Matt Lauer celebrated 10 years as co-host of "The Today Show" this morning (he's my all-time fave co-host aside from Jane Pauley who was my first-ever girl crush) and among those who stopped by to congratulate him was his predecessor (and best friend) Bryant Gumbel. The men hugged hello and Bryant, who has never looked better, joined Lauer, Meredith Viera and Al Roker on the sofa. Then they showed a clip from 1997 - the day Gumbel handed over the co-hist baton to Lauer. As Gumbel unsuccessfully held back tears, Lauer said in the clip: "You've been my best friend over these past four years (Lauer was the show's news anchor) and I'll miss seeing each other every day but I know we'll see each other." Clearly moved, Gumbel patted his friend on the knee and choked back tears.
Back to the present. Viera, a wonderful smart-aleck, says: "Was that the scene they cut out of 'Brokeback Mountain'?"
Everyone breaks up.
Gumbel: "We did go see it together!"