on the administration's response to the deadly attacks in libya. >> it is our responsibility and the responsibility of the president to use america's greatest power to shape history, not to lead from behind, leaving our destiny at the mercy of events. >> reporter: calling for a change of course, romney offered few new policy details, citing syria's civil war, romney saying he would support our allies arming rebels there. former secretary of state madeleine albright gave the obama campaign's rebuttal. >> i'm a professor. if one of my students turned it in they'd get a "c" because he gave absolutely no specifics. >> it's getting close here in michigan. can you help push us over the top. >> reporter: ahead of this week's vice presidential debate on monday paul ryan attacked what he considered the democrat strategy. >> it seems pretty clear that their new strategy is basically just call us liars, to descend down into a mud pit and hopefully, with enough mudslinging back and forth and distortion, people will get demoralized and then they can win by default. >> reporter: and to give you a sense of what some may describe as the absurd back and forth in this election season, take a look at this. this is a new ad just out this morning from the obama campaign. it mocks mitt romney's plan to eliminate federal subsidies for public broadcasting, sarcastically calling big bird a, quote, menace to our economy, matt, on the level of bernie madoff. >> all right. peter alexander in virginia this morning. peter, thank you very much. republican senator john mccain was the gop candidate for president back in 2008. senator, always good to see you. thanks for coming on. >> thanks, matt. >> i'm going to get to that campaign ad in a second, but when you ran for president four years ago, no one questioned your expertise or knowledge on foreign policy. i mean, it was considered one of your strengths. i'd like you to compare your knowledge on foreign policy with mitt romney's. how do you think he stacks up? >> i think he stacks up very well because he has the same instincts and principles and view of america's role that ronald reagan did that came to the presidency after being governor of the state of california. mitt understands the need for american leadership. he understands that this president is leading from behind. this president says that wars in the middle east are receding, that the tide of war is receding. well, what's receding in the middle east is american leadership. when you look at afghanistan, iraq, the confrontation with iran, the looming -- the situation in libya where they sent out the -- i mean, on and on, calling that a terrorist attack simulated by a video, crazy. >> but in his speech he said things like we need to be bold and decisive. he said what you said that, we're leading from behind, but that's pretty standard material for a speech like this. did he offer specifics? did he tell voters why he is going to be a game-changer when it comes to foreign policy? >> i'm confident that he did, because, again, america's role in the world has been one of retreat and disarray. >> can you give me an example. >> sure, sure, iraq. we should have left a residual force there, and it's now al qaeda is back returning and resurgence is there. in afghanistan, mitt romney would have listened to the advice of our military leaders. instead, he decided on his own to withdraw early and often, and we are now in a very serious situation there. as far as israel and palestinians concerned, no progress whatsoever because barack obama called for preconditions in a settlement freeze by the israelis, and in syria, the president until recently wouldn't even speak up for the people who are -- who are fighting and dying in syria under bashar assad. >> let's talk about the economy now and this new ad that's come out from the obama campaign. peter mentioned it. let me play it for you this morning. i'd love your reaction. here it is. >> i'm barack obama, and i approve this message. >> bernie madoff, ken lay, dennis dozenlousky, criminals, gluttons of greed and the evil genius who toerd over them. one man has the guts to speak his name. >> big bird. >> big bird. >> big bird. >> it's me, big bird. >> big, yellow, a menace to our economy. mitt romney knows it's not wall street you have to worry about, it's sesame street. >> i'm going to stop the subsidy to pbs. >> mitt romney, taking on our enemies no matter where they nest. >> i'm not even sure what the question is, senator, but i'm just -- this is the kind of ad that just does get attention, so what's your reaction to it? >> oh, i think it probably gets attention, but, again, it may show a paucity of ideas and ways to criticize mitt romney. the fact is that the economy is still in very bad shape, and obviously the american people are still in very difficult conditions, and the -- and the one thing that president obama can't run on is his record, and so big bird i guess is a fun thing to talk about. i love big bird. i'm for an earmark for big bird. >> i know you are. i know you are. i'm on the record for that. the new poll that shows mitt romney taking the lead, 49% to 45%, it's a complete reversal from about two weeks ago. as the guy who was here last time around four years ago, how does he close the deal? what advice would you give him, and i heard you the other day, he hasn't asked, but what advice would you give mitt romney that you wish you had gotten at this stage four years ago? >> i wish hi been a better candidate. i think mitt has got to understand that the president is an excellent debater. he'll be much stronger in the next debate. i think that it's obvious this whole attack -- matt, i've never seen anything like this continuous attacks, calling mitt romney a liar. that's not -- that's not an elevated debate. they may outline and highlight their differences, but just calling people a liar i think is not appropriate for a presidential campaign, but mitt also has to stick to message. i'm sure he will, and i am confident that he will continue to do well, but do not underestimate president obama in the next election, i mean, in the next debate. >> won't be there for the next election, we would imagine. anyway. >> no, no, no. the next debate. >> senator john mccain, always good to have you here, sir. thanks for your time. >> thanks for having me on. >> all right. 14 after the hour. here's savannah. all right, matt. thanks. police are expanding the search this morning for a 10-year-old colorado girl who disappeared last week on her way to school. nbc's miguel almaguer is live with more on the investigation. good morning. >> reporter: good morning. as the search for jessica ridgeway enters its fifth day, police have no suspects or persons of interest, but they did find the 10-year-old's backpack which is now being tested as a potential piece of forensic evidence. more than 100 members of law enforcement are searching for jessica ridgeway, a search that has expanded into neighborhoods, open fields and bodies of water near her home. on sunday jessica's backpack was found about six miles from the missing 10-year-old's house. it's now being examined by the colorado bureau of investigation. >> they are analyzing that, along with some dna samples that we took from the family. >> reporter: police say the fifth grader was last seen while walking to school friday morning. >> we do have some witness information that really makes us believe at 8:30 she was on her way to school and that she did not make it. >> reporter: jessica's school is about a third of a mile from her home. police say her mother, who works overnight, was home sleeping when the school left a message to say jessica had not arrived on campus. jessica's mother reported her missing when she woke up. eight hours after the little girl was last seen on her way to school. >> it's just a real horrible situation. i can't believe something like this would happen so close to home. >> reporter: now a shocked and frightened community has rallied to help in any way it can. >> i just can't fathom losing a child, and it's -- it's been devastating for our families the last three days. went out, volunteered and searched. >> reporter: but police are not asking for any more volunteers, only for help in distributing these fliers and for people to keep their eyes open for little jessica. jessica's family has not spoken publicly about this case. police say they are separated, her father living in missouri, her mother living here just outside of denver. savannah? >> all right, miguel almaguer, thank you. >> let's go over to the news desk. a lot of other stories making headlines. natalie is there with those. natalie, good morning. >> good morning, matt and savannah. good morning, everyone. a new threat from north korea, a statement today from the country's defense commission declares that the u.s. mainland is now within range of north korean missiles. this comes on the heels of south korea's announcement that the u.s. has allowed seoul to have longer range missiles capable of striking all of north korea. the death toll in a national meningitis outbreak is rising. monday night a nashville hospital announced the death of a patient from a rare but lethal form of meningitis linked to steroid injections given for back pain. if confirmed by the cdc, it will bring the total toll to nine. health officials now say as many as 13,000 people may have been injected with those contaminated drugs. we'll have more on this coming up. new hope for some 5 million americans suffering from alzheimer's as an experimental drug shows promise in slowing the disease's progression, and while the eli lilly drug is not a cure, researchers say it's the first time any treatment has actually slowed dementia in affected patients. a new jersey man has been charged in connection with that massive wedding brawl at a philadelphia hotel. the fight between two wedding parties was caught on tape early sunday morning. a 57-year-old was found dead of a fatal heart attack outside the reception soon after. 26-year-old matthew sostka is being charged with aggravated and simple vault. more arrests are expected and an investigation is under way. a professional tennis referee charged with her husband's murder has passed a lie detector test in which she denied beating him to death with a coffee mug. the 70-year-old's legal team sent the results to a district attorney in a bid to have the charges against her dismissed. a former cincinnati bengals cheerleader has admitted to having sexual relations with a teen student while a high school english teacher. 27-year-old sarah jones entered a guilty plea as part of an agreement that had felony charges against her dropped sparing her jail time. instead, jones will have to report to a probation officer and can never apply for a teaching job again, but she will not have to register as a sex offender. jones left court monday together with a former student who is now 18 years old. nasa's curiosity rover has been distracted from its scooping mission on mars by a mysterious shiny object. curiosity found the bright object sitting on the ground, and even though officials suspect it is a piece of the rover itself, they are not doing any more scooping until they figure out what exactly it is. and fearless felix baumgardner proves his mettle. the 33-year-old daredevil is set to sky dive 23 miles above earth and plummet. if successful he will be the first human to ever break the sound barrier outside of an aircraft. the former austrian paratrooper has trained for this day for five years. guys, he even had to overcome claustrophobia in that highly pressurized suits. scientists don't really know what effect that will have on the body when he breaks through the sound barrier. >> what do you have for breakfast if you're not going to do that? >> not much. >> i know what effect it will have on the body if that chute doesn't open. he'll look like that little silver object we saw on the surface -- >> it's an amazing trick, but i can only do it once. >> all right, natalie. thank you very much. mr. roker, how are you, bud? >> no. let's see let's see what's going on as far as your weather is concerned. wow. talk about change in temperatures. much below normal temperatures in the plains. also here in the east. out west, we are going to look at warmer than usual conditions. look at the temperature differences. 56 in boston. nine degrees below average. charlotte, ten degrees below average. as we head out west, temperatures way above average, anywhere from five to ten degrees from southern texas to the southwest. that's what's going on around the country, here's what's happening in your neck of the woods. >> temperatures are a little higher, a tad from where they were yesterday. we are at 50 degrees, reagan national. cloud cover as the showers moving on out. getting out of here around annapolis, wet. a sprinkle north of you. i expect to see a high today of 60 degrees. when the washington nationals are back in town tomorrow, the best day out of the workweek. the warmest. >> and that's your latest weather. savannah? >> all right, al, thank you. high school students suspended for taking legal mints loaded with caffein. was that fair? we'll talk to them exclusively. and matthew mcconaughey's drastic appearance has a lot of people talking, but first, this is "today" on nbc. january, just ahead, today's professionals on two ugly incidents in the world of sports that highlights today's loss of civility in today's society >> did you hear about jantstenn anniston's weight gain? she's gained four carats from that rock. cammies, jammies, toga tops, yoga tops, and va va voom tops! with 1/4 moisturizers and vitamins e and f, dove go sleeveless deodorant makes underarms soft and smooth january, just ahead, today's in just five days. effective protection. beautiful result. try new soothing chamomile, clinically proven to calm shaving irritation. 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[ female announcer ] with depression, simple pleasures can simply hurt. the sadness, anxiety, the loss of interest. the aches and pains and fatigue. depression hurts. cymbalta can help with many symptoms of depression. tell your doctor right away if your depression worsens, you have unusual changes in behavior or thoughts of suicide. antidepressants can increase these in children, teens, and young adults. cymbalta is not approved for children under 18. people taking maois or thioridazine or with uncontrolled glaucoma should not take cymbalta. taking it with nsaid pain relievers, aspirin, or blood thinners may increase bleeding risk. severe liver problems, some fatal, were reported. signs include abdominal pain and yellowing skin or eyes. tell your doctor about all your medicines, including those for migraine and while on cymbalta, call right away if you have high fever, confusion and stiff muscles or serious allergic skin reactions like blisters, peeling rash, hives, or mouth sores to address possible life-threatening conditions. talk about your alcohol use, liver disease and before you reduce or stop cymbalta. dizziness or fainting may occur upon standing. simple pleasures shouldn't hurt. talk to your doctor about cymbalta. depression hurts. cymbalta can help. good morning. it's 7:26 on this tuesday, october 9th. i'm aaron gilchrist. we begin with breaking news on the rails this morning. a power outage causing delays for amtrak passengers south of aberdeen are to blame. they are suspended service between washington and wilmington, delaware. for more on the morning commute, here is danella. >> delays on the roads. sorry for the blurry camera. a crash blocks the left lane there. you are slow from fairfax county beltway. jammed here as well as you head toward i-270. back to you. >> thank you. happy tuesday. veronica johnson here. a cold easing up today. we are at 50 degrees right now. we'll see a high of 60. there's the rain on the radar. it is moving out. 60 today, 70 tomorrow with a bit of sunshine as well. a nice warm weekend. aaron? >> thank you. >> e.t., phone home. >> e.t., phone home. e.d., phone home. >> it is one of the most beloved movies ever, and now e.t. is celebrating its 3th anniversary. coming up, we're going to chat with that little boy who is now a father himself. he's the one who played the alien's human buddy elliot, and there he is right there. loved that movie. 