captions paid for by nbc-universal television it is try day friday, december 2, 2011. we are so glad you're here with us. a nice day in new york. >> we are in the festive holiday spirit, aren't we? >> we went to a party last night. >> we whooped it up is what we are saying. there is a restaurant that is really cool called peba. it's downtown.

it's 18th and park. it is the abc carpets and antiques that is a main stay down there i love that place. >> we should tell people what this was. this was a party for our advertisers and people who work with us in that department. the man whose leg kathie lee is grabbing is john kelly. he is in charge of advertising. look what she is doing to him in front of all the people. >> as long as my legs look good, doesn't matter what you're holding on to. >> this is our motley crew. you can tell there are folks from advertising there, tammy, christine, sara and joanne. on the end is meghan. let's talk about meghan. >> she is amazing. she puts everything together. works like a doggy. we are crazy about meghan. >> we gave away our favorite things. we are going to give three lucky people at home a gift bag of our favorite things. we'll tell you what they are

later in the chat. >> well, well, well, what you started yesterday. something that will not be in your personal gift bag. it's your brookestone personal massager. >> they have a catalog and in it they have a massager and they don't tell you what it's for. >> i know what it's for. >> this is what they look like. ♪ i did it my way that's what it is. >> if you look in the catalog, it gives a description -- >> we are not going to read that again, are we? >> they say -- that's not for that. is it? >> i think anything you want for whatever hurts. you know? i have a bad back and a bad neck. i can see that that could be helpful. >> we were wondering when we talked about the product on the air what they would think about us discussing it. they liked it.

>> they sold a trillion of them. >> you can use your imagination. sorry. >> sick. you're sick. >> anyway, just put it over here. >> i don't want it. i've got my own anyway. >> of course you do. >> wrap that baby up. >> there is a whole new trend. the world is changing around us. you are embracing these things. i am not. >> she is fighting them. when a man proposes, it's one of those great moments, you get the engagement ring, people ask you about it, you show it, it's fun, fun, fun. everybody knows the girl is engaged, nobody knows the man is engaged. there is a trend where they want man engagement rings. mangagement rings. so that they wear a rick, too. the idea is partly because you know that she's taken, we should

know that he's taken, too. so there. >> it also has another use, which is if you want to be the leader or the aggressor in the relationship, if you want to ask a man to marry you, you give him an engagement ring. i don't know many men who would go for that. i don't know. maybe i'm wrong. >> i'm not into that. i'm just not. some people say it's old fashioned, but i think you want -- >> some things are nice that are old fashioned. we are going to throw everything away, stuff that works? you know? >> here is the thing. men are getting so feminine. >> emasculated. >> yeah, they are. >> we had this discussion today. >> we talked about men getting manicures and pedicures. do you guys ever get a manicure, pedicure? raise your hand. >> walter? >> walter? >> come over here. >> walter? no, i want to see your hands. you better not be lying to me. >> no, no, no.

>> look at walter. >> when i travel i get a manicure and pedicure. >> and pedicures. what else do you get? >> that's it. >> you sure? >> walter. >> walter? >> you can't escape, walter. >> why when you go away? >> so i have clean fingers, clean know nails. >> for whom? >> the wife. we go to beach and hang out. >> he says he likes to do it when he is going out of town. >> vacation. but his wife lives with him at home. you've got to think this thing through, walter. >> every time i travel, i get them. >> if he is not a real man, who is? >> he feels secure enough to get a manicure and pedicure. how about a brazilian? >> no. >> oh, god. >> he stops at that. everybody has their comfort zone. >> i don't like the idea of a man saying to me, i'll be back, i need to get a pedicure. i lose that loving feeling. >> what if his toe nails are like howard hughes. >> there is a difference between trimming them.

no one likes skanky feet. >> i shouldn't say this. >> then don't. >> no. i'm sorry. my husband is one of the most gorgeous human beings god ever put on the planet. just is. he's hot, hot, hot, and still is at 81. he'll be the first one to tell you his feet have been through the mill. i'm not talking about the second wife. i'm talking about his feet playing football and losing his toe nails to cleats. you know what they used to do on the football field? they would rip your toenails off and make you keep on playing. oh, yeah. there he is. so frank always said he gets a pedicure, but they need the jackhammer. poor baby. i fell in love with him anyway. i have a huge thing about hands and feet. >> people get nervous being around kathie. people show up like this. they don't want to show their bad hands.

