Lauer, Roker and Gates bring the crowd to life in Kabul
Published: December 8, 2009
When the U.S. secretary of defense is on a military base abroad, it’s usually the big attraction ... unless Matt Lauer, Al Roker and the "Today" show crew are broadcasting live.
At Camp Eggers in Kabul on Tuesday evening, the boys from Rockefeller Center gave it their all for a small crowd of cheering servicemembers who came prepared with handmade signs showing their unit spirit, saying hi to their kids back home, even cheering on the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Many wore Santa hats and a small string of lights adorned a balcony railing. When the camera lights turned on it was a frenzy for TV facetime.
Lauer and crew came over with the usual traveling corps of Pentagon press aboard the E4-B, the famous “Doomsday Plane,” for two days of live broadcasts during Gates’ visit. With the holidays near, Al Roker came along for good measure, working the rope line just like a morning crowd in New York City.
When Al showed up to the set before going live, the crowd of troops chanted “Ro-ker! Ro-ker!” Al responded, saying, “I love it here!” That drew one yokel in the crowd to shout back, “You can stay for a year!
Minutes later, the adjacent internet center was filled with hardened warriors, Skyping with their wives back home, saying, “Did you see me, honey?! You did? ... I love you so much!”
Nice work, boys.
