With coaching from the Princeton crew team and some intensive training, Matt, Ann, Al and Natalie take to the water and row their way to "victory."
More from TODAY Takes On:
Anchors fly high in acrobatic show
TODAY hosts try their hand painting the nude
TODAY goes to the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show | Part 2
Matt, Al luge | Try synchronized swimming | Perform gymnastics
TODAY
Why use two chairs when one will do the trick?
Howard Stern, the new "America's Got Talent" judge and Matt's longtime friend, ended his interview this morning by snuggling up close to the TODAY anchor and planting a few wet ones on his head.
Matt, Ann, Al and Natalie honed their acrobatic skills to kick off this year's installments in the series, TODAY Takes On.
They joined the stars of the high-flying off-Broadway show Fuerza Bruta for a performance for who Matt called "a band of rowdy youths."
More anchor antics with TODAY Takes On:
TODAY hosts try their hand painting the nude
TODAY goes to the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show | Part 2
Matt, Al luge | Try synchronized swimming | Perform gymnastics
Admiral General Shabazz Aladeen had no qualms about being interviewed by TODAY's Matt Lauer on Monday. He made sure that Lauer's family was being taken care of, just in case things didn't go the way he liked. "By the way, how are your family? ... How is your wife Annette?" he asked at the top of the interview. "What is she doing now?"
"She's probably watching this interview," said Lauer.
"Incorrect!" said Aladeen, pulling a swatch of brown locks from his pocket. "Is this her hair?"
Fortunately, it's all an act -- a very funny one, as General Aladeen is actually Sacha Baron Cohen, promoting his new film "The Dictator." He was escorted to the TODAY studios in grand fashion, emerging from a stretch limo with a handful of guards -- short-skirted, beret-sporting ladies wielding fake machine guns. He then proceeded to kiss folks in the plaza and staged a bloodless coup in the control room. So he was all warmed up by the time Lauer sat him down for a chat.
More photos: 'The Dictator' arrives, brings the big guns
Here's what you need to know about his country, Wadiya: "It is 1300 miles from Tel Aviv as the SCUD flies," he said. "It has a population of 4 million, but obviously that figure changes depending on my mood."
The General is also a love machine, at least according to himself: He's had relations with Megan Fox, Katy Perry and Oprah. "No relationships, just sex activity," he said.
And as for his infamous Oscar red carpet experience, where he spilled ashes reportedly from late Korean dictator Kim Jong-il on Ryan Seacrest? All a misunderstanding. "It was not Kim Jong-il's ashes," said Aladeen, who then went into a long explanation about how Jong-il was actually consumed by his "fat son" and became "Kim Jong-Yum."
So after the veiled threats about his family and discussion of bombs in the air and ash-spilling, did Lauer and The Dictator part as friends? Undoubtedly -- Aladeen would have it no other way, raising the back of his hand for a kiss, which Lauer bestowed.
"(My movie) will be released next Wednesday," said Aladeen. "As for your family, let's see."
"The Dictator" opens May 16.
More Sacha Baron Cohen video:
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TODAY
"The Dictator" made quite an entrance when he visited TODAY this morning, delivered via limo and flanked by a slew of busty, weapon-toting "bodyguards."
The latest incarnation of Sacha Baron Cohen (of "Bruno" and "Borat" fame) burst onto 48th Street in full character as "Admiral General Shabazz Aladeen" and proceeded to plant kisses on blushing lady fans on the plaza.
TODAY
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Fresh from menacing Ryan Seacrest on the Oscars red carpet, the flamboyant leader visited TODAY all the way from the highly fictive country of the Republic of Wadiya to plug his latest movie, and to stage a coup of the control room.
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We're not sure how many guests get Matt Lauer to do this at the end of an interview:
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But we're guessing it's not many.
From whether men make better Secret Service agents than women to genetic testing for fatal diseases, TODAY Professionals have tackled some contentious issues.
But today they picked up a really hot potato: Which TODAY anchor looks best in a plaid jacket?
The plaid madness started last Thursday when Matt’s plaid jacket made such a big fashion statement that it got its own Twitter account, courtesy of Savannah Guthrie. Then yesterday, Al upped the ante in an eye-catching salmon-colored number. But which anchor pulled off plaid better?
Kelly Osbourne, a panelist on E! Network's TV show "Fashion Police" and a guest on the TODAY Professionals panel, was solidly in Matt's corner. "It's so hard to say this because I love them both so much, but I have to say Matt because it's so classic," she said.
Dr. Nancy Snyderman, returning from her overseas vacation, agreed. "Matt's jacket made news in Italy," she said.
