Nothing says "Welcome to Today" like being strapped to pogo stick shoes and hopping around on camera. Kathie Lee's arrival on April 7, 2008 set the tone for the sort of madcap moments that would become her hallmark as co-host of the venerable daytime show's fourth hour.
Halloween at Today is always a serious(ly silly) endeavor, and KLG's first holiday with the gang did not disappoint. With Hoda doing her best Little Red Riding Hood, it was up to her co-host to deliver as the Big Bad Wolf. And she did not disappoint. TBH, the makeup on this costume still freaks us out a little bit.
In May 2010, Kathie Lee and Hoda went where no other daytime host has every gone before: completely makeup free. "For those of you watching us in hi-def, this is going to be a real treat," KLG said at the start of the hour. "Or not!"
KLG was not afraid to cut a rug.
In 2011, Valentine's Day also happened to be the morning after the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards, so KLG and Hoda devoted a portion of their hour to talk about the night's big winners. And let's just say they were not entirely on board with Arcade Fire's win for Album of the Year. In fact, they had no idea who the indie band even was. "That's not a good thing when you have a fire in an arcade, but I guess in their case, it's good, right?" KLG asked. Check out the entire hilarious moment here.
In May 2012, the ladies welcomed Dr. Patricia Wexler to break down some popular cosmetic procedures for the audience at home. And to do so, they each took a turn in the patient's chair, with KLG undergoing a non-invasive eyebrow lift on the air, while Hoda had her arm hair lasered off. "We're gonna get my other side fixed, I hope, or I'm gonna look ridic," Kathie Lee said as the demo moved on after only her left brow had been treated.
See? Fearless.
Days after the cosmetic surgery segment, the ladies welcomed America's Got Talent judge Howie Mandel and then-host Nick Cannon and had a friendly talent contest in honor of their presence. KLG's presentation? Her hula-hoop skills. Alas, the minute someone handed her a glass of wine, she was unable to keep up the focus. But really, who hasn't been there?
To celebrate the back-to-school season in September 2012, the ladies turned their set into a faux dorm room, complete with bean bag chairs to sit on, as they donned gear from their favorite schools. KLG was, of course, decked out in her beloved USC's cardinal and gold. And their drinking vessels for the day? Red Solo cups, of course.
The March 12, 2013 episode kicked off with both women inside full-body dog costumes. Why? To thank fans for helping the show reach 500,000 likes on Facebook. Makes total sense.
Who even cares why?
Hoda always tried to get Kathie Lee to like the music on her iHoda playlist. And KLG rarely did. The March 2013 moment when Hoda tried to sway her with Macklemore and Ryan Lewis' "Thrift Shop" will forever live in infamy. After hearing just one verse, Kathie Lee delivered her verdict: "Is there much more?"
A May 2013 conversation about what a woman's pubic hair says about her turned very personal when the ladies revealed their, uh, preferences. KLG, ever the traditionalist, admitted she keeps things au naturel, while Hoda revealed she favors a "landing strip." "Seen any 747s recently?" Kathie Lee shouted in response.
Kathie Lee celebrated a milestone birthday on the air on August 16, 2013, and Today went all out. There were plenty of flowers and balloons and, of course, drinks, while beloved hubby Frank Gifford stopped by for a visit. But the best thing about it might've been the way that KLG forced Hoda to take a shot every time she said the word "sixty" in the week leading up to the big day as a way of penalizing her co-host for the reminder.
Not even afraid to give dabbing a try.
In November 2013, KLG and Hoda were visited by Jeremy Brandt, the host of Nat Geo Wild's Jobs That Bite. For the occasion, he brought along a goat for milking because truly anything goes on the fourth hour of Today. After a quick demonstration, he let them try their hand at it—forgoing the traditional bucket and catching it in a wine glass instead. "That's quite a teat!" KLG exclaimed as she got friendly with the farm animal. "I just feel like I'm violating her dignity."
Apparently, in 2014, a new trend in speed dating was for people to put paper bags over their heads to get beyond just the physical. Naturally, KLG and Hoda had to have some fun with it. "What's the point of this?" KLG asked as Hoda laughed hysterically. "You can still see the person. And I can already judge. She's got a huge head!"
Has there ever been anything more terrifying than this image of KLG as Woodstock from the beloved Peanuts cartoons? We think not.
While all of KLG's Halloween costumes over the years have been pretty next level, our favorite just might be this one from 2016 when she went as her old partner-in-crime Regis Philbin with Hoda doing her best vintage Kathie Lee. It all made for one of the weirdest trips back in time and we're just thankful we were alive to witness it.
When Tom Selleck appeared on Today in March 2017, he and KLG reminisced about a smooch the two once shared on LIVE! With Regis and Kathie Lee a full two decades earlier. To honor the anniversary, she leaped up from her seat, sat in Selleck's lap and planted another wet one on him. "Happy anniversary!" she said afterwards. "He's got the softest lips!" Selleck's reply? "Yes, I do!"
When the ladies were visited by Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi and Nico Tortorella, the hosts of MTV's tattoo-centric show How Far Is Tattoo Far, in October 2018, they gave each other surprise (and temporary) tattoos. Hoda put "Just Ask Me to Take a Selfie" on KLG, who hates taking selfies, while Kathie Lee just put her own face on her co-star. That's one way to make sure she'll remember you!
Whatever this is.