On Friday, in honor of the 65-year-old TV personality's final day on the NBC morning show after more than a decade, her longtime co-workers took to social media to bid her farewell.
Hoda Kotb, who served as Gifford's co-host, shared a sweet quote by Beau Taplin on Twitter that alluded to Gifford's departure. "Sunsets are proof that endings can be beautiful too," the message read.
Meanwhile, Jenna Bush Hager, Gifford's replacement alongside Kotb, said that Gifford has taught her about "the power of humor, and steadfast faith." Hager shared the kind words alongside a photo of herself and her two daughters, Margaret, 5, and Poppy, 3, with Gifford, revealing that her girls "adore" their mom's now-former co-worker.
Craig Melvin shared a snap from Thursday's episode of Today, gushing that Gifford is "one of a kind."
While saying goodbye is never easy, on her penultimate episode of Today on Thursday, Gifford said she was "at peace" with her decision and has enjoyed receiving so much praise.
"Usually you have to die before people say such nice things about you," she quipped.
When ET's Nischelle Turner caught up with Gifford and Kotb last month, they were emotional about Gifford's departure.
"She's the best friend you can have," Gifford tearfully said of Kotb. "I consider Hoda one of my dearest forever."
"The day that I met Kathie, that was big line of demarcation. I feel like everything changed and got better and got happier," Kotb agreed. "I felt more fulfilled and I felt like I took risks that I never thought I could take."
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Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford together
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TODAY -- Pictured: Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford on Friday, November 16, 2018 -- (Photo by: Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
TODAY -- Pictured: Hoda Kotb, Kathie Lee Gifford and Howie Mandel on Tuesday, December 4, 2018 -- (Photo by: Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
TODAY -- Pictured: Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford on Friday, November 23, 2018 -- (Photo by: Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
TODAY -- Pictured: Hoda Kotb, Kathie Lee Gifford and Donna Farizan on Friday, November 16, 2018 -- (Photo by: Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
TODAY -- Pictured: Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford on Tuesday, October 17, 2017 -- (Photo by: Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
TODAY -- Pictured: Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford on Thursday, October 12, 2017 -- (Photo by: Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
TODAY -- Pictured: Hoda Kotb, Kathie Lee Gifford and Billie Jean King on Wednesday, September 20, 2017 -- (Photo by: Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
TODAY -- Pictured: Dylan Dreyer, Jenna Bush Hager, Hoda Kotb, Kathie Lee Gifford and Al Roker on Wednesday, September 6, 2017 -- (Photo by: Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
TODAY -- Pictured: Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford on Monday, September 5, 2017 -- (Photo by: Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
TODAY -- Pictured: Kathie Lee Gifford, Lionel Richie and Hoda Kotb on Tuesday, August 15, 2017 -- (Photo by: Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
TODAY -- Pictured: (l-r) Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford on Thursday, Aug.10, 2017 -- (Photo by: Zach Pagano/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 18: Hoda Kotb (L) and Kathie Lee Gifford (R) are seen on July 18, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by VMAL/Star Max/GC Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 18: (L-R) TV personalities Sheinelle Jones, Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford attend the 'DUNKIRK' New York premiere at AMC Lincoln Square IMAX on July 18, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage)
TODAY -- Pictured: Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford on Monday, June 23, 2017 -- (Photo by: Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - JUNE 07: Hoda Kotb (L) and Kathie Lee Gifford attend the 2017 CMT Music Awards at the Music City Center on June 7, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)
NASHVILLE, TN - JUNE 07: Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford attend the 2017 CMT Music Awards at the Music City Center on June 7, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images For CMT)
NASHVILLE, TN - JUNE 07: (L-R) Hoda Kotb,Jason Derulo, Luke Bryan and Kathie Lee Gifford backstage during the 2017 CMT Music Awards at the Music City Center on June 7, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)
TODAY -- Pictured: (l-r) Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford on Monday, June 5, 2017 -- (Photo by: Zach Pagano/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
TODAY -- Pictured: Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford on Tuesday, April 25, 2017 -- (Photo by: Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 24: Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford attend the 2017 Matrix Awards at Sheraton New York Times Square on April 24, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Taylor Hill/FilmMagic)
TODAY -- Pictured: Hoda Kotb And Kathie Lee Gifford on the Today Show. Wednesday, April 19, 2017 -- (Photo by: Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 06: Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford appear to celebrate the BELLA New York Holiday Issue Cover Party and Holiday Shopping Event on December 6, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Donna Ward/Getty Images)
