. >> i'm matt lauer. the house of representatives set to vote on this tax cut promise today, expected to be a lot closer than it was in the senate, where it was 81-19. >> despite a new call from president obama to pass the bill without changes, house democrats say to expect a heated debate over at what point estates should be taxed and how much. we're going to get the latest from capitol hill straight ahead. >>> also ahead, new details in the brutal murder of yeardley love, a lacrosse player at the university of virginia. attorneys for her ex-boyfriend who also played lacrosse for uva and is charged in the case are casting doubts about how love died, and they want her medical records to allegedly prove their case. we are going to have more on that coming up. >>> plus, important news for parents. the government outlaws drop-side cribs that can be found in millions of homes, hotels, and day care centers. so what if you already have one? we will tell you what you should do coming up. >>> let start this morni

i'm matt lauer, natalie moras, al rocker. in this half hour a local weather report we are a rising career here in new york city may be in a bit of trouble after police say she filed a false police report claiming that she was assaulted by a would-be rapist in central park. investigators say she has now admitted to making all up. so, what happened? we will have the latest in a live report. >>> also going to be talking about a serious problem of chronic loneliness it affects millions of americans and of course this time of year it can be especially tough, but there are ways to overcome it and get yourself to a happier place. weill ha helpful advice coming up. >>> something we are all too aware of, getting the so-called 40 wink withes of sleep cab little hard, especially with all of our busy lives. asou may have heard here yesterday there is a new study that finds beauty sleep is not an old wife's tale after all, you actually look better the more you rest. iould need about a week with, i guess. other health benefits as well. dr.

matt lauer goes one-on-one with the head of a website that reportedly turned down a $6 billion bid from google. >>> and olympic gold medalist sarah hughes skates live on the rockefeller center ice rink. >>> now keep it on this channel for continuing local news, weather, sports and more. i'm lynn berry. thanks for watching "early today," just your first stop of the day today on your nbc station. have a good one. -- captions by vitac -- www.vitac.com

. >>> and funny man jack black talks to matt lauer about his new film, "gulliver travels." >>> now keep it on this channel for continuing local news, weather, sports and more. i'm lynn berry. thanks for watching "early today," just your first stop of the day today on your nbc station. the day today on your nbc station. have a good one. -- captions by vitac -- www.vitac.com [ female anpride.r ] what will you gain when you lose?™ pizzazz. sass! [ laughter ] [ woman ] i'm feeling that! [ female announcer ] the special k challenge™ begins january 1st. free personalized plans at specialk.com. what will you gain when you lose?™

. >> and i'm matt lauer. can you say arctic blast? >> i can say freezing. >> there's a big storm in the middle of the country that's now urging its way east bringing with it a lot of rain and a lot of snow. >> the bone-chilling cold is only part of the problem. in parts of ohio, pennsylvania and new york where lake-effect snow is making a big mess of things. al is live with the forecast straight ahead. >>> also a sad story to tell you about, the death of richard holbrooke who served as president obama's point man in afghanistan and pakistan. he died last night from a tear in his aorta. we'll have more on his life and his passing coming up. >>> and hollywood's biggest names are up early for the announcement of this earlier's golden globe nomination, we'll have complete coverage from los angeles. >>> but we begin this morning with a major winter storm causing problems all across the east. let's start off with nbc's john yang, he's in michigan city, indiana for us. >> reporter: the shores of lake michigan, you may be able to see the snow

inside studio 1a, i'm matt lauer and meredith vieira this half hour, a strange case involving a local television personality here in new york city. >> a weathercast we are a career on the rise suspended after authorities say she filed a fake police report about astalked and attacked by a would-be rapist. >>> with and if you want to retire in the next ten years, will you have enough money and what should do you if the answer is no? what can you do to turn the answer no to yes? financial expert susie orman will offer her advice. >>> race to no wrarks documentary made by another seen enough, casting the spotlight on the tremendous pressure and stress placed on today's students. >>> we begin this half hour with new details in the murder other of yeardley love, a popular lacrosse player at the university of virginia. her ex-boyfriend is charged in that crime but now his defense team is he questioning love's cause of death. nbc's jeff rossen is on the campus in charlottesville, virginia. good morning to you. >> reporter: good morning to you. let me read to you from the autopsy report. the o

