I’m leaving one particular job and one particular building for something that I’ve been wanting to do my whole life, and I have so much to look forward to. So it’s not a sad thing for me."Īt the time of the interview, Gifford said she only knew one thing of her farewell: that her son, Cody who resides in Los Angeles, would be there. "I’ve been in this business too long, and it’s not like I’m dying, and it’s not like I’m never gonna see these lovely people ever again. "I certainly won’t bawl like a baby," she said. "By that time I’d fallen in love with Hoda, and a couple of years in I was in love with everybody that I worked with there," Gifford said. "Nicest group of people I’ve ever, ever worked with."įor her second morning show exit, Gifford predicted she wouldn't be crying hysterically. Her late husband, football player turned sports commentator Frank Gifford, persuaded her to give it a year. She said she "came kicking and screaming" to the morning show she revealed she'd be leaving in December. Gifford has been at Kotb's side for nearly 11 years, a decade longer than she'd planned. "I just had to leave if I wanted to actually fulfill lifetime dreams I have that I’m running out of time for." "It’s not that I wanted to leave the 'Today' show," she said. Gifford spoke with USA TODAY of her departure last week, explaining she wanted to focus on movies. More: Kathie Lee Gifford talks 'crippling loneliness' of losing her husband and mother and bond, you know you have a good future together."Įarly Friday on social media Kotb, shared an optimistic quote: "Sunsets are proof that endings can be beautiful too!" "If you can go to the ladies room with somebody and cry. "We had this great, long lunch and sort of sealed the deal," she added. "And, I had a good feeling about you, obviously." "We really don't know one another very well," Gifford said of their debut. "Today" also revisited Kotb and Gifford's first day on the job.
"I feel like everyone's on empty, but I think it's gonna be a beautiful last day for her." "And the tears," Kotb's "Today" co-anchor Savannah Guthrie said.
"It's gonna be full of surprises and music and. Kotb, teased the farewell show in the 7 o'clock hour.
Of course Gifford and Kotb celebrated with a drink, dubbed the farewell fizz made with champagne, which was appropriate to pop after they gave the entire studio audience a free cruise from Carnival. He added: "I want you to know how I will always remember the great times that we had working together and how you are as a person.” Where you are right now, I know you’re going to be moving on to a great new career making movies, and since I’ve seen the first one, I know you’re gonna be a great success." "Kathie Lee you want to know the best part of my life - my TV life - was in the in the 15 years I spent with you,” he said. “We stayed friends through the entire game, and it was a lot of fun. Philbin popped up in a recorded message, talking about the wonderful times the two shared. When Gifford asked her partner why the show has worked, Kotb said, "I think it's because of you," pointing out there's a commonality between the success of their show and "Live with Regis and Kathie Lee," which Gifford hosted with Regis Philbin from 1985 to 2000. "We know you guys are sick of bad news by the time you turn our show on in the morning," she added. Gifford said this morning she felt "great" and reflected on why the show has worked: because they "have fun and we have a friendship and it's real and we have a great love and affection and respect for our audience. Gifford said last week that she is planning to move to a home in Franklin, about 20 miles south of Nashville, after her retirement. Gifford hugged some members of the audience, including her 29-year-old son, Cody. Her time as co-host of the fourth hour of "Today," "Today with Kathie Lee and Hoda," has come to a close after nearly 11 years.Īt the top of the show, Gifford's morning show partner, Hoda Kotb, introduced Flo Rida, who performed "Sweet sensation" and modified his song "My House," changing it to "Kathie Lee's House." It's officially last call for Kathie Lee Gifford. Watch Video: Kathie Lee Gifford says leaving NBC is 'bittersweet'