NBCUNIVERSAL UPFRONT -- '2016 NBCUniversal Upfront in New York City on Monday, May 16, 2016' -- Pictured: (l-r) Kathie Lee Gifford, Hoda Kotb, 'The Today Show' on NBC -- (Photo by: Peter Kramer/NBCUniversal/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 31: (L) Kathie Lee Gifford dressed as her former co-host Regis Philbin, and Hoda Kotb, dressed as Kathie Lee Gifford from the morning talk show, 'Live! With Regis and Kathie Lee,' during NBC's 'Today' Halloween at Rockefeller Plaza on October 31, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/FilmMagic)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 08: TV personalities Hoda Kotb (L) and Kathie Lee Gifford attend the Variety's Power Of Women: New York 2016 at Cipriani Midtown on April 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Paul Zimmerman/WireImage)
TODAY -- Pictured: (l-r) Kathie Lee Gifford, Jennifer Lopez, and Hoda Kotb appear on the 'Today' show on Tuesday, March 1, 2016 -- (Photo by: Peter Kramer/NBC/NBC NewsWire via Getty Images)
TODAY -- Pictured: (l-r) Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford appear on NBC News' 'Today' show -- (Photo by: Peter Kramer/NBC/NBC NewsWire via Getty Images)
TODAY -- Pictured: Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford on Monday, Jan. 1, 2018 -- (Photo by: Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
TODAY -- Pictured: Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford on Friday, November 23, 2018 -- (Photo by: Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
We’re living in something of a golden age of superhero movies and audiences have come to expect certain things from the genre. Usually, some world-ending apocalypse, spread across a shared universe and prevented at the last minute by a group of powerful yet jokey individuals. Sound familiar? The formula for a successful superhero movie has been set largely by the astronomical success of the MCU (although Fox’s R-rated mutants and the DC Extended Universe’s grimdark heroes have their role to play), but one thing all superhero films can agree on is that the genre isn’t just for kids anymore.
Enter Shazam!, the first superhero film to adopt the stick that high-brow critics and viewers use to beat the genre with: it is actually and unashamedly a kids’ film. Shazam! hits every beat of the classic family adventure genre (even squeezing in a direct Big reference), is packed full of thrills and earnest humour, has a scenery-munching villain with zero redeeming qualities, and, most importantly, a huge dose of the wish-fulfillment wonder that superheroes are all about.
Note: There's some story spoiler for Shazam! from this point onwards so make sure you've seen the film before you continue.
Superheroes may come from a background of primary colours and kid-friendly good vs evil battles, but, let’s be honest, superhero films have been aimed at adults since Tim Burton’s Batman, and they’ve been typecast in a very particular way since the irreverent, brash stylings of Jon Favreau’s Iron Man. That film sets the perfect grounded tone for Tony Stark, but has since been employed by the vast majority of MCU films, as well as many others. In their eagerness to reinvent superheroes as acceptable adult fare, the films have thrown out the baby with the bathwater. They’re extraordinarily good at spectacle, but where’s the wonder?
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Shazam! ending explained - everything you need to know after watching
Perhaps now, as an adult, your favourite superhero film is the Oscar-winning, near-perfect The Dark Knight, but that film is almost certainly not why you love Batman. There will have been a moment in childhood where you encountered the Bat for the first time, in comics, maybe, or in animation. You saw him swinging from rooftops with his cape swirling around him and thought: I want to be him. I COULD be him.
That’s what Shazam! captures with every moment of its running time: that wish-fulfillment that is inherent - albeit often forgotten - in the superhero genre. It veered wildly away from the prevalent dark tone of DC movies and embraced the purity of the superhero concept in a way that we haven’t seen since Richard Donner’s Superman. It wears its heart on its sleeve. It’s not embarrassed to tell a story about learning to accept love and support in order to reach your potential. In this era of superhero films, that sort of straight-faced sincerity makes it a game-changer.
Image credit: Warner Bros.
The film out-and-out rejects the notion of ‘dark superheroes’ in a scene where Billy Batson, AKA Shazam, pretends to be seduced by the pull of dark power, before laughing it off as ‘weird’. That moment sums up the entire film’s approach - being a superhero isn’t a chore, it’s fun. The humour of superhero films is usually typified by a self-referential cocked-eyebrow at the excesses of the genre, but with Shazam! you’re simply having fun with the characters. You feel every bit of Billy’s giddy excitement as he urges gunmen to shoot him again when he realises he’s bulletproof. The wish-fulfillment theme is taken to a whole other level in a triumphant finale that we’re loathe to spoil, but which drums home the core message of being a superhero - it’s not about angst, or violence, or fuelling your own ego, it’s about standing up for what’s right, and anyone can do that.