7:30 now on a tuesday morning, october 9th, 2012. i'm matt lauer alongside savannah guthrie. >> keep playing the music. don't you love that theme music. my 9-year-old self is very excited about that interview. also ahead, hollywood, a split surprising a lot of people, danny devito and rhea perlman separating after 30 years of marriage. more on that story. and today's professionals tackle some hot topics, among them, the controversial firing of a guidance counsellor here in new york city because of the modeling photos she took 17 years ago. we'll talk about that, but let's start this half hour with a caffein controversy at a high school out in illinois. four students suspended for consuming so-called energy mints, and their families are not at all happy. we'll talk to two of those students exclusively in a moment, but first nbc's kevin tibbles has their story. kevin, good morning. >> reporter: hey, matt. well, the students from the pekin high school here in illinois say the suspensions will likely affect their grade and future education, and they say the mints they ate are perfectly legal. it all started when 17-year-old jake walker took these to school. >> i don't feel that i should lose my education over a little mint. >> reporter: they are caffein-in mints, perfectly legal, but to some school officials in pekin illinois they looked like drugs. jake and three of his friends were suspended for eating the mints during lunch. >> this is 2012, and caffein is caffein. i drink soda. jake drinks soda. i didn't see anything wrong with a caffein pill. >> reporter: school officials issued this statement. pekin community high school approaches consumption of mood-altering substances very seriously given both the health risks at issue and a mission to keep both illegal and legal drugs and substances out of the school. >> i see people bringing in energy drinks and coffee to school every day, so i thought, hey, it's healthier. why not dry to bring it in and maybe get a little bit more energy. >> reporter: here's a caffein breakdown. a 16-ounce cup of coffee averages 100 milligrams of caffein. soft drinks contain anywhere from 35 to 55 milligrams in a 12-ounce serving. energy drinks have from 76 to 207 milligrams per serving, and caffein mints pack anywhere from 85 to 101 milligrams of caffein per mint. >> if you want to get a lot of caffein, it's hard to do with a cup of coffee or an energy drink. you'll get bloated and too full after two or three drinks and stop. with mints, it's very easy to overdose because you just keep on popping them. >> reporter: but jake and his friends missed homecoming as a result of their predicament and aren't very happy about it. >> instead of going to homecoming, i was at home alone doing nothing and very upset. >> reporter: jake says he and the other students are likely to be back in school later this week, but this case raises an important question for students, parents and educators alike. what sort of impact is caffein, whether it's in a drink or a mint or a candy having on our kids? matt? >> all right, kevin. thank you very much. eric mcmichael and bradley malcolm were two of the students suspended here with brad's dad jason and bradley's mom marcy. >> good morning. >> guys, hang on. you get a call from the school. your sons are in possession of controlled substances. you couldn't have thought this was about a mint. >> exactly. >> what was your worst fear? >> my worst fear was actually something bad? >> like? >> pot, meth, coke, i mean, any of the above. >> we were just worried that this is the moment, oh, my gosh, there's the moment where your child is -- every moments you as parents dread. >> and then you find out that the substance is a caffein energy mint for lack of a better expression. now give me your feeling. >> at that point they sent eric home from school. at that point i thought t school was just being cautious. i'm all for that. he said he wanted to get the product tested to verify it's not an illegal drug and that it is what they said it was so i think theuspension was in the cards at that point. >> mom, what did you think? >> when i got the call after they told me it was a mint, that he would continue on with his three-day suspension and not allowed to go to homecoming, i was floored. it's a mint. these kids bring coffee into the school. >> so guys, you know, with you incredulous when you were told you were actually being sent home? did you think this would all be cleared up and harm, no foul? >> yeah. i thought i was going to come back to school on like friday. >> and yet you still haven't gone back to school, have you? >> right. >> here's what the school superintendent said in a statement. school representatives eventually learned that the pills contained high doses of caffein. after the fact, it was determined that a single pill contained over 200% of the amount of caffein in a no-doz tablet and almost three times the amount of caffein as found in an entire can of red bull sports drink. although the pills were described by some of the students as energy mints, all the students at issue acknowledged that they were either told or understood before the distribution or consuming about the nature and the effect of the pills. the second part was important. were you told and were you warned about this? >> were you told it was a mint or a canned? >> a mint. >> but were you told that it also had this extremely high dose of caffein and that it was intended to be a stimulant? >> all i know is that it was just an energy drink in a mint form. >> energy strike in a mint form is what he was told it was. >> let me play a devil's advocate parent for a second. if my child is in this school and one of your sons gives him one of these energy mints and he has a bad reaction to it, might i not question the school and say why didn't you prevent this from happening? >> i agree. one of the questions i asked the dean was are these energy mints illegal? are they not allowed in school since they do allow the red bull and monster and actually serve coffee at the school. it's available to the students. his reaction was no. the only reason they are in trouble or suspended is the product was unmarked. >> so if it had been in some packaging that clearly identified what it was and it was in fact that product, you wouldn't be sitting here. you guys would be back in school. >> that would be my understanding. >> and he would have went to homecoming. >> no school yesterday, columbus day holiday. is this an excused day off? >> probably not. >> the school just called and said you're suspended for longer now. will you be back in school tomorrow? >> yes. >> bygones bygones, or do you still have some lingering issues over this? >> i'm wanting the record cleared. this is going to affect them for the rest of their lives. this will be on their high school transcript, could affect college, future jobs, reputations down the tubes so i want this wiped off their records. >> we'll follow up with the school and see if that happens. >> appreciate you all being here. >> i was kidding about being suspended further. jasyc thank you. what do you think. should they have been suspended? head to today.com to weigh in on this subject. let's get a check of the weather now from al. >> thanks very much. all of my friends here hanging out. a little on the wet side. turning 60, you look fantastic. let's see what we have temperature wise for you as we look ahead for october. the rest of october is below normal. out west, the western third of the country, above normal conditions. it is going to be wetter than usual along the east coast back into the great lakes. drier than normal, pacific northwest into the southwest. for today, we have the rain in the northeast. also along the front, through the great lakes, snow showers in northern parts of minnesota. nice and seasonal as you get into the pacific northwest. 68 and sunshine in seattle. that's what's going on around the country, here's what's happening in your neck of the woods. >> not a great sunrise at all today. storm team 4 meteorologist, veronica johnson. we have a gray sky outside. the showers are ending as they head to the northeast. 50 degrees is the temperature with the north wind at 10 miles per hour. the rainshowers around annapolis and calvert and st. mary's county. today's high temperature, 60. we are going to get a little bit of sunshine today. more wavrmt tomorrow >> get that weather any time you need it. go to the weather channel on cable, weather.com online and support the new york fire fighters burn center foundation. all right, thanks so much. now let's head back inside to matt. >> all right, al. thank you very much. still ahead, the replacement referee behind the most controversial call of the year. does he stand by it? we'll ask him in a live interview. and a first look at jennifer anniston's huge engagement ring, but first, these messages. i don't have time for the flu. that's why i'm knocking things off my to-do list. vitamin d, done! hand sanitizer, done! hey, eric! i'm here for my flu shot. sorry, didn't make an appointment. well, you don't need one. whether it's flu shots or prescriptions, we continue to accept express scripts and medco plans. i'm bonnie, and this is my cvs. but lately she's been coming in with less gray than usual. what's she up to? 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[ male announcer ] for five generations, with a name like smucker's, it has to be good. back now at 7:42. a ninth death is being reported this morning in the nationwide meningitis outbreak linked to tainted steroid injections, and according to the cdc at many as 14,000 people may have received the contaminated medication. dr. nancy snyderman is "today's" chief medical editor. these steroid injections are very, very common with people with back pain. >> as baby boomers get more back pain, it's common to have steroids injected as an epidural into the lower back, sometimes the higher back. people don't think twice about the safety of these steroids. they are commonly used. >> we've had eight or nine deaths. how significant is this? >> here's the problem. this is a fungal meningitis. it's not contagious one person to another like bacterial meningitis, but the symptoms come on slowly so you could have had your back injected a month or two ago and come on now with headache, fever, stiff neck, loss of stability, and you might think, well, wait a minute, i haven't done anything, and you might not put something that happened a month or two earlier together with these symptoms. therein lies the rub, so you have to get a spinal tap to see if this fungus is in your spinal fluid and then it's iv antibiotics sometimes for many months to treat it. >> but it is treatable? >> if not treated deadly. >> let's talk about how this happened. this steroid was manufactured by a compounding pharmacy called new england compounding center. >> right. >> this is not the sort of pharmacy that i might walk into down the street. >> right. not the walgreens or cvs. these are pharmacies that make medications for doctors. let's say i want you to have a special antacid but a slightly different formulation and different flavor mixed with something. they will make it up for me for you. i use compounding pharmacies. all doctors do, but what's great about them is that they make small batches of tailored medication. however, they are not governed or watched over by the f-kay. they are looked at by states. this pharmacy was turning out batches of tens of thousands of vials of steroids. that's not to me a compounding pharmacy. they are now manufacturing, and i fear that they are going to give good compounding pharmacies a bad name, and i think it basically from their behavior so far, they are an outlier. >> they released a statement after shutting down, basically recalling all of its products. on the website it says while there is no indication at this time of any contamination in other necc products, this recall is being taken as a precautionary measure n.light of this, i mean, how worried should patients be? >> look, if you have had any steroid injected into your back from june on, call your doctor. if you are a physician and you've injected steroids to somebody, call your patient. check and make sure that there is a transfer of information, and if you have a family member and have symptoms and may not put it all together, this is a time for the entire country to be on heightened alert. these numbers will go up before they go down. >> expect more cases. >> absolutely. >> we'll see you in a bit for the professionals. >> you got it. coming up next, how matthew mcconaughey went from this to this. his shocking transformation and the story behind, it right after this. here's my morning routine. gotta start the day off right. wardrobe. cute. then new activia breakfast blend. a great way to help start the day. mmm... creamy lowfat yogurt with grains in yummy breakfast flavors, like apple cinnamon. its hearty, with twice the protein of regular lowfat yogurt and helps regulate your digestive system. our morning routines are important, aren't they? new activia breakfast blend. 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[ male announcer ] with ge's most advanced cooking technology, the café line takes food further. ♪ it's the 20th edition of monopoly at mcdonald's and 1 in 4 wins. with over 300 million dollars in cash and great prizes, it's the most prizes ever. and that's hard to beat. the simple joy of winning. ♪ get a free 6-inch sub of your choice when you buy any 6-inch sub and any drink before 9am. that's right! buy any 6-inch subway sub and any drink before 9am to get your free 6-inch sub. october only, so hurry in! 7:48 now. got a hollywood split that's catching a lot of people off guard, danny devito and rhea perlman calling it quits after 30 years of marriage. nbc's mara schiavocampo has more on this. mara, good morning. >> reporter: good morning, matt. they met on broadway in 1970, moved in two weeks later, and the rest was history, but monday a rep for the couple said they are separating, the latest surprise in a series of celebrity splits this year. she was the wise-cracking cocktail waitress on "cheers." >> can i ask you a favor? >> what? >> reporter: he was "taxi's" nachy dispatcher. >> i got to go home and change my sheets. >> reporter: but far from the gritty characters they played on screen, danny devito and rhea perlman had what seemed like a happy marriage for three decades. >> by all accounts their marriage was happy. that's why this was such a surprise, married for 30 years, 40 years. >> reporter: more endearing in real life than the couple they portrayed on "taxi." they also starred together in the 1996 kids movie "matilda" and in 2009 a live tour of devito's fx show "it's always sunny in philadelphia." >> this is gladys. i know she looks a lot like rhea perlman but she's gladys. >> reporter: behind the camrys the two founded jersey films whose movies include "pulp fiction" and "aaron brockovich" and this news comes amid the news of other breakups like al and tipper gore andtic robbins and susan sarandon. they were together for 40 years so why police now? >> people really go through phases when it comes to marriage. a couple can be very happy at one point of their married life and then later down the road are not quite as happy. sometimes they grow together or apart, or the marriage goes through different phases, and they are feeling a sense of loss. >> they are funny people in real life. they are happy people. that always comes through no matter what they are playing. you're rooting for them. >> reporter: instead another hollywood ending that no one saw coming. devito and perlman have three grown children. exact details on the split are scarce and the couple's rep says no further statements will be made. matt. >> sad news. thank you very much. >> other celebrity news to look into. have you seen matthew mcconaughey lately? unrecognizable. lost a ton of weight. voted sexiest man alive. that's how we remain him in heavier days, shall we say. >> that's the poster you both have on the wall. >> he is a dreamboat then, but look at him now. lost 30 pounds, and apparently it's for his latest role "the dallas buyers club" and plays a patient with hiv so that's why all the weight loss. >> obviously a lot of actors have done this, lost weight, gained weight for roles, but with him, he's what, 42 years old, as you mentioned. it does make him look dramatically different, not for the better in this role, and i would imagine though he'll be able to bounce back quickly after putting weight back on. >> look at tom hanks. >> as an actor putting the weight back on seems like that would be kind of a fun part of it. i could get into that. >> gorging yourself on milk shakes and stuff like that. >> yeah. >> get a room a shake shack and you call it a day. >> that sounds good. >> and you can probably win an oscar at the end of the day, too. >> a lot of actors who have gained and lost weight for the movies. just ahead, would you date someone with a health problem? we'll talk about that with the professionals. >> and "e.t.'s" elliot" all grown up after your local news. i was living with this all-over pain. a deep, throbbing, persistent ache. my doctor diagnosed it as fibromyalgia, thought to be the result of overactive nerves that cause chronic widespread pain. lyrica is believed to calm these nerves. i learned lyrica can provide significant relief from fibromyalgia pain. and for some people, it can work in as early as the first week of treatment. so now i can do more of the things that i enjoy. lyrica is not for everyone. lyrica may cause serious allergic reactions or suicidal thoughts or actions. tell your doctor right away if you have these, new or worsening depression, or unusual changes in mood or behavior, or any swelling or affected breathing or skin, or changes in eyesight, including blurry vision or muscle pain with fever or tired feeling. common side effects are dizziness, sleepiness, weight gain, and swelling of hands, legs and feet. don't drink alcohol while taking lyrica. don't drive or use machinery until you know how lyrica affects you. with less pain, i'm feeling better now that i've found lyrica. ask your doctor if lyrica is right for your fibromyalgia pain. they're whole grain good... and yummy good. real fruit pieces. 12 grams of whole grains and a creamy yogurt flavored coating. quaker yogurt granola bars. treat yourself good. with no added sugar, just one glass equals two servings of fruit. very fruit-tritious. or, try ocean spray light 50, with just 50 calories, a full serving of fruit and no added sugar. with tasty flavors like cranberry-pomegranate and cranberry- concord grape, it's like a fruit stand in every bottle. just...you know... demonstrating how we blend the fruits. try all our tasty ocean spray 100% and light 50 juices. 