By that point, Al had heard enough and interrupted the segment to defend his jacket, which he said he bought last year. "He's a Johnny-come-lately," Al joked about Matt.
TODAY
He then flashed the inside of the tan jacket he was wearing today, revealing that the lining was colored ... salmon!
"Al's always rocking the salmon whether we see it or not," Savannah laughed.
And TODAY.com readers vindicated our weatherman's look. By the time of the segment, Al was winning the "Who wore it better" poll by a wide margin.
Do you agree? Click here to weigh in!
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Steve Veres, an editor for TODAY.com, is amused the plaid madness is making news overseas.
Is plaid the new fad? It's starting to look that way, judging from what Al wore today.
Though the New York weather outside was dreary this morning, our co-anchor warmed up Studio 1A by wearing a salmon-colored plaid jacket.
His swanky style caught the eye of dozens of viewers on Twitter and Pinterest -- and even E!'s Giuliana Rancic!
Fashion Police loved it!!! @todayshow: RT @alroker Thanks to all who enjoyed the jacket today. For those who didn't, it's just a jacket...
— Giuliana Rancic (@GiulianaRancic) May 1, 2012
Al's bold fashion statement came on the heels of Matt wearing a plaid jacket last Thursday. That was such a noteworthy event that Savannah created the Twitter account @MattPlaidJacket, which already has 1,000 followers!
TODAY
Who wears the plaid jacket better: Matt or Al?
Two plaid jackets in less than a week begs the fashion face-off question: Who wears it better? Vote in our poll on the right.
A few viewers have already weighed in on Twitter:
@SavannahGuthrie @todayshow WOW! Al Roker's Jacket makes Matt Lauer's Plaid jacket look plain!Only Al can pull off a look like that!
— A Parker (@call210) May 1, 2012
@SavannahGuthrie Is Al Roker's jacket trying to outshine Matt's jacket?
— Alicia Rutherford (@publicminddump) May 1, 2012
Steve Veres is an editor for TODAY.com. He once rocked a ruby red jacket for a college event, and has never lived it down.
Matt Lauer's plaid jacket became a Twitter hit, with a little help from Ann Curry and Savannah Guthrie.
Ann started the show saying that Matt's jacket reminded her of Johnny Carson's style. Matt agreed. "This is kind of what would happen if Johnny Carson were a guest star on 'Mad Men,'" he quipped.
And that was all the prompting Savannah needed to continue the joke. "I felt it was our collective responsibility to keep it going all morning," the avid tweeter told TODAY.com. "What better way than to engage on Twitter, especially since Matt doesn't tweet?"
Savannah set up the Twitter account @MattPlaidJacket (shockingly, @MattJacket was already taken) and started a stream of jokes. And it's already catching on with almost 200 followers.
For me, it's a career high and thrill of a lifetime to be worn by Matt Lauer on @todayshow
— Plaid Jacket (@MattPlaidJacket) April 26, 2012
My last owner won Chrysler's "Salesman of the Year" title 5 times. But gotta say, this guy's gig on @todayshow is even more impressive.
— Plaid Jacket (@MattPlaidJacket) April 26, 2012
I also look good paired with tangerine jeans #justsayin
— Plaid Jacket (@MattPlaidJacket) April 26, 2012
Tweeters also weighed in on Matt's fashion choice. Here's a selection of our favorite messages:
I must admit, #mattsplaidjacketon the @todayshow this morning caught my eye. I don't even like plaid, but I'd wear it! @AnnCurry
— Jae M. Soto (@jaemsoto) April 26, 2012
I can't believe matt's jacket is trending, #MattPlaidJacket. : )I guess I should cave and turn on the Today show.
— Melissa Daly (@macmomdaly) April 26, 2012
I think @mattplaidjacket has a bad attitude. #iknowyouarebutwhatami
— jennifer long (@jennifer_k_long) April 26, 2012
i can't wait for @mattplaidjacket to show us @mattplaidpants
— Erica Levens (@Studio1AErica) April 26, 2012
@MattPlaidJacket Is it true your father used to work with Gene Rayburn on "Match Game"? #inquiringmindswanttoknow
— The Toyroom (@TheToyroom) April 26, 2012
Do you like Matt's plaid jacket?
Despite the good-natured ribbing, Savannah says she likes the jacket. "He pulls it off," she wrote.
What do you think? Vote in the poll to the right.
Steve Veres is an editor for TODAY.com. He once sported a burgundy jacket to a party ... but did not quite pull it off.
More on TODAY.com:
Anchor style: Fun, colorful trench coats under $100
Matt Lauer or Don Draper? Can you tell the difference?
