Jenna Bush Hager has signed on as a correspondent for the Today show after the executive producer approached her.  The 27-year-old daughter of former President George W. Bush is now a married teacher in Baltimore but she will be contributing once a month to the daytime talk show on issues like education.

"It wasn’t something I’d always dreamed to do," she said. "But I think one of the most important things in life is to be open-minded and to be open-minded for change."

This won’t be Jenna’s first appearance on the Today show.  She once appeared during a segment called “Ana’s Story: A Journey of Hope” about a single mother living with HIV (that was really good – did you see it?) and then she was also on with her mom, Laura Bush.

What do you think of this news?  I actually think it’s pretty cool because she really did seem comfortable when she was on before and I think that people will tune in simply because she’s a former First Daughter. 

It’s not like she’s talking about celebrity gossip so whatever helps increase viewership about topics like education is great in my book!

image: Zuma Press

It was a fun night watching the Daytime Emmy Awards last night.  Did you catch the show?  If not, here’s a quick rundown of how our shows and hosts fared.

I wasn’t surprised at all to see that the Tyra Banks Show won the “informative” talk show award since she is constantly trying to push the envelope to educate her viewers whether it’s a giant stuffed vagina or having pregnant prostitutes on the show to tell their stories.  She really has carved out a niche for herself and I’m really happy for her.

The Rachael Ray show won the “entertainment” talk show prize and I have to say that I was a little surprised by it but, then again, I’m continually amazed by this show’s success.  I didn’t think it was even going to last a single season but, here it is, winning awards!

I was stunned, however, when the ladies on The View beat out Ellen DeGeneres for “best talk show host” after Ellen dominated the category for the past four years.  You know she’s at home right now wondering what she did wrong (nothing!).  I think that viewers really connected with the discussions surrounding the 2008 US Presidential Elections on The View and that probably helped them capture the prize.

Today on the Bonnie Hunt Show, guests include Charles Gibson, Fabio Viviani and Minka Kelly. Then Dr. Phil discusses how to survive during the recession. Ellen DeGeneres brings out Reese Witherspoon and Bobby Flay to the show while Martha Stewart has Josh Turner as a guest. Oprah invites Simon Cowell to her show and Rachael Ray chats about accessories. Regis and Kelly host their annual Relly Awards while the ladies on The View welcome Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, Nora Ephron and chef Lauren Braun Costello to their studios. Tyra Banks discusses High School popularity and Jimmy Fallon and the Wonder Girls stop by to see Wendy Williams.

• Bonnie Hunt –  Charles Gibson, Fabio Viviani and Minka Kelly
• Dr. Phil – Dr. Phil’s Recession Survival Squad
• Ellen – Reese Witherspoon and Bobby Flay
• Martha – Singer Josh Turner
• Oprah – The World’s Got Talent with Simon Cowell
• Rachael Ray – Accessories Intervention & Pasta Night
• Regis and Kelly – Relly Awards
• The View – Meryl Streep and Amy Adams, Nora Ephron and chef Lauren Braun Costello
• Tyra – Trading Popularity: High School Edition
• Wendy Williams – Jimmy Fallon and the Wonder Girls

Fans of teen star, Miley Cyrus, were treated to an outdoor concert as part of the Today Show Concert Series.  She always has a good amount of energy and I think that, considering her young age, she’s quite a good live performing.  She sang her new song “Party In the USA” as well as “The Climb,” “See You Again” and “Kicking and Screaming” (extra videos after the jump!).

Check out “Party in the USA.”

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Today, on The Bonnie Hunt Show, Bonnie welcomes actresses Brooke Shields and Elisha Cuthbert while Dr. Phil discusses problems of having lies involved in love. Ellen DeGeneres chats with John Stamos and Emily Blunt and Martha Stewart brings in Chef Bill Taibe to heat up the kitchen. Oprah’s shows is full of laughs today as she invites comedians Dane Cook, Mo’Nique and George Lopez to her studio. Then, Rachael Ray is surprised at teen sensation Miley Cyrus’s secret talent. Then, on Live with Regis and Kelly, Denzel Washington, Whitney Port and Cloris Leachman drop by while the ladies on The View enjoy guests Calista Flockhart, Sally Field, Heidi Montag, Spencer Pratt and Matthew Rhys. Tyra Banks talks teen pregnancy while Wendy Williams has Jackee Harry and Pamela Edwards on the show.