i'm matt lauer. >> good morning, everyone. i was taking a risk. i'm savannah guthrie in for meredith. >> nice to have you here up from washington. >> i am here. we're thinking the president will head to hawaii today. he has some business first. also the weather, that image of the house being swept into an overflowing river in arizona. one example of the devastation brought by six straight days of rain out west. fortunately no one was inside that home at the time. >> could be more intense today even. forecasters are warning some areas to expect up to two inches of rain per hour. rescue crews are on stand by, evacuations have already been ordered. we'll get the latest on those storms in a live report. >>> also ahead, news you can use if you're shopping for a new car. the insurance institute is out with a new list of the safest vehicles. there's a few surprises. >>> here's a question for you. how far would you go to look your very best on your wedding day. a new reality show is being blasted by critics

out on the plaza, i'm matt lauer along with erin burnett. on a day like today, you want to wear open towed shoes because that's what's going to keep you warm. >> i made a wardrobe, i had a wardrobe fall lungs. -- malfunction. >>> coming up in this half hour, amanda knox, she's been convicted of murder in italy. she's in the appeals process right now. now an italian judge has agreed to allow an independent review of dna evidence in that case. it's a major victory for amanda. >>> also holiday time is a joyous time. did you also know it's one of the more dangerous times of the year? a lot of reasons for that. we're going to show you how to get your family through the holidays as safe as possible. >>> what we did was put two families up to the challenge of doing a full holiday event, dinner party for eight with all the trimmings, great food, all of it for $150 or less. >> we're going the see if they did it. we'll have the results of the challenge and if they did, what you can learn from them that's coming up. >>> a lot to get to. anne's off toda

i'm matt lauer joined by a couple of people, one who's been naughty and one who's been nice. >> it's not working but it's okay. i'm matt lauer along with amy robach while meredith is off today and carl quintilla joins us as well, ann is on vacation, al is on vacation and meredith. i feel like the odd man out. >>> coming up, saluting of military moms. >> we will head to fort drum in new york and meet the women doing the heavy lifting during their husband's deployment. we have a big surprise in store for all these moms. >> do you have resolutions for hitting the gym in the new year? we will talk about the hidden dangers about the local health club you might need to know about. >>> also ahead, i love this show, "the singoff." we have the winners of this year's "singoff" in our suedio, called "committed" a gospel group from alabama here for a very special performance coming up. ♪ stephanie abrams is filling in for al. >>> are you excited about your white christmas? >> very excited. >> what will you do different? >> lobster instead of turkey. >> you trade in the steak for the lobster. w

anwhile inside studio 1a i'm matt lauer along with ann curry. >> pnce william and kate release their official engagement photographs. >>> and also this morning, did you hear this new york critic who called this ballerina's ight into question? boy, this set off a firestorm o the internet. >> i also feel strange to even say this, but jennifer ring sir that young ballerina, she just walked into our studio and you sit there and you say, huh? she's got a beautiful figure. clearly i don't getthis. >>> let's begin this half hour with justice for elizabeth smart after a jury found brian david mitchell guilty of kidnapping the near 14-year-old back in 2002. we're going to talk to ed smart in a moment. kristen welker is in new york city. kristen, good morning. >> reporter: elizabeth smart smiled when that guilty verdict was read. she is calling this moment a victory. and says she is proof there is life after painful past. >> i am so thrilled to be here, i' so thrilled with the verdict. >> reporter: it was the verdict elizabeth smart has waited more than eight years to hear, guilty. >> i'm so t

it's comfortable, so much so that -- out on the plaza, i'm matt lauer, along with anne curry because meredith viera is off and al roker. there's a little bit of outrage viewing over a critic's comments about a ballerina. he said this woman, this -- she's in our studios this morning we're going to find out what she had to say about this. this comment set off a firestorm on the internet. >> also ahead, if you've got a book lover on your christmas list this year, and you're worried about what to get that person, coming up, a best selling author is here to share their opinions. >> i like your suggestions. >> and on wednesday, "time" magazine will reveal its personal of the year. right here on "today." just ahead, we're going town veil this year's finalists. >> some interesting names on that list. really, it's diverse. let's go inside, natalie is at the news desk. >>> good morning, everyone, dangerously cold temperatures are gripping the midwest today after a weekend of heavy snow. at least six deaths were blamed on the storm. major highways were closed in several states and blowing snow