What were the chances both Savannah Guthrie and Amy Robach would choose to wear neon yellow on a day they're flanking Matt at the anchor desk?
After Matt compared their outfits to a highlighter Friday, Savannah revealed a possible explanation.
"We're going to go direct traffic after this," she said.
Ever show up to work wearing the same thing as a colleague? Tell us about it!
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Matt Lauer on 'Professionals' crashers: 'Heaven help us'
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Notice someone familiar on this year's Time 100 list?
Managing editor Rick Stengel revealed the news magazine's annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world this morning on TODAY, and our very own Matt Lauer made the cut!
The collection of names is a who’s who of prominent movers and shakers from around the globe. Matt joins a list including President Barack Obama, Mitt Romney, Warren Buffet, Tim Tebow, Kate and Pippa Middleton and SPANX founder Sara Blakely. Find the full list here.
"I couldn't be more flattered," Matt said on TODAY. Watch his full reaction.
To complete the honor, Time's editors asked radio personality and new "America's Got Talent" judge Howard Stern to pen the piece on Matt. After all, what better way to be feted than by the “King of All Media”?
"This is a guy who never gives up," Stern wrote. "Matt is cool and relaxed and so we're cool and relaxed and we can deal with the complexities of a presidential interview, a great sports event or the wacko."
We asked our Facebook audience what traits make Matt influential.
Ruth Boch wrote Matt "gets your attention" with "his smile and his tone of voice," while Michael Gregoire wrote he "asks questions most journalists do not." Weigh in on our Facebook page.
Congratulations, Matt!
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TODAY
You can be sure that Al's a big fan of Matt!
Matt's announcement he's staying with TODAY got a huge reaction on TODAY's social networks.
More than 30,000 fans liked our first post on Facebook — the most we've ever received — and thousands more tweeted their reaction to the news.
ABC News' George Stephanopoulos tweeted his support:
All best to Matt Lauer. Thanks for holding the bar so high every morning.
— GeorgeStephanopoulos (@GStephanopoulos) April 6, 2012
Want to add to the conversation? Comment on our Facebook page or tweet a message to @todayshow!
Here are some of the responses our fans shared on Facebook:
Margaret Arcara: You don't hear that often (a person talking about their job like that). That’s great!! He is a lucky guy!
Natasha Rose: Glad you are staying as well, Matt... Still giggling about the video with Ryan Seacrest... That was Awesome...
Patty Richer: Thank GOD! I would feel like I couldn't have coffee with one of my brothers ever again!!!! Happy you are staying Mr. Lauer!!!!
Julie Preston: I have been watching the TODAY show long before Matt. Actually I watched Matt on HBO then all of a sudden he was at the TODAY show! No other morning news show compares to what you all give us! Thanks for staying.
Laura Rozmus: YEAH!!!!!!! I love him and Ann!!!!! Best duo on the TODAY show to date!
Michaela Swissler Radziszewski: Congrats Matt! My favorite Matt memory is being pushed off the boat by Richard Branson at the end of Where in the World one year!
Pamela Lacombe Mullen: I'm not really jumping up in the air. I don't give one Hunkleberry Finn if he stays forgoes.
Christy Wiyrick: Matt, I watch TODAY every day, even if it's only for a few minutes. I love how personable yet professional you are. You have such a great sense of humor, too. I'm glad that you have signed another contract with the today show. :)
Caterina Stalteri-Schramm: Thank GOD!! Matt is a fixture in my morning prep before I go to work. Looking forward to seeing Matt, Ann, Al, Natalie and Savannah. GREAT TEAM!!!!!!!
Hillary Trainor: Matt IS the TODAY show. I cannot imagine waking up without him. So glad he will be around a few more years – although I wish you could keep him around forever.
Steve Veres is an editor for TODAY.com. Congrats, Matt!
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Updated April 6, 7:14 a.m. ET
Where in the world is Matt Lauer?
He’ll be in Studio 1A for a while longer.
Matt confirmed Friday morning on TODAY that he has signed a new long-term contract with NBC News.
"This is my family," he said as the crew and co-anchors erupted into applause. "I love this job. I love working with you guys."
What took so long? "Truth be told, I was developing an idea for a new show, where viewers could tune in every morning and see someone they know lose a little more of his hair every single day right in front of their eyes," Matt said Friday. "But then I thought, I could just stay here and do that."
Matt has co-anchored the show since Jan. 6, 1997. He joined the morning program in January 1994 as the news reader.
Tell Matt how you feel about this news on our Facebook page.
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