Unpack your bags, Matt Lauer, change your money back to dollars, and put your passport back in the "important stuff" drawer where it lives the rest of the year. The Today show is skipping its annual "Where in the World is Matt Lauer?" event because a flashy trip "sen[ds] the wrong message" during the recession, according to the Associated Press.
Fair enough, but, since when are we looking at Today to hold up the mirror? Matt Lauer makes a reported $13 million a year, Kathie Lee is nuttier than a squirrel’s cheeks in October, and calling a cancer survivor whose husband and son died within six months of each other "lucky" because she got an ambush makeover would be a stretch anywhere else. But it’s fine! That’s what makes Today…Today. Rarely a dull moment, etc, etc. Embrace it, Today show. Be your sensational self.
All this "where in the world" thinking has, predictably, made me very nostalgic for Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?, not just my favorite computer game when I was a kid but also a preeeeetty infotaining TV show. I remember this episode excerpted below because — SPOILER — the kid won on AFRICA! That never happened! Go, Eric!
I feel old if you were a kid when this show was on.
wow…I LOVED this show growing up!! Thanks for posting it…I feel so old now.
Whatever happened to Rockapella? I was surprised by how much of the theme song I remembered. Yikes!
I forgot Lynne Thigpen played the Chief on “Where in the World…” RIP.
They need to do a show like this again. I was a kid when this was on (yes 30 is the new old) and my whole family would sit down at 5:30 to watch this. Also the use of minority women was great. The chief was a Black woman and Carmen was Latina. Loved it!
I used to love watching this show as a kid! I wish they had an educational game show like this for kids now. The kid in the clip TOTALLY rocked Africa; I always felt bad for the kids who drew Asia or Africa in the final round. And yay, Rockapella!
Today is ridiculous. I swear they want to continue economic problems rather than solve them. Just have those overpaid hosts spend money in the US and Matt can travel anywhere that they want. I swear that they tie every story to “the recession.” Get on board the recovery train, Today and support President Obama rather than attacking him every morning.
Today’s producers are thinking smart. They’re just being sensitive to what’s going on right now with the recession. Why have an upbeat Matt Lauer travel segment when some people have lost their jobs? It wouldn’t cheer them up at this moment. And a flashy, decadent trip isn’t a good idea for anybody right now.
I don’t mean to sound rude, but why do they need to be sensitive to the unemployed who can’t travel? There are still many people in the United States who are gainfully employed and have plenty of money put away to travel. If you have the time, are employed and have vacation pay available, then I don’t see the problem with traveling internationally this year? Being cheap/frugal isn’t going to do anyone any good. Life is way too short, travel and enjoy the world for what it has to offer.
I agree with Don J. Just because some people cant afford to travel doesnt mean that no one should travel. I am gainfully employed, as is my husband and we are going on a 2 week vacation to Hawaii for our anniversary in July. So since their is a recession, I shouldnt go? Give me a break. If they really care about the economy tell the Today Show anchors to donate some of their salaries to help out a family hard hit by the reession. I never really cared about the trips but to not do them is silly!
I was a little too old for this show when it first aired – but I always watched it, just for Rockapella. That show introduced me to them and I’ve been a big fan ever since!
Intersting piece. I think that Matt should still take his trip but agree with the comment that maybe this year he should restrict his travels to the U.S. However, the primary reason I am writing is to say that I really enjoyed watching the clip from Carmen Sandiego. I am in my 40s and while the show was not on TV when I was a child, I have fond memories of watching it with my oldest daughter. I thought it was a terrific show. PBS or some network should consider bringing it back to TV.
Wow, Margaret, you just reminded me that I had a little crush on Greg Lee. Rad.
I know it’s expensive to travel all over the world, but you know what? It’s an opportunity for those of us who truly can’t afford it to see some of the beautiful places. I enjoy Today. It’s a TV show and supposed to be informative and entertaining. I have to agree that there are some really great places in the US that it would also be nice to visit. Not particularly the Kathy Lee segment but the first three hours are super.
Where is Matt? Wasn’t he supposed to go to Ireland instead of Al Roker? He’s been gone all week. What’s up?
I’m sorry they aren’t doing the “Where in the World” series this year. If Today wants to save money, get rid of Kathy Lee and why does she get top billing over Hoda? Hoda started the 4th hour. I can’t stand all the stupid antics of Kathy Lee.