i'm matt lauer. >> and good morning, i'm tamron hall. meredith has this morning off. >> just about all sections of california have been affected by the rain, it began falling last friday with barely any letup. listen to los angeles, 5.2 inches, 5.8 inches in santa monica and the storm is expected to intensify today and perhaps tomorrow. we're going to have the latest in a live report coming up in just a couple of minutes. >>> also, a terrifying attack. a guy pulled from his kayak and attacked by a massive crocodile. two men watched it happen and they speak out in a live interview. >>> we have all read the wedding section in the local newspaper. one couple in new york is generating quite a controversy, not because they were featured in the "new york times" but because they opened up how they met. both were married with kids and got divorced to be together. we will share some of the angry comments the article is generating. >>> but let's start on this tuesday morning with the record rains in california. miguel almaguer is outside of los an

i'm matt lauer. >> and i'm natalie morales in for meredith. this morning, it looks like a compromise is in the works to extend those bush era tax cuts to every taxpayer in the u.s. >> this after republicans blocked two attempts by democrats over the weekend to approve the cuts just for the middle class. so what's changed? what does president obama have to say about this? we'll get the latest and what it could mean for your bottom line, straight ahead. >>> also ahead, what happened to utah mother susan powell? she vanishes a year ago and her husband was named the only person of interest in the case. well, now he's speaking out about his wife's disappearance, saying he thinks she ran off with another man. we'll have more on that and a live interview with susan powell's parents, coming up. >>> also ahead, news you can use. we'll show yo the calorie count in your favorite holiday drinks. you're drinking tea. but have you tried those eggnog latte things with with the whipped cream. >> bad news. >> wait until you see how many calories and how much s

matt lauer, alongside with ann curry. while meredith takes the day off. and the countdown to next year's royal wedding. >> as prince william and kate release their official engagement photographs. >>> and a "the new york times" critic calls this balanlerina's weight into question. >> jennifer ringer, young ballerina, just walked into our studio and you say huh? she has a beautiful figure. clearly i don't get this. >>> let's begin with justice for elizabeth smart. brian david mitchell was found guilty of kidnapping the then-14-year-old back in 2002. we'll talk to ed smart in a moment. salt lake city. >> reporter: good morning, matt. elizabeth smart is calling this moment a victory and says she is proof there is life after a painful past. >> i am so thrilled to be here. i am so thrilled with the verdict. >> reporter: it was the verdict that elizabeth smart has waited more than eight years to hear. guilty. >> i'm so thrilled to stand before the people of america today and give hope to other victims who have not spoken out about their crimes -- about what's h

and matt lauer and everything. >> sc, where are you writing this month? >> i have a town hall magazine that ties the famine into a christmas tale. warms the heart. >> jesse, where are you going to be? >> i'm doing the comedy club in san antonio. on the 19th, i am doing a recovery comedy show because i don't drink anymore. >> is that near the lm sao comedy club? >> i was invited to perform there. >> you should. >> this sunday the 19th. >> is recovery comedy fun? >> yes, i tell jokes about sobriety, but you don't have to be sober to go. >> are there comedians who are recovering alcoholics? >> yeah, the ones who are about to -- >> if they livelong enough. >> bill anything you want to plug? >> i will plug pete dominic's siriuas show. the reason i do is because my brotherus

i'm meredith viera alongside matt lauer. and one of hollywood's strongest couples end their marriage. we'll have more on that coming up. >>> >>> also ahead, we reveal the finalists on monday, so who will be named "time" magazine's person of the year? the folks from "time" will announce the winner live on our air in just a couple of minutes. >>> the controversy over a new multimillion dollar exhibit at the los angeles zoo. >>> let's begin this half hour with the details on the murder of a trendy fashion designer. now police have charged her boyfriend, the son of a oscar award winner with attempted murder. jeff rossen has the latest on this. >> reporter: it's called the soho house here in new york, it's basically a hotel for the rich and famous in this area. what happened inside here is a real mystery, police found fashion designeder's body inside her hotel room in the bathtub and there were some pills in the room. and she also had marks around her neck like she was strangled. they think her well connected boyfriend did it. sy

