Meredith Vieira Makes ‘Today’ Debut

(September 13, 2006) — Meredith Vieira made her debut on ?Today? this morning, and as soon as her first broadcast was over, she gave just one interview?to Access Hollywood.

?I can?t believe it!?, she said, just minutes after stepping off the set. ?After so many months of anticipating and being really, really nervous. Especially in the last couple of weeks when I realized there’s sort of no turning back. The minute I got out there, I copped to my nervousness, but I also realized this is really, really cool.?

After hearing her introduction read by ?Today Show? announcer for the very first time, Meredith told her co-host, Matt Lauer, ?I feel like it?s the first day of school and I?m sitting next to the cutest guy in the class!?

As a reward for the compliment, Matt had the control room replay Meredith?s introduction. ?You like the way that sounds?? he asked.

?I do,? she said, ?But it?s still Matt Lauer and Meredith.?

?That?s not going to change until you bump me off,? joked Lauer.

And with that, they were off and running.

But things weren?t totally bump free. Vieira flubbed a toss to commercial and missed a cue.

?At one point we came back and there was a voice over so you couldn?t see me and [Matt] kept bumping me because I was supposed to be reading it and I thought it was his. I knew at that point he definitely had my back!?

As for any pre-show nerves, Meredith?s husband, Richard and children, Lily, Ben, and Gabe, settled those last night with a Chinese take-out dinner and a special gift ? a bracelet inscribed with the words ?We are with you?.

Copyright © 2024 by NBC Universal, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

This material may not be republished, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Read More

Robert Pattinson & Suki Waterhouse Engaged