It’s no surprise that the current superhero movie trend is for darkness, or at least for cynicism. Hope and sincerity are just not cool at the moment. MCU movies have their moments of sincerity, but undercut them with a knowing gag just before the audience starts to get fidgety. For example, Groot’s sort-of death in the original Guardians of the Galaxy is a genuinely emotional moment, but less than five minutes later we find ourselves in a dance-off. But Shazam! stays with its characters through the hard moments - we see Billy struggling with his initial cowardly response to the villainous Sivana, we see Freddy navigating his own frustrations with Billy, who is squandering everything the disabled Freddy knows he can’t have. And Billy’s eventual meeting with his long-lost mother is painful, honest, and more grown up than anything the MCU has tackled. It makes Tony and Steve’s Civil War conflict look frankly immature. Shazam! isn’t afraid to get emotional, because children aren’t afraid of emotion - that’s something we learn in adulthood.
Image credit: Warner Bros.
Shazam! also benefits from having a lower budget than other superhero movies, which allowed director David F Sandberg to keep things tightly focused on Billy, Sivana, and Billy's foster family. At a time when superhero stakes have become so sky-high that Marvel has literally wiped out half of their universe, Shazam!’s a breath of fresh air. The stakes here are (relatively) small and personal: Billy simply wants to protect the family he’s only just found. It proves that the fate of the world doesn’t have to be on the line for audiences to care.
I love superhero films. I’ll be bawling my way through Avengers: Endgame like everyone else. But Shazam! reignited something in me that I didn’t know had been extinguished. For the first time in a long time, I left the cinema grinning from ear to ear and desperately wanting to be a superhero. So let’s put aside the high stakes and the darkness and the heroes who casually murder people for a while, and let superhero movies be for kids again, because we’re all big kids at heart anyway.
If you can't get enough of DCEU's newest hero, here's a breakdown of the Shazam! post-credits scenes for you to delve into.
It's the end of an era, as Kathie Lee Gifford said goodbye on Friday after 11 years on TODAY, complete with laughs, tears, hugs, champagne — and an amazing giveaway to everyone in the audience.
April 5, 201910:44
A live performance by Flo Rida kicked off her final episode as she entered to cheers from the crowd and hugs from both her TODAY family and her actual family, as her son, Cody, 29, was in the studio with his girlfriend.
"I feel great,'' she said. "I have no expectations. You just want to bear it well. ... You also want to remind people of why this show worked in the beginning — because we have fun. We have a great love and affection and respect for our audience."
Not only has Kathie Lee been affiliated with Carnival Cruise Line since doing her first commercial for the company in 1984, there also is a family connection. It turns out Cody was conceived on a trip with her late husband, Frank Gifford.
"As a matter of fact, this guy, this big 6-foot-4 guy, was made on a Carnival Cruise,'' she said about Cody.
"That's good advertising,'' Cody joked.
Kathie Lee and co-host Hoda Kotb also reflected on why their partnership has worked all these years.
"I think it's because of you,'' Hoda said.
"Yeah, that's what I think,'' Kathie Lee joked.
She also revealed that she received a giant flower bouquet at her home from a surprise sender — Howard Stern and his wife, Beth. The radio host had often lampooned her over the years before the two made peace.
"That man hated my guts for 30 years and I prayed for him every single day,'' she said. "And turned it around."
Adding to her joyful day, Friday also marked the release of a film she made in Israel called "The God Who Sees," which is available on her website and streaming platforms.
A succession of special guests who have made many appearances on the show over the years then surprised Kathie Lee to give her a proper send-off.
April 5, 201903:38
Actor and wrestling superstar John Cena, actor Dean Cain and actor Ryan Eggold all showed up in tribute to her. She was having her best day as she climbed into Cena's arms, hugged Cain and got a bouquet of flowers from Eggold.
Kathie Lee then went from smiles to holding back tears after a touching video tribute from her children, Cody and daughter Cassidy, 25, followed by an emotional hug from Cody. Cassidy, who is an actress, was unable to be there in person because she is working on a film project.
April 5, 201903:51
"To you, mom is a TV legend,'' Cody said in the video. "To us, she's a legendary mom."
"The best qualities that my mom has, the ones that I've looked up to in my life — her heart, her kindness is something that she leads with,'' Cassidy said. "She is one of the kindest people on the planet."
She then ended her final show surrounded on stage by her TODAY family.
April 5, 201903:23
As for her partner in wine, Kathie Lee and Hoda reflected on their friendship a day earlier on TODAY, talking about how they formed a close bond right from when they first started working together.