. >> here's matt lauer with a look at what's coming up next on the "today" show. >> good morning. the latest on the powerful storm that pounded the midwest with snow and strong winds and caused the roof of the metric room to collapse in minneapolis. al has the track of the storm. ed smart speaks out for the first time since his daughter's rapist was found guilty. a dancer with journalists for an exclusive live interview. we have that and much more ahead as we get started on a monday morning right here on the "today" show. >> we have to was that. 35 degrees on tv hill. >> we will come back and check the weather and traffic together before you head out to start your day. your day. stay with us. >> some light snow out there. >> we have an accident on southbound 95 on southbound195. that accident is off to the right shoulder. they may have to block a right to blame to clear reit. on the outer loop of the beltway approaching reisterstown road, there is some debris in the road. some delays are forming. southbound 95 looking at a slow spot, 25 miles per hour. salting operations are happe

out on the plaza, i'm matt lauer, along be natalie morales and al roker. we all know that julian assange the founder of wikileaks has been released from a british jail where he was awaiting extradition to sweden. he's now going to fight that extradition on charges of sexual molestation. we spoke to him on a live interview from outside london earlier this morning. you'll hear what he had to say about the charges against him. >> he's under arrest at his mansion. >>> also ahead, what could have been an enormous tragedy, you all remember that shocking video that we saw earlier this week, an armed man held school board members at gunpoint and started shooting. lester, he started firing at brave security guards. despite his incredible bravery, he does not consider himself a hero, we're going to hear from him and his wife. what he does for kids in his community. >> he's a hero. >> he is a hero. >>> when we move around new york city, you get a real sense of how great the food is around new york. >> oh, yeah. >> we're going to take you along with martha samuel son

here's matt lauer with a look at what's coming up next on the "today" show. >> good morning. the sweeping tax-cut deal now heads to president obama's desk after being approved by the house. we'll have the latest on what that means. we'll talk to the security court involved in that shootout at a school board meeting in florida. agent attack survivor -- will have the emotional reunion. it look back all the good times we had on the show over the past 12 months. that is what we get started on a friday morning or hear a lot the "today" show. >> that is always fun. it is 23 degrees on tv hill. we will come back and check the weather and traffic together before you head out to start your day. stay with us. >> we have a lot going on in the roads. highland avenue is closed because of a water main break pre clinton is your ultimate. there is another water main break at number. a vehicle is stock on the medium. a water main break on southbound york road blocking the right lane. an accident and northbound 95 approaching mountain road. a crash in the city at lexington and greene streets.

i'm matt lauer. >> and i'm meredith vieira. chilling, disturbing, surreal, just some of the words used to describe that scene of the school board meeting in florida. so frightening. >> it really is. what's so remarkable, you actually see what was happening inside that room. some people actually watched it happen live. it started as a man identified as clay duke walked to the podium. moments later, he spray painted a symbol on the wall of that room, pulled out a handgun, and eventually opened fire. and we should warn you, some of the video you're going to see this morning is disturbing. >> yeah. at one point before the shooting happened, a female school board member used her purse to try and knock the gun out of duke's hand. we're going the talk to her and two other board members who tried to diffuse the situation, straight ahead. >>> but first, let's get right to nbc's mark potter. he's in panama city, florida, with the latest. mark, what can you tell us? >> reporter: good morning, matt. the gunman was killed in the incident, w

we ha i'm meredith viera along with matt lauer and al roker. yesterday we talked about bathrooms, this morning it's all about kitchens. could yours pass a restaurant inspection? we're going to put you to the test. >>> we're going to talk to angelina jolie. she stars in a new thriller, we talk about everything from that movie to her co-star, to her children, dealing with the paparazzi and what she's thankful for. >>> and a little bit later on, some easy holiday entertaining with the barefoot contessa. >> ann is on assignment which means that natalie morales is at the news desk. >>> wikileaks founder julians assange is facing a judge said. he's wanted for questioning in sweden where two women have accused him of sex crimes. wikileaks releasing the sensitive documents is a threat to national security. >>> president obama reached a deal with congressional republicans on monday to extend the bush era tax cuts. >>> elizabeth edwards is home from the hospital to spend her final days with family and friends. doctors have told the estranged wife of form