>> i'm not that shallow. >> yes, you are. i put band-aids on when you're around. not today because they are done. >> we'll show you beautiful new opi. let's do it. >> these are our favorite things we had at our party last night. >> we are drinking one of them. >> it's called cultivate. >> everyone was enjoying it very much. philanthropic company. they give 10% of their profits all year around. >> the folks were trying to come last year and got stuck in a snowstorm. they brought that active wear. >> and the jog bra. >> look we are flashing our spanx. >> because we are proud. >> i wanted people to smell my arms. >> that is weird, i have to say. >> i like this fresh. it smells like that fresh lemon sugar body thing. >> not at the beginning it didn't. >> i piled it on. i love the fresh stuff. you love that laura mercier stuff.

>> she has a beautiful primer for foundation which works beautifully. also beautiful palette -- don't do it. eye shadows. i was naughty last night. >> we are not going to repeat. >> it was naughty, even by my standards. >> it was. >> then opi, which we love. my color which is san tantonio. the other is getting miss piggy with it. then this gorgeous jewelry by lia sophia. look at this bracelet. i wore this last night and i loved it. >> they had the bracelet. >> here is what we are doing for you at home. >> cupcakes baked by melissa. >> she is the only one that wasn't drunk last night.

because she's pregnant. >> these are so bite-sized delicious. they taste like reese's cups and h-hos, everything you love. we are giving away three of these bags. >> go on our facebook page. >> let's go to our girl bobbie thomas. >> hey, girl. how are you, beautiful? >> i'm so excited it's the holidays. this is my favorite time of year. i get to share fun gifts. i have fun ones today. this company i was so obsessed with, pillowmob.com. for $25 you can buy a pillow with your face on it. it looks like i sneezed. then there is bobbie like a victoria's secret model. >> i ordered bambino and hanna. they didn't get here yet. they make even with baby heads. the best part, 25 bucks, shipping included worldwide.

>> sara looks hysterical. i look like someone hit me in the back of the head with a 2 x 4. >> you're going to love this this next idea. >> the next idea, lisa hoffman, such a cool idea. these bracelets come -- >> the hand is back. >> come with little charles. the coolest part is that the charms hold the fragrance. inside this, if somebody is allergic to jewelry -- there goes the minute. if you can't wear the set, you can put the wooden infused balls on the bracelet so you have the jewelry. smell it. it's cool. >> who wouldn't love that? >> it's $65. you wear your jewelry. if you're one of lady gaga's 45 million fans on facebook, she collaborated with barney's to create these christmas stuff, chocolate skulls. snow globes. >> nothing says christmas like chocolate skulls. we love you, bobbie.

>> we want to give a big congratulations to lindsey. she had a baby boy. >> cole earnest grubb was born two weeks ago. we did not mention it because she waited to give him a name. congratulations. she never looked pregnant. she is a stick. she looked like she had a bagel. some things in life are not fair, but we are glad she had a beautiful baby. >> coming up next, our big ambush makeovers because it's friday. >> the latest on everything. >> no time for friday funny. that's too sad. >> that's all right. i'm fine. mon y journey across , i've learned that when you ask someone in texas if they want "big" savings on car insurance, it's a bit like asking if they want a big hat... ...'scuse me... ...or a big steak... ...or big hair...

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we are back with today's plaza ambush makeovers where we pluck two lucky ladies out of the crowd. we haven't had an unhappy customer yet. >> except for that one. >> one lady needed a psychiatrist afterwards.

>> our today contributor and stylist to the stars, luis lacari. la la la la la. >> and "us weekly" contributor and author and pin-up girl -- yes, we spotted jill on the beach. >> whoa, jill. >> snap-snap. she is known as the babe around here. >> they were waiting for a pris hilton. i think she was staying at the hotel. there were like ten cameras there. >> you look fabulous and we are just jealous. barbara mccormick, 42 years old from carson, virginia. her 13-year-old daughter is constantly begging her to change her hair. they were thrilled when we saw them on the plaza and picked them. let's take a listen. >> no make-up and she hasn't cut her hair in 19 years.

what do you think about this? >> i think we need a makeover. >> are you excited for this? >> yes. >> tell me why. >> we really haven't done anything for myself in a long time. this will be fun. >> you know who is the most excited? >> i'm most excited because she wears those pants all the time and she wears those hoodies all the time. it looks really bad. she doesn't wear any make-up either. >> here we go. we are going to change all that. are you ready to go? >> yes. >> hi five, dylan. >> dylan is ready and so is the rest of the gang. they have their blind folds on except dylan. he's okay. keep the blind folds on until i give you the green light. here is barbara mccormick before. let's see the new you.

