Kathie Lee Gifford to "Today" (The TV Zone)

We have news that may thrill you, or chill you, but in TV terms, this is a biggie:

Kathie Lee Gifford - and I think it's fair to say we all know who SHE is - is expected to join "The Today Show," as anchor of its fourth hour, which premiered last fall to poor reviews (mine) and so far flagging ratings.

The news is being reported by a Florida-based subscription website for the news industry, FTV, which suggests that an announcement will come in two weeks. An NBC source tells me - let me add, a RELIABLE and smart NBC source - that the report is true, and that Gifford is set to join.

Meanwhile, here's the FTV post:

"Several high ranking NBC insiders tell FTVLive that the Peacock is about to name Kathie Lee Gifford as a new host of the Today Show.

"'Gifford will work on the 4th hour of Today,' said our NBC source.

"If you are going to hire Gifford it makes sense to put her on the 4th hour of Today. Gifford is definitely going to 'skew older females' when it comes to ratings. The four hour is geared toward the stay at home women.

"Gifford rose to fame in 1988 when 'Live with Regis and Kathie Lee' went national. She spent years hosting the morning talk show and talking about her kids, Cody and Cassidy. Since Cody is now 18 years old, we're guessing we won't hear as much about him on Today (Thank God!)."

Hard to believe but it's been nearly eight years since KLG lost her bully pulpit ("Live!); her last day was July 28, '00, and during that last frenetic farewell broadcast, Reeg said: This "was the most relentless, exhausting farewell in the history of TV." She also told him she wanted to return some day (she did a few years later, for a reunion). "I hope there will be an opportunity to come back" as co-host, she said. "To think I couldn't come back would break my heart more than leaving."

During that show, Reeg or someone also asked her about the relentless tabloid coverage, which (supposedly) hastened her departure after 15 years on "Live!" Those reports, she said, "always come from a miserable heart; I can only feel sorry for a miserable heart." (Actually, those reports came from a truthful heart, but maybe miserable too.)

Anyway, I personally am thrilled KLG is coming back. Without Ro around, it's all become so bland and tired. Yes, of course, Reeg is still great, and sure - I love Babs Walters. But the dear girl isn't on all the time, and when she's not (even when she is) "The View" is so dreadfully polite. What we're missing are some good, honest-to-goodness backstage brawls - the sort of stuff that leaks to the tabs (which always dutifully ended their stories with the line, "a spokeswoman for Ms. O'Donnell, however, denied that chairs were thrown..." )

What I'm really saying here: We need KLG back. We need to read (and write) about the diva behavior, about the dressing room tantrums. We need to hear about Kathie Lee and Al Roker getting into a brawl on the sixth floor (while Jeff Zucker is looking on!)

TV news, or "faux" news, as the fourth hour is, should be a contact sport. And no one hits harder than KLG. (By the way, please read Mr. Borno's comment below: It's one of my all-time favorites and to which I respond: You are correct, sir! My life is, sadly, empty and I desperately DO need a hobby. But, really, there's nothing better than a good, solid catfight between two people who make a total of $20 million per year. Now THAT's entertainment. )

I, for one, couldn't be happier.

Oh, yes, by the way: I've calls out to all the usual suspects (publicists, handlers, and so forth.) You'll get the official statement here first, as soon as I do.

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Kathie Lee Gifford to "Today"

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