TODAY Pop Culture & Lifestyle September 4: Making of a Mascot | New Music Friday I Ted Lasso Season 4 I Focker-In Law

0:00Hey, it's Christopher Kimball from Mostri Radio. It sounds like I'm bragging, and I am, with the number one most downloaded food podcast in America. You know, Mostri Radio travels the world in search of the very best food stories. You'll hear about smuggling eels on the black market, the secret intelligence of plants, and insider tips to eating in Paris. In every week, listeners call in with their toughest culinary mysteries. Discover a world of food stories by searching your podcast app for Mostri Radio. This week on Meet the Press. As the war with Iran heats up again, and prices continue to rise, Kristen Wilker talks with Senator John Kennedy and Congressman Jamie Raskin. How could it all impact the midterms? Plus Steve Cornacchi breaks down a new poll. This week on Meet the Press. Listen to the full episode now, wherever you get your podcasts. It's eight o'clock on today, coming up, walking like a dog. We'll introduce you to the most adorable,

1:00rookie in college football, a rescue pup, now taking on the role of Tennessee's beloved, smoky to mascot. What's his personality like? He's a playful and energetic two-year-old dog. Behind the scenes, look at how this new recruit is getting game day ready. Then the fockers are back. Our sneak peek at a new trailer for the highly anticipated sequel, coming up in pop star. Today, Friday, September 4th, 2026. Thank you so much for starting your Friday with us, starting a highly weakened with us. Lord Jerk has been in with us all weeks. Man, it's back next week to pick the great Friday. We do have more stars for you next week of course on today, including a pair of Oscar winners. Yeah, I hope to caught up with Nicole, Kidman, and Sandra Bullock before Practical Magic 2 hits theaters. And we are told that they talk about everything from their long awaited big screen reunion to raising their families, their love lives, and much more as well. So you do not want to miss that conversation next week.

2:01You're on today. Best time of the morning. All right, we got a good pop star. Lots to cover today. So let's jump right in. It is new music Friday. We're going to kick it off with some Miley. Earlier this week, she announced her 10th studio album, Bass per Swades. And overnight, she dropped the first look at her new era. Full album is going to be released September 18th. Next, a new release from the Queen herself, Beyonce, in honor of the 20th anniversary of her sophomore album, Beade. She dropped a remastered version of that record that features some new collabs, some remixes, and also, if you unreleased songs. Guys, the album's called Beade for a reason. So we're wishing a very happy birthday to Beyonce. We're birthday this fall. I guess you're getting her own new bag. Where do you have it? There's your own white knocker down. Get the new bag. Get the new bag. All right, yes. I'll leave that alone. Next up, VMAs in anticipation of the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, the institution taking a look back at some of its most iconic moments. Donna's got a rich history at the VMAs going back to the, like, a virgin in the wedding dress in the late 80s. That's 1990 when she was voguing. And here we are 36 years later, and she's dominating the VMAs.

3:02She's nominated for the most. 11 Video Music Awards for her. She's leading a ceremony. Paramount Plus now is going to do two new specials all about the show's cultural making moments. One of them's going to be the best of the VMAs iconic Vanguard performances. That'll be performances from like Rihanna and Justin Timberlake, that air September 13th. A second special is going to be unforgettable moments. That'll follow on September 20th. Just to raise some hype for the VMAs, which was, when I was at MTV, we called it prom. I mean, it was our big night. I hope they said that was you for this. At a lot of them. I had a lot of great moments. How many VMAs did you do? Do you remember? Well, like, from 97 to probably 2005, I would. That's amazing. Yeah, the Kanye moment with Taylor. I'm going to let you finish. That was crazy. You were there? Oh, man. Yeah. It's going to be in the book. Do you remember Triumph, the insult? Go. Yeah. That was a great year when he was there, making fun of all the everybody. Everybody. Everybody. Anyway, let's move on to Ted Lasso. Everybody's favorite coach returned a few weeks back