>> oh, my gosh! you ready? >> oh, my god! >> it's short, it's sassy. it's you. >> you look really great. that is a sexy haircut. >> lena did the haircut. barbara knew her hair was too long so she did keep the front cut shorter. what lena did was blended the back with the front. >> it's darling. >> it's a great haircut. i softened the colors which were too frosted on the ends and she looks fantastic. >> what a great holiday outfit. >> she wears sweats all the time. great sweater with cashmere in it. you can wear it with jeans. >> i love that. >> the skirt from macy's and a basic black tank.

>> do you like it? >> i love it. >> i love it. >> a big round of applause for barbara. you can join your family. >> our second lady is christy adam, 28 from pittsburgh, pennsylvania. she had no time to focus on herself since her daughter was born a year ago. she was excited at the chance to be pampered for a few hours. >> even though i'm a giants fan, we still picked christine. why do you want this for your wife? >> she deserves it. she is a great mom and great wife and she deserves everything. >> are you ready for a whole new look? >> absolutely. it's been long overdue, probably. >> she is here with her husband chris. jill has a picture of their little daughter. she is precious. let's take one last look at christy before and bring out the new christy. >> oh, she knows it. >> hold on. stop the presses. all right, chris, take them off.

>> chris likey what he sees. >> turn around christy. >> oh, my gosh. >> working it girl. >> and liking it. >> we scored. >> wow, what a difference. >> she is beautiful before. >> yes. a beautiful girl. she just wanted to have a little more glamour, a little more sophistication. she was beautiful before. more beautiful now. i slightly changed the hue of her color. toned up the make-up to go with the new hair color. lena made her haircut a little bit longer to give it more movement. she looks younger. yet sophisticated. great combination. >> she's 28. come on. >> that dress is sexy.

that's a hot dress. >> adrianna arpel. >> we love her. >> it was the first dress we put on. and simply vera wang at kohl's. >> what do you think, chris? >> i love it. she looks amazing. >> way to go. up next, sarah has a crowd full of questions. we are ready to take them on. we'll be right back. we know a place where tossing and turning have given way to sleeping. where sleepless nights yield to restful sleep. and lunesta can help you get there, like it has for so many people before. when taking lunesta, don't drive or operate machinery until you feel fully awake. walking, eating, driving, or engaging in other activities while asleep, without remembering it the next day, have been reported. abnormal behaviors may include aggressiveness, agitation, hallucinations or confusion. in depressed patients, worsening of depression,

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we are back with three, two, one, live with sara haines. sara has a crowd with questions over at the nbc experience store across the street. >> we have a great holiday crowd. >> first up we have missy from texas with a question about bucket lists. >> you both already accomplished so much, but what is the one thing that you all still have left on your list to do? >> what do i still have on my list to do? i was married. that wasn't great.

>> that again? >> that's what she says. >> i don't know. i don't know. we only have 1:30. i don't know. go. >> i do know. i want to bring "saving aimee" to broadway, and i want to make "under the bridge" my first musical into a film and shoot it in paris. is that too much to ask for? >> we like it. andy from michigan has a question for you guys. >> turning 40 today. i know. thank you. my girlfriend and i are in town for the weekend to celebrate. we are wondering what you did to celebrate the new decade. >> i thought you meant when we turned 40. when i turned 40, i had just given birth to my daughter cassidy. unlike lindsey grubb who had the first child and popped her out in 20 seconds, i was recuperating, thank you very much. >> 40 wasn't so monumental to me, i thought. i'm 47. i've come to enjoy my 40s so much. >> you won't like 50. >> your best decade is starting

right now. i'm telling you right now. >> it is. enjoy every minute because before you know it, it's over. everything you had before is someplace else. half the time you can't remember where it is. >> any hoo, happy birthday. we'll be back with party food. >> sara hits the streets.

