HODA KOTB: Tell us how the- how the- how did the days unfold? Like what were you doing when you were there? KATHIE LEE GIFFORD: You know, this just- it's just bizarre to watch the news. KATHIE LEE GIFFORD: We- you came down to see me. It was- HODA KOTB: Was it? KATHIE LEE GIFFORD: You came down. HODA KOTB: -gorgeous Florida? KATHIE LEE GIFFORD: I'm sorry. KATHIE LEE GIFFORD: I'm close behind them and- HODA KOTB: But how was it? How was- KATHIE LEE GIFFORD: It was awesome. My mother's going to be eighty-five- just turned eighty-five. KATHIE LEE GIFFORD: But you know what? Frank's going to be eighty-five this year. KATHIE LEE GIFFORD: You know, so I tried, I tried. KATHIE LEE GIFFORD: They said well, you'll be on the show while you're down there. KATHIE LEE GIFFORD: So anyway- HODA KOTB: Which explains why we didn't do it. KATHIE LEE GIFFORD: Imagine the ratings? HODA KOTB: Terrible. KATHIE LEE GIFFORD: You and I in South Beach in our- in our thongs. KATHIE LEE GIFFORD: -let's do the show from Miami. KATHIE LEE GIFFORD: So I- we said- I said to the producers, whom we love, they shall remain nameless, Joanne LaMarca and Tammy- HODA KOTB: Yeah. KATHIE LEE GIFFORD: And then all of a sudden, I realized I was old and- and old people go to Florida in the- in the wintertime. KATHIE LEE GIFFORD: I never took anybody up on it. KATHIE LEE GIFFORD: Years ago, I got in my contract that I- we could do the show either from California or Florida in the wintertime. What were you doing? KATHIE LEE GIFFORD: I was- HODA KOTB: It wasn’t cosmetic surgery. HODA KOTB: Why don’t you just give it up. HODA KOTB: -just because you were missing the sunshine? KATHIE LEE GIFFORD: Well, you kept telling everybody I was on vacation, Hoda. HODA KOTB: But you look what has happened- KATHIE LEE GIFFORD: Yes. What's happening? Something weird is happening. HODA KOTB: Get in here! KATHIE LEE GIFFORD: Hoda woman! HODA KOTB: Get in! KATHIE LEE GIFFORD: Hi, everybody.
And Margie Hastings (ph), I'm about to tell you what was really going on.” Gifford enters the studio, gives Kotb a long hug, and joins Kotb at the anchor table: “HODA KOTB: Get in here! KATHIE LEE GIFFORD: Thank you for asking. And as for you, Laurie Weigel (ph), I was not having cosmetic surgery. And don't you worry, Marianne Ledowdy (ph), I'm just fine. I'm back and I want to thank you for missing me Cathy Gorman (ph). Gifford, wearing a straw hat for sun protection, walks down a hallway in-studio and says “ You were expecting Barry Manilow? No, it's me. STILL: Kathie Lee singing the National Anthem at the Super Bowl. STILL: Kathie Lee Gifford and her dog Bambino on a boat in Florida. Event Date(s): | Event Location(s): Today New York Studio | Description: STILL: Frank Gifford on a dock in Florida at sunset.