7:56 is the time now. good morning to you. we have breaking news right now. if you are hopping on a train to head north, you may need a change of plans. amtrak service is suspended between d.c. and delaware. crews are working on it. we don't know when the tracks will be cleared. let's check the rest of the commute with danella sealock. >> if you are 66 eastbound, a crash was blocking the left lane. it looks to be gone. seeing delays from the by pass to the beltway. you are at about 26 miles per hour. >> thanks so much. welcome back. storm team 4 meteorologist veronica johnson here. jacket in order for this morning, for sure. the rain is out of here. the temperature is at 50 degrees currently in d.c. from oaktown and vienna up to montgomery county, we are at 45 to 46 degrees. today's high, 60 degrees. it's going to stay on the cool side. tomorrow is the warmest day of the week, should hit 70 degrees for a high. this weekend, mid-70 snow. ♪ on top of the world >> 8:00 now on a drizzly tuesday morning. it's the 9th day of october, 2012. a little bit of rain. it is feeling like fall. a chill is in the air, and as we play our favorite song of the morning, does it have an alien feel in the air perhaps? >> you can say that. >> i'm glad you said that. because that leads us right to our clip. showing "e.t.," one of my favorite movies of all time. the 30th anniversary of that movie. >> how old when you when this came out? >> i think about 9, the exact same age of our guest this morning. henry thomas works played elliot who we love, and we eel talk to him about the movie coming up. i suggest i could just recite every line from the movie. >> also ahead, today's professionals are here in the house, and one of the topics we'll be talking, the lack of civility in sports. >> what do you mean? >> in general. i mean, there were a couple of horrible incidents over the weekend. for example, that big hit on matt cassel, the quarterback of the chiefs, got cheered by the hometown fans for getting knocked out of the game, so we're going to be talking about that with the pros. also a local guidance counsellor who loses her job because some photos she took 17 years ago and are still online. >> all right. then on a lighter note, we want to remind you about a contest we're running which is calledov. you've seen us do some dancing. i'm sure you'd rather not have seen us do this, but -- >> play that one again. >> it's your turn now. we want you to go to today.com and send us a video of your best moves. the finalists will join us here in new york on friday, october 26th, for a "today" danceoff. >> matt lauer, your wish has come true. >> i've been becking for this for years. >> having a dance party. >> because we call matt denny theriault. let's go inside. natalie is standing by with a check of the headlines. natalie. >> good morning, matt, esna and al. good morning, everyone. mitt romney has closed gap with president obama in a new national poll. the pew research center gives romney a slight lead among likely voters. both candidates are campaigning today in ohio. it's the last day for voter registration in that crucial battleground state. it's sentencing day for former penn state assistant football coach jerry sandusky, convicted of sexually abusing ten boys over a 15-year period. several of his victims are expected to address the court. sandusky faces a sentence of up to 400 years but does plan to appeal his conviction. in a jailhouse statement played on a penn state radio station last night, sandusky said in my heart i know i did not do these alleged, disgusting acts. for the first time in its history, the united states does not have a protestant majority. a new study from the pew forum on religious and public life finds that the percentage of protestant adults has fallen to 48% and the number of americans who claim no religious affiliation has increased from 15% to 20% in the last five years. and now here's brian williams with a look at what's coming up tonight on "nbc nightly news." brian? >> hey, natalie, good morning. coming up tonight when we join you for "nightly news, what can always be the toughest moment dealing with adult parents, taking away the car keys. we have some advice from the experts on how to tell aging parents the time has come. that and more when we join you here tonight for "nightly news." natalie for now, back to you. >> thanks, brian. now for a look at what's trending, a quick roundup of what has you talking online. finally a glimpse of jennifer anniston's stunning engagement ring two months after fiance justin thereau popped the question. some online critics say the ring which takes up about a third of jen's finger is just too big. actor john kusaik ran on stage for an '80s nostalgia at a peter gabriel concert this weekend. [ cheers and applause ] >> gabriel was about to sing "in your eyes." the boom box was a nod to cusack's role in "he'll say anything" when he holds up the boom box and actors re-enact the end of tight toit to see if jack could have climbed on to rose's life board if he had strapped rose's life jacket underneath. >> no matter how noble jack's intentions might have been, sometimes discretion is the better part of valor. >> hang on, rose. >> with all we've learned i think jack's death was needless. >> rose and jack could have lived here. >> you guys are missing the point. the script said jack died. screwed up, the board was a tiny bit smaller but the dude is going down. >> director james cameron who still gets e-mails from "titanic" fans who says rose was selfish and jack was an idiot. we'd all like to change the ending. it's 8:05. let's go back outside with al with a check of the weather. >> some folks a little harsh. >> you think. >> my golly, my goodness. got some friends here. where are you guys from? >> syracuse. >> syracuse, new york, the big cuse. what's your name, young lady? >> macy. >> nice to see you. let's see what we've got. a little wet herethe northeast. little rock arkansas, kark 4, sunny, mild, 70 degrees. not too bad. and as we check the rest of your weather for today, you'll see wet weather here in the east. we are looking at showers making their way across the great lakes with that cold front pushing through. we are expecting to see some fairly nice weather in the pacific northwest. lots of sunshine. sunny skies through southern texas. hit or miss showers and thunderstorms down in southern florida. some folks having a good time here. from victor, new york. where is that? >> outside of rochester. >> we are doing an up state swing here. that's what's going on around the country, here's what's happening in your neck of the woods. >> oh, it's cloudy now. we'll have more clouds than sunshine today. a look outside. there's the overcast sky. the temperature at 50 degrees with wind out of the north. berry farms, your current temperature at 50 degrees. we have largo coming in at 46. chantilly at 46 degrees. the high today, 60 degrees. it will be on the cool side. >> and that's your latest weather. savannah? >> all right, al. thanks. coming up next, the respected high school guidance counsellor fired because of her past as a model. we'll talk about that with today's professionals right after this. you can't argue with nutrition you can see. great grains. great grains cereal starts whole and stays whole. see the seam? more processed flakes look nothing like natural grains. i'm eating what i know is better nutrition. mmmm. great grains. search great grains and see for yourself. hi, i just switched jobs, and i want to roll over my old 401(k) into a fidelity ira. man: okay, no problem. it's easy to get started; i can help you with the paperwork. um...this green line just appeared on my floor. yeah, that's fidelity helping you reach your financial goals. could you hold on a second? it's your money. roll over your old 401(k) into a fidelity ira and take control of your personal economy. this is going to be helpful. call or come in today. fidelity investments. turn here. presents the latest thing to wear with beautiful tops. beautiful underarms. wear with halter tops, tube tops, and bustiers. ball gowns. almost all gowns. cammies, jammies, toga tops, yoga tops, and va va voom tops! with 1/4 moisturizers and vitamins e and f, dove go sleeveless deodorant makes underarms soft and smooth in just five days. effective protection. beautiful result. try new soothing chamomile, clinically proven to calm shaving irritation. we put our name on it. at jcp shop you'll find well-made clothes that stand on their own and mix with your favorites. building blocks of style at amazing prices. and only at jcp. builwhy let constipation at astry miralax.? mirlax works differently than other laxatives. it draws water into your colon to unblock your system naturally. don't wait to feel great. miralax. how do you get from here... let's say you want to get ahead in your career. to here? at university of phoenix we're moving career planning forward so you can start figuring that out sooner. in fact, by thinking about where you want your education to lead, while you're still in school, you might find the best route leads somewhere you weren't even looking. let's get to work. 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[ male announcer ] you're not you when you're hungry®. snickers® is halloween satisfaction. . with are back now at 8:10 with today's professionals. here to break down the day's hottest deadline, star jones, donny deutsch and dr. nancy snyderman. good morning, folks. >> nice to see you. >> we've known each other and my pet peeve is crassness and crudeness, hate t.two examples over the weekend in the world of sports. let's break it down. kansas city, chiefs quarterback, matt cassel having a tough year, okay. we know that. the fans are down on him. he takes a hit in the game on sunday. goes down on the field, hit to the head. he's down on the field for several minutes during which time the fans start cheering the fact that he's down because they know they are going to get a replacement. >> he wasn't just down. you could tell he was hurt. >> he was hurt. he was hit. they are cheering the injury. does this shock anyone? >> not since what we've actually become. i mean, we cheer bad behavior now. television has changed so much. we're a society of rudeness. it's okay to beat up on people on national television. this is like "the gladiators" now. >> come to the point where we cheer someone getting injured. >> just the last few weeks, whether it's -- to bring in nicki minaj and mariah carey, i'm going to shoot the bitch if i had a gun to housewives snapping at each other, we're a thug culture, so why do we act crowd when a stadium of 50,000, probably many of them drunk or cheering. >> not everybody cheered, by the way. >> we've become a thug culture. >> i have a friend who took his 10-year-old to the opening at giants stadium and was so excited. he took his son home at halftime because the words that he heard and the beer that was being thrown. >> right. >> he said he was so embarrassed. his kids heard words they never heard before. no longer a family event. >> we are athletes, not gladiators this. isn't the roman coliseum. when you cheer somebody getting knocked out, i don't care who it is, it's sickening. it's 100% sick neng. i've never been so embarrassed in my life to play football than at that moment right there. >> i'm so glad he stood up, and he also in that quote talked about tough economic times and that's an interesting time. the tougher economic times, the more we see of this horrible behavior. >> however, i applaud what he said, but it isn't often the players who get up and celebrate the most after they deliver a hit to someone. >> things over the last year and a half have changed things. players have respect for each other. this is a brutal sport. >> and he acknowledged the fact that he's actually probably not going to live as long as he would because he played the sport. >> got to get players to stop celebrating to deliver the blow that puts somebody down and the other incident was atlanta, the controversial call on the infield fly and fans start throwing bottles on the field. we've clearly crossed the line. how do we get people on the right side of the line? >> we stop rewarding bad behavior, don't sit down and interview them, don't make them the celebrities. make people ashamed of inappropriate behave again. >> the owners, the fans, the players, all the way down. this is now a culture that is insidious. >> the only hope is at home. the media is not going to correct this. >> this top sick obesity, a controversial new campaign to fight it. here is one of the spots in question. >> you know my dad can eat three huge bacon cheeseburgers this big. >> that's like a snack for my dad. >> he also ate a mountain of french fries. >> my dad can eat a mountain of french fries with bacon and cheese. >> yeah, well, my dad can eat five buckets of fried chicken. >> my dad can eat 1,000 chicken nuggets. >> my dad with eat a quadrupleburger. >> my dad can eat 500 corn dogs. one day i'll be able to twice that. >> now critics of this say that it is negative, condescending and that they use shame to get the message across. nancy, why don't you start. >> i in the past have said these aren't good because they shame the kids. i'm reversing on this one. i think they are good because they go to the parent, and i know shame doesn't work and reward does. i think it's a very poignant psa. >> i disagree completely. i'm for any shock value in a psa. the problem with this would be like showing a cigarette smoker smoking, you have to show the effect. >> we have. >> you want to send a message for parents that maybe you wouldn't be there in that cafeteria. to just say you're fat, the kid's fat, they know they are heavy already. there needs to be cause and effect. >> so if he were in the operating room with his chest cracked open and they were operating on him. >> and his kids are crying in the waiting room, yes, that's different. >> is it effective, star? >> absolutely, and i can tell you why. being obese there are several different ways to approach it. it's scared straight for me. i was ashamed, and if i didn't get it thrown in my face it never would have worked. >> what was the tipping point while you did something? >> the thought that i would be found morbidly obese on my floor having a stroke. >> that's my point, though. >> that's the point. the health factor. >> the life and death aspect of it. >> stigma is okay, shame is not. that's stigmatizing. >> i'm in the business of persuasion. >> i don't care what business you're in. >> what do you mean, like you're saying a doctor and give a prescription saying you don't care. i don't have medical opinions. i'm just telling you -- >> as a consumer this works. >> let me move on. welcome back, matt. in sickness and in health, a new poll shows that 60% of adults would not, i repeat works not date someone with a health problem, and that number goes up as we get older. 66% of retirees say they wouldn't date someone with a health problem. they surprise you anybody, these numbers? >> no. >> i think it's the degree. somebody who has a terminal disease, i think the average person probably, unfortunately, wouldn't jump in, but, you know, a bad hip, different things, you know, also depends on your nature. to me, sometimes it will sound corny, if i meet somebody they have an issue and i have a saving complex, but it can be an issue. >> not talking about dumping someone you're involved with if you have a health problem with, talking about starting a relationship. >> if you sit down across from the table and they said you have terminal illness, that's somebody would you not go out with. >> doesn't have to be terminal. it can be, by the way, i have some heart problems. >> okay. >> and then they would not -- >> i'm in trouble. >> we're genetically pre-disposed, but if you've seen the list, donny's women have to sign out after the physical, it's unbelievable. nobody can pass the test. >> nancy -- >> you know what? >> that's a "saturday night live" bit, by the way. >> i've been rewarded with the greatest compliment. >> as young people we're supposed to have civility. >> thanks for having. >> "saturday night live" routine, guys. trust me. >> how about this one from new york city. a well-respected guidance counsellor in the schools here fired after 12 years with the department of education because of photos she took between 17 and 20 years ago when she was 18 to 20 years old that are revealing. they are in lingerie, bikinis, and she was, here's the picture right here. >> yeah. >> she was fired today because of those photos. she stopped modeling some 12 years ago. should she have been fired? >> no, and wrongful termination she has an excellent claim from. from what i understand from the facts, she disclosed the fact that she was a mold before she took the job. there's not been any incident involving her inappropriately with a child. she's been doing her job. i think she's got a great case for wrongful termination. >> and as donny would say she looks hot. >> the internet is not written in pencil, written in ink what. goes on there comes back to haunt you. >> to your point, we won't have anybody working anywhere -- this is going to be price of entry for everything. >> okay. >> but it's a reminder to your children now, kids, everything you put out there 15 years from now that you'll forget about, kaboom. >> nancy will have less caffein tomorrow. >> couples counseling here. donny, star, nancy, thanks. coming up, the guy who played elliot in the classic movie "e.t." all grown up. we'll catch up with him 30 years after that movie came out right after this. 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[ male announcer ] see ja ne't's story and more at the camry effect. from toyota. ♪ [ female announcer ] pop in a whole new kind of clean. with tide pods. just one removes more stains than the 6 next leading pacs combined pop in. stand out. back now at 8:22 with one of my favorite movies, "e.t., the extra terrestrial" hit theaters in 1982 and became the fourth most successful movie of all time. it's the story of an ailated little boy who finds and befriends a lost alien. >> you should give him his dignity. this is the most ridiculous thing i've ever seen. >> phone. >> phone. >> he said phone. >> he said phone! >> e.t. phone home. >> e.t. phone home. >> e.t. phone home. >> well, now, e.t. has been digitally remastered. it's available in a special 30th anniversary blu-ray dd. henry thomas, as you know, played elliot. good morning. >> good morning. thanks for having me. >> can you believe it's been 30 years? >> no, i can't, and i -- i would never have imagined that 3 years ago, you know, i would be talking about it today. >> well, my 9-year-old self is so thrilled to be sitting with you. i can't watch the end without crying. can you? >> it chokes me up, i admit. i'm caught on film being choked up for the rest of my life, so -- >> you had to go through an audition, of course, to get this role. how did you get the part? there must have been so many boys lined up to get it. >> you know, it was interesting. the first film that i did was a universal film, and the editing bays were next door to each other, so steven spielberg knew about me, and universal brought me out to meet him and, of course, hi seen "raiders of the lost ark" and came to the meeting with a bull whip on myself, and i just wanted to talk about harrison ford and indiana jones, and he said i want you to come in tomorrow and i want you to read for me. i go in and i read a scene and i did an improv, and you can actually find my audition on youtube and watch it, and it's the improv that got me the -- the part. it's the only part in my career that i knew i had before i left the audition room because you can hear it on -- on the audition. i finished my -- my scene, and they are in tears and i'm in tears, and i said -- steven says, kid, you've got the job. i keep waiting for that to happen again. >> well, it was, of course, a high point. drew barrymore, just talking about it, was so darn cute. >> i know. >> and as i understand it, she kind of believed e.t. was real. i mean, she was at that age. >> yeah. she was around 7, and the veil hadn't quite been lifted yet, so she was really worried about him all the time. why doesn't he eat lunch with us? what's he doing? he's cold, you know, would wrap a scarf around his neck. yeah, she was super cute. >> what's it been like to be part of a movie that isn't just a successful movie? it is a cultural phenomenon. >> well, it's strange because, you know, you -- you go off for a couple of months as a 9-year-old, and you make this film, and then it takes on a totally different life of its own afterwards, and, you know, everyone has such fond memories of it, and you just feel a responsibility towards, it i think. >> well, henry thomas, we loved you then, and we love you now. so great to have you here. and, again, thenow. it's great to have you here. the 30th anniversary of "e.t." is now available. thank you. >> thank you. breaking news at 8:26. if you are hopping on a train to head north, change your plans. right now, amtrak service suspended between d.c. and delaware. power lines are down north of baltimore. crews are working on this now. we don't know when the tracks will be cleared. let's check the rest of the coute with danella. >> delays in the area on the beltway from the inner loop to 210 and crossing the wilson bridge. not seeing accidents. 