we are back on this try day friday with our resident guy's guy, donny deutsch-man. >> it's not your turn yet. >> sit back and relax. >> he already insulted us so he is sort of in the dog house. >> i'm not going to answer questions. i'm like a human pinata. just go. >> you love every minute. >> i'm a stay at home mom of four. my hubby works out of the town all the week, do all the running for the kids, cook, clean, he comes home and acts like he's on vacation.

when do i get a break? >> there is a lot of tension there. >> the simple thing is you have to educate him. say, i know you're working all week, i want to explain to you what my week was. not in a nagging way. we both work and have a contract on what goes down on the weekend. who gets their four hours alone time. who's with the kids. some guys are not thinking. >> the word you used, educated. nobody likes to be "educated." >> i mean that. you have to teach him. he probably does not know what's going on. >> maybe he doesn't care. >> he better care or he is going to have problems. >> lisa wrote in, why do i have to direct my husband when it comes to being romantic. for once i would love for him to be romantic without me telling him, let alone bringing it up. >> it's a woman saying you never bring me flowers then he brings you flowers, you don't want the flowers. >> here is the reality. some guys have a sensitive humor. if somebody is not romantic, you have to say this is important to

me. once every two months i like flowers. we like sometimes to be told when we are not getting it done right. >> maybe he wasn't romantic when they met. he is not going to change. >> right. if you have certain needs, say, this is important to me. >> when i ask for something and i get it, i don't enjoy it. >> it's not as good, but it's as good as it's going to get. >> next question from jennifer, do i have to spell out what i want for christmas? >> yes! >> i left several hints. >> this is the theme. i want to be told what they want. i don't want to guess. what will make you happy? tell me what you want. why does it have to be this guessing game? i'll tell a woman what i want for christmas. >> what do you want? >> i want love. >> you're looking at all the wrong places. >> what is wrong with your voice? >> i don't know. when i get nervous or feel put upon. >> tiffany is asking, is it okay

to start out a relationship as friends with benefits? >> you know, i think it's great to start out a relationship as friends. once it's friends with benefits, maybe i'm old school, you're in a relationship. i don't get that. the definition of friends is people with opposite sex, no romance, no sex. once the benefits are in there you're already in a relationship. you're letting the guy get away oh, we're just friends with benefits. no relationship, no benefits. it's that simple. >> he's the one with the benefits. >> why is it so hard for a husband to defend his wife against his mother, especially when the wife is right? >> we had things like this before. if you're with a man that cannot understand that at this point his wife comes first, you are not with a man. it's that simple. >> i love hearing that. >> when i get tough, you like that. >> so does hold hodi. >> we like it a lot. >> when i hear these grown men with their mothers, that is the most unmasculine thing to do.

you can love your mother. i have the greatest mom in the world, hi, fran down in boca. >> fran in boca? >> mommy. >> i'd like to call you mommy. >> wow. >> now it's getting weird again. >> let's go back to sara. >> peggy asks, is it really -- >> i'm sorry. i came in good will. >> is it possible for a happily married man to avoid advances from another woman, including suggestive pictures of herself or is my husband lying? >> the answer is yes, you can avoid it. in this day and age, women are more forward. >> so aggressive. >> i like to use the word forward. >> no. it is aggressive. >> this will be the last installment of "the other view." women are incredibly forward. if you're not open for business, you're not open for business. if you're getting them, you're sending a signal it's okay. don't let him play, i'm mr. innocent. >> we are only responsible for what we say and we do.

we can't control what the world does around us. >> if there is a picture coming in, it's a picture going out. >> guys, can we take a vote. do you think this has been fair today as far as the abuse? >> i think it's fair. >> i'm kind, i like to share, i like to help, i get punished and abused. i like it. >> you can make it up to us in shoes. >> anyway, sara is going to drink her way through new york. >> the best hot chocolate. if you call that drinking. right after this. ♪ have a better day [ male announcer ] only subway has a deal this flat-out delicious -- the $3 flatbread breakfast combo. a toasty flatbread breakfast sandwich and a 16-ounce cup of seattle's best coffee or 21-ounce fountain drink. all for only $3. [ male announcer ] start with a breakfast at subway that can't be beat. like the protein-powerhouse steak, bacon, egg & cheese. mwah!! [ male announcer ] tackle a fresh toasted subway steak melt today. rush in and get your flavor on.