meanwhile, we're going to -- i'm matt lauer, along with meredith viera out on the plaza. and coming up on this half hour, incredible story, we have got this video of this mother and father, their car is carjacked, but the problem is their baby, their 6-month-old daughter inside the car. they spring into action to make sure that that guy does not get away with their child, it's an incredible story, i'm going to talk to that family in just a minute. >>> also it is obviously the gift giving season and sometimes it's hard to know what to give to certain people that you want to show your and appreciation for what they have done for you all year, perhaps the woman who walks your car. take a look at that christmas tree. most people get to see the finished product, but take a look at the work that goes into it. here's 18 days of work in 18 seconds. there you go. and our thanks to all the people who worked so hard to make that happen. >> you know, it's always exciting. it really is. when that tree gets lit. >> we're go to ahead inside, ann curry is standing by at the news desk. >>

bush, for calling kanye west conway west this week -- [ laughter ] during an interview with matt lauer. conway west. sounds like someone just got himself a new country western persona. [ laughter ] ♪ now, i ain't saying she a gold digger but she ain't messin' with no broke, broke ♪ ♪ i ain't saying she a gold digger but she ain't messin' with no broke, broke ♪ ♪ go down girl go 'head, get down ♪ >> get down! ♪ get down, girl go 'head, get down ♪ >> get down! ♪ get down, girl go 'head, get down ♪ >> get down! ♪ get down, girl go 'head, get down ♪ ♪ i ain't sayin' she's a gold digger ♪ ♪ [ cheers and applause ] >> jimmy: all right, thank you guys! thank you, everybody. we'll be right back with tracy morgan! [ cheers and applause ] ♪ i. ♪ [ cheers and applause ] >> steve: ladies and gentlemen, it's time once again for "won't you pop my balloon?" ♪ ♪ won't you pop my balloon won't you pop my balloon ♪ ♪ i've been walking round town in this crazy, crazy world now i'm wondering ♪ ♪ if you'll pop my balloon won't you pop my balloon say -- ♪ ♪

. >> i'm matt lauer along with natalie morales. take a look at some of the scenes from around the country, and we should tell you that al this morning is up in dunkirk, new york. it looks chilly up there, al. >> yeah and i'll give you an idea of how cold it is, this is lake erie just about 15 yards behind me. and this is what just flew over here. >> come on. no. >> no, you got that at a & p. >> look, over here, this is one of our producers, it's cold and i found this. and it's crazy. >> oh, my goodness. >> that's how cold it is. you got to look around, someone's throwing fish at you. all right, al. >> nobody's throwing fish. >> that's great. >> this is for your, lauer. >> someone threw it at you just for the halibut, no question about it. we're going to get to your forecast in just a moment. >> you're giving me a had ddock. >> this is getting worse. >> i'm tired of working for scales. >> okay, we can't take it anymore. also ahead, navigating the diet mine field known as the holiday season. this morning on our diet s.o.s. whether yo

i'm meredith vieira with matt lauer and al roker. a boy was left unattended when his mom got distracted, and he had then drowned and stopped breathing. his lips were blue. no pulse. they took him to the hospital and he was pronounced dead on the arrival, but then the doctors managed bring him back to life. he is here, and we'll talk to them coming up. they are smiling because he is doing great. >> wow. that is so knignice the way tha turned out. >>> also ahead, holiday etiquette. a lot of questions come up at this time of the year. someone gives you a gift, and you don't have one in return? >> oh. >> oh. >> what do you do? also, what about tipping during the holiday season? we're going to take a look at holiday etiquette? >> how about regifting? >> regifting? is it okay to regift? no? i still have that same rice maker. not true. >> you guys like potatoes? >> i love potatoes. >> how is it like having them every day, that's all you eat for 60 days? >> only spuds? >> only spuds? we're going to talk about a guy that did just that. he is

