Latest news with #Geist
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Willie Geist compares daughter leaving for college to driving car with 3 wheels
Willie Geist is excited for his daughter's latest milestone — despite the terror involved. The 50-year-old host of 'Sunday Today' took to a TODAY Father's Day celebration on June 13 to open up about the mixed emotions he's feeling as his 18-year-old daughter, Lucie Joy, graduates high school. And that, of course, means getting used to being a family of three at home, rather than a family of four. 'We just had a high school graduation a few days ago for Lucie Geist,' Geist said to a panel of Today colleagues that included Craig Melvin, Al Roker, Carson Daly and Peter Alexander. 'All the best stuff is still coming,' Geist added. Geist goes on to admit that he and his wife, Christina, have 'done the best we can' with their daughter and are thrilled for her as she embarks on this next chapter of her life. 'It's a strange mix of genuine excitement for her because you know what's ahead, and then moments where you're driving around and the bottom drops out of your stomach,' he explained. 'And you go, 'I can't believe that we've gotten her to this point,' he added. Of course, Lucie leaving the nest comes at a price for Geist — like driving a car with three wheels. 'We're a family of four. Somebody's taken a tire off the car and you've got to figure out how to drive the car on three wheels, you know?' he told his colleagues. Peter Alexander was quick to offer some perspective on how special of a time this can be for his second child, who will be getting much more attention once Lucie leaves. 'I don't know how he feels about that, but we're excited about it,' Geist joked of George. Willie and Christina Geist first met in 6th grade and have been married since 2003. Geist shared the couple's origin story in an Instagram tribute for his wife's 50th birthday. 'She was 11 when she caught my eye on the first day of Mr. Kaplan's 6th Grade homeroom class. A gawky boy in Jams and Chuck Taylors can dream… but not this big,' he wrote. Now more than two decades later, the couple share two kids — daughter Lucie, born in 2007, and son George, born in 2009. While talking about his daughter's recent graduation, Geist clarified that Lucie will be moving several hours away when she goes off to college. Some parents might use that as a reason to track their child's location remotely — but not Geist. In fact, Geist admitted that he and his wife will be doing away with location-tracking software — despite currently using it — once their daughter leaves. Geist argued that tracking his daughter's location would cause more trouble than reassurance. His comments came just a few days after he first opened up about his daughter graduating while co-hosting 'Today with Jenna & Friends' with Jenna Bush Hager. 'As any parent who has been through this — or maybe you're going through it right now — knows, the excitement at times becomes terror,' he said on June 10. Geist admitted that the week leading up to her graduation was so full of activities that her big milestone didn't hit him until he saw her walking across the stage. 'She was on stage speaking, which was an amazing thrill, and I think that's when it really hit me and Christina,' Geist shared. 'All of a sudden, she's ready to go,' he added. 'And you hope you've instilled in her all the values and the habits and the things she'll need to go out in the world.'
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Three People Ina Garten Calls Her ‘Dream Dinner Guests'
The Three People Ina Garten Calls Her 'Dream Dinner Guests' originally appeared on Parade. The right group of people seated at your table can make or break a dinner party, whether you're a regular old person like you and me or a TV star like Ina Garten. The Barefoot Contessa has built a career around recipes that are perfect for entertaining, so she knows a thing or two about having people over. She recently opened up about her 'dream dinner guests,' and it's an interesting mix. Garten shared her ideal guest list during the most recent "Sunday Sitdown Live" hosted by Today's Willie Geist. The session was done onstage in front of a live audience in New York City. The dynamic duo sipped cocktails and arranged a dessert platter while they answered questions from the crowd. 'Who are the three people, living or dead, you would like to have dinner with?' wondered one audience member. Garten didn't hesitate with her response. Here's what she shared. Related: For the record, Ina Garten says she has already hosted one dream dinner guest:. As Garten told Geist and the audience earlier in the interview, Taylor Swift came to Garten's East Hampton barn 10 years and the two of them made pavlova. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ina Garten (@inagarten) But three people still remain on Garten's dream dinner guest list. In answer to Geist's question, Ina responded: 'How about Julia Child, Eric Ripert from Le Bernardin, and Jacques Pépin?' In case you're not familiar with Garten's guest list, just know they're not your average Joes. Julia Child is a legendary American chef, TV personality and cookbook author who is known for introducing French cuisine to the American public. (And not to make it all about us, but Julia Child was Parade's very first food editor.) Related: 😋😋 SIGN UP to get delicious recipes, handy kitchen hacks & more in our daily Pop Kitchen newsletter. 🍳🍔 Eric Ripertis a French chef and cookbook author who is the executive chef and co-owner of New York City's famed Le Bernardin restaurant, where he and his team turn out exquisite seafood dishes. Jacques Pépin is a celebrated French chef and author, TV star and the winner of many awards, including several James Beard Awards. He's another food personality who is loved around these parts. (You have to try his French toast, scrambled eggs and quiche recipes.) For his dream dinner guests, Geist listed off Dolly Parton, Martin Short and Geist's great-great grandfather, who played in the National Hockey League. If Geist and Garten brought their dream guests together, it would be one epic dinner party. Related: During the conversation with Geist, Garten also shared her advice on things to avoid at a dinner party. 