Sunday TODAY with Willie Geist - Season 9

The Southeast is dealing with the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene after the storm destroyed entire communities from Florida to North Carolina with flooding and mudslides that caused widespread damage. The death toll has risen to at least 64. NBC's George Solis reports for Sunday TODAY. Governor Tim Walz is set to go toe-to-toe with Senator JD Vance in their sole vice presidential debate as former President Donald Trump rallied on the western edge of Wisconsin, blasting Vice President Kamala Harris' trip to the border. NBC's Vaughn Hillyard reports for Sunday TODAY. The SpaceX rocket sent to bring home the two Boeing Starliner astronauts stranded in space will dock at the International Space Station after blasting off on Saturday. NBC's Tom Costello reports for Sunday TODAY. Congress is pushing companies like Ozempic and Wegovy, which make weight loss drugs that have changed the lives of millions of Americans, to lower their prices and make them more affordable to the masses. NBC's Dana Griffin reports in this week's Sunday Focus. As the Tennessee Titans' rookie head coach Brian Callahan looks to lead his team to their first win of the season, he doesn't have to look far for fatherly advice. When Callahan was hired in 2024, he also brought an unlikely coaching playbook, an offensive line coach who happens to be his dad. NBC's Jesse Kirsch reports in this week's Sunday Spotlight.

In this week's Sunday Sitdown, rapper-turned-country star Jelly Roll joins Willie Geist for a conversation about his new album "Beautifully Broken" and his long road to success and redemption from his troubled past. Jelly Roll reflects on the time he spent in prison and how he later turned his life around to become a voice of inspiration. A new tropical storm is now forming in the Gulf of Mexico and could hit Florida as a major hurricane. Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker joins Sunday TODAY's Hallie Jackson to discuss the recent wild card talking points of the election including a new jobs report, escalation in the Middle East and Hurricane Helene fallout. It would be catastrophic since the state's already reeling from the impact of Helene. Unranked Vanderbilt football stunned top-ranked Alabama in one of the biggest college football upsets in history. It's the first time ever the Commodores have beaten a top-ranked team and their first victory against Alabama in four decades. For 27 long years, a New York City man fought to prove his innocence after he was sent to prison for a murder he didn't commit. Jon-Adrian "JJ" Velazquez's fight for justice was helped by NBC News journalist Dan Slepian who was determined to find the truth. NBC's Lester Holt reports in this week's Sunday Spotlight. Sunday TODAY's Hallie Jackson runs through the Highs and Lows of the week including the father of the bride who wouldn't let Hurricane Helene stop him from walking his daughter down the aisle, and more! 

In this week's Sunday Sitdown, Jason Segel joins Willie Geist to talk about how simply smiling helped him land the lead role in the acclaimed series "Shrinking" and the opportunity to work with Harrison Ford. Segel reflects on "Freaks and Geeks,' the advice Judd Apatow gave him and shares his mother's reaction to the famous full-frontal scene in "Forgetting Sarah Marshall." At least seven people have died after part of a ferry dock collapsed in Sapelo Island, Georgia. An investigation is underway. NBC's Jesse Kirsch reports for Sunday TODAY. The lights in Cuba are slowly coming back after the power went out for almost all of its inhabitants. The grid failed for a second time on Saturday as Hurricane Oscar bears down on the island and crews work to restore the electricity. Voters in Georgia came out in droves to cast a record number of early ballots. Georgia's secretary of state praised the massive turnout and the security of the vote four years after Georgia was at the center of an attempt to overturn the election. NBC's Allie Raffa reports in this week's Sunday Focus. 

In this week's Sunday Sitdown, Kelsea Ballerini joins Willie Geist for a New York City hot dog to celebrate her new album "Patterns." Ballerini reflects on her career ride, from writing her first songs amid her parents' divorce to moving to Nashville and getting advice from Taylor Swift. Dozens of people were injured after a truck rammed into a bus as it was letting off passengers at a station outside of Tel Aviv near a military base. Police are investigating the circumstances of the crash. Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is expected to be back in action just a month and a half after he suffered another concussion during a game, despite some calls that he should retire from the sport for his long-term health. NBC's Jesse Kirsch reports for Sunday TODAY. In a preview of their first television interview exclusively with TODAY's Savannah Guthrie, Matthew Perry's family opens up about their grief after his death and finding meaning through tragedy. For generations, a trip to Cape Cod has meant the beginning of summer or a family vacation. With all of those visitors, one special group who call themselves the Old Ladies Against Underwater Garbage take matters into their own hands to preserve the natural beauty. NBC's Stephanie Gosk reports in this week's Sunday Spotlight.

Vice President Kamala Harris took a brief detour from the campaign trail for a surprise appearance on "Saturday Night Live." Harris will travel next to a church in Detroit before heading to a local rally on the last day of early voting in Michigan. NBC's Aaron Gilchrist reports for Sunday TODAY.Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker joins Sunday TODAY's Willie Geist to discuss a new NBC News poll showing a deadlocked 2024 race and breaks down what the Trump and Harris campaigns need to do in the final days of the election. Take a look back at Sunday Sitdown to revisit Willie Geist's interview with Larry David on "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Seinfeld" and his roots in New York City. A group of young campers are finding peace and inspiration far from home in the great outdoors thanks to a non-profit initiative called Camping to Connect, which allows teens to disconnect from their phones and find healing in nature. NBC's Rehema Ellis reports in this week's Sunday Spotlight. Julia Hawkins, who took up running at age 100 and broke world records, has died at 108. Hawkins was a school teacher in Honduras and became a competitive cyclist in her 80s before becoming a centenarian sprinter. Sunday TODAY's Willie Geist remembers a life well lived. Sunday TODAY's Willie Geist runs through the Highs and Lows of the week including a young hockey fan's heartwarming costume, Timothée Chalamet crashing a lookalike contest and more.  NBC's Steve Kornacki hits the big board for this week's Sunday Focus with a list of the states and counties he'll be watching as early signs of where election night 2024 is headed. 

In this week's Sunday Sitdown, Grammy, Tony and Emmy-winning actor Cynthia Erivo joins Willie Geist to talk about starring as the green-skinned witch Elphaba alongside her friend Ariana Grande in the highly-anticipated movie musical "Wicked." Firefighters are battling raging wildfires on both the East and West Coasts with the smoke reaching all the way to the New York City skyline. New York state reports that one forest ranger died while helping fight the blaze. NBC's George Solis reports for Sunday TODAY. When Donald Trump reluctantly left office in 2021, weeks after his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol, his popularity only grew when he launched his election bid in 2022. Despite being convicted on 34 felony counts, Trump's reelection raked in millions and eventually led to a swing state sweep. NBC's Julie Tsirkin reports in this week's Sunday Focus. President Biden has promised a peaceful transfer of power, inviting President-elect Trump to the Oval Office on Wednesday for a customary meeting that will restore decades of presidential precedent after Trump didn't extend the same invitation in 2020. NBC's Marissa Parra reports for Sunday TODAY. Princess Kate is back in the public eye, making her first high-profile appearances since she finished chemotherapy. Kate was joined by Prince William and King Charles for the Festival of Remembrance at Royal Albert Hall, honoring the nation's sacrifices in World War I. NBC's Meagan Fitzgerald reports for Sunday TODAY.

In this