NBC's Today behaved like the White House press office on Thursday as co-host Matt Lauer announced: "By the way, the White House is coming out with a brand new initiative today and the First Lady, Michelle Obama, sent us a special message about it. Take a look." [Listen to the audio or watch the video after the jump]
In the White House-produced video that followed, the First Lady declared: "Hello Today show viewers....I'm working to inspire Americans from all across the country to drink more water. That's why I've stolen Matt and Savannah's mugs and exchanged them with water glasses. Water is the best and easiest choice we can make to feel energized, focused, healthy, and refreshed....So drink up."
After the clip, Lauer expressed his gratitude: "Mrs. Obama, thank you very much." Fellow co-host Savannah Guthrie chimed in: "If you say so."
The hosts then chatted about how much water they drink each day. Lauer admitted: "I don't drink enough. I probably drink two a day. I probably should drink more." Weatherman Al Roker replied: "I try to drink about eight [glasses]." News reader Natalie Morales lectured: "Finish it up. Come on, guys, drink up."
According to a Thursday article in Politico: "Several public health experts...said they had concerns about the way the White House was framing the campaign. Those experts said the health benefits of increased water consumption are murky and there are no widely accepted criteria for how much water individuals should drink each day."
Here is a full transcript of the September 12 segment:
8:06AM ET
MATT LAUER: By the way, the White House is coming out with a brand new initiative today and the First Lady, Michelle Obama, sent us a special message about it. Take a look.
MICHELLE OBAMA: Hello Today show viewers and good morning from the White House. Today I'm working to inspire Americans from all across the country to drink more water. That's why I've stolen Matt and Savannah's mugs and exchanged them with water glasses. Water is the best and easiest choice we can make to feel energized, focused, healthy, and refreshed. You are what you drink. And when you drink water, you're at your best. So drink up.
LAUER: Mrs. Obama, thank you very much.
SAVANNAH GUTHRIE: If you say so.
LAUER: The only problem with that is, she also sent the same message to Kathie Lee and Hoda, drink up. And now they're not even gonna be here for the rest of the day.
NATALIE MORALES: They're chugging already.
AL ROKER: They do that without any sort of inclination.
GUTHRIE: They take a different interpretation of that.
LAUER: How much water do you drink a day?
GUTHRIE: Oh, I don't know.
MORALES: 8 to 10 glasses?
GUTHRIE: Probably – I try to go equal waters to coffee. You know-
LAUER: Really.
MORALES: Wow.
GUTHRIE: No, I don't know.
ROKER: Which is why we never see her in her office.
LAUER: In on room of her office.
MORALES: I drink 8 to 10 glasses or so. What about you guys?
LAUER: I don't drink enough. I probably drink two a day. I probably should drink more.
ROKER: I try to drink about eight.
GUTHRIE: Oh, you're good.
MORALES: Finish it up. Come on, guys, drink up.