'There are two things that I don't think you should ever bring to a dinner party—and they're so common—is something that the host feels like they should serve," she said, calling out Jell-O salad. "What are you going to do with that?" she adds. Garten also recommends against bringing loose flowers. 'Don't ever bring flowers that aren't in a vase,' she said. 'You're there. You're like, everyone's arriving, and then all of a sudden you've got these flowers and you have to figure out what to do."The Three People Ina Garten Calls Her 'Dream Dinner Guests' first appeared on Parade on Jun 2, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hindustan Times
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Ina Garten's number one dinner party rule revealed: ‘Don't bring…'
Ina Garten joined Sunday Today's Willie Geist last month for his Sunday Sitdown Live. Ahead of the interview's June 1 release, the 50-year-old journalist revealed to People the best piece of advice he received from the Food Network icon. In the article published Saturday, Geist revealed to the outlet the important dinner party rule guests should follow, according to Garten. 'Don't bring something that disrupts the plan that the host had. So in other words, I show up with chips and guacamole and [the host] is like, 'Okay, I [already] had a plan for what we're going to do before the dinner,' ' Geist said, adding that Garten says it is better for guests to 'bring coasters or bring something that's just a gift that they can use later.' Also Read: Who is Anupama Nadella? All about Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella's philanthropist wife During their May 19 sitdown, Garten shared another dinner party faux pas - loose flowers, per Elle Decor. 'Don't ever bring flowers that aren't in a vase,' she explained to Geist, adding, 'You're there. You're like, everyone's arriving, and then all of a sudden you've got these flowers and you have to figure out what to do.' This is not the first time that the beloved cookbook author has given dinner party suggestions. In 2022, the Barefoot Contessa host taught Today co-hosts Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb how to set a table for a dinner party. 'The first thing about a dinner party is it can be four people,' Garten said at the time, adding, 'It doesn't have to be 12; it's overwhelming, even for me.' 'For the centerpiece, you can do something as simple as — a bowl of lemons. Get it at the grocery store,' the 77-year-old explained.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Former journalist Evan Solomon named first-ever federal AI minister
OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney has launched a new artificial intelligence ministry and has named former journalist Evan Solomon to lead it. Experts welcomed the move Tuesday, though they cautioned there are many unanswered questions about how the new minister will split responsibility for digital issues with his counterparts. Benjamin Bergen is president of the Council of Canadian Innovators, which represents the tech sector. He said the move recognizes that when it comes to AI, "we need to move faster and think bigger as a country." The new portfolio was part of a major cabinet shuffle Monday which saw Carney make significant changes and additions to his cabinet. Solomon was elected for the first time in the April 28 election in the riding of Toronto Centre. He previously worked as a TV host for both CBC and CTV. Michael Geist, Canada research chair in internet and e-commerce law at the University of Ottawa, said the new ministry is "good signal about prioritizing AI and digital innovation." "Naming Evan Solomon — who is smart and tech savvy — is an excellent choice," Geist said. While the previous government introduced an AI regulation bill targeting "high-impact" systems, the bill did not become law before the election was called. During the election campaign, Carney spoke about the economic potential of AI and promised to invest in AI training, adoption and commercialization. There was little talk during the campaign about regulating the emerging technology - though the Liberal platform did include a promise to make it a criminal offence to distribute non-consensual sexual deepfakes. Geist said that while there will be calls for the government to move quickly on regulation, "there has been a notable shift globally in recent months toward a more innovation-focused approach." The Liberals' election platform promised to move fast on building data centres, introduce a tax credit to incentivize AI adoption by small and medium-sized businesses, and push to expand programs at Canada's artificial intelligence institutes to drive AI commercialization. The platform also vowed to keep Canadian intellectual property in the country. Critics have been saying for years that, despite Canada's strength in artificial intelligence research, the country has been slow to commercialize the technology and has struggled to retain intellectual property. "We were world leaders in AI research but have really struggled to ingest the technology into our government and to adopt it more broadly across Canada, and... to turn that initial strength in research into prosperity and wealth for Canadians," Bergen said. "So I think this is really a signal that there's a real opportunity for Canada to try and capitalize on this." Carney also has promised to use AI to make government more efficient through a dedicated office of digital transformation, and to build up AI capacity in the labour market. Geist said there are unanswered