just a couple of feet from this inside studio 1a, i'm matt lauer and al roker and natalie morales. a gunman opens fire on a school board. one woman tried to stop him by hitting him with her purse. we'll have a live report and it is as we mentioned very dramatic. >> hard to watch that video. >>> and ahead on "today's" money 911. our financial experts are back, they have got advice for protecting your personal information if it happens to get in the wrong hands. and priorities when it comes to paying down debt and is it better to file as a married couple or as an individual? >>> and we're out with the picks of the best and the worst of 2010. there has been no shortage of highs and low this is year. we're going to have a look back at the year as it was. >>> and we're going a little bit beyond the traditional to help jazz up your holiday decor with some festive and chic accents. >>> good morning to all of you this morning. we begin with news that overnight a boat packed with what rescuers believe is a boat from iraq and iran. at least 41 people survived but 50 refugees might have died.

>> wikileaks founder talks to the "today" show's matt lauer. you will see a preview. >> rain bearing down on the bay area in some places. they are already getting hit. rob is coming back with the forecast next on today in the bay. [ male announcer ] how do you say... welcome to the neighborhood. ♪ [ male announcer ] how do you say... can you believe it's been 20 years since college? ♪ [ male announcer ] nothing says "you're special" like boursin, a creamy, crumbly blend of real cheese and savory herbs, boursin makes any moment more memorable. even if you're saying... my mother has the kids tonight. ♪ [ male announcer ] how do you say boursin? >> the rain we have been talking about is here for the friday commute and causing problems on the road. we will show you in a live report. >>>

. >> back inside studio 1a, i'm matt lauer along with ann curry. >>> the verdict that elizabeth smart had waited eight years to hear, the man who kidnapped her and held her captive for nine months has now been convicted. we'll have her reaction to the verdict and our conversation with her father, ed smart. >>> barbara corcoran is here to answer your real estate questions. >> also if you happen to be among many of us who carry a little bit too much weight in our midsections, you know that it can be unhealthy and even potentially dangerous. we have a doctor coming up who claims he knows how to get rid of belly fat for good. he's got some secrets that involves eating and i'm not sure about exercise. >>> lots to get to, let's go over to the news desk. natalie is standing by with the news. >>> several suspects have been arrested in southern afghanistan in connection with this month's deadliest attack on coalition troops. six u.s. soldiers were killed sunday when a minibus packed with explosives was detonated at the entrance to joint nato afghan base. >>> swedish officials say a man killed

lauer, i'm not bailing you out this time. [ laughter ] i'm not doing it this time. [ laughter ] hey, congratulations to "all of my children" actress rebecca budig who won "skating with the stars" last night. that's right. [ scattered applause ] she beat out the two other finalists. somebody else and whoever it was. [ laughter and applause ] i don't know if you guys saw this. an airport in louisiana was evacuated yesterday over a suspicious package that ended up containing a frozen chicken and a head lamp. [ laughter ] oh, good. so, it wasn't suspicious at all. i guess -- [ laughter ] "hey buddy, i never got that package they were going to send me. [ laughter ] that frozen chicken and head lamp. [ laughter ] remember you said you were going to send me that. yeah, i didn't get it yet. [ laughter ] wondering what happened to that package." "there is no send button, grandma. there is no --" [ laughter ] this is pretty scary, you guys. security officials say that al qaeda once considered spreading poison through salad bars across the u.s. but they abandoned the plan after sizzler beat the

and peter in the interview with matt lauer this morning, what struck me is he did not seem to specifically deny that allegation that's out there this morning, having to do with whether he gave software to bradley manning, the private, that supposedly downloaded all of this information illegally. if he gave him that software, and that, of course, could lead to the u.s. charges. >> well, that's the effort that federal prosecutors in the united states are trying to do right now. they're trying to find out how exactly they can charge him in the u.s. assange did make it clear, though, that he did not know bradley manning. he tried to assess the situation which saying, you know, our sources are all anonymous for this very purpose. that's for their security and our security, as well. for julian assange's security, as well, and part of the bail requirements, he will be staying here. and we'll give you a sense. this is the first look at the 600-acre, ten-bedroom estate where he is staying, three hours' drive away from london, a dramatic change of scenery when you consider the fact that for the last