29 in maryland is slow as well from new hampshire avenue to the beltway. you are sluggish. back to you, aaron. >> thank you. let me tell you how i will create 12 million jobs when president obama couldn't. first, my energy independence policy means more than three million new jobs. many of them in manufacturing. my tax reform plan to lower rates for the middle class and for small business creates seven million more. and expanding trade, cracking down on china, and improving job training takes us to over 12 million new jobs. i'm mitt romney, and i approve this message. a slow warm up and small warm up expected today. we budged up to 52 degrees, rising two degrees in the last hour. you folks over in greenville at 50 and new carrollton, as well. vienna, 46 degrees roogt now. the high today, 60. a few breaks in the clouds. the warmest day out of the week, midweek. we cool down behind another front and this weekend looking it's 8:30 now on a tuesday morning. it's the 9th day of october, 2012. kind of a drizzly morning here in the new york city area. a little chilly as well, but we've got a nice crowd of people gathered, and they are listening to the music of the scripts. we've got the irish band coming up in studio in our next half hour. >> out on the plaza, we're starring in an edition of "honey i shrunk the kids" where we're here and we'll explain the table and shares in just a moment. >> something hilarious about sitting here. anyway, coming up, all remember the replacement refs in the nfl. in a tough position facing a lot of pressure and not a lot of appreciation, shall we say. one of them will join us a little bit later on to tell us about how it was to have that call, the game-deciding touchdown call, and all the fallout after that. >> you think he got a little attention from that call? >> just a little. the kind you don't want. >> okay. then also how to get stylish fall runway looks for a lot, lot less and how to do the trends just right. >> and later, remember the little boy we met last year. he said he's been to heaven after a near death experience. well, his books have generated major sales and a huge response. this morning we'll catch up with him and his parents. all right. before we get to that. let's explain the huge table and huge chairs and big plates and things like that. >> big fork. >> nbc's third annual healthy week is in full swing. this year the focus is on five different things, hydration, getting more sleep, taking five during your workday, recess and this one, portion control. >> yes. okay. this is our very subtle reminder that actually in the past several years plate sizes have increased more than 35%, and it actually makes a huge difference, and it contributes to more calorie consumption and, of course, we know, we have an obesity epidemic so our table is here to shed a light on the small plate movement. >> did you know swapping out this 30-inch plate, actually a 12-inch plate for a 10-inch plate, you can lose about 18 pounds a year. that is an unbelievable figure when you think about it. for more on that as well as our healthy tips, just head to our website today.com. >> all right. >> thanks, guys, for offering us the envelopes. >> the guys had the umbrellas. >> you guys have raincoats on. >> oh, all right. >> we can do the weather. >> and remember, when you get to a fork in the road. >> come on. >> okay. see what we have what we've got as far as your weather is concerned for today. we are expecting plenty of sunshine out west. it's going to be fairly warm. above normal temperatures through the southwest cooling normal in the northeast. chilly conditions in the great lakes. you are going to continue with showers and snow showers in the great lakes tomorrow. another beautiful day in the pacific northwest. sunshine through the gulf coast. i feel like the lily tomlin character. hi, that's what's going on around the country. >> oh, it's great out there right now. later today, i'm expecting a little bit of blue to come through. more and more of that blue sky. storm team 4 meteorologist veronica johnson. we are at 52 degrees right now. we're going up to a high today of 60. throughout the area, we are hanging on around 45-46 degrees north and west of town. today, 60, tomorrow 70. feeling more like what it should. october-like tomorrow. the weekend i >> don't forget. get that weather any time you neath need it. go to the weather channel on cable or weather.com online. he's got a knife! uncle willy. >> hey, it's almost a year now, but happy birthday to oreo cookies, glass of cold milk. chocolate cookies with a white dot in the middle. 100 years old. how about that. happy birthday, speaking of smuckers. let's go into our birthday mode. take a look at joe "beautiful" harryman, saratoga wyoming, 100 years old. secrets to longevity, loves to fish and an occasional bourbon. how about that. the fish like scotch. margot freudenberg, charleston, south, rhett butler's hometown. 105 years old. found the hope lodge to help people with cancer and their families. how about old griffin, i like that name, a masculine name. griffin muse, and he is from paincourtville, louisiana, 102 years old today and proud to be head and deacon of his church. they love him down there. beth sollows of deland, florida, is 108 years old, talented musician. plays piano and violin but not at the same time. edward hoffman from canton, massachusetts, 107. involved with the boy scouts and loves being outdoors. lovely margaret browne, philadelphia, pennsylvania, is 100 years old today. secret to longevity, try to do something naughty every day. we have a group around here who does that. and rose izzo of nesconset, new york, is 100. loves playing cards and crocheting for her family. happy birthday. back to you in new york. >> all right, willard, thanks. i don't need an umbrella. i've got this giant table. >> very nice. >> can we show everybody what you just did to me a couple moments ago. sitting there waiting for my tease. >> i was standing behind you for about 45 seconds and the crowd is laughing. >> and everyone is gathering and looking at me. why are they staring over here. >> i was actually touching you. >> you must be numb. >> real observant, a real important quality in a reporter. anyway, coming up. we'll talk to one of those replacement referees who made that controversial call. good. i'm glad you enjoyed it, but first, this is "today" on nbc. ♪ >> back now at 8:38 with one of the men at the center of firestorm over the use in the nfl of replacement officials. lance easley made the controversial touchdown call that decided a monday night game between seattle and green bay, and many say it helped lead to the end of the regular referee lockout. lance easley, good morning, good to see you >> good morning. >> anything new and interesting happen in your own life over the last several weeks? >> oh, yeah, a lot of things. >> take me back to the moment. it's the final play of the game monday night. here comes the hail mary pass. you are right there. you are in position. you look down and you're standing there with your hands in the hair signaling touchdown. what was the moment like? >> it's bedlam at the end of a game like that, especially on "monday night football." seattle is a great venue, very, very loud if you've never been there and seen an event. it was -- it went completely chaotic afterwards and i had to get in there and separate everybody. >> you've now seen the play how many times? >> too many. >> 100 times. >> probably. it's on tv every day. >> did you make the right call? >> yes. >> you absolutely stand by this call? every sports writer i've talked to has said no. one sports writer on the show saying the worst call he's ever seen in the nfl. >> well, until they change the rule i can't do anything about the call. >> i watched, it lance, and you know what i thought, and you can just dispel that right now. i think you looked down and saw the other referee's arm go up and he's about to signal touchdown, i'm putting my hands up and then you looked up and said uh-oh, he signaled touchback. >> no, that's not what happened. >> it didn't happen. >> he didn't signal touchback. he signaled stop clock which in his opinion would give us time to discuss it. however, it was my call because it was in my primary area. i had to bring that play all the way to the ground and take the whole play. >> do you feel vindicated because let's remind people this call was upheld after review. so in your opinion does this mean you did it right, or is there anything you would have done differently? >> nothing, except that players wished they would have batted the ball out of bounds and not had the play happen. >> can you imagine had you made that call not in seattle but in green bay, wisconsin, and it cost the packers the game at the end of the game. what do you think the reaction would have been in green bay? >> probably a little bit different. instead of sleepless in seattle, i would have been sleepless in green bay. >> you talk about sleepless. we get to the end of the season and the packers hypothetically speaking here miss the playoffs by one game. you have no second thoughts or reservations whatsoever? >> no. not at all. >> do you think that indirectly your call, again, you stand by this call and say it was the right call, but do you think indirectly you should take some credit for getting the regular referees back on the field? >> well, i think it was pretty much resolved before that issue. it kind of was an exclamation point on the whole deal and the controversy and the play, it's never happened in the history of the nfl, that play. you can go back through the archives. will you not find that play. >> let's just tell people you are a bank vice president, right? >> yes, i am. >> you referee junior college games on the weekend so kind of like a side life for you. >> exactly, as for most officials. >> so were you qualified to be in that situation, that pressure-packed situation on a monday night in seattle at that final play? >> i've been working as an official many, many years. i worked hard in the nfl training and we did the best job that we could given the circumstances so that's all i can say. >> lance easley, he stands by that call. lance, it's good of you to show up this morning. i appreciate it. >> thank you. >> thank you. >> appreciate it. >> up next from football to fashion, where to find the hottest runway looks for a little bit less, but first this is "today" on nbc. i approve this message. mitt romney: "i'm not in favor romney's being dishonest here an independent, non-partisan liberals will raise taxes on the chairman of that so-called romney's former company. gingrich was there too. it's not independent. it's just not true. back now at 8:45. this morning on "today's style," the perfect fall look at the right price. a "today" contributor and marie claire editor found some of the best runway trends at department store prices. sounds good to us. >> it's good. >> we love to look at the fashions on the runway, but can you really pull them off and do it on a budget price? >> absolutely. you know what the great news is? the most relatable and wearable trends on the runway always trickle down to the mass market, so it's just a matter of seeing what you like on the runway, seeing them in the magazines and going out and recreating it. >> we'll show folks how you did that. the first look you like from the runway is a military look. >> you say military with a twist. >> absolutely. >> military resurfaces every single season and the reason being, it's so product call and so easy to insert into your look. this is a little bit more fun, not the cargos or the kamo, a bit more glam. >> here we have michelle modeling a look. how did you get this suit down to our level, shall we say? >> this is a $59.99 from mango as opposed to the version on the runway which is around $3,000 so it's 50 times more expensive, and it's just a really easy tract and three trends in one, red, a big breakout color for fall. great silhouette which is a statement coat, again, a big trend and obviously military details with the gold buttons. >> looks really cute with the booties. >> i guess you could do tall if you wanted to. >> any kind of beaute. dressed down with a tight and a flat boot. >> michelle, thank you. next look is velvet. tell us what you saw on the runway. >> a lot of velvet on the runway, less of the heavy gowns and more about fresh separates, chanel, gucci. >> and now we have miss lauren who is rocking a lovely velvet blazer. >> this is j. crew, so cute and the way to keep it fresh is by wearing it with denim fabrics, denim, cotton, white and black. >> pretty jewel tone. looks very, very cute. >> probably can wear that blazer with jeans if she wanted to. >> absolutely, with anything. >> thanks, lauren. the next look is a pencil skirt but with a different look. what did you see on the runway? >> seeing a pencil skirt with a twist. this is a new twist, and it's from status, a new word in fashion vacab. this works for everyone. it's a great lens, and here we fit it with a jacket because sometimes it's quite useful so with a suit jacket, a suit always reads a little bit more older and sophisticated. >> a pencil skirt is what makes it pencilling, the fact that it's fitted around the waist. >> wear it on the waist. the skiniest part of your body, always wear the waist. >> thank you so much. our next trend sweater dressing. let's show it on the runway. >> sweater dressing big on the runway. saw a great look. super easy to recreate and sweaters are perfect for a kay like today. >> here comes rosa. >> tell us about this look. sweaters are great to dress up. we wore this with great pants and the idea about sweater dressing is to dress up, glam up, so wear it an evening heel, cute little hat. lacks adorable. >> that sweater is nice and fitted because you don't necessarily want to do the big chunky sweater. >> exactly. start layering and end up too bulky. this is a medium weight which is perfect. keeps you warm enough without the coat. >> that hat looks really warm. hand that over, rosa. just kidding, and our fin lobrocade big on the runways. >> it's a big trend that just needs a lot of embellishment. we found an alternative version here of pop shop for '72 and in comparison to the look we saw on the runway which was actually $35,000. >> oh, come on. >> i know. >> that's an iq test. this is a great version from top shop. no accessories needed. simple. let the dress do the talking. >> it does do the talking. >> thank you so much to our models. >> thank you so much. >> and coming up next, a live performance from the hit band the script as i touch that brocade. >> thank you. after two very successful albums the script could have stuck with what works with you instead the irish rockers have created what they are calling their most personal and professional album today appropriately called "number 3." welcome back. good to see you all. always a pleasure. last time we got together we were at olympic park in london. >> that's right. >> you put on a show for the people there in london. after the show you said to me we'll call you afterwards and we'll go hang at a pub. you never called. >> you have a run etation. >> i have a feeling i would have been in trouble if i hung out with you guys. >> i'm surprised they let you back over. >> had a feeling. >> what have you guys been up to the last couple of month? >> promoting the album and being a coach on the uk version of "the voice" as well and just promoting the album. it just came out back home as well. we're -- as i said, it's our album number three and we're still rocking and rolling. we how the it made it after the first album and here we are at number three. >> you're in dublin and did a sing along in the streets which had to be a lot of fun. >> great. >> massive fun. >> have a tradition back home called busking and a lot of buskers will be taking off the street. that's how we'll talk about it. we said we'll gather 40 of our closest busking friends. can you see it on the tv. >> that's great. >> police came on and tried to move us along, and it was a great day. >> i am smart that i didn't hang out with you guys. one of the songs on the album is especially personal. >> yeah. >> about the death and the loss of loved one. >> yeah. >> we wrote a song called if you could see me now, a hugely personal song to us. i guess something in myself and danny had lost parents through making our first album, something we've never dealt, and it was -- it seemed like the appropriate song. >> well, let me tell you. love having you guys here. >> thank you so much. >> back on our turf a little while. what are you going to sing? >> hall of fame, the brand new single. >> ladies and gentlemen, the script. ♪ >> this song is about ordinary lyrics doing extraordinary things. ♪ yeah, you can be the greatest, you can be the best ♪ ♪ you can be the king kong banging on your chest ♪ ♪ you could be the best the world ♪ ♪ you could beat the war ♪ you could talk to god, go banging on his door ♪ ♪ you can throw your hands up ♪ you can be the clock ♪ you can move a mountain ♪ you can break rocks ♪ you can be a master ♪ don't wait for luck dedicate yourself and you can find yourself ♪ ♪ standing in the hall of fame and the world's gonna know your name ♪ ♪ cause you burn with the brightest flame ♪ ♪ and the world's gonna know your name sennerholt ♪ and you'll be the one on the walls of the hall of fame ♪ ♪ you could go the distance ♪ you could run the smile ♪ you could walk straight through the hell with a smile ♪ ♪ you could be the hero ♪ you could get the gold ♪ breaking all the records that thought never could be broke ♪ ♪ do it for your people ♪ do it for your pride ♪ never gonna know if you never even try ♪ ♪ do it for your country ♪ do it for your name ♪ cause there's gonna be a day ♪ when you're standing in the hall of fame ♪ and the world's gonna know your name ♪ ♪ cause you burn with the bright flame ♪ ♪ and the world's gonna know your name ♪ ♪ and you'll be on the walls of the hall of fame ♪ ♪ be a champion ♪ yes, you could be the champion ♪ ♪ be a champion sennerholt. >> be students, be teachers be politicians, be preachers ♪ ♪ be believers, be leaders, be astronauts, be champions, be true seekers ♪ ♪ be students, be teachers ♪ yeah. ♪ be politicians, be breechers ♪ standing in the hall of fame, yeah ♪ ♪ and the world's gonna know your name ♪ ♪ cause you burn with the brightest flame ♪ ♪ and the world's gonna know your name ♪ ♪ your name, yeah, your name ♪ and you'll be on the walls of the hall of fame ♪ ♪ you could be the greatest, be the best ♪ ♪ you be can the king kong banging on your chest ♪ ♪ you could beat the world ♪ can you throw your hands up you can be the clock ♪ ♪ you can move a mountain ♪ you can be a champion ♪ standing in the hall of fame ♪ yeah ♪ you can be a ♪ ♪ breaking news at 8:56 right now. amtrak service is suspended between d.c. and delaware. power lines are down north of baltimore. crews are working on it. we don't know when the tracks will be cleared. let's check the rest of the commute with danella sealock. >> some people are going to want to go north on 95, all lanes are blocked between exit 89 and the way to 93. your lanes are closed in both directions. you are at a standstill. take route 40. back to you. >> we are getting a little bit of thinning in the cloud cover. depends on where you are from points north, montgomery county. 