Kathie Lee Gifford bids farewell to TODAY Show on her last day



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By Scott Stump

We'll miss you, Kathie Lee!

It's the end of an era, as Kathie Lee Gifford said goodbye Friday after 11 years today, with laughs, tears, cuddles, champagne – and an amazing gift to offer to all. spectators.

A live performance of Flo Rida kicked off her latest episode while she was thrilled with the crowd and the TODAY family and the current family, while her son, Cody, 29, was in the studio with his girlfriend.

She wore a red dress, the same color that she wore on her last day in 2000 with her former co-host, Regis Philbin, during her 15-year award-winning show in the morning, titled "Regis and Kathie Lee" ".

"I feel good," she says. "I have no expectations, you just want to bear it … You also want to remind people why this show worked at the beginning – because we have fun. affection and respect for our audience. "

Kathie Lee showed all the affection she feels for the public when she pulled out an Oprah and surprised all spectators by offering everyone a free four-day cruise on Carnival Cruise Line since n & # 39; any port of Carnival USA.

Kathie Lee is not only affiliated with Carnival Cruise Line since her first advertisement for the company in 1984, there is also a family connection. It turns out that Cody was conceived during a trip with his late husband, Frank Gifford.

"In fact, this guy, this big 6-foot-4 guy, was made on a Carnival cruise," she said about Cody.

"It's a good advertisement," Cody joked.

Kathie Lee, who will be replaced by Jenna Bush Hager, also told co-host Hoda Kotb why their partnership has worked for all these years.

"I think it's because of you," says Hoda.

"Yes, that's what I think," joked Kathie Lee.

Philbin also made an appearance with a sweet video tribute to his former co-host.

"Kathie Lee, the best part of my life on television was with the 15 years I've spent with you from 1985 to 2000," he said. "We stayed friends throughout the match and it was very fun.Where you are, I know you will start a fantastic new career in filmmaking and, since I saw the first movie I know you're going to have great success, I really think so! "

Kathie Lee also revealed that she had received at her home a giant bouquet of flowers from a surprise sender, Howard Stern and his wife Beth. The radio host had often accused her in the years leading up to the peace.

"This man hated my guts for 30 years and prayed for him every day," she said. "

In addition to her happy day, Friday was also marked by the release of a film that she directed in Israel titled "The God Who Seees", available on her website and on her streaming platforms .

A succession of special guests who have made numerous appearances in the series over the years have then surprised Kathie Lee to give her a suitable mailing.

Actor and superstar wrestling John Cena, actor Dean Cain and actor Ryan Eggold have all paid tribute to her. She spent her best day as she climbed into Cena's arms, hugged Cain in her arms and got a bouquet of Eggold flowers.

To top it off, one of Kathie Lee 's favorites, the legendary Barry Manilow, is on show for a live performance. She joins him on stage for a duet while they perform his classic "Can not Smile Without You".

Kathie Lee then went from smiles to holding back her tears after a moving video tribute from her children Cody and her 25-year-old daughter Cassidy, followed by an emotional hug from Cody. Cassidy, who is an actress, could not be present personally because she is working on a film project.

"For you, mom is a television legend," Cody said in the video. "For us, it's a legendary mother."

"The best qualities of my mother, the ones I've admired in my life – her heart, her kindness, is something she's leading," Cassidy said. "She is one of the nicest people on the planet."

She then finished her last show surrounded on stage by her family today.

As for her wine partner, Kathie Lee and Hoda spoke about their friendship a day earlier, TODAY, and explained how they had built close ties from the beginning of their collaboration.

"God has introduced Hoda into my life for all kinds of reasons," said Kathie Lee. "I had to learn from her, she had to learn from me, we were supposed to share our life together."

"(Kathie Lee) has totally sunk into my life like never before," said Hoda. "She came in, and she pierced me when we met, I do not know if you ever had this chemistry where you are in contact with someone like that. had, and it was a feeling that I would never have had before – that kind of intensity. "

While Kathie Lee says goodbye to TODAY's, both now have a link for life.

"I hope she knows how much I love her," said Kathie Lee about Hoda. "When I love, I love all of my being, as long as I'm here with a pulse, that's how I like it, and it hurts me." Love hurts me, but I can not imagine living a moment of my life without it. "

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