NBC’s Today Show has been the go-to for all things morning news for more than 6 decades (the show first aired in 1952). For the first time ever, NBC’s final hour of its four-hour Today Show stepped out of its Rockefeller Center studios to broadcast LIVE from Montreal. More than 1,000 people were in attendance for the live taping. Tourism Montreal spearheaded this initiative and it has been estimated that NBC's visit to Montreal was worth more than 13 million dollars in media value.
Two shows showcased Montreal with one of them being LIVE. I was privileged to work on two stories with the gang at the Today Show: choreographer Debra Brown and a piece on Just For Laughs. What a memorable morning!
In addition to showcasing Debra Brown and Just For Laughs, celebrity chef Chuck Hughes prepared drinks for Kathie Lee and Hoda (these ladies do love their cocktails), and the Barenaked Ladies and Cirque du Soleil performed for Kathie Lee, Hoda and the crowd.
Kathie Lee and Hoda's big entrance: A horse-drawn carriage (wasn't the biggest fan of this - it was hot outside) and a Montreal Police officer.
A few seconds into Thursday's live broadcast. You could see the excitment on both Kathie Lee's and Hoda's faces. There is no doubt they were happy to be in Montreal.
Debra Brown kicked off the show by adding some moves to iHoda's playlist, a weekly segment where Hoda surprises Kathie Lee with a song.
Debra Brown, Emmy winning choreographer of 11 Cirque du Soleil shows and has also worked with such international superstars including: Aerosmith, Celine Dion, Madonna and Shakira.
Debra brought some help to get the crowd going. Jeff Mortensen was a finalist on So You Think You Can Dance Canada and is now currently working on Snow White with Julia Roberts.
Debra with agent extraordinaire Barry Garber.
Fans couldn't get enough of Kathie Lee and Hoda. The pair signed autographs and posed for pictures with the crowd during commercial breaks.
Jeff, Debra and myself pose for a photo.
Kathie Lee and Hoda take a few seconds to pose for a photo with me.
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