"God brought Hoda into my life for all kinds of different reasons," Kathie Lee said. "I was supposed to learn from her. She was supposed to learn from me. We were supposed to share life together."
April 4, 201908:10
"(Kathie Lee) totally jumped into my life in a way that I had never experienced before," Hoda said. "She stepped into it, and I was transfixed by her when we met. I don't know if you've ever had that chemistry where you connect with someone like that. I had it, and it was a feeling I'd never had before — that kind of intensity."
While Kathie Lee is saying farewell from TODAY, the two now have a bond for life.
"I hope she knows how much I love her," Kathie Lee said about Hoda. "When I love, I love with my entire being, as long as I'm here with a pulse. That's how I love, and that hurts. That kind of love hurts, but I can't imagine living one moment of my life without it."
The iconic 75-year-old Rolling Stones frontman is currently being monitoried by doctors for any complications, sources told Billboard.
Jagger will need rest after the transcatheter aortic valve replacement, a minimally invasive procedure, and could be up and moving in several days, according to the report. He will also need additional time to recover before going back to performing.
RELATED: Mick Jagger's son, Lucas, on Instagram
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Lucas Jagger, son of Mick Jagger, on Instagram
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Happy birthday to my dadda❤️, love u lots
amfAR 2018
With @ncubedproductions
Thanks to @burberry for the outfit. 🙌
Me and little Georgia
Lil Dre, u fucking destroyed
#penn
Peep the link no bio
#mpn2017 hoje as 7!
Amsterdam apparently #peep
NYC🍎🛫SP 🇧🇷
🇧🇷🏅
Olha quem encontrei no aeroporto
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The band had earlier released a statement saying they were postponing their upcoming "No Filter" US tour, which was scheduled to start later this month: "Mick Jagger has been advised by doctors that he cannot go on tour at this time as he needs medical treatment...The doctors have advised Mick that he is expected to make a complete recovery so that he can get back on stage as soon as possible."
Jagger had also previously tweeted, "I'm so sorry to all our fans in America & Canada with tickets."
"I really hate letting you down like this. I'm devastated for having to postpone the tour but I will be working very hard to be back on stage as soon as I can. Once again, huge apologies to everyone."
Reps for Jagger did not return Billboard's request for comment.
RELATED: Foods for a heart-healthy diet
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How to stick to a heart-healthy diet
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1. Addition and substitution (not deprivation)
"Yes, you should avoid foods high in unhealthy fats and sugar," says Latimer. "But instead of focusing on what you can't have, focus on what you can enjoy.
2. Increase fiber in your diet without supplements
Fruits, vegetables and beans are packed with fiber with whole grains: Steel cut oats and berries for breakfast, brown rice, beans and vegetables for lunch and dinner.
3. Try this perfect heart healthy lunch
A salad with leafy greens, tomatoes, salmon and a little olive oil. Kale and spinach are also high in vitamin K and will help boost your heart health. Tomatoes are a fantastic source of antioxidants, while salmon is packed with high levels of omega-3 fatty acids. Toss in avocado (for blood pressure and fiber) for a filling and healthy meal.
Olive oil is a good fat and has been shown to reduce cholesterol
4. Nuts make the perfect snack
Snack on walnuts, almonds and peanuts which are filled with omega-3s, fibers and vitamin E to lower cholesterol and decrease risk for clots.
5. Keep fruits and veggies on-hand for easy access
A full fridge can reduce your cravings and mindless eating. A cup of anti-inflammatory green tea once a day can also do wonders.
6. Moderate intake of red wine
Some studies prove red wine, dark chocolate and coffee have been linked to better heart health. Cheers!
Hilaria Baldwin was nervous to share that she was “likely experiencing a miscarriage,” but the amount of support she received online gave her the comfort she needed.
“Thank you for the support and for your stories,” she wrote on her Instagram story Thursday. “This is why I wanted to share … we are such a community here. And may we continue to stick together and lift each other up.”
Baldwin’s message came after she opened up that her fifth pregnancy would “likely” end. She asked followers to be kind in the comments, explaining that she was sharing her devastating news in order to end the stigma surrounding miscarriage.
The “Mom Brain” co-host received an outpouring of support and kind words from women and fellow celebrities, including her podcast co-host, Daphne Oz, Rachael Ray, and Mario Lopez. Baldwin’s husband, actor Alec Baldwin, shared her story on his own Instagram, where she received even more messages of support.
“My wife is kind and generous in her support of other women…,” Alec captioned his post.
Hilaria later shared pictures of her three sons, Leonardo, Rafael and Romeo, on her Instagram story, as well as a passage from Lebanese writer Kahlil Gibran.
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