i'm matt lauer. >> and i'm meredith viera. this morning british police are facing tough questions over the handling of the protests that prince charles and camila were swept up in last night. >> the royal couple was on their way to theater when their limo was surrounded by an angry mob. you can see the stunned look on their faces. people were even chanting "off with their heads." the mob was protesting a controversial tuition fee hike. we're going to get the latest in a live report from london straight ahead. >>> new details in an online scam that we told you about last week. someone pretending to be from a college sorority friending pledges on facebook and asking them to send naked photos. now an arrest is made. >>> you have only got two more weeks to finish up your holiday shopping. we're going to have some gift ideas especially if you're struggling with that hard to buy for person on your list. >>> let's begin on this friday morning with the attack on prince charles and camilla's limo. peter alexander is in london winter pa

. >>> the investigation that peter just mentioned is part of what matt lauer talked with assange about on "today" show. >> we should remember that this is not the beginning of the end, rather, it is merely the end of the beginning. we hear credible reports today in the guardian newspaper confirming what we heard yesterday that there is something like an espionage indictment made secretly against me in the united states. >> our company this morning keith boykin, christina bellitoni of roll call and tim carney of "washington examiner." good morning to all of you. you heard a little bit of julian assange. he is facing a questionable and secretive investigation. he also said it is being pursued because people in a lot of high places have been embarrassed by the revelations. keith, let me get your take on where this all stands right now. >> kind of remind me of the al capone case. they end up getting him on charges of income tax evasion. here, we're going after julian assange because of rape charges not because of the leaks that are going on. they're not going at him for the substance and t

i'm matt lauer. >> and i'm meredith vieira. we've made our way upstairs for a better look at the freshly lit rockefeller christmas tree. a 74-foot tall beauty. >> it really is gorgeous. they flipped the switch on that thing last night, courtesy of al and natalie. there she is in all her wet glory this morning. >> yeah, but it didn't actually rain during the ceremony, which was great. it rained before and then afterwards, but it's going to rain a lot here today. and al is actually talking about flooding later on in the northeast. we'll get his forecast, straight ahead. >> all right. one more look at the tree. also ahead, a story of both tragedy and triumph. a father and daughter set off on the sailing adventure of a lifetime, but a massive wave hit their boat, killing father and leaving the daughter adrift for 12 days before being rescued. this morning, she's here to tell us about what happened in an exclusive live interview. >>> plus, kate gosselin will be here as well, and she wants to set the record straight on a number of ru

lauer and katie couric. and before that tom brokaw, by the way, the list is tremendous, tom brokaw and jane pauley, john chancellor, the list goes on and on. and i think look, that obviously, you start from the fact that the today show was first. they were there in 1952. >> created the franchise. >> created the franchise, pat weaver did that. and the franchise was created, the people were there. and look, we had great people. and i think we made a number of changes to the today show. we created that first half hour of the today show that we believed at that time was the most important half hour in television news. >> brian williams has increased his lead. >> we are incredibly proud of the job that brian and nbc nightly news has done. obviously they are the dominant evening news program. and i think that's a tribute to the job that the nbc team has done. >> and what's happened since dianne went to abc. >> there's no question that nbc nightly news is more dominant today than it's been to many, many years. and.

and outside on the plaza, i'm meredith viera along with matt lauer. just ahead in this half hour, the interesting fashion statement being made by kate middleton for her new engagement photos, she didn't wear clothes by her designers, she picked them out of her own close set. >> imagine. holidays a great time to save on books. we have a light saber. she was coming after you and i saved your life. of course i gave it right back to her. talk about giving the gift of food, the holidays fast approaching. we have some great ideas, the best part about it, you don't have to make it yourself and you don't even have to mail it, the companies do that for you. >> i still have not done my shopping. >> you got to get to it. >>> also it is a big morning in hollywood as the golden globe nominations are out, we will have complete coverage of this year's nominee. >> that woman just cut you in half with her light saber, bad news for you. let's go inside and get a check of the morning's top news stories. >>> as you have been reporting, president obama said the nation has

