Alcohol Drinking on the Today Show

Updated on September 13, 2013
R.I. asks from Encino, CA
43 answers

I just saw something on the Today show yesterday that got me pretty upset and frankly confused. Apparently Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda drink wine and/or cocktails on the show every morning at 10am. For KLG'S 60th birthday they played a drinking game I'm which Hoda had to take a shot of alcohol each time she said 60. I enjoy and drink my fair share of wine and cocktails but I don't do it at 10am in front of the world. I think this sends a terrible message to women and all of America. In reality, most women that I know are not sitting around at 10am drinking alcohol and if they are they are considered to have a problem. What do you all think?

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D.D.

answers from New York on

Well if I was taking clues on how to live my life by watching Hoda and KLG I'd say drinking would be the least of my issues. Just sayin'

23 moms found this helpful

S.T.

answers from Washington DC on

they probably go to bed after the show, so it's their late-night tipple.
if i had to sit around and listen kathie lee or hoda warble at me, i'd drink heavily too.
:P khairete
S.

20 moms found this helpful

M.M.

answers from Chicago on

I should probably put my bloody mary down then. Wouldn't want to send the wrong message...
PS: It's 9:13 am here.

19 moms found this helpful

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B..

answers from Dallas on

Pretty sure no grown women are going to start binging, because they saw some drinks on TV.

Wow. Such little credit you give to women. Do you really think women can't think for themselves?

26 moms found this helpful

C.V.

answers from Columbia on

Uhm....ever heard of a bloody Mary? How about Bellinis or mimosas?

These are light cocktails that folks drink with breakfast.

I, personally, don't model my life after the women on morning talk shows (nor am I watching them, because I have things to do). Most women *I* know aren't obtuse enough to be affected by such shows. What do you really think is going to happen? We're all so stupid that we're going to watch them doing shots at 10am and say, "HEY! That's a great idea! Let's all get trashed!"

Uhm, no.

19 moms found this helpful

T.S.

answers from San Francisco on

The great thing about TV is that if we find something distasteful or offensive we don't have to watch it. Change the channel.

15 moms found this helpful

C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

R.:

Exactly how does this affect you? It offended you? Okay. So change the channel. don't watch it. No one is forcing you to.

I personally don't like the "Today" show and won't waste my time watching it.

I don't understand how this sends a terrible message to women?
What message is it sending? that two women who are above legal age - and get along - wanted to drink to celebrate a birthday? If they "have" to have a drink every day - that's THEIR problem. And their family needs to step up and say "enough".

I know that if I see anyone smoking on TV or in a movie or drinking on TV or in a movie - I'm not going to say "ohhh my!! I think I need to get a drink right now too" ....I'm not going to mimic them...thank God they aren't my role models!

15 moms found this helpful
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R.M.

answers from San Francisco on

We are big girls. I don't think Kathie Lee and Hoda are going to turn us into alcoholics.

15 moms found this helpful

Y.M.

answers from Iowa City on

I'm not a big alcohol drinker, but I have never understood why it is acceptable to have a drink at 5pm but not at 10am. At what time does it become acceptable to have a drink? With lunch? After work?

I should hope that most women have a mind of their own and aren't sitting around thinking 'well, I saw two women on a show drinking wine so now I must drink wine as well.....for if I do not I am not a red-blooded woman...'

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K.F.

answers from Salinas on

A terrible message to who? Me, you, the rest of the grown women of America?

Save the concern about role models and "messages" for the kids. Or better yet maybe we should all stop acting like every person on TV is someone we should look up to and try to emulate. If we teach our kids to value themselves and look up to real heroes then it doesn't matter who is on TV twerking with a foam finger or getting blasted at 10 am.

14 moms found this helpful
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F.C.

answers from Tampa on

Ok so the show is on at 10am - what time do they get up? Usually 3am or so? SO that figures that their 10am is more like the end of their work day.

Look at it this way - I know of some people who work 3rd shift and they get home at 8am - have Dinner and a Drink, relax then head to bed.

Just because someone is on a different schedule than "normal" doesn't mean anything. Heck I get up at 4am everyday and have lunch usually around 11 and I have been known to have an "Adult Beverage" with lunch. Does that make me a bad person? What about when we go to Brunch and have Mimosas?

13 moms found this helpful

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

I don't watch TV shows during the day at all because I am too busy working in my office, exercising, lunching with friends, and cleaning to name a few things.

However, I don't care what someone else does. I am who I am and I have been known to have a Bloody Mary or Mimosa with brunch or a good glass of wine with a great lunch.

I would hope the women in America are strong enough to be themselves vs feeling they have to do what someone on TV is doing.