53 degrees right now. throughout the area, upper 40s to low 50 z. currently, a high of 60 degrees with sunshine in and out today. the high tomorrow is 70. this weekend, saturday and sunday, 66 saturday, 75 expected on sunday. >> thank you. don't forget to tune into news 4 today tomorrow at 4:28. we'll see you then. get your day started the right way with news 4 today. take away his toys and he'll play with a stick. take away their bikes and they'll still find a way to get where they're going. but if take you away early childhood education... slash k-12 funding... and cut college aid for middle class families ... they won't go far. yet that's exactly what mitt romney wants to do... ...to pay for a $250,000 tax break for multi-millionaires. if mitt romney wins, the middle class loses. priorities usa action is responsible for the content of this advertising. ♪ ♪ for the first time ♪ yeah, for the first time ♪ yeah ♪ oh, these times are hard ♪ yeah, there making us crazy ♪ ♪ don't give up on me, baby ♪ oh, these times are hard ♪ yeah, they're making us crazy ♪ ♪ don't give us on me, baby ♪ oh, these times are hard ♪ yeah, they're making us crazy ♪ ♪ don't give up on me, baby ♪ oh, these times are hard ♪ yeah, they're making us crazy ♪ don't give up on me, baby ♪ >> a little music from the script on a rainy tuesday morning here in new york city. it is october 9th, 2012. a little more music from them tomorrow here on "today." one of our favorite bands around here out on the plaza. we're still spitting a little bit. i'm matt lauer. >> what about the weather? >> here with savannah guthrie and mr. al roker. >> good one, al. >> coming up. a lot of people don't believe whether it exists or not. well, one young man says he knows it's for real. we're talking about heaven. colton says he's been there during a near death experience. he wrote an extremely popular book about it. he's out with a new book. we'll catch up with colton and his parents in just a little while. >> all right. on a little bit of a health kick this morning. five simple habits that you can change to make you healthier, and then, of course, you may have heard the news out of hollywood about danny devito and rhea perlman breaking up after 30 years of marriage. that came as a surprise to a lot of folks. more on that coming up. >> all right. >> we'll start off the hour with what movies make you cry. i know the answer. >> you were with me. >> when i cried one time. >> sobbing over "the notebook." >> on a plane and got "the notebook" sitting next to him and all of a sudden just weeping. >> i thought you were going to say like "the bourne identity." >> "porky's." >> "animal house." >> embarrassing, a good one. >> "e.t. "celebrating their 30th anniversary as you just interviewed the man who played elliot. >> which movies actually make us cry, including donny deutsch, which i think was the -- >> "the hangover." >> exactly. >> lots to get to. let's go inside. natalie has a check of all the headlines. natalie. >> good morning, everyone. president obamapaigns in ohio today as he pushes forward on his fund-raising goal of $1 billion. on monday republican rival mitt romney drummed up support of virginia as two new national polls show a volatile race. in one romney leads the president by four points among likely voters, and in the or the president leads romney by five points. convicted child sexual abuser jerry sandusky receives his sentence today. the former penn state assistant football coach is expected to spend the rest of his life in prison. on the eve of his sentencing the 68-year-old released an audio recording from jail maintaining his innocence and blaming a massive conspiracy for the accusations against him. several of sdusk i's accusers are set to addre the judge at this morning's hearing. the death toll in a national meningitis outbreak is rising. monday night a national hospital announced the death of a patient from the rare but lethal form of meningitis linked to steroid injections given for back pain. if confirmed by the cdc, it will bring the total toll to nine. health officials now say as many as 13,000 people may have been injected with those contaminated drugs. new hope for some 5 million americans suffering from alzheimer's as an experimental drug shows promise in slowing the disease's progression. and while the eli lilly drug is not a cure, researchers say it is the first time that any treatment has actually slowed dementia in affected patients. the mexican navy says it has captured a drug gang commander accused of new jersey rows high-profile crimes, including the possible murder of american tourist david hartley. it was two years ago when tiffany hartley last saw her husband david. they had gone jetskiing on a lake that borders mexico when david was shot and killed. >> i was going back two years ago and feeling the same emotions and wondering is this going to be -- is this going to be it? am i finally going to get what i've been looking for? >> reporter: tiffany says she was surprised by the news of the arrest of martinez, the so-called squirrel. she hopes the arrest leads to finding david's body. >> that's been our call ever since day one, you know, that david would be found and that his remains would be returned so we could, you know, honor him the way that he wanted to be, but as a family be able to find that closure. >> reporter: on monday the mexican navy announced that they had arrested the drug leaders knownsquirrel. he was captured in mexico this weekend after a shootout with authorities and is suspected of multiple murders in northern mexico. >> all we know is the mexico authorities have captured somebody, and they have him detained and who possibly had something to do with david's murder and also the other murders along the border. >> reporter: hartley says she has yet to hear from u.s. or mexican officials about the arrest. >> we always have to be hopeful and that this will move forward to him being prosecuted, or david's remains being found, finding some closure. there is comfort in that, knowing that david hasn't been forgotten. >> authorities also suspect martinez was behind the 2010 slaying of 72 migrants as well as other killings and prison breaks in northern mexico. 15 truckloads ofrash have been removed from a las vegas home where health officials say they found the worst case of hoarding they have ever seen. they entered the house with a court warrant friday and discovered debris stacked to the ceiling along with about two dozen dead or sick cats. the owner had carved out a small space for himself on top of his belongings but was unable to even walk upright in that house. duchess kate middleton is stepping out in public in great britain for the first time since the scandal erupted over topless photos print in european magazines. kate and her husband prince william are touring the new national soccer center today. on monday they launched a new scholarship for disadvantaged law students. it is seven minutes past the hour. you're up to date and let's go over to al. >> thanks so much, natalie. let's >> thanks. let's see what we have for you starting today. wet weather in the northeast. that is pulling off fairly soon. we have a frontal system dropping down through the great lakes bringing much cooler air and snow showers in northern minnesota. beautiful day in the pacific northwest with temperatures up to 60s and low 70s. thunderstorms in southern florida. look for rain in the central great lakes and the sunshine continues in the southwest. a high of 95 in phoenix. here's what's happening in your neck of the woods. >> warmer today and me sunshine, too. 53 degrees right now. yesterday's high temperature was 55. already doing better, right? we have clouds and expecting more breaks in the cloud cover by later on today. 46 in gaithersburg and warrenton, 47. waldorf, maryland 47 degrees. your high temperature on this tuesday, 60 degrees. still a bit on the cool side. tomorrow, more seasonal. the high 70. this now it's time for today's "take 3" where we each give our take on stories that catch our attention. and we have invited mr. donny deutsch to join the gang today. hey, dony. >> nothing more exciting than "take 3." >> love your purple tie. >> love it. >> honestly, something about purpose. never gotten more comments. people love purple. it's a very interesting phenomenon. >> what did i tell you. prince sold a whole career on that concept. >> it's true. >> it's royalty. >> and you, too, are a handsome man. >> first up on our "take 3," sob fest. women love to have them. how many times do we like to pop in a good move to get a good cry, savannah? >> talking about this because henry thomas was on for "e.t." can i not watch it without crying. i enjoy the cry. i look forward to the cry. there are actually several crying scenes. >> there's like four. >> you have to be a strong human being to not cry at that, you know. >> how sweet. >> and so many other movies, i mean, you were talking about matt was "the notebook" and also a scene in that movie gets me every time. they are fighting in the rain, and he professes he'll love her forever no matter what, that there are going to be hard times. here it is. that movie is relentless, a tearjerker. >> any movie that gets to you? >> "field of dreams," to me dad, when you don't have a catch. so close with my dad. i want to ask the women. post-feminist revolution, we've come to what i call a little ways on the crying continuum. most women would like to see a guy sob up a little. >> yeah. >> a little, but not cry. would you want to be sitting next to a man in a movie and he's baweling. >> no. come a little way. >> i do like the little tear. >> but trying to hold it back, but just a little. >> you're misting up, like the movie "frequency" with dennis quaid. that is just a spectacular movie. >> that's a tearjerker. >> my tearjerker. talking over this hand radio, and i had just lost my dad, and it was just -- i mean, i -- i wasn't baweling, you know, another time, requests mrs. doubtfire," i was going through a divorce and sitting there with courtney and trying not to stop. it was difficult. >> but it was interesting, so women out there, men -- it's okay. a little but not a lot. >> i say go for it. >> if you're going to cry. >> pop it in every time like we do and have a cry. it's a good cleansing. >> what movie for your husband? >> talking about "e.t.," he does not like to watch that movie because he gets too emotional. you kn, so what. be ahead, be emotional. >> exactly. i like the seen from "terms of endearment." >> my second one. >> the little boy is in there holding back the tears. >> she's in there and demanding the medicine for her daughter, and she just goes nuts in the emergency room there. >> oh, my gosh. >> the little boy and the mother saying good-bye. this movie is definitely. >> a bowl of ice cream helps. >> l's move to our happy subjects, "cash cab," all seen the game show, a real cash cab. "las vegas review" reporting adam waldermaram, a cab driver, found a black laptop case filled with $221,000 plus in cash in his cab. >> only in vegas. >> he calls a buddy of his who has the cab before and said is this yours? >> the guy says no. >> so he turns it in to security. >> wow. >> and -- and he ends up getting a reward from the guy who left it in the cab on the way to the airport. this happens to donny all the time. >> here's what's interesting. i think people are basically honest, but i think honesty has a lot to do with need. i think a lot of people on this panel, if it was left there, we would return it. let's say all of a sudden you lost your job a year ago and your kids were hungry, would you return it? i think it's hard to say are we honest or not honest? >> this was an honest man. >> but i'm saying, i think a lot of us are honest, and all of a sudden depending on where you are in your life does the honesty piece move? >> here's an interesting question because the reward was $2,000, again, on a quarter of a million that was left in the cash cab, so was it enough of a reward? some people are like, come on. >> i would have been 25,000. >> 20%. >> but, you know, look. a reward is a reward. the guy -- i think the big thing, he didn't do it for a reward and he's $2,000 up. >> i want to ask you a question. are you an honest person? >> i hope so. >> would you have done that? >> i would like to think i would. >> if your kid are hungry and hadn't worked in a year and a half. >> it would be harder. but i actually do think people are fundamentally honest regardless of circumstances. >> all right. >> take 3. >> take 3, cardinal rule. hallmark is closing one of its kansas plant that made one-third of its greeting cards and 3,000 jobs lost and e-mail has really taken over so we're thinking about do you send a card? >> i hate getting e-mail invitations. >> oh, really. >> drives me nuts. >> that's how most people are doing it nowadays. >> in fact, we just had this happen. one of nicky's friend, an e-mailed birthday party invitation and we lost it and almost missed the party. another one, sent a real one, had it posted up on the bulletin board and there it is. >> more expensive though to do that. >> but a thank-you note, any sort of something like that i think is more important. >> when it comes to, for example, a death in the family and sending a card, would you send a card? >> absolutely. >> send a card -- >> death in the family i call actually, but i also think this is one more example of the internet kills everything it touches. how many businesses, keep talking about the dark underbelly, whether it's music, we keep saying it's advancement. it kills industries. >> hopefully it creates new ones. >> not as much. >> think about when you get a nice handwritten thank-you notes. >> unfortunately, our kids are not going to do that. it is what it is. >> they will if we teach them. >> come back early and often, donny deutsch. thank you. coming up next, the kid who went to heaven and back and tells his amazing story about it right after this. if you think occasional irregularity is no big deal, think twice. it may be a sign that your digestive system could be working better. listen to this. with occasional irregularity, things your body doesn't use could be lingering in your system, causing discomfort. but activia has been shown in clinical studies to help with slow intestinal transit when consumed 3 times per day. 7 out of 10 doctors recommend activia. and the great taste is recommended by me! ♪ activia delicious. but say i press a few out flat... add some beef sloppy joe sauce... and cheese fold it all up and boom! i just made an unbeatable unsloppy joe pillsbury grands biscuits. let the making begin. keeping up with the kids is tough, so i drink emergen-c. with vitamin c for immune support and b vitamins for natural energy, i'm ready for whatever they get into. get your free sample at myemergenc.com. stay healthy and feel the good. get your free sample at myemergenc.com. go out tonight - be social! then stay in tomorrow. make a date with your flat screen. olive garden's new dinner today, dinner tomorrow. two dinners for two nights, just $12.95. choose one of five entrees tonight, like new mezzaluna ravioli. served with unlimited soup or salad and breadsticks. then choose a second entrée to take home for tomorrow all for just $12.95. this has "movie night" written all over it. new dinner today, dinner tomorrow go before it's gone! go olive garden. and getting more. that's value sense. introducing the scott shared values program. get free movie rentals, music downloads, and more. use your value sense. sign up at scottbrand.com. ♪ anything, yes, i'd do anything ♪ ♪ anything for you ♪ ...and now... you! 