“Welcome back to another hour of Today,” announced the newest (if only for a day) Today show anchor. “I’m Laura Bush and I’ll be your guest host today.” That’s how the first lady of the United States opened the 9am hour of the nation’s leading morning program. “There’s something you don’t hear everyday…and that would make me your co-host,” said Matt Lauer.
The hour began with Mrs. Bush, sitting between Ann Curry and Lauer being shown videotape of her husband in New Orleans last night, in a lighter moment, dancing. “I think he’s practicing to dance at his daughter’s wedding.” Lauer asked Mrs. Bush if the president would be watching live this morning or TiVoing. “I think he’s TiVoing,” Mrs. Bush said. Lauer added, “He’s probably got other things on his plate.”
Then, like any good anchor, Mrs. Bush teased upcoming segments for the hour: one on twins (with a cutaway shot of Jenna and Barbara, looking on with a mix of pride and parental embarrassment) and another on their “eco-friendly” home in Crawford, and finally a chat with Goosebumps author RL Stine.