A Busy Day in New York City
Last Wednesday, my day started off with my usual appearance on The Today Show. There was a rather amusing part of the show when hosts Matt Lauer, Savannah Guthrie, Al Roker, Natalie Morales, and Willie Geist introduced their
doppelgangers, people who share uncanny physical resemblances. I went on to talk about and to demonstrate some delicious holiday cocktails and party food. The recipes of which can all be found in the December issue of Living magazine. Following a busy day of appointments and meetings, I dropped by Madison Square Garden where the 121212 concert was being held to volunteer in answering telethon phones to benefit victims of Hurricane Sandy. It was a wonderful experience and so gratifying to have this opportunity to help with the efforts in mending such widespread devastation.
1 Matt Lauer's doppleganger is also named Matt, from Bloomington, Illinois.
2 Joy, from Alabama, looks a lot like Natalie Morales.
3 Meet Savannah Guthrie's double, Nicole, from Hillsborough, North Carolina.
4 Willie Geist's doppleganger is Bob from Rogers, Arkansas.
5 Al's lookalike is Tony from Newark, New Jersey.
6 Jamie Fox was on Today and talked about playing a slave turned bounty hunter working to free his wife in Quentin Tarantino’s latest film, 'Django Unchained”.
7 Here I am on set with Natalie, Willie, Al, and Savannah. The subject of our conversation was about being thrifty and using everything up completely, like makeup, lotions, shampoos, laundry detergents, etc.
8 Also on the show that day were Harvey Weinstein, John Sykes, and Jim Dolan, the producers of the fantastic 121212 concert to benefit Hurricane Sandy victims.
9 The set was so festive!
10 I firmly believe that if you have at least one, two, or even three great drinks at your party, the celebration will be a success. I introduced the Today Show hosts to Sazerac, tequila punch, and coconut eggnog.
11 We then moved to the food table, where I demonstrated festive finger foods.
12 I showed Willie Geist how easy it is to prepare savory wild-mushroom pizzas, using either store-bought or homemade pizza dough. You saute mixed wild mushrooms with shallots, white wine, and heavy cream until nice and thick.
13 You then spoon the mixture onto the flattened pizza dough and bake until the crust is golden and crisp.
14 Drizzled with a bit of olive oil and garnished with fresh tarragon, these pizzas are very yummy!
15 Next was a piquant queso fundido with chorizo made with sauteed onions, green chiles, tequila, and Monteray Jack cheese. Once the cheese melts, you serve the fondue with tortilla chips and chorizo slices.
16 I also suggested this terrific crab salad made with fresh jumbo lump crabmeat, mayonnaise, lime juice, and chopped chives. The salad is served on plantain tostones and garnished with matchstick radishes. So good!!!
17 And lastly, there was a fennel-crusted lamb served on brioche toasts with a fresh mint garnish.
18 After the show I was asked to pose for a Christmas promotional portrait for the Today Show.
19 Here I am with Larry King and his lovely wife, Shawn. They were on the show talking about Larry's new internet show and other new things in their lives.
20 Later that day, I stopped by Madison Square Garden to answer telethon phones at the 121212 concert. I talked to donors from Brazil, England, Germany, and Africa during my 1-hour stint.
21 Walking through the halls of Madison Square Garden, we observed the vast amount of mechanical and electronic equipment from each of the many bands who were performing that night - everyone from the Stones, to the Boss, to the Who, to Bon Jovi, Alicia Keys, etc.
22 More stuff - and many, many musical instruments, some of which were auctioned off for more donations
23 This is the Who's drums and speakers.
24 Self explanatory!
25 Cric Clapton's guitars were lined up like soldiers!
26 The press conference for telethon workers, and performers was crowded and lively.
27 There was quite a bank of friendly paparazzi.
28 Larry Johnson of the New York Knicks was also there.
29 We were given Samsung phones to answer. The callers had already donated funds to the relief effort. All funds, more than fifty million dollars, were funneled through the Robin Hood Foundation relief fund.
30 Actress Gina Gershon, and several other attendees worked hard on the phones.
31 A very dapper Walter "Clyde" Frazier - retired basketball player and now owner of the NYC restaurant, Clyde Frazier's Wine and Dine
32 Actress Susan Sarandon explained on live TV the purpose of the concert, the fundraiser, and the various ways to donate. She did a phenomenal job!
33 Gina and I were sending out Tweets, urging people to phone in and contribute.
34 I am 5'9" but felt like a tiny person next to Karlie Kloss, a very beautiful model.
35 Amar'e Stoudemire of the New York Knicks
36 Here I am with Actor Ben Stiller.
37 With the inimitable Whoopie Goldberg
38 And with Newsman Brian Williams
39 I also felt quite small standing between Larry Johnson and Allan Houston of the New York Knicks.
40 Here I am with the Reverend Jesse Jackson, who looks wonderful and happy.
41 We were joined by Chelsea Clinton, a most lovely young married woman.
42 The Garden was packed with people of all ages!
43 The stage was brightly lit, and a giant screen blew up images of the performers so even those fans far away could see their heroes.
Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
That is strange to have another person look so much like you and not be kin.
I'd pity the poor soul who looked like me, but it'd be fun to see them.
I'm glad you were able to help on the phone calls, and was glad they recieved so much money. I pray it goes to help a lot of poor people who were made even poorer by Sandy.