12 moms found this helpful
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H.W.

answers from Portland on

Who and what?

Just reading this makes me want a drink! (joke)

Really, I wouldn't worry about it. I think the morning shows sort of pander to the lowest common denominator. By the way, I'm not saying that everyone who watches it is dumb by any means, just that it's like popular adult novels being written for a fifth grade reading level.

Oh, and these women? Kinda jokes, right? I mean, you don't take them seriously as examples of anything other than frivolity, do you? Today's "Today" is so much different that my grandpa's "Today".... and you are a grown-up, right? You don't HAVE to heed their message. Just as most of the US doesn't give a rats patootie about those fluff-heads either.

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C.U.

answers from Omaha on

Who cares if you don't like it don't watch it! Easy as that!

12 moms found this helpful

L.A.

answers from Austin on

I think grown women can make their own choices.
We know what we can handle and not handle.

I am not influenced by kathie lee and Hoad, that is for sure..

That is what your remote is for.. You control what you watch... The less viewers they have , the less likely they will be on TV..

10 moms found this helpful
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C.N.

answers from Baton Rouge on

I'm really not worried about it "sending a message" to grown women, and it's mainly housewives who watch that show.
I personally don't find it enteratianing to watch other people drink, and I don't find shows like Good Morning America, The Today Show, Oprah, etc. worth my time so I don't watch any of them.
I also don't see anything wrong with drinking any time of the day as long as it doesn't interfere with your work and you're not driving drunk.

9 moms found this helpful
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M.P.

answers from Raleigh on

I think as an American and a woman, I have the right and ability to change the channel.

9 moms found this helpful

S.G.

answers from Grand Forks on

I don't really care. I have enjoyed a few mimosa's with brunch. And as others have said, they have likely been up since 3:00am and this is lunch time for them. Anyway, I'm an adult. I'm not going to start having wine every morning at 10:00am just because they do.

9 moms found this helpful

L.U.

answers from Seattle on

I couldn't care less if they are drinking. They are grown women (60!!) who are legally allowed to drink and I just don't see the problem.
How in the WORLD is this sending a terrible message to women? Women drink. *I* don't. But I certainly am not going to judge another woman who is.
L.

9 moms found this helpful
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A.L.

answers from Charleston on

How these 2 lushes even continue to be on TV amazes me. They are not funny, not entertaining, and not good TV personalities. That's why I don't watch. I'm with you. They're a bad example.

9 moms found this helpful
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P.K.

answers from New York on

If you listened closely, the "shots" were water or juice! They don't guzzle drinks, a sip here and there. Change the channel if you do not like it.

9 moms found this helpful
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A.S.

answers from Boca Raton on

I haven't watched the Today show in at least 10 years . . . and apparently I'm not missing much LOL!

I think it's sad and gross.

JMO.

8 moms found this helpful
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J.C.

answers from Anchorage on

Its a tv show, and it is not my life, so I would not think twice about it. I don't get where it sends a terrible message to woman, we are all grown adults capable of making our own choices. I don't really see a bunch of grown woman running out to get drunk at 10am just because they saw someone do it on a tv show.

8 moms found this helpful
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J.G.

answers from Chicago on

You realize that they've probably been up since 3am, so by 10, they've had a full day?

It doesn't bother me at all.

8 moms found this helpful
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L..

answers from Roanoke on

It's not the drinking that bothers me on that show, it's the crappy bubble-headed hosts and ridiculous topics. I'm not a fan of that kind of junk anyway and I find it annoying and noisy with no redeeming qualities. That's why the tv stays off until evening time.

7 moms found this helpful
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S.B.

answers from Houston on

No issues at all. They are of age. I don't know what time their taping is at but if you start your day at 3 or 4 in the morning, having a cocktail at 10 a.m. is lunch time.

7 moms found this helpful

☼.S.

answers from San Diego on

I read that Kathie Lee has said that 'it's in their contract.' I personally think drinking wine at 10 a.m. is gross (where are the bloody mary's and mimosas?! :) but whatever. We're adults here, right?

6 moms found this helpful
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A.C.

answers from Boston on

This makes me wish that I was at home at 10 am everyday to watch and see if they get sloshed and accidentally say inappropriate things on live TV.

6 moms found this helpful
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A.L.

answers from Las Vegas on

I think it's a lousy show and I don't watch it... What's really sad is that these women have been in the t.v. business for a long time and now, in order to boost ratings, they have a drinking contest.. I wonder what producer came up with this idea.... By doing this, they just help to further water down any credibility a woman in t.v. might have....