questions about how responsibility for the file will be distributed in cabinet. Artificial intelligence previously fell largely under the industry portfolio, which is now headed by former foreign affairs minister Mélanie Joly. Responsibility for digital files also has been shared with what was previously the heritage ministry. Steven Guilbeault is now back heading that file, which has been renamed Canadian identity and culture. During his time as heritage minister, Guilbeault caused controversy over his handling of legislation to update the Broadcasting Act to incorporate online services. Geist said it's not clear how ministerial responsibility will be split on AI-related issues like copyright. The question of whether generative AI systems can use copyrighted content is currently in front of courts in the United States and Canada. While the federal government held a consultation on the question, it hasn't proposed legislative changes. Florian Martin-Bariteau, university research chair in technology and society at the University of Ottawa, said it's also not clear who in cabinet will take responsibility for incorporating AI into the public sector. Joël Lightbound has been named minister of government transformation, while Shafqat Ali is president of the Treasury Board, which recently led consultations on an AI strategy for the federal public service. "I welcome this, but I would say until… we know exactly who will be in charge of what, maybe I will wait until I fully celebrate," said Martin-Bariteau, adding the division of digital files among various departments "is why in my opinion we don't have a coherent digital policy for the country." "I think it will be good to have a whole-of-government approach on those issues, to tackle also the big picture issues," he added. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 13, 2025. Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian Press
Daily Mail
25-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
TV golden boy who two networks are fighting over
Bosses at Comcast are in the midst of splitting NBC News and its sister broadcaster MSNBC - but there's one anchor both are desperate to hold on to. Morning Joe and weekend-edition Today anchor Willie Geist has been deemed 'too talent[ed] for either network to pass up, staffers told Politico. MSNBC is mere months away from fully parting from parent Comcast after being pegged to spearhead a new company called SpinCo. Other Comcast assets making the jump along with MSNBC include USA, CNBC, and E!, while NBC News will remain with NBCU. The Peacock Network will retain its usual programming - sans some familiar faces. The Politico report revealed how NBC News and MSNBC are in the process of divvying up on-air talent to fill out both networks. For the most part, negotiations have been straightforward, with almost all on-screen talent told they'll need to pick one network or another. Many have had the choice made for them by bosses. But Geist is such an asset to both that they've agreed to share, Politico reported. Meanwhile, MSNBC election expert Steve Kornacki and veteran political journalist Andrea Mitchell are both making there way to NBC News - news reported weeks ago. Also leaving MSNBC is longtime anchor Jose Diaz-Balart, whose show was based at the network's soon-to-be shuttered studio in Miami. Stephanie Ruhle, who doubles as an MSNBC host and NBC News senior business analyst, is also staying with MSNBC. Politico reported she may soon lose that second title - one 'she adores' - as well as her occasional guest spots on Today. Today Show stalwart Jacob Soboroff, meanwhile, is expected to head over to MSNBC, due to being well-liked by his prospective boss. Meanwhile, as the schism continues, staffers interviewed - more than three dozen overall - said that most of the stars MSNBC desire are also the ones NBC is happy to let go. Geist, so far, appears to be the sole exception. Neither network wants to lose him to the spinoff, staffers said - describing a secret standoff within 30 Rock. Wherever the 49-year-old goes, he won't have to go very far - with MSNBC merely moving to another part of the Rockefeller Center which has long been the home of NBC. The Politico report painted him as one of 'the lucky few whom both networks would love to keep,' while revealing other facets of the ongoing transition. Just last month, Geist served a surprise substitute for NBC News' Kelly Clarkson while reporting live from the red carpet at SNL's 50th - an appearance Politico pointed out. Meanwhile, longtime NBC exec Mark Lazarus - the soon-to-be CEO of the new spinoff 'SpinCo,' is working relentlessly to safeguard the future of MSNBC, and losing Geist is likely not on his list of plans. He and the former CNN exec he's tapped to lead the news station, Rebecca Kutler, were the ones to cut ties with Joy Reid, the Politico report confirmed. The decision came more than a year of pushback from Comcast executives against Reid's tirades both on- and off-air, staffers said. 'Her social media also gave the Standards Department heartburn,' the Friday report states. Kutler did the honors with Lazarus's seal of approval Both NBC News boss Cesar Conde and then-President Rashida Jones reportedly struggled to find a solution - before it was announced MSNBC was breaking ranks as the flagship of a coalition of old Comcast channels. The result was a one-year contract an MSNBC exec previously told was essentially a severance package - one that expired as Kutler took the reigns. A salary cut also wasn't enough to see Reid quit, paving the way for Kutler to do the deed. More importantly, she made the move even though MSNBC is set to soon be freed from Comcast, leaving Kutler and Lazarus to make all creative decisions. Geist, meanwhile, has been Morning Joe since 2007. He started appearing on the Sunday edition of Today - which now bears his name - in 2012. He has yet to announce any future plans.