• Bonnie Hunt –  Brooke Shields and Elisha Cuthbert
• Dr. Phil – Love and Lies
• Ellen – John Stamos and Emily Blunt
• Martha – Chef Bill Taibe
• Oprah – Oprah’s Comedy Hour: Dane Cook, Mo’Nique and George Lopez
• Rachael Ray – Miley Cyrus’ Hidden Talent
• Regis and Kelly – Denzel Washington, Whitney Port and Cloris Leachman
• The View –  Calista Flockhart, Sally Field, Heidi Montag, Spencer Pratt and Matthew Rhys
• Tyra – Teen Pregnancy
• Wendy Williams – Jackee Harry and Pamela Edwards

Camryn Manheim is a guest today on The Bonnie Hunt Show while Dr. Phil tries to provide support in different topics. Ellen DeGeneres welcomes guests Serena Williams, Raphael Saadiq and Richard Simmons and Martha Stewart invites John Barricelli to the show. Oprah tests your knowledge on whether or not you come across as rude while Joan Rivers cooks it up with Rachael Ray. On Live with Regis and Kelly, guests are Matthew Fox, Allison Janney and Danny Gokey. The men on the hit show Desperate Housewives stop by for a chat with the ladies on The View along with Maurice Benard and Keyshia Cole. Then, Tyra Banks talks about the pressure to become promiscuous. Plus, Wendy Williams has guests on the show who include Miss Universe and Charlie Wilson.

• Bonnie Hunt –  Camryn Manheim
• Dr. Phil –  Dr. Phil’s How To Series
• Ellen – Serena Williams, Raphael Saadiq and Richard Simmons
• Martha – John Barricelli and Pet Food
• Oprah –  Are You Rude? Take the Test!
• Rachael Ray – Joan Rivers’ Celebrity Dish
• Regis and Kelly – Matthew Fox, Allison Janney and Danny Gokey
• The View –  The men of Desperate Housewives, Maurice Benard and Keyshia Cole
• Tyra – Pressure to Be Promiscuous
• Wendy Williams – Miss Universe and Charlie Wilson

If you’ve ever wanted to rid your body of the daily toxins we take in every day or even just wanted to kick start your diet, you’ve probably considered doing a cleanse.  In their various forms, they are really popular but are they actually effective?  More importantly, are they safe?

The Today show took a look at the trend and spoke with Dr. Ian Smith, the author of The 4 Day Diet, about it.  He explained that many of the popular cleanses that a lot of celebrities use are not very healthy.  He went on to say that in order to really detoxify your body, you need to stimulate your liver.   A nutritionist for the New York Giants said that our biggest problem is that we bog down our diet by overeating bad food. 

The main suggestion is that, instead of taking supplements or doing colonics/laxatives, we need to help our body cleanse itself naturally by eating nutrient-rich foods.  It was an interesting segment (even though the experts seemed to be speaking over each other) so, if this is a topic that you’ve been wondering about, it’s worth watching!

I love peach cobbler but I have to say that I don’t think I’ve had peach pie and I certainly haven’t had it fried but, after watching this segment on the Today show, I am very tempted to try them.

With peach season slowly coming to an end, it’s the perfect time to pick up some ripe ones and try something new.  The process looks fairly simple as well, although I’m not great with frying things so I think that’s where it could get a little tricky for me. 

The list of guest hosts who will be filling in for Elisabeth Hasselbeck, who is currently on maternity leave, is growing by the day.  It’s been announced that both Kathy Griffin and Kate Gosselin have been tapped for a seat on the daytime talk show, along with the previously announced LaToya Jackson and Victoria Beckham.

Kathy’s appearances have always been controversial and she seems to clash, to some degree, with Barbara Walters but they are always shocking and entertaining so I know viewers will tune in.  The only thing that bugs me about Kathy is the timbre of her voice – it’s just so harsh!  Still, you have got to be pretty tough to roll with the ladies on The View so it works.

I’m not sure how Kate Gosselin is going to fare.  Yes, she’s familiar with being in front of a camera but live television is not the same as being interviewed on a talk show or starring in an editing reality TV program.

We all know that she’s a little on the nitpicky side so it will be interesting to see if she tries to assert her opinion and hold her own with Sherri, Whoopi, Joy and Barbara (if Babs is there). 

Image: INF

Dick Van Dyke and Common make their way to The Bonnie Hunt Show while Dr. Phil discusses how to fight less and become more intimate with your partner. Then, Ellen DeGeneres brings out guests Penelope Cruz and Dylan and Cole Sprouse. Martha Stewart has Q-Tip on the show while Oprah and Nate Berkus teach guests how to save money and give your house a makeover. Rachael Ray cooks up a unique shepherd’s pie while Matthew McConaughey, Adam Lambert and Amy Poehler stop by Live with Regis and Kelly. Then, on The View, Patrick Dempsey and John Lasseter swing by while The Tyra Banks Show, love and men are discussed. Plus, Wendy Williams brings out Aubrey O’Day and Curtis Stone.

• Bonnie Hunt –  Dick Van Dyke and Common
• Dr. Phil – How to Have More Sex, Less Fighting
• Ellen – Penelope Cruz and Dylan and Cole Sprouse
• Martha – Q-Tip
• Oprah –  Nate’s “How to Save You Big Cash” Makeovers
• Rachael Ray – Shepherd’s Pie Stuffed Potatoes and Buffalo
• Regis and Kelly – Matthew McConaughey, Adam Lambert and Amy Poehler
• The View – Patrick Dempsey and John Lasseter
• Tyra – Love Decoded & Mantrums
• Wendy Williams – Aubrey O’Day and Curtis Stone