. >> and i'm matt lauer. president obama is being met with a chorus of nos coming from liberal democrats who are saying they may vote against this compromise on the bush era tax cuts. >> they are very angry, but the white house is pushing back saying failure to act could trigger an increased risk of a double dip desession. what would that mean for you and should president obama be picking fights with members of his own party? we'll have the latest straight ahead. >>> also ahead, some bad news, and no the that you need it, but bad news if you're in the market to sell your home. according to new figures, u.s. homes have lost an astonishing $1.7 trillion in value this year alone. $9 trillion overall since the peak of the market. will prices drop even further? we'll sit down and talk about that. >>> plus, if you were looking to save sop money, we have just the thing. america's cheapest families will share six ways to share a festive and frugal holiday see sons sons son. >> good morning. the house has passed the d

>> nothing about you, it's matt lauer i'm thinking about. ♪ note ♪ today's going to be a good day ♪ ♪ today's going to be a good good day ♪ listen ♪ ♪ >> boy, that was fantastic. >> a lot of good times there. >> we had fun. >> we had a lot of fun. >> erica gets to keep her job. >> she prodeuce uproproduces fo. >> not bad. >> nice job. >> yeah, great job. >> we'll be back with much more after your local news and weather. [ woman ] we try to be perfect. we pretend high-heels don't hurt and that we can handle anything life throws at us. but there are times that we need a moment to remember. we're only human. that's more than enough. your moment. your dove™. hellllllo...that one, everyone looks great. [ female announcer ] when you make your christmas cards at hallmark.com... my show, perfect. ♪ la la la la la la laaa ♪ [ daughter ] dad! sorry. aww yeah! that one! [ female announcer ] ...we address and mail them for you... [ little boy ] now that's a good one. [ indistinct conversations ] [ female announcer ] ...which gives you more... done! [ female announcer ] ...family time.

i need to get one. >> out here on the plaza, matt lauer along with meredith viera and al roker. a sad note to remember, elizabeth edwards, news of her passing came yesterday. we're going to talk about what women can learn from her bout with breast cancer. >>> what is causing this alarming rise in the number of teen suicide in the country and how can parents spot the warning signs in their own kids? we're going to talk about that as well. >>> and on a much lighter note, the upcoming wedding between prince william and kate middleton, are folks in america more obsessed than the british with the royal family? >>> ann is on assignment this morning, natalie is at the news desk. >>> julian assange is being held without bail in london. peter alexander is outside the prison with more. >> reporter: julian assange is here in what is britain's largest prison, he is being kept separate from the rest of the inmates. today he is vowing to fight extradition to swede on where he faces allegations of sexual misconduct. cameras swarmed this london courthouse tuesday fighting for the first public i

when matt lauer asked president bush that question on the " today" show or whatever, president bush would not answer that question. he knew he cannot answer that question. of course it would be unacceptable if done to our people. it should be an acceptable of done to any human being. the public's perception of what the law was was getting more and more restricted and we were making it clear that human beings cannot is subjected to this kind of abusive treatment. and memo after memo, they sent out, is it you can continue to do exactly what you're doing. >> all i would like to point out is that i do not see a failure in the checks and balances between the president and congress. i think congress was fully aware of the interrogation methods that were used in continued to be throughout this time. they may not be aware of the legal justification that the executive branch might have for them, but congress has its own ability to make its own judgments about what is happening in the war on terror and whether it is constitutional or not. they have to be fully briefed before the cia can conduct any

i was thinking of matt lauer. ♪ ♪ watching the world wake up ♪ today's going to be a good day ♪ ♪ "today's" going to be a good good day ♪ >> whooo! >> nice little dance there. >> yeah. >> good time. >> i nearly took out amy robach with it. >>> coming up next, we have got a swedish spin on hot dogs that will be a >>> this morning on "today's" holiday kitchen, we're whipping up swedish hot dogs. marcus samuelsson is the executive chef and owner of the new red rooster restaurant. happy new year early. this is a swedish tradition? >> it is. one of my first jobs was working in a hot dog stand and we serve always hot dog with shrimp. so let me walking you through it. >> so we have the corn meal in here? >> and we have the flour. >> we have got the batter. >> and you add the dry ingredients, the eggs, whisk. >> this is a fun recipe you can do with the family. i'm adding some sugar and some salt. >> it's like a corn dog batter. >> definitely a corn dog batter. and we have it already made here. >> so we'll work that into a good, smooth batter like this. these are not your ordinary hot dogs. >> th