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it is time for sara in the city. sara haines sets out to experience all the metropolis has to offer. >> we hope she was thirsty she had to toss back a few. >> a few hot chocolates. when the temperatures drop, what is better than snuggling up with a big mug of cocoa? >> i'll tell you. >> i hit the streets to find the creme of the cup.

my first stop was to city bakery. heart of union square and known especially for its endless vat of hot chocolate. maury ruben is the founder, baker and hot chocolate maker at city bakery. you guys have a festival in february with all kinds of different hot chocolate flavors. are those top secret? >> it's very secret. >> if i said you shouldn't put blank in hot chocolate. >> mashed potatoes. meet the hot chocolate. it's rich, thick, it's unctious. >> the final touch, a homemade marshmallow. perfect. >> ready? here we go. >> oh, yum. >> voila. >> oh, my gosh, that is amazing. >> i floated on to the chocolate bar for toasty treats.

>> we take bittersweet belgian chocolate and pour it into milk and steam it with a steam wand and that is that. >> i was steamed to sample the autumn spice variety. that one is delicious. it truly tastes like thanksgiving in a cup. delicious. >> thank you. >> right now i'm at serendipity. they have a slightly different take on what we are trying today. it's frozen. you get funny looks. i don't understand. >> what is it, is it hot chocolate? do you take hot chocolate and freeze it? >> i poured and mixed and before i knew it, it was time for a taste test. >> whoa. >> this is called a byos, bring your own straw. >> it was good. >> delicious. >> scale of 1 to 10? >> 10. >> i ventured back downtown to max brenner restaurant.

i'm in a hot chocolate mood. i think i'll take one of the spicy hot chocolates. i think i'll also try one with crunchy things in it. even the mug -- >> this is the hug mug. >> kept me warm. i think i have to hug it out with the choco cup. when i arrived at our final location jacques torres, i was swept off my feet. >> bonjour. >> at jacques' house, it's not just about making the perfect hot chocolate, it's about enjoying the ride. what do you say in france? >> chin-chin or something. what do you think? you want a little bit of rum inside? >> this is so romantic. >> i just fell in love. >> that's it. yes!

come on, guys. hot chocolate on the house! >> if kathie lee and hoda come down here, would you put a little rum in their drinks? >> i will put a lot of rum and i will have a party with them. the best hot chocolate, salte! >> i love that. >> to his health again. >> he is a big fan. >> not going to happen. very, very nice. he's adorable. what a sweet personality. >> coming up next, we'll take you into our kitchen to make mini appetizers. good morning. i'm meteorologist crystal yager with the weather channel. first weekend of december. let's go through the forecast and the changes we expect. but not until next week, at least for new york city. we're going to be dry through

your saturday and sunday, all the way down into the tip of florida. it's the middle of the country, back into the southwest. tracking a winter storm. we have snow and rain and even this red freezing rain and isles in the trail plains. 49 in chicago ahead of this. notice where all the cold air is. that blue wedge separating the mild air east of the mississippi. on sunday, rain showers impacting the ohio valley all the way down to texas. thunderstorms as well. still quiet on the east coast and another cold front pushing snow back into the rockies. sunday, a lot of football to watch this weekend, so you probably don't find the temperatures. 28 in denver, 24 in billing. the mildest air will be in the southeast. 75 in new orleans, 78 in orlando. 50s across the northeast over the weekend. the rain pushes to the east and

gets closer into the northeast on monday. so expect the rain to move into new york city and d.c. by tuesday. quieting down elsewhere all the way to the west coast. and finally seeing the winds relax, as well. on wednesday, the rain still per sis temperatunt. we start to clear out on thursday. thursday pretty quiet here across the entire country. still stuck at 34 in denver and snow showers across the northern plains. tune in every weekday morning for your latest forecast on "wake up with al" at 6:00 a.m. ha g we know a place where tossing and turning have given way to sleeping. where sleepless nights yield to restful sleep. and lunesta can help you get there, like it has for so many people before. when taking lunesta, don't drive or operate machinery

until you feel fully awake. walking, eating, driving, or engaging in other activities while asleep, without remembering it the next day, have been reported. abnormal behaviors may include aggressiveness, agitation, hallucinations or confusion. in depressed patients, worsening of depression, including risk of suicide, may occur. alcohol may increase these risks. allergic reactions, such as tongue or throat swelling, occur rarely and may be fatal. side effects may include unpleasant taste, headache, dizziness and morning drowsiness. ask your doctor if lunesta is right for you. then get lunesta for $0 at lunesta.com. there's a land of restful sleep. we can help you go there on the wings of lunesta.