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[ bell dings ] ...so crispy so juicy so delicious it's your secret to making dinner disappear hellmann's. bring out the best . what is your idea? two years ago the book "heaven is for real" answered the question for some folks telling the true story of colin burpo's near-death experience and now the family is out with another book called "heaven changes everything." colton is here with his mom and dad. welcome, guys. >> thank you. >> colton, you're in eighth grade. you followed up with a kids version. this is a devotional and meant to be read every day for folks or as much as possible. what is in this book that you found that i didn't put in the other two? >> well, in this new book we explain a little bit more of my experience to heaven, and also it talks about some of the experiences that we've had on the road sharing our story with people that have heard it, and it has changed their lives. >> and so what do you want people to get from this book? what's the goal here? >> well, heaven, it can change your life completely. >> mm-hmm. >> and there's nothing you can do about it. all you have to do is accept it. >> and is it in a sense, and i throw this out to you guys as well, i guess depending on who you are and what you worship heaven is a different thing. is it meant for people to draw from that experience from what -- from where they come about the idea of heaven? >> i think, you know, for us, we can only share about what our son saw, what we saw and what we experienced, how god brought us through a really difficult time, and we've had many people ask us questions. if colton said is true what is do this mean and how does it affect your lives? people really need hope and heaven is really the only hope that lasts. >> but in a sense, so many people have found comfort in this story, but do you sometimes feel a little bit of a burden that people are looking to you for answers? >> i think we are -- it's kind of a challenge for us, but yet we've taken on what god has given us, and people are coming to us and that were also important towards jesus, and i think this is a comfort to know that there,isn't the end and that there's something beyond us and there's hope in heaven. >> todd, you're the pastor in town and still a volunteer fire fighter, and sonia, of course, you work in a local real estate office. colton, you're in eighth grade now. you know, being that vocal about your faith, sometimes that -- that takes a certain amount of courage. do you find comfort in that faith that allows you to actually go out and in a sense preach this -- this gospel of heaven? >> well, i'm happy that, yeah, i have the courage so that i can share my story with other people so i can be able to see them in heaven with me. >> and what do you say to folks who say, you know, look, you've kind of in a sense turned this into a brand, like there's supposedly a move coming out. by the way, who do you want to play you? >> that is a hard question to answer, let me tell you. i keep telling him don't show them my picture, maybe that will help, i don't know. you see, people think that this is easy steps for us to take. well, we're used to small town in nebraska. we didn't write this to change our lives. we just wrote this to help other people but people keep asking. we need more answers. we need more hope, and i think god has really put the wind underneath the cells of this, something that we never even thought would happen. >> well, it's obviously touched a whole lot of people, and we're looking forward to the followup. so good to see you. colton, sonia and sean, thank you so much. "heaven changes everything" out in bookstores now. >> thank you. coming up, five simple habits for a healthier you after these messages. the wheat in every mini-wheat has gotta be just right. perfect golden color. rich in fiber. my dad taught me, and i taught my son out there. morning, pa. wait... who's driving the...? ♪ 99 bushels of wheat on the farm, 99 bushels of wheat ♪ [ male announcer ] yep, there's 8 layers of whole grain fiber in those mini-wheats® biscuits... to help keep you full... ♪ 45 bushels of wheat ...all morning long. there's a big breakfast... 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[ crowd cheering, mouse clicks ] still to come, easy changes to make for a healthier life and danny devito and rhea perlman calling it quits after 30 years of marriage. a look at what happened. plus some fashion help. the season's hottest trends and great looks for less than 100 bucks. >> wow. >> after your local news and for every generation. after working on the computer all day, you'd think i want to stay away from it at night. truth is, i like to stay connected with friends. but all that screen time can really dry me out. so i use visine. aah. it revives me, so i can get poked, winked, and -- ooh -- party all night long. only visine has hydroblend -- a unique blend of three moisturizers that soothe, restore, and protect to keep me comfortable for up to 10 hours. pirate party, here i co-- uh, honey? visine with hydroblend. find it in these visine products. has oats that can help lower cholesterol? and it tastes good? sure does! wow. it's the honey, it makes it taste so... well, would you look at the time... what's the rush? be happy. be healthy. turn to senokot-s tablets. senokot-s has a natural vegetable laxative ingredient plus the comfort of a stool softener for gentle, overnight relief of occasional constipation. go to senokot-s.com for savings. breaking news at 9:26. amtrak service is suspended between d.c. and delaware. power lines are down. crews are working on it. let's check with the rest of the commute. here is danella. >> some are driving i-95 northbound trying to head out of town. the northbound lanes are still blocked at exit 89. southbound was blocked, but those lanes are open. if you are heading north on i-95 the lanes are blocked. back to you. it will feel better than it did yesterday. already, we are at 53 degrees. yesterday's high, 556789 we have clouds now. the showers moved out of the area. around the area you can see from areas north to west, we are in the upper 40s to low 50 z right now. today, going up to a high of 60 degrees. tomorrow, 70 is there someone inside you? >> sometimes. >> is it captain howdie? >> i don't know. >> if i ask him to tell me, will you let him answer? >> no. >> why not? >> i'm afraid. >> still ranks among the scariest movies ever. "the exorcist" came out in 1973 starring oscar-nominated linda blair as a young child possessed by the devil. >> oh, there. >> come on, no, no, no, okey-dokey. >> come back. >> we're going to catch up with linda. she barks and sleeps above the covers and find out what she's up to now. >> oh, boy. >> enough. >> if you're taking your child to an audition for that and they get that part, i mean, does that do something to you? >> that might have been controversial then. >> yeah. >> i've got to tell you, already told matt. dude, that's your interview because i'm too frayed to even interview her. >> hold on just a second. >> i can't stand -- i don't like scary movies anyway, but if you get satan involved in a scary movie really can't stand it. none of them. >> that period. "the omen" came out and so many others. oh, freaky. anyway. >> coming up tomorrow on "today" another installment of steals and deals. >> something happy. phew. >> something new entirely. >> deep discounts, especially on pea soup for "today" viewers. >> nice reference. >> meanwhile ahead in this half hour, we're still talking about getting healthy, from scheduling your doctor's appointments to little things to how you brew your tea. easy habits that can really change to hopefully improve your health. >> and then they seemed like the most solid couple in hollywood. danny deveto and rhea perlman, getting news they are splitting up after 30 years of marriage. the latest on the breakup. >> and how to wear these fashions at any age as we take a look at the weather as we try to forget about "the exorcist." >> your weather, as far as about "the exorcist." let's see what's happening. wet weather in the northeast. that moves out later. expect snow showers northern minnesota. wet weather from chicago up to the central great lakes. a beautiful day from texas to the southwest. hit or miss thunderstorms tomorrow. the heat will continue there. mild and sunny in the pacific northwest. showers around the great lakes to the mid-atlantic states. >> oh, the wet weather is gone. the clouds are still lingering. storm team 4 meteorologist veronica johnson here. overcast sky. a few breaks here and there with sunshine coming through. 53 degrees in d.c. and at reagan national, outlying areas in the upper 40s now. we rise to a high of 60. it's five degrees higher than yesterday. wednesday's high, 70. the warmest day out of the >> and that is your latest weather. >> all right, al. thanks coming up next, five small changes that can have a big impact on your health, right after these messages. are working hard for you.n ouns and now it really shows. tadaa. there's a bathroom cleaner with color power technology from scrubbing bubbles. this powerful foam sprays on blue, and it cleans as it turns from blue to white. then all you have to do is wipe. scrubbing bubbles bathroom cleaner with color power technology. we work hard. and it shows. 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[ female announcer ] sc johnson. a family company. with snack-defying, satisfying totino's pizza rolls. and now when you buy two 40-count bags, instantly get a free bottle of ranch from hidden valley. it's on. let's roll. and getting more. that's value sense. introducing the scott shared values program. get free movie rentals, music downloads, and more. use your value sense. sign up at scottbrand.com. use your value sense. mommy! i went potty! that's great, honey.... where? for life's bleachable moments. donuts? ♪ [ chuckles ] ♪ you're cute. ♪ [ door creaks, closes ] [ female announcer ] the protein effect. new special k protein cereal. with ten grams of protein and three grams of fiber... finally, a protein cereal to help keep you fuller longer. willpower. what will you gain when you lose? this morning on "go healthy today" getting into good habits. studies show that the smallest changes to your routine can have big payoffs. the contributing editor for "prevention" magazine joins us. good morning. >> good morning. >> you have a few tips for us on how to fine tune some of the already healthy habits people may have already. for example, before you hit the gym, what you eat, and you say to actually eat a meal but that's a low glycemic meal. >> exactly. small changes lead to better health. the gym, for example, is a great healthy habit, but you can make it better by picking the right foods before your workout, picking those low glycemic food, like high-fiber cereals and vegetables will help to burn fat and rev up your metabolism and prevent fluctuations in blood sugar. avoid refined carbohydrates and the sweetened drinks because those will totally block your fat-burning capability. >> so the good carbs. >> exactly. >> and after a workout picking higher protein foods like yogurt, milk, nuts will help you boost the effects of your worko workout. >> schedule a colonoscopy in the morning. why is that? >> if you schedule it first thing in the morning, there's less physician fatigue in the morning and better polyp detection rates. bowel prep quality is usually better in the morning as well, and then another way of making it better is to ask for certain ways of taking your prep, do a split-dose prep or small dose at night. >> the stuff you have to drink beforehand to help you go. >> exactly. >> and another dose a few hours before your procedure or do a low-volume prep. >> okay. when should you start having colonoscopies, always a good reminder? >> always start at 50. usually that's a good line. >> okay. next, a lot of people swear by the 3:00 p.m. coffee to help perk them up, or even maybe taking a catnap. you say do a combination, so you're saying drink a little coffee and then have as. >> reporter: >> completely counterintuitive, a caffein nap and it makes sense and here's why. caffein, if you drink it prior to your nap, takes about 20 minutes to get into your system and wake you back up, so when you wake up from that nap you've had a short nap and wake up feeling refreshed. if you nap longer than 20 minutes, you usually wake up feeling very groggy, so caffein naps are actually the best way to go. >> okay. going to do that this afternoon hopefully. now, if you do opt for tea instead of coffee, you say how you prepare your tea canlso be more healthy. >> this is true, and i'm a huge tea lover, but even i forget to brew tea for longer than about five minutes. brewing tea for at least five minutes will really boost some of the health qualities of tea, like increasining flavanoids, a way to make tea a super food. unfortunately, they are adding milk to tea or a lot of sugar to tea will drop that super food quality to tea. we know that for example tea has great health benefits and really preventing against cardiovascular disease but in britain where they add milk to tea we don't see that like here in the u.s. and the netherlands. >> let it steep for ten minute and at the lemon. >> exactly. >> don't brush your teeth immediately after meals. why is that? >> brushing is a healthy habit but here's what happens. when you brush immediately after a meal the acidic foods will soften the enamel. if you wait about an hour after eating then the saliva helps to harden that enamel and another quick trick is rinse your mouth with water or tea because that will cut down the acid and the germs in your mouth at that time. >> back to the tea, unsweetened tea. >> exactly. >> last tip is just mix things up a bit. so what does this do? do things a little bit differently. >> yes. mixing things up like walking backwards or brushing with the opposite hand or rearranging your furniture challenges the brain, and what we know is that when you switch it up a little bit, then you really focus, the brain learns to focus better, and then if you have a difficult task to perform right after that, you usually perform it much better. >> don't try walking backwards throughout manhattan streets. >> exactly. >> or on a treadmill backwards or something. >> correct. >> doctor, great tips as always, thanks so much. >> thank you. coming up next, danny devito and rhea perlman call it quits. the details right after this. i'm done! 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[ female announcer ] swiffer wetjet's pads are better than ever. now they have the scrubbing power of mr. clean magic eraser so you don't have to get down on your hands and knees to scrub away tough, dried-on stains. hey, do you guys think i'm "momtacular" or "momtrocious"? ♪ [ female announcer ] swiffer. now with the scrubbing power of mr. clean magic eraser. sure, bisquick makes delicious pancakes, but that's just the start. unleash the hidden power of bisquick. see what you can make at bisquick.com. so the production of twix was divided between two separate factories. left twix factory cascades caramel and chocolate onto cookie, while right twix factory flows caramel and chocolate onto cookie. today they share nothing, but a wrapper and a driveway. try both and pick a side. i don't have time for the flu. that's why i'm knocking things off my to-do list. vitamin d, done! hand sanitizer, done! hey, eric! i'm here for my flu shot. sorry, didn't make an appointment. well, you don't need one. whether it's flu shots or prescriptions, we continue to accept express scripts and medco plans. i'm bonnie, and this is my cvs. because it helps you keep doing what you love. no wonder it's america's #1 selling pain reliever. you took action, you took advil®. and we thank you. fire bad! just have to fire roast these tomatoes. this is going to give you a head start on your dinner. that seems easier [ female announcer ] new progresso recipe starters. five delicious cooking sauces you combine with fresh ingredients to make amazing home-cooked meals. now to news from hollywood. danny devito and rhea perlman are calling it quits after 30 years of marriage. nbc's mara schiavocampo hasmore on this. kind of sad. >> it is a sad story after being together so long. they met on broadway in 1970 and moved in together just two weeks later, and the rest was history. monday a rep for the couple said they are separating. the latest surprise in a series of celebrity splits this year. she was the wise-cracking cocktail waitress on "cheers." >> can i ask you a favor? >> what? >> reporter: he was "taxi's" nasty dispatcher. >> i've got to go home and change my sheets. but far from the gritty characters they played on screen, danny devito and rhea perlman had what seemed like a happy marriage for three decades. >> by all accounts their marriage was happy. that's why this is such a surprise. married for 30 years, together for 40 years, and these are two people that were so in love they moved in together after just two weeks of dating, three children. everybody thought they were happy. >> reporter: more endearing in real life than the couple than they portrayed on "taxi." >> you seem a little testy tonight. >> reporter: they also starred together in the 1996 kids' movie "matilda" and in 2009 a live tour of devito owes fx show "it's always sunny in philadelphia. >> this is gladys. i know she looks a lot like rhea perlman but she's gladys. behind the cameras the two founded jersey films whose movies included "pulp fiction," "jersey state" and erin brockovich" and this split comes amid other partnerships like susan sarandon and tim robbins and al and tipper gore and after 40 years, why split now? >> people go through phases. so a couple can be very happy at one point of their married life and then later down the road are not quite as happy. either they grow and change, and sometimes they grow together or apart. or the marriage goes through different phases, and they are feeling a sense of loss. the fact that they are funny people in real life, they are happy people, that always comes through no matter what they are playing. you're rooting for them. >> instead, another hollywood ending that no one saw coming. devito and perlman have three grown children. meanwhile, exact details on the split are scarce and the couple's rep says no further statements will be made. >> that's refreshing. don't have to get dragged through. >> this is a private matter. and up next hot trends on a budget, but first, this is "today" on nbc. today's style is brought to you by dsw. it's where you get those shoes. >> this morning on "today's style," how to wear one trend at any age for under $100. patrice williams is a fashion blogger. her website is called looking fly on a dime. patrice, good morning. >> good morning. >> good to have you. >> thanks. >> all about budgets and still looking good