4:05with some more words of wisdom. Well, guys, the return of that Emmy winning series, scored huge numbers. Nielsen is revealing that its viewing numbers were 866 million minutes of Ted Lasso were watched during its premiere week. And that makes the show's fourth season, this latest one, the debut of it, the biggest of all time. It was up 61% over from even last season. So maybe we'll get Ted back in Richmond? I mean, I'm not sure. We'll see how it all shakes out for the Lady Greyhounds first. It's just a female team. It is. And Jason Sardakeus was here a few weeks ago. And I said this to him. I think a lot of books were skeptical when they said they were going to do a fourth season, because it was just, it was so perfect. Right. The fourth season has not disappointed us. Oh, clearly. The number not disappointed. Next up is Falker in Law. The family getting back together. Am I okay? I said, right. You're scared. Barely though, barely enough. And the next film in the Meet the Parents franchise, Ben Stiller, Robert DeNiro, Terry Polo, Owen Wilson, all reprising their rules. And they're welcoming a new Falker to the fam. That's Ariana Grande, who's stepping in as stillers,

5:06soon to be daughter-in-law. And if we know anything from the previous movies, it's not going to be an easy task. Well, DeNiro spoke very highly of working with Ariana Grande. So we'll all check it out. Falker in Law, from our sister company, Universal Pictures. And theaters in November, we're going to finish off with Megan Moroni. Earlier this summer, the country music star rocked our plaza. Now she's the latest guest to sit down with Willie Geist for Sunday. Today, they caught up before Megan showing Brooklyn and even commuted together to take the subway to get there. And during their chat, Megan reflecting on her breakout hit Tennessee Orange about swapping her Georgia Bulldog Red for a partner's team. Every single night, when I'm up in that window about to play Tennessee Orange, I tell my fans, like, I'm about to play this song that you all changed my life with. How do you explain it? It's a love song. And if you zoom out and take away the football aspect, I think people relate to it so much because, like, when you really love someone, you're willing to do things that you wouldn't do for anyone else or under any other circumstance. It was a song that was rumored to be about Morgan Wall. And it made a big thing. And it was one of her biggest hits. And now she's off and running.

6:07We'll enjoy that conversation. The full sit down on a weekend on Sunday today with Willie Geist. First, though, fans, gearing up for the first big week in the college football and Priscilla Thompson is standing by with one of the seasons. Certain to be stars. Hey, Priscilla. Hey, Craig, good morning here at the University of Tennessee. The most talked about rookie is not a wide receiver or a quarterback. It is smokey. We will have all of the story of his journey from rescue to all-star walk-on coming up on today. Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo! This fall on NBC. You guys, Marshall! The premiere of Line of Fire, a thrilling new crime drama. The world sees us as heroes, but they don't know what the job really costs. One family of federal agents. It's one thing to put yourself in danger. It's different when it's your family. Balance is duty to their country. Massassin is still out there. Stop! And each other. How do you protect the world and the people you love at the same time?

7:08Every case hits home on Line of Fire. Remaring Monday, September 21st on NBC. Before the first snap of football season, get everything you need to know with NBC News' NFL kickoff guide. Powered by the experts at NBC Sports, it's the easiest way to get up the speed on the team's players, stats, and biggest storyline shaping the season. Dive deeper into your favorite team with dedicated guides, plus data insights to help your fantasy line up, too. It's the fastest route to being ready for football season. And it's only for NBC News subscribers. Just go to NBCNews.com slash NFL Guide. Parents, if you've ever experienced bedtime battles with the kids, I'm going to let you into a little secret. I'm Abby, a mother of two, and I had these battles myself. Endless excuses, delay tactics, and many tears and tantrums. But I've created a solution. The perfect kids podcast that makes bedtime a dream. It's called Koala Moon and it's hosted by me, Abby,

8:09with over 300 episodes packed with original stories and sleep meditations. Koala Moon makes bedtimes easy and enjoyable. Episodes start out engaging and really rather magical. But as they progress, they gently slow to a calm and relaxing pace to have your little ones out like a light. Since launching in 2022, Koala Moon has helped with over 20 million night sleep. And received over 6,000 five star reviews. Win back your evenings. Listen to Koala Moon now, wherever you get your podcasts. Well, college football season heats up. Of course, there's a lot more action to come throughout the weekend. And there's another added reason to catch the University of Tennessee's opener. They've got Neeland. That is the new recruit taking on the legendary role of Smokey the mascot. NBC's Priscilla Thompson is with him in Knoxville. As we speak, you can see the band there getting hyped.

