The Man Who Replaced Kathie Lee (For a Week!)

By Rob Shuter Posted Jul 15th 2010 05:04PM

With Kathie Lee on vacation, the 'Today' show's Hoda Kotb welcomed a special guest host, MSNBC's 'Way Too Early' Willie Geist. He's caught everyone's attention this week. So who is Kotb's new buddy?

I had the opportunity to chat with Geist this week and find out more about morning TV's newest star and why he's grateful that Kathie Lee lent him her bar stool for a week.

What's it like being on 'The Today Show'?
This week we've had champagne, margaritas and a wine tasting on the show, so mostly I'm just hungover. Hoda is a great drinking buddy. I'm grateful that Kathie Lee lent me her bar stool for a week.

How did you get your start?
In keeping with the booze theme, I drove a liquor delivery truck for six months out of college before taking a job at CNN editing sports highlights. I eventually became a producer and later, through a series of egregious clerical errors, ended up on television at MSNBC.

Does your family watch you on TV?
My show 'Way Too Early' is on MSNBC at 5:30AM, so my family members, like most people who are not clinically insane, do not watch live. That's what DVR is for. My three-year-old daughter actually screams to get me off the screen when I come on. She prefers the Wonder Pets to her own father. Sad, I know.

You are surprising tall. What else about you is a surprise?
I'm a student of rap music. I came up the hard way in suburban New Jersey. The other kids were all about Bon Jovi and The Boss, while I was rushing home to watch Big Daddy Kane on Video Music Box with DJ Ralph McDaniels. Also, I rode Secretariat to the Triple Crown in 1973. That always surprises people.

Who would you rather kiss: Hoda or KLG?
Al Roker.

Who is your fave celeb?
Jay-Z. I went to his show recently and hyperventilated like a 10-year-old girl at a Justin Bieber concert. I've spent some time around Bradley Cooper lately and he's an all-time great dude.

Do Mika and Joe argue off camera too?
Your question implies that they argue on camera. We call it healthy political debate – debate that's followed by long, expensive therapy sessions for all three of us. We work together to move past the pain.

What is it like knowing millions of people have woken up with you this week?
It feels promiscuous. I'm gonna go have some blood work done.

You are borrowing KLG's dressing room this week. What is it like?
Surprisingly understated for a star of her stature. Kathie Lee is a woman of the people. I probably shouldn't admit this in print, but I closed the door to her dressing room, popped in one of her CDs, and tried on every one of the dresses on her wardrobe rack, one by one.

Boxers or briefs?
Long johns. Year round.

If you, Matt and Al were on 'Dancing with the Stars' who would win?
Probably Mario Lopez.

Willie Geist is the host of 'Way Too Early' (weekdays on MSNBC 5:30AM ET) and co-host of 'Morning Joe' (weekdays on MSNBC 6-9AM ET).

Tags: hoda kotb, willie geist

Comments

(57)

Saturday 17 July

By JanL

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Love the guy and his sense of humor. As someone else stated, the whole crew of TODAY is awesome. They help start the day with a laugh even in depressing times. Thanks. Way to go TODAY crew....

By rob shuter

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LOVE that aol put this on the homepage. Willie i a gentleman and will be America's Next Top Model...oopppsss, i meant Morning TV STAR

By jean

I must say it was nice to listen to both sexes, there should be a man and woman so we can hear both sides. KLG WORKS MY NERVES, SHE PLAYS TOO MUCH, AND DONT KNOW WHEN TO TURN IT OFF! Willie rocks!!!!!

By ennui

A BLITHERING IDIOT FILLING IN FOR ANOTHER IDIOT, CO-HOSTING WITH A MORON ON ONE OF THE DUMBEST, MOST POINTLESS PIECES OF GARBAGE ON TELEVISION, SECOND ONLY TO THE PATHETIC SHOW THAT PRECEDES IT.

By Rene

I am one of those 'insane' Willie Geist fans who watches him faithfully every week day morning at 4:00 AM (Central Time).

I hear rumors they are grooming Willie to replace Matt Lauer (when Matt's contract expires) on the Today Show.

Memo to NBC: that would be a brilliant move . . . and one way to totally redeem yourselves from the Jay Leno public relations disaster of last year.

Y e s s s s s s s!!!

By johnny

I kinda liked the guy but he blew it by saying he likes rap music - only loosers like that discusting music - sorry pal you lost a lot of fans -

By neenah

He's Bill Geist's son (CBS this Morning) - so he's no stranger to entertainment news. He's fun to have as a sideliner.

By Jazzy

I love Willie Geist. His answer reference who he would rather
kiss was great!

CORRECTION: I meant to type 4:30 AM (Central Time).

By Dawn

Is his dad Bill?

By Toni

Willie was fantastic! I watched everyday and with each day grew fonder. He was missed on Friday. Wished he had a permanent role!

By G.Sargent

I might be past the cougar stage but I do try to wake up in time to catch the Way Too Early show. What starts off as grins at Willie's seeming innocence typically turns to audible giggles by the time he starts mixing it up with Mica and Joe on the Good Morning Joe programming. Willie openly has fun putting a very slightly off-colored twist to some of his statements, making even Mica struggle to keep a straight face. With all the gloom and doom presented in early morning news broadcasts it is a delight to start off the day with a hint of humor. You are a good man, Willie. Please don't let success make you outgrow the viewership which currently finds you to be a very enjoyable treasure.

By don swartzell

Another loser from MSNBC..and the question about "millions" waking up with him? There arent "millions" that watch that network...What a joke

By Peter

I am so sick of Kathie Lee Gifford. The women should retire and enjoy her family, Frank can't have much more time to go

By MT

He's a hack and a Letterman wanna-be silly twit; that it is the current state of our media that the son of a 2nd-rate talent like bill geist is now on national TV... God Help all of us...
Watch him for 5 minutes and your IQ drops 10 points..

By somost

He has a very good person in the broadcast business it learn form on CBS Sunday Morning show.

By Andrea

I love Willie Geist--and his dad, Bill. Both are clever and articulate storytellers.

If only MSNBC could dump Mika from its "Morning Joe" show, that would be perfect. She adds nothing, spends most of her time reading newspaper articles aloud, and chastises her co-hosts like naughty children. Andrea Mitchell would be far better than Mika who, I suspect, got the job only because of who her father is.

But back to Willie Geist--thanks for my daily wake-up. You make it worthwhile and informative as well as entertaining. I hope you do take over Matt Lauer's job one day. You do a great job!

By alijul

How did he start in TV business??? Obviously through his father, long time CBS correspondent Bill Geist. But you don't see it in his interview. At least he could be a little honest and admit he had a lot of help.

By deb

Willie got his job because of his dad. And so did Mika. These people did not earn their positions.

By Patti

They should replace KLG with someone else, and I would watch the
program. I can't stand KLG, she thinks she is soooo perfect and her perfect little family. Oh by the way KLG, having one child is a family just like a husband and wife are a family. You don't have to have any children to be a family

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