while doing it. these are trends you say any woman, any size can wear. >> any woman, any style, whatever her budget. is your style is never determined by your wallet and we'll show you how to do one trend. >> let's start off with sunny in, her 30s, means she has a little more license to go wild. >> this look is really about being fun and funky, and as you can see she's mixing the prints which is something that a lot of women are afraid to do, but it's so easy,'s especially when there's one color. >> the striped top with the print pants. >> some team are afraid of doing stripes. vertical, lange and lean versus the horizontal wide stripes. >> and a very thin stripe. >> super figure flat sglerg and a that really completes it all. you look great. thanks. let's bring out patty now in her 40s and she's wearing the trend of an animal print cardigan that you're seeing everywhere. a little bit animal print goes a long way. >> it's been everywhere. easy way to make a statement without going overboard and animal print is really a neutral so it looks great with a little black dress which every woman has in her closet and this is a great professional look as well. making a statement again, but without being overboard and not professional. >> by the way, the price of the cardigan. >> lace than $25. >> a cute statement on a budget. >> great piece to have in your wardrobe. let's bring out patty who is in her 50s, and she's wearing two trends. the colors black and white. >> yes. >> but also this print. >> this is june and she's in black and white. a trend within a trend. it's really chic, especially for a woman who doesn't want to do a really colorful print. she also has the red pop of color and all trying to find pieces that are figure-flattering. the ruching is great for figures. has a pop of color so she's not boring at all. >> thank you. looks great and lastly a lady who is representing those laidies in her 60s, hard to believe. lack at her accessories, you look great. >> all about the accessories. if you don't want to go to a head-to-toe look or with the garment, accessories are the easiest and quickest way to update your style. she has floral. the color is much more subdued with the scarf, fall appropriate and has the hounds tooth bag and that scarf is less than 15 bucks. >> tying all the colors together. common, pink, black and white. >> all complement each other so it's not too busy and overwhelming. >> they look great, and all of these, by the way, under $100. >> under $100 for each trend. >> economizes well. big budget tip where you like to shop? >> i like vintage shopping, that takes a lot of patience but even with the major department stores, all about having patience, going in and having fun and you'll find some amazing bargains. >> really kind of knowing yourself, too, right? all of these ladies say they have just gorgeous, you know, sense of style. >> exactly. >> it's about bringing it out. >> knowing your figure and just because something is a trend, do what works for you and your style and your size, of course. >> great job. patrice williams, thank you so much. >> great job to you, ladies. thanks so much for being here. >> you all look amazing proving you can wear any trend, any age. >> any age. >> any size, all right. thanks, ladies. have a great day, everyone. hoda and kathie lee coming up next. bye. take away his toys and he'll play with a stick. take away their bikes and they'll still find a way to get where they're going. but if take you away early childhood education... slash k-12 funding... and cut college aid for middle class families ... they won't go far. yet that's exactly what mitt romney wants to do... ...to pay for a $250,000 tax break for multi-millionaires. if mitt romney wins, the middle class loses. priorities usa action is responsible for the content of this advertising. breaking news at 9:57. right now, amtrak service is suspended between d.c. and delaware. power lines are down. crews are working on it. we don't kno when the tracks will be cleared. here is danella sealock with the traffic. >> if you are traveling across the american legion bridge, slow on the outer loop. delays continue as you head toward the dulles toll road. 395 is sluggish. you are under speed. to the 14th street bridge, 38 miles per hour. that drive is taking 17 minutes. let's get a check of the forecast. >> a little bit of sunshine coming to you at times today. for the most part, clouds are going to be ruling. 54 degrees is where we are right now. we are going up to a high of 60 degrees. then more sun tomorrow. the high 70. 64 by thursday. cooler. the weekend is not bad. mid-60s to mid-70s. >> thank you. coming up, confused by beauty product labels. we'll teach you from nbc news, this is "today." with kathie lee gifford and hoda kotb live from studio 1-a in rockefeller plaza. hello, everybody. it's tuesday. it's a little drizzly one here october 9th in new york city. we're in a bad pattern right now, but that's all right. >> that's life. >> a day is what you make it, hoda woman. how many times have i told you? >> yesterday was a pretty good day for one particular website. remember kath's outfit yesterday? >> form-fitting top. >> i'm sorry. now we really did it up. oh, if i'd known i looked like that --. >> you looked good. >> no, no. no, we don't have to do it again. >> i think we need to. >> it's just -- it's my favorite thing. all right, i see it. >> all right, it was a pair of pants. >> leggings. like you just step into. velvet leggings with a camisole top. >> apparently, the website crashed. >> lysse. it was an accent in french. >> don't try to show off. >> i'm not. if the website crashed because so many people. >> i was trying to send them to another website so it wouldn't crash again. lysse.com. >> i believe, i believe, i believe. >> you're right. >> this morning i wore a different pair that had leather knees. >> matt noticed. >> yes, he did. i saw him noticing. >> some sad news, hoda. danny devito and ria pearlman have separated after 40 years of marriage and 41 years of being together. >> three kids between the ages of 24 and 29. they met quickly and fell in love and got married. >> broadway, doing broadway shows. >> boom, they moved in and got married. it was a long and sounds like beautiful marriage. and then something happened. >> i don't know. they are not saying and they are also saying -- they are not saying the reason and saying there will be no further discussion. which is totally their prerogative. but you know what, every time i hear about it, first of all, i hate it when people break up. i hate it. i hate families breaking up. you hope everybody's done everything they can to keep that as the last final resort. >> sure. you wonder, though, there are marriages that break up late in life after the kids are grown and gone and you wonder if there's a point, you know what, i want to do my own thing now and i've done this for 30 years or 20 years or whatever it is. i wonder by the time your kids are grown and you want something else, i don't know, maybe something terrible happened. >> you can't even guess what goes on in two other people's relationship. i just know, i mean, frank has been so unbelievably supportive of this work i'm doing now in theater. does he love it i'm gone all the time, no. that's what love does. love makes room for the other person's dreams. >> i got to say when we were on saturday listening to carol lee and everybody sing, there was frank, baby, right behind ya. what do you think, frank? i like it. it's good. >> if love doesn't cost you something of your own desires and dreams, i don't think it's love at all. the greeks are very smart. the greeks have three words for love. we have love. i love that flower, love this drink, i love you my darling. >> it's all the same, right. >> there's air of love, hoda knows about. the sexy stuff. erotic love. write this down. then there's philadelphia love, brotherly love, which we all totally believe in. then there's agape love, unconditional love, perfect love, god, the creator, love what he creates. >> love your kids. >> closest is you love your children. what kind do you have for me, hoda? >> one of the first or second ones. all right, so jennifer aniston is engaged. we've known that. >> we're happy for her. >> never seen the rock. well, there was a picture that came out and, wow. >> there it is. >> that's an ice cube. >> that is a honking ring. >> and it's beautiful. i love the oval shape of it. everybody is talking about how big it is, apparently between 8 and 9 karats. we talked about this this morning, that ring is not going to keep them together. that ring is a symbol of a relationship. but if that relationship isn't rock solid, it's not going to matter how big the rock is. >> it is funny, though. when i was engaged that time, there was people that would say can i see your ring and they wanted to see, like, you could tell it was how big it is. >> it wasn't an impressive one, right? >> it was fine. >> that's what you said in the make-up room. >> it's not impressive like that honker, but, you know, it was a really good ring. i don't see, like, i'm not looking at that ring and saying oh, my god. >> that didn't define the relationship. >> right, but i think it is something people say and look at and wonder how big it is. >> they have not announced a date. >> they have not. if you were home last night, a lot of places it was cold and rainy and "the voice" is on. this is the battle rounds, two singers up against each other. they are on the same team and one gets booted and one doesn't. this is also an opportunity the other judges have a chance to steal the other one. this is team blake. >> watch or listen? >> watch. you can see them. this is the steel girls, duo group. they are wearing black. and a blond girl, gracia with them. ♪ >> i like them. >> okay, it was the duo, the steel girls versus gracia. >> now i'm understanding. i got ya. now i don't know what to think. i thought it was a trio and they were darn good. >> if you had to choose, if you had to choose between the two in black versus the blond, the one in white, who would you pick? >> i think the duo. >> okay, blake picked the blond girl by herself. >> blake would. of course, he did. >> the other two didn't get picked up by anybody. >> that's too bad. >> cee lo's team, amanda brown versus trevon hunt. >> now that i understand the premise, let's go on again. ♪ ♪ feels so alive ♪ i'm so thankful that i'm received ♪ ♪ >> that's a hard one. they both have beautiful, beautiful high belt voices. i'll go with the girl. >> the guy won. anyway, but here's the news, though. after it was over, when they first stopped, adam stood up on his chair and said i don't care which one gets booted, i'm going to pick you. >> he took her? >> he ended up taking her. >> so they both won. >> so they both won. i was going to show you what happened, but i just told you. all right. >> anyway, go ahead, hoda. what else is next? >> this is interesting. you can virtually "like" someone on facebook and poke someone on facebook, now this m.i.t. student has developed a virtual jacket to give a hug. >> we have to think this through. >> every time someone likes her facebook page, her jacket you'll see here blows up. she gets an inflated hug. >> vest on herself. >> which the world doesn't need anymore people with inflated senses of self. >> any time someone likes her, she knows it and the jacket gets bigger. >> she's going to look like the tire man soon. >> what do you think? >> she goes to m.i.t., she's probably quite smart. i think it's faddish, doesn't appeal to me. i want hugs from human beings who give me something authentic, not a mercy hug. you watch qvc, it's on all day and night. these two guys try to sell some android, i don't know, some item. just so you watch closely, one of the people faint and watch what happens after. >> what's funnier than that? >> you okay? okay. what it does is it gives us an opportunity for us to be able to offer a piece of electronic equipment that is simple for children to operate, but also mom and dad can operate it as well. >> okay, so just so you know, she fainted and he kept selling the android tablet. >> i thought we were going to come back to him holding her while she was out. those guys are trained. i've been on qvc a gazillion times. they are machines. >> she's fine, by the way, low blood sugar. can you believe he just stared at her. >> are you okay? that's his idea of concern. >> and she started tapping her chest. i thought she was having a heart attack or something, but she wasn't. >> glad she's okay. was there a little piggy that went somewhere? >> there was a piggy that went to market. >> i want to see this. >> so scandalous, there's a huge billboard on time square and someone decided to take a photograph of their pig at like a flat stanley. >> i was expecting something different, but okay. now it looks like shameless schilling, which it probably was. because it is booze day tuesday, we have from "cosmopolitan" magazine drink. >> healthy for you. we have a lot coming up. hulk hogan is in the house, and he's got some explaining to do, lucy. >> he's going to talk about a lot of stuff. and our guys tell all. we got globetrotters around. only on the happy hour of the "today" show when you see it all. 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[ female announcer ] get recipes at flavorboost.com. i'm here to snake the drain. i'm here to flush the pipe. vo: liquid plumr double impact has a long snake that reaches deep in the pipe to grab the toughest clogs, and a powerful gel to finish off the rest. baby. liquid plumr double impact. you can't argue with nutrition you can see. great grains. great grains cereal starts whole and stays whole. see the seam? more processed flakes look nothing like natural grains. i'm eating what i know is better nutrition. mmmm. great grains. search great grains and see for yourself. ♪ it is time for our guys tell all panel. gathered together to answer burning questions about your man. first up, we have the signature hot single guy, ed watts. it's called "scandalous," opening for previews this saturday. >> next, the very funny comedian chuck nice, host of hgtv's "strange homes." there's a new show every time you're on. premiering october 19th. then we have another very funny guy, rick younger, married with a toddler son. he was just in the commercial that ran before this segment. >> he's in every commercial, i'm tired of it. >> soon to host "face true love." >> another show for him? >> yes. last but not least, the divorce, so sad. now single buff. kidding. currently touring with his band ginny and the grimes. >> nbc guy. >> all right, let's go across the street to sarah and hear the first question. >> barbara has a question about her boys. >> hi, our son is 22 years old and is engaged to get married. we're thrilled for him, but we would really like to know if you have any advice for him. >> 22 and engaged. >> wait, wait, wait. 22. >> wait till you're 30. >> happy wife, happy life. >> that's my son's age. that's the last thing in the world i'd want right now, honestly. but we wish him all the best. >> all right, let's go to facebook, shall we? stephanie says what does it mean when a guy says he likes you but doesn't want a relationship. >> he is keeping his options open. >> if you look at that statement, you can say it another way and get the same message, i like you, but not enough to have a relationship with you. >> he's telling you the truth. >> he's leaving his options open. you might get him in the end, but he's interviewing a few more candidates. >> i think he likes you enough to sleep with you but not to have a relationship. >> will a guy sleep with anybody? >> no, not anybody. >> clear it up for us. what pigs you guys are, what dogs. >> who's going to know about it? it's like how cute is the other guy. >> it's like if everybody is not going to know about it, his options get way more open, you know? i think every guy probably has that one or several girls they are like if anybody found out about that one. >> ed? >> i personally wouldn't. i don't know. >> you got standards. >> i do have standards. >> bob doesn't. >> i know. >> all i'm saying is -- >> standards are too high? lower them. >> we all have standards, but i'm telling you, it's based on who will find out we were with you. >> and how many shots we had. >> if we had to carry around a picture everyone we've been with, our standards would be high. but there's a few hidden ones back there. if they get into your closet, big girl coming out. >> let's go to sara. >> okay, i'm with denise from new jersey, she has a question about distance, i'm guessing relationships. >> yes, i have a 23-year-old daughter, she lives in new jersey and her boyfriend lives in florida. do you have any advice how that can work? >> yes, you know, i'll put it to you this way, my ex-wife and i, i was living in l.a. while she was living in new york. we have a wonderful friendship, but it's hard to keep a relationship going. distance is really, really hard. really hard. >> your answer, when he started the statement, my ex-wife and i. >> exactly. >> that pretty much gave you the answer. >> you had a long distance one. >> depends if you start that way. if you start that way, maybe you can transcend that, but if you start that way, i don't see how it can work. >> eventually the space has to close. it's good for awhile, but after awhile -- >> it's about the details. >> do the opposite. stay together when you're dating, get married, then you have a long-distance relationship. >> all right, you better not go home for a few days. >> he's in trouble. >> here's a question from kristen. as a single mother of three, what's the best way to get back in the dating world? a lot of women have this question. >> my natural inclination would say, lose the kids, they are wearing you down. >> they are not added to the resume. >> put them up. >> there are a lot of guys who don't mind the fact women have been in another relationship or divorced and have children, but what you have to do is be honest and don't hide it. then let him know right up front, like, hey, i have kids, they are my priority, i want to get to know you, but you have to understand this is a dynamic relationship. >> you can possibly go out and meet men who may be in a similar situation. maybe they have kids and they are divorced now. something where it's like they don't have the expectation that they are going to be the top priority, because once you have kids -- >> pta meetings. >> don't stalk the soccer game or pta meetings, but keep your options open. >> don't show up at a bar and show pictures of your kids. >> right. >> this is billy, bobby, susie. >> let's go across the street to sara. >> we have another sarah with an "h" with a question about dating. >> hi, guys. so i recent lly moved here from alabama and wonder if you have comments about dating in the city. >> keep talking, keep talking. >> roll tide. >> come across right now. >> excuse me. >> in a big city, though, it is daunting. so what are some good dating tips. >> there's a lot of people out there that's absolutely true. again, the same thing with honesty. you get out there, meet people whether it's bars or friends setting up. sometimes a little tricky. >> iffy. >> i found the best thing, unfortunately, i've had a lot of experience in this, you have to be honest. if you're not honest, you're not going to get what you want. sometimes people walk away. that's fine. >> if you face anything on a false, hoda, you're not going to keep what you get. >> i always think you should get to know the city. it's probably a lot of fun and exciting guys out there. don't jump on the first one you meet, necessarily. there's going to be another exciting guy. >> look at her. >> i didn't mean -- not a literal jump. what am i, a whore? what is your problem. >> great thing about the city, so adventurous, so many things to do here. so many places to go. >> definitely. >> okay, kids, we're going to come back. >> we have more with our guys. and hulk hogan. we should have him join us. he has explaining to do. >> sure does. >> first, these messages. ♪ ♪ i woke up to a feeling ♪ every little thing has meaning ♪ ♪ i woke up to a light bulb on ♪ every little thing is possible now ♪ [ female announcer ] we've added a touch of philadelphia cream cheese to our kraft natural cheese to make it creamier so whatever you make isn't just good, it's amazing. ♪ ...is amazing with the love that i found ♪ ♪ these are sandra's "homemade" yummy, scrumptious bars. hmm? i just wanted you to eat more fiber. chewy, oatie, gooeyness... and fraudulence. i'm in deep, babe. you certainly are. 