9:11Hey, Priscilla. He's getting hyped. He's ready, guys. Good morning. As you can see, he's already getting a take of game day with the pride of the Southland band and the Tennessee spirit squad. And he's got that how that Tennessee loves so much as he is preparing for the biggest role of his young life. At the University of Tennessee, all eyes are on a promising new recruit. He's fast on his feet, good with fans, and already has his game face down. Meet Neeland, the Blue Tick Coon Hound training to become the 12th dog to claim the title of the University of Tennessee's beloved mascot, Smokey. A tradition dating back to 1953, when Tennessee held a statewide search for a live mascot and found a blue tick found who hound his way into history. Now, more than 70 years later, it's Neeland's turn. What's his personality like? He's a playful and energetic two-year-old dog. So just picture any toddler you know and make him a dog.

10:16That's Neeland. That's Smokey 12. Behind every great rookie is a good coach. For Neeland, that senior Garrett Reeves, his lead handler. I heard 12 bark the first day that I met him, and it just fired me up. It sent chills down my body. I was just looking forward to Saturdays in the fall. But before this rookie can take the field on Saturday, he's got to get through training camp. First stop, football practice. Neeland keeping a close eye on the action, wasting no time getting a feel for the field. And like any all-star, making time for his fans. He's super, super cute. He may look right at home here, but unlike every Smokey before him, Neeland wasn't born into this spotlight. He was a rescue. What condition was he in when you first met him? Smokey when I first met him, he was quite skinny. He had an incredible spirit about him. Behind the scenes, a team including veterinarian Dr. Zeditz

11:16and Ying has spent months preparing Neeland for a world unlike anything he'd known before. These animals never raised their paws to say, hey, I want to be the mascot. And not every animal is a fit to do this. We want to assure that because they are our true volunteers, that they are given the best lives possible. Excellent. From diet and exercise to temperature checks. Temperature is 100.3, with lots of water and breaks on the field, making sure he's not just ready physically, but also emotionally. That's where animal behaviorist Dr. Julia Albright comes in. He was a superstar, nothing bothered him, so we said, I think we got something here. You saw the star quality early, all the star quality. We saw the diamond and the rough. Taking him to parades and practice games, gradually exposing Neeland to bigger crowds and louder noise. Next stop, band practice, where Neeland is learning

12:18to keep in step and finding more fans. All of this, building toward his biggest test yet, game day, marching into the stadium. That shares his name. He's going to be taking this walk, entering the stadium with tens of thousands in the seat. Hundreds of thousands, yeah. Taking his place in one of college football's most story traditions, running through the tee. A tee today, fans may remember. You did it! Congratulations. Congratulations. In 2017, Al Roker joined thousands on campus to create a giant tee. Running through the big tee, what's the trick to pulling it off perfectly and allowing Neeland to shine? Just don't think. Just take it off and making sure you don't take out the drum major at the end of the line. As for the in-zone victory lap. We just scored bands about to cue Rocky Top. We hear those first couple of notes playing and then we take off this way. Neeland already hitting his stride. And then we're going to go this way. Leaving only one question.

13:20Is he ready? I think so. I think he's for sure, game day ready. Do you think he's ready for game day? Yes. No doubt. Who looks fast? He looks very fast. Great. OK, I got it. And Smokey will make his big debut on Saturday when Tennessee takes on Ferman. I'm also told that there will be a special halftime tribute for Dolly Parton. I got to tell you, I mean, the student body there, they are so pumped. Their school spirit is wild. It's 119-T. That was, we set a Guinness World record of the most students forming an alphabetical letter on a college campus. I was really proud of the thing. Free? Yeah, that's right. OK, fine. I was still thinking, can we bring back rovers? Well, I'm ready. I'm ready. Let's go. Let's go. Wherever I am sent. Wherever I am sent. That's it. Overseas and nice. That's it. Overseas and safe. Calling all players. By order of the critters, every day Americans are summoned to my gate.

14:21Thursday, September 17th, the nine-time Emmy Award-winning hit is coming to NBC. Should you accept user-faze, a gondola of lies, treachery, and deceit? For years, you've been mere spectators. Now the question is, are you ready to play? The premiere of the Trader's New Blood. When nobody knows who you are, you can get away with it. Mard. Thursday, September 17th on NBC.