The rumors are true! Kathie Lee Gifford is joining the estro-giddy latter half of the Today show. This morning the cast introduced her with a fabulous, semi-unflattering montage (click above to view). We think this will add some energy to the slightly tepid final segments of the show, but we're a little nervous. Luckily, Kathie herself said it best: "It couldn't be worse timing in some ways. I'm 8 years older, ten pounds heavier, a half-inch shorter, and just in time for HD television." We're a little surprised that she's still so comfortable with the way she looks on TV after all these years. She looks surprised, too.

Kathie Lee Gifford returns to morning TV [NBC]