it's time to take you into today's holiday kitchen. we are going to let linnea show

you about our russian appetizer. >> she is adorable. >> thank you. you're adorable, too. >> what are you making? >> first off, these are simple and trendy ideas on things you can do for holiday parties. we'll start with chips and dip. this is super easy. the secret is in the sauce. we know that. this is spicy chutney. you mix it equal parts with creme fraiche, which is like the french version of sour cream. take potato chips and do salmon, i've got chopped up salmon here. or chicken, whatever you want to do on there. put a little chip like that. >> get a flat chip. >> you get the idea. >> you can do it with a little piece of beef? >> yes.

whatever you want. >> i'm intimidated with this set-up in the donut section because these look fright ful. >> this is one of my favorite things. boozy donuts. are you ready for boozy donuts. >> why do people think of us? it's sad. >> you're getting this if you're coming to a holiday party at my house. this is cream and coffee liquer. you mix them together and fill your syringe. >> where do you get that? >> at your dentist. >> this is a turkey briner. >> is that what they call it? >> this is a regular store bought donut. >> it's in there already. >> this is full. excuse me. >> take a little in there. just take a little bit in each.

>> do it on the bottom there. don't go too crazy. >> no, this is bad. that's why you're the celebrity chef and we are not. >> i have some ready ones. >> that was delicious. let's eat. >> now what? >> when you're done. >> we're not done? >> once you fill them up, dip them in water and sugar, put them on a sheet pan and pop them in the oven on broil, just like that. cook them up. they get like a creme brulee glaze on it. it's like a white russian donut, right? >> that is really good. >> over here, here are sikouskis.

they are like little tapas, traditional from russia. they were really served in the 18th century. i think it's time to bring these back. the cool thing is two things. one, they are like little plates, but they are served in a prescribed order. whatever order the host puts it out, that's the way you eat it. set it out, you don't have to be stuck in the kitchen. >> that makes no sense, if somebody is on that side they get the eggs and will knock everything over. >> this is a mingle party. not sitting down. then each little plate is matched with a sipper cocktail. >> now we are talking. >> are we going to eat any of that? these little devilled eggs. >> i was going to teach you these cocktails. >> i don't think we have time. >> just try it. they are strong. sipper vodka cocktails. >> it gets very cold in russia.

>> thank you so much. >> you're a sweetheart, thank you for putting up with us. >> we'll be back with more of "today" on nbc.

nearly 200 charities representing 3 million kids living in difficult situations are on our toy drive list this last season. that's the longest list we ever had. >> so far thanks to wonderful donors, we've been able to distribute $14 million in gifts for those children. one of the partner companies this year is tony. jamie is here. you came with gifts. >> tiny tim is a great tv show for preschool kids, teaches social and emotional development and helps kids get ready for school and is a lot of fun. >> this is for young boys, i would guess, right? >> there are some girl characters, but trains is mostly a boy toy. >> there is magic about a train,

there just is. how many of those are you donating? >> over $150,000 of product this year. >> you guys do a lot of philanthropic work, it's not just during this time of the year. >> around the world we probably do over $1 million of giving. we do things with the american red cross, kids in distressed situation. this has become an annual thing for us. we've done this since the late '90s and becoming one of my favorite things. >> a lot of people this year seem to need it. >> we just heard the unemployment rate went down. we are happy to hear about that. >> i think it will come back around, right? in the meantime, there are a lot of kids out there. they don't have everything. they all have imaginations and we can help them fulfill their dream with toys. >> jamie, thank you so much. >> everyone at tomy, a big thank you. if you want to make donations, check our website for details. >> we also forget the teenagers. they need a christmas, too. next week our holiday gift guide begins.

daniel baldwin, melissa gilbert and ten secrets of the happy woman personified by hoda. >> you, too. >> have an awesome weekend. -- captions by vitac -- www.vitac.com >> announcer: it's "the tonight featuring rickey minor the music of fitz and the captions paid for by