6 moms found this helpful
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M.A.

answers from Los Angeles on

The good thing with TV.. if you don't like what you see... Change to program that better suites your lifestyle~

5 moms found this helpful
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...

answers from Los Angeles on

Who cares! That's what I think about the situation. The Hoda and Kathy show has turned into a little bit of a gimic anyways. They talk about important events less and less and have a good time more and more.

The funniest part of this to me is the fact that you are free to change the channel. If it bothers you or you don't like it - simply don't watch it.

How is it sending a terrible message is what I want to know. Your a grown woman, right? Are you being influenced to drink at 10am because you see 2 women with a glass of wine on a tv show?

4 moms found this helpful
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S.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

While I'm sure all the women of America (and other countries - we are on here) can make up their own minds, this is an insidious and dangerous message sent out by this show. It normalises drinking throughout the day. Shows such as this can influence popular culture and eventually it can become part of people's lives. The point is that it's insidious. It's an unhealthy, terrible message to send out to the world. And I'm a drinker!

4 moms found this helpful

O.H.

answers from Phoenix on

I agree. This is a "talk show" that airs in the MORNING. There is no "reason" why they need to be sitting there sipping anything alcoholic. Yes, we are women who make our own decisions, yes we can change the channel if we don't like it, but I don't think its an avenue that drinking needs to be included in. If it was a late night show held in a club or lounge or something, then ok, but not in the morning, I don't see what the point is other than show that alcohol is a priority for these women. JMO.

4 moms found this helpful
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S.B.

answers from Dallas on

I don't give it much thought. Hearing their intro just reminds me it's time to change the channel or turn off the tv.

4 moms found this helpful

V.S.

answers from Reading on

Most women I know don't have time to waste sitting around watching daytime TV.

4 moms found this helpful
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C.C.

answers from New York on

If even the hosts can't get through the show without drinking...what does that say about the show?!

I'm not worried about the 10 am stuff. It can be hard to watch as a person on a "normal schedule", but, I bet 10 am is their "happy hour". After their show ends, they probably eat something and go to sleep by mid-afternoon, and wake up around 3 am to commute to the studio and get ready for the show.

I guess the bigger question is: is it a problem to drink 5 days/week. I'm inclined to say "no", but, I guess it depends on how much they drink each day.

3 moms found this helpful
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H.L.

answers from Houston on

I have no problem with it. I don't watch the show, though I am familiar with the folks you mention. I don't mind adults drinking alcohol at any time of day, and--as long as they aren't falling over or just being drunk--I don't care who sees it.

3 moms found this helpful
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L.*.

answers from Chicago on

I agree . I think the shots are going overboard . Also, the drinking at 10 am kind of sets a bad message . If you can't have a successful show without it , there is a problem . Are they not entertaining enough without it?

3 moms found this helpful
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C.B.

answers from San Francisco on

It probably was not 10:00 a.m. where they were. Probably more like 12:00 or 1:00. A lot of people drink wine with lunch.

Personally I see no reason why anyone on a talk show should be drinking alcohol no matter what time it is. Nor do I see any reason for anyone to be drinking alcohol with lunch, but that's just me. I don't drink at all and have little tolerance for it.

2 moms found this helpful
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V.C.

answers from New York on

Quit honestly I do not agree with drinking on the TV show, it would be the same with any one of us drinking while working. However some of you whom are throwing a fit just because its 10 am, think of it this way, they have most likely been up since 4 am, so its around lunch time for them. How many of you have had a glass of wine or a beer with lunch every now and then? Again I am not agreeing, for those of you who tend to take every last word out of context.

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K.M.

answers from Kansas City on

I don't drink, but it doesn't bother me. I've watched the show a few times...I just think the whole show is a waste of time...

Maybe that would explain why she recently asked Martin Short about his marriage and wife--his wife died 2 years ago and KLG had no clue. Martin Short handled it very well.

1 mom found this helpful
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X.Y.

answers from Chicago on

I'm with you, it sends a terrible message to young woman, new moms. I don't watch the show because it sucks & to be honest KLG looks like she's been a drunk all her life, IMO.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.S.

answers from Denver on

I see your point. I have seen the show and have wondered the effect. You hardly ever see them drink the drinks, they talk more about it than anything.

I guess I'm not worried about the women of America, but if I had young kids at home with me when it was on, I would worry more about that.

For me, I see more that those women are nice to each other and their guests. I worry far more about shows like the View, who are a bunch of bitter harpies and spew hatred and lies as if they are fact. They are awful, awful women who seem able to influence the opinions of the sheep who watch. I haven't watched that show in years- that show WOULD make me drink at 10am!! :-)

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