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[ female announcer ] k-y yours & mine. his excites. hers delights. together feel them ignite. keep life sexy. all right, coming up next, we have hulk hogan in the house, and he's going to be telling us a thing or two, don't you think? >> probably. non-stop action wrestling and a few other things he's actually wrestling with. >> all right. and met our match with the harlem globetrotters. unfortunately, our guys are not coming back, hoda. >> that's all we got. see you in a bit. >> they'll be back some day. who knows when? ♪ wow... 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[ female announcer ] nothing leaves you feeling cleaner and fresher than the cottonelle care routine. try them together. then name it on facebook. we are back on this tuesday with more of "today." and world wrestling icon hulk hogan, the man behind hulk-o-mania. can't keep the hulk down. >> his role as general manager of tna wrestling. the hulk has a lot to contend with, besides other sweaty men. >> that's an understatement. >> first of all, you're an old friend of ours, and we love you, but we have to discuss the elephant in the room. there is a sex tape. >> yes, there is. >> that was out. looks like it was shot -- >> hoda looked at it. >> i had to. tell us when it was shot, when the tape came out, if you had anything to do with it. >> first of all, i had no idea there was a camera in the room. there was a very, very low point. i'm not making excuses, i was accountable, i was the guy, i was there, i made the choice. it was at a really low point in my life when i was in a previous marriage when things were bottomed out completely, and i was with some friends and made a wrong choice and now all of a sudden it surfaces, you know, over six years later. and it's just appalling. it's totally flipped my new life and new role upsidedown. >> you're newly married. >> yes, and you know, it's, for me, i'm going full blown to try to figure out who did this to me and why. >> you don't know yet? >> i have no idea someone put a camera in the room. >> was it a hotel room? >> no, it was a friend's house. there are no excuses. if anybody is accountable for my actions, it's my. i always have been. it was just a bad choice and a low point. >> the only person's opinion that really matters, though, baby, is your wife. is she doing okay? >> my children. >> you're right. how are they doing? >> they are fine. they know me. they understand. they were part of that past life and that situation i was in. they know what i was going through and what was going on in a daily basis. my new wife, jennifer, is rattled to say the least. she's not part of this media life or anything. >> she doesn't deserve this. >> it's something that has devastated me. i've never been through anything on this level. >> just so we're clear, at the time this happened, you weren't married and she wasn't married. >> i hadn't even met jennifer at the time. >> you've had a big, big change in your life spiritually as well since then. >> i had the bottom out. >> past is past, buddy. >> it's true. and i did have to bottom out completely to realize how beautiful life is and this is the only moment, you know, the whole thing. for something like this to come up, for somebody to film something like this, what's the motivation? >> the betrayal of it, too. >> yes. >> obviously, financial incentive for someone, you know? >> wound up on gawker and stuff. i'm sure it will come back when we figure out some more. tell us about, you have a new venture. what is it, what is this new thing you're doing? >> why are we in a ring? >> i've got a couple, and i'm still the general manager of impact wrestling, and we have a huge pay per view this weekend and we're on every thursday at 8:00 p.m., a new time slot on spike, but i'm also a small business owner, which is really something unusual for me. i've never done it before. i opened a little beach shop right where i live. >> tampa area, clear water? >> clear water beach, hogan's beach shop. i'm making the transition from the world's greatest wrestler to the world's greatest beach bum a la surfer. our grand opening is the 27th of october, but it's just amazing how loyal the fans are and h nice people are. opening a little teeny store, it's so small, it's amazing, people are calling from all over the world to come by. >> we know you have some of the best wrestling moves, we're not dressed. >> oh, no! ♪ not another challenge, oh, my god. okay. i'm tapping out. i'm tapping out. >> just had surgery, sara. >> you're worried about me? >> you seem too good looking to attack people like that. >> what do you think of her whole get up? >> i didn't see her coming, i about had a heart attack. >> that was the strategy. i didn't have much of a chance in size. >> thank you for coming to see us. >> the man did not need anymore surprises. >> holy smokes. >> we're going to be right back after this. >> we love you, buddy. >> thank you. >> i didn't hurt you, did i? >> no. have to tell you everything that's in their products. but sc johnson isn't just a company. we're a family who cares about yours. that's why we're working to share all of our ingredients, right down to the fragrances and dyes. so with products like windex, you know what you're bringing into your home. going beyond the industry standard -- that's the family standard. ♪ this reduced sodium soup says it may help lower cholesterol, how does it work? you just have to eat it as part of your heart healthy diet. step 1. eat the soup. all those veggies and beans, that's what may help lower your cholesterol and -- well that's easy [ male announcer ] progresso. you gotta taste this soup. before you go outside. never! it's a new fiber one chewy bar. chocolatey and delicious. mmm. 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[ male announcer ] ask your doctor if chantix is right for you. on today's home tackling those inevitable stains from dirt on the carpets, marker on the walls. >> other stuff. here are a few homemade solutions to get rid of any stains your kids or pets can dish out. mary kate mcgrath, how are you? >> thanks for having me back. we're here to clean, glad you have on your gloves. >> we're not going to help, but we look good. >> it's actually easy to clean up those tough, annoying stains. the kids track in all the dirt from playing outside of the you can't help it. you throw on your gloves. it's simple dish washing solution, a quarter teaspoon of dish washing soap and a little bit of water. >> you want me to do it? >> sure, why not. >> this will be the first. >> vacuum up the dirt. >> tell her not to rub. >> don't rub. blot, blot, blot. >> blot, hoda. >> anything you take away from this, is to blot. pretty good, looking good. >> all right. >> you got to believe in it. >> look how black it's getting. >> the trick here is after you wash it with the dish washing soap, you need to use another wet towel. magic of tv this would disappear normally. >> is that right? >> that's correct. >> i'd buy a new mat. i'd buy another one. >> all right. >> okay. >> the trick off of here is you don't want to leave any water. what happens is more dirt will get sucked into it. that's when you have another stain. >> this one, tomato sauce. >> can any kid have spaghetti and meatballs? >> it's already done. get it all over their clothes. >> scrape with your knife. >> let it dry? >> coagulated. that's coming right off. >> don't even need to wash it, looks good. >> clean, we're done. >> no one will ever know. >> you don't see it. >> it's the same dish washing solution, quarter teaspoon of dish washing soap, little bit of water. say a little bit remains. before you want to throw it in the laundry, a little ammonia will take it out. okay, ammonia also works for the worst stain ever. >> what is that? >> tell me it's chocolate icing. >> it's chocolate. >> looks like bambino to me. >> how would you get rid of that if it were? >> get your knife first, don't you? >> you scrape. >> got to get your knife. >> okay. oh, oh, oh. that's sick, you're sick. >> makes me miss him, the little pooper. >> then you'll do the dish washing soap, blot, blot, blot. don't rub it in. same with the urine. >> same with the urine, you fwlblot that. >> you blot that. >> lingering smell? a little vinegar will take that out. all household things you can reuse. we're very clean today. >> looks real to me. >> okay. >> thank goodness for washable markers. until those little buggers get their hands on a sharpie. the trick is to use a non-cellulous sponge. >> a lot of dish washing liquid today. >> warm water, and it should come right off. >> it should, but in reality, will it? >> a little too much. here we go. coming off, coming off. >> this one came -- the washable one. >> can sara make a fast break? >> this is going to take a while. thank you very much. >> of course. >> find out when she trains with the harlem globetrotters. yes, you heard me correctly. this girl does it all right after this. you feel richer because you get the same phones, same networks for half the cost of a contract plan. and this saturday you can feel even richer. just stop by walmart and take a one-minute demo of our new lg optimus zip. for every demo we'll donate one dollar to make-a-wish with the goal of raising up to a million dollars for children with life-threatening medical conditions. demo the phone at walmart and we'll donate a million. find out more at one-minute-one-million-dot-com. straight talk wireless. available only at walmart. [ sneezes ] [ sniffles ] [ female announcer ] for everything your face has to face. face it with puffs facial tissues. puffs has air-fluffed pillows for 40% more cushiony thickness. face every day with puffs softness. ♪ [ male announcer ] we touch a lot of things throughout the day. so it's nice that clorox disinfecting products help kill the germs that can live on surfaces for up to 48 hours. ♪ feels sweet when i can touch you ♪ i'd like to thank eating right, whole grain, multigrain cheerios! mom, are those my jeans? [ female announcer ] people who choose more whole grain tend to weigh less than those who don't. multigrain cheerios by the armful? by the barrelful? the carful? how about...by the bowlful? campbell's soups give you nutrition, energy, and can help you keep a healthy weight. campbell's. it's amazing what soup can do. all righty, time for sara in the city. this week sara takes a trip up town to shoot hoops. >> the team has won over 24,000 games over the last 87 or so years, but that didn't stop them from inviting ms. sara from coming to practice. >> these guys and girls are amazing. i was so honored to join them at training, but did i make the team? probably not. take a look. founded in 1926, the harlem globetrotters are still famous after all these years. they've played in 120 countries and dazzled over 136 million fans on six continents. how do you top that? ask me to join them at training camp. how long have you been coaching? >> coaching, like, my sixth year. >> but you were on the team too. >> yes, i played for 24 years. >> were you good? >> was i good, is that even a question here, hello, my name is sweet lou, sara. >> hello, sara. you're going to work out with us, you also have to dress like us. you haven't earned a nickname yet. your name is going to be blank, okay? ♪ >> oh, yeah! >> love that one. >> oh, yeah! >> yeah! >> so i just learned a few tricks and now they actually want me to scrimmage. got to brush the dust off the ball a little. wait, i got to get my bangs out. got it? that was so cute, a guy that does a ponytail? love you. oh, i thought you were going to run me over. oh! how did i do today? i thought i made the team. >> well, if you look on the back of your jersey, you don't have a nickname that. so we're working on that. once you get a nickname, maybe you can join the team. >> should i wait by the phone or something? >> wait by the phone, but make sure it's on the charger. >> nice job, ms. sara. >> she was getting some moves there. >> you didn't miss all the air balls, by the way. >> joining us here, harlem globetrotters tnt, raise your hands, big easy lofton. hi, guys. looking fine in pink. >> by the way, congratulations, you were at the barclays center and set another record. how was that, by the way, playing there? >> awesome. we've been around eight, seven years, first time playing in brooklyn. >> you looked good, though. >> thank you, thank you. we were extremely excited to debut our 2013 you write the world tour. it's something we're excited about. the fans have a chance to vote on the rules in the games we play. >> there was 15,000 or so. >> 15,000 fans, that's right, that's right. >> you, the woman amongst them. nobody would say you're a tall individual, right? >> i have to make up for it in other ways. >> feisty and fast. >> why the pink? >> we have a breast cancer awareness initiative that we're starting this season. it's going to extend past october and we're going to be playing with a pink basketball through a portion of 270 games. >> look at big easy. >> i don't have to say much, as long as i look good. >> eye candy. thanks so much. up next, we're putting a new spin on cooking with fall vegetables. first, this is "today" on nbc. >> thank you. great to see you. now in today's kitchen, what's cooking. h why not take advantage of produce why it's still fresh? here to show us new recipes is joel cameron. >> you said that the old school way. it's old school, i like. >> what are we cooking, babe? >> we got sweet potato -- >> you're not french, right? >> i'm not french, i'm jewish. i can pretend. i have sweet potato fritz, like fries. kathie lee, this is all you, big, chunky. i want this the size of my finger. can you do that? >> yes. >> hoda, you're making a flavored salt, can you do that? >> no. yes, i can. >> there's spices in here, bash it like you're upset with kathie lee. harder, go for it. bash it around. there's no science to this. that's beautiful. toss them in. okay. >> what's in here? >> toss it in here. mortar style, old school. >> cave man. >> cave man cuisine art. >> this weighs a ton. >> that goes right in. you got it. there you go. we're going to add some oil. now the one thing about this, guys, you need to cut them chunky or else they are not going to get crispy. >> we like them chunky. >> hoda likes her men that way too. >> i'm in her ball league. >> that's another story. if you don't have a mortar at home -- >> who does? i don't know one person who has one of these, i put a plant in that. >> on top, we're putting them in for about 450 degrees, 25 minutes. don't even think about them. >> smell them burning. >> a little charred is a good thing. we're going to make a dressing with tahini. >> i like tahini. >> what is it in everyone knows? >> hummus, give me some. >> i thought it was an island in the pacific. >> it's made out of sesame seeds. peanut butter but with sesame seeds. we're going to make a dressing. you're whisking, you're pouring. >> do what you know. >> comes in jars like this, you can find it. tahini. go for it. >> what's that? >> water to thin it out. whisk hard. there you go. >> turn it on its side, hoda woman. >> get in there, beautiful. little bit of lemon juice. >> all right. some corriander, cilantro. >> looks like parsley. >> this is the spices. >> i already ground it. >> where are you at? i love it. okay, then we have this topping, warm things coming out. then all we got to do is spoon these over the top when they are hot and they act like sponges and kind of soak it in. >> soak it in. >> amazing, exactly. absolutely. so they soak them up. i got a little mint here. grab it and go confetti with it. >> you're ruining it. >> kidding me? >> do it. >> i'm trying to do something a little bit different. >> here, kath. >> they found the wine, i tried to hide it. >> actually, these are darn good, cameron. >> thank you. >> tell us about it. >> i love palenta. are those the huge garlic things? >> this is tabletop. have it on a plate. super old school to take it, pour it out in front of your guests and dot around it with veg and roast -- what, you don't like it? >> i like them. >> seriously. >> the man is passionate. >> super passionate. >> we love you. >> can i tell you, it's like a toppings bar, but