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | December 17th, 2012 at 12:17 am
Martha,
When you tweeted that you were at the 121212 concert, I thought this lady is working overtime today! You were at the Today Show, then of course all your in between stuff, and then at the concert. I immediately called in, but couldn't get through the lines were jammed. I had already donated to the relief efforts, so I wasn't too disappointed. I was hoping to get you when I phoned, but it would have been my luck to get one of those very handsome NY Knicks players.
`
What a celebrity jam packed day you had. I loved seeking the photo of you with the Kings. I tweet him at least once a week asking that he interview you for his new internet show. It was also good seeing you with the reverend Jesse Jackson Sr., I wondered his age as I wasn't quite sure and what do you know you and him are the exact same age your older by two months.
`
I always thought you were taller than 5'9", your right you looked a lot shorter standing next to those taller people. Loved the outfit you looked so young and fresh.
`
Last, I want to take a moment to say my prayers are with the families who lost love ones in the CT elementary school shooting. May God bless them.
Posted by: KLBrown | December 17th, 2012 at 3:22 am
Good morning Martha, beautiful segment on today's show love your delicious holiday cocktails and party food recipes and ideas. Happy Holidays
Best wishes
PS Today is my birthday, remembering last years gift from Kevin Sharkey, your amazing signed book Entertaining I treasure it.
http://web.stagram.com/p/348256017998060673_4317726
Thank you so much xo
Best wishes
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | December 17th, 2012 at 4:22 am
Thanks for volunteering...still lots to do to recover...It all counts!
Posted by: Teresa Touey | December 17th, 2012 at 5:34 am
I love your segments on the Today show Martha, always entertaining and informative! I didn't get a chance to watch the 121212 concert, but I'm glad to hear it was a success.
Posted by: Cindy F | December 17th, 2012 at 8:17 am
Hi Martha, WOW! What a marvelous time you must have had on 121212 in New York City finally being on the Today Show and attending the Madison Square Garden special concert to help the Sandy Hurricane victims and being on the phone to accept donations from people all over the world! That must have been a busy day for you with meetings, also! I love these photos and the video all about the Today Show and you were marvelous and looked so wonderful in these photos! How fun to see you with the Today Show people, Larry King and wife Shawn, Gina Gershon, Susan Sarandon, tall Katie Kloss, Ben Stiller, Whoopie Goldberg, Brian Williams, many NY Nicks guys, Jessee Jackson, and Chelsea Clinton! What a wonderful group of people you were with and you looked so very happy! That awful event in Newtown, Connecticut was the worst thing that has happened and your tweets were correct about getting rid of guns. How close to you, Laura, is Newtown? Sure hope you have another great day and my prayers are with Newtown. Off to see The Daily Wag about "Great Plans for the Boxwood Room!" My prayers are with all of you to be safe and well! Thanks so much for sharing, Martha! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | December 17th, 2012 at 8:29 am
Volunteering is the greatest - I always enjoy helping out whenever I can. The concert raised a lot of money which of course was good since so many people still need help after the storm. Good job to all! Trish
Posted by: Trish | December 17th, 2012 at 9:19 am
THank you for your daily posts. I miss your daily program so much. I love seeing all the things in NYC as I probably will never get to visit. Also love the home segments and with the animals. Miss the week-end post. LOL
Posted by: Linda Collins | December 17th, 2012 at 10:42 am
Wow! what a fun day, love the today show except i can only watch till 8 because i have to be on my way out the door to drop off my daughters off at school then work . I missed your segment but thank you for the pictures:)
I must confess to being jeoulos when i saw your tweet about being at the 121212 concert, so wanted to be there. i was home watching and doing a little dancing with my daughters home. thanks again great pictures, and making me feel like i am part of all the amazing events in NY city.
I greatly appreciate your blog makes me part of it all.
and lastly would like to ask all that we pray for a world where my daugheters 4 and 9 and all the children of the world can grow up to be happy adults without violence. May god give us all peace and understanding this christmas. Omaira
Posted by: Omaira | December 17th, 2012 at 11:21 am
Wow so great that you volunteered. Today I'm making your old fashioned berry layer cake for my friend's birthday.
Posted by: Andy | December 17th, 2012 at 1:57 pm
Merry Christmas to all of you and your friends (which are many) Martha.
You never cease to inspire me! I love your wen site and go to it often. You and your team are so full of ideas!!! I have been a faithful fan of yours for years. The spot on the TV was so nice.
During this season of Joy and Blessing I want to offer my sympathy and love to the hurting families who lost their children during the recent School trajedy on the East Coast. They are not forgotten.
May you enjoy this season and continue to inspire and WOW us all!
Posted by: Patricia Stewart | December 17th, 2012 at 3:28 pm
Oh do post more concert photos!
Posted by: Robin Ball | December 17th, 2012 at 8:25 pm
Martha, I thought your brown outfit/leggings was gorgeous. You looked great...
Posted by: Krys Reed | December 17th, 2012 at 9:40 pm
You're probably busy with the grand kids but we need you back on the air to stabilize our day with sanity and great information. Inspiration is so important to everyday life and you are inspiration personified! Hope there is something in the works. Shame on Hallmark for bad judgment.
Posted by: Laura Hildahl | December 29th, 2012 at 3:39 pm