Orlando Family Magazine spent some time with our friends at the Today Show catching up on family life and more while filming at Universal Orlando Resort (5/29/15). It was a star-studded morning for OFM with interviews with Today’s Al Roker & Savannah Guthrie, performances by Pitbull (as part of the Summer Concert Series), and a quick hello to the hunky Mario Lopez of Extra!

Al & Savannah Name Today Show’s “Senior Class” Superlatives…

OFM: It is graduation season in Orlando and, although you may no longer be seniors, let’s have some fun with naming Today Show’s cast superlatives.

OFM: Who’s the Today Show class clown?

• Al: I’d go with Carson Daly. He’s deceptively funny. He’s a good-looking, nice guy, but he’s really sharp and fast.
• Savannah: Matt Lauer is the funniest. He remembers jokes which is a rare skill and he is so quick, witty, and hilarious.

OFM: Most athletic?

• Al: Willie Geist… he’s an animal. He has height, youth, and competitiveness.
• Savannah: Natalie Morales! I mean, there’s Natalie and then there’s the rest of us slobs. She’s like running a triathlon before work every day. She is inspiring and makes fitness a priority without slacking off.

OFM: Biggest brainiac?

• Savannah: Dylan Dreyer. She’s ‘Miss Science’… a smarty pants.

OFM: What about Hoda Kotb?

• Al: ‘Sweetest on Earth.’

OFM: And Kathie Lee Gifford?

• Al: ‘Drunkest on Earth.’ 
• Savannah: Yup, drunkest.

OFM: I don’t know if OFM should say that… we’re a family magazine!

• Al: Ok, Kathie Lee is ‘Most Unpredictable on Earth.’
• Savannah: Hoda & Kathie Lee are ‘Most Coordinated.’ They match their outfits to be complementary and, if you watch the rest of the show, it’s obvious that we do not coordinate. Look at me now… I’m not even coordinating my pants to my pedicure – I clash.

OFM: Al, what about a superlative for yourself?

• Al: Um, ‘Oddest on Earth.’
• Savannah: Al is wicked smart. He’s all of the above… smartest, funniest, and athletic. He bikes to work every day. I would say that Al is Mr. Worldwide, except that’s already taken by Pitbull.

OFM: Savannah, what superlative are you giving yourself?

• Savannah: ‘Most Caffeinated.’

More Chatter with Savannah Guthrie, new mom to a baby girl…

Before our mommy chatter begins, Savannah notices my growing baby bump.

• Savannah: I’m so happy for you. When are you due?

OFM: August!

• Savannah: Oh my gosh! My due date was in August too.

OFM: So your baby, Vale, is turning one year-old this summer?

• Savannah: Yes, time flies by just like people always say. And Jenna Bush Hager is due this August too! And last August, Carson’s baby, London, was born a week after Vale. London & Vale are best pals, but Vale is like three times the size of London.

OFM: You chose a unique baby name, and the name I’ve chosen for my child is also somewhat unique.

• Savannah: Naming a baby is an awesome responsibility as it’s something that the child will wear for his/her whole life. I don’t like kooky names that the child will outgrow or trendy names that won’t last the test of time. I think a unique name is a good conversation starter. When I was growing up, no one seemed to be named Savannah and I liked it. If you give your child a unique name with a story behind it, he/she can rise to the occasion. My husband, whose name is Mike, was more concerned about people not knowing how to spell Vale and things like that.

OFM: As a fellow working mom, what’s your advice?

• Savannah: Be gentle with yourself. It’s a huge transition and total change to your life, but it’s the best change. I’ve never been happier!

OFM: One of our readers (Rebekah on Facebook) asked, “What’s your favorite baby product?”

• Savannah: Good question! Vale doesn’t use it now but there was a time when we used the Miracle Blanket. We swaddled her like a little burrito to help her control her limbs and sleep better. The Miracle Blanket was easy to do, whereas you have to be proficient in origami to master other swaddles.

OFM: How do you manage travel without Vale?

• Savannah: It breaks my heart! But we’re only in Orlando for 24 hours. We did go to Australia with Today for 6 days and that was the longest we’ve been apart. But when we go on other long trips, like the Olympics, I’ll take her with me.

OFM: Well you were pregnant at the last Olympics so it will be full circle.

• Savannah: Yes, I was secretly pregnant in Russia! And Matt actually guessed it.

OFM: When you arrived to Universal yesterday, you took on the roller coasters, right?

• Savannah: I was scared because I hadn’t ridden a roller coaster since I was a teenager. I remember that the harnesses weren’t that great decades ago so I was fearful that I’d fall out and, so, I’ve never been a roller coaster fan. I almost passed out from fear but I ended up loving it. In the end, I was better off than Al was.

More Chatter with Al Roker, father of two daughters and one son…

OFM: Last time we spoke, you were excited to share that your middle daughter was entering performing arts school and your son was working on his high red belt in Tae Kwon Do.

• Al: He is now set to get his black belt next weekend (we hope)! And my oldest daughter is doing well as a chef. I’m a proud dad.

OFM: Recently, your (weather) colleague Dylan Dreyer gave viewers some insight into her packing tips which can be especially vital when reporting outdoors at cold locations. You seem to travel to the warmer spots, like Orlando, a lot… what are your travel tips?

• Al: It’s easier for guys – we don’t have make-up or any of that stuff. So I can pack for almost a week with a single carry-on bag. I pack neutrals, like beige or white pants, and basic colors without a lot of patterns so things can mix and match easier.

OFM: I was so impressed when we met before that you were on just an hour and a half of sleep but maintained your great level of charisma, performance, and fan engagement. How do you do it all?

• Al: We’re blessed to have jobs like this ─ meet amazing people, do amazing things… and getting paid! My dad drove a bus for 8 hours a day in New York City for a lot less money, so you can’t lose sight of that.

OFM: Al, most important question… You had a cameo in Sharknado 2. Will you reprise your role in Sharknado 3 this year?

• Al: Yes, I believe we (with Matt) do. I can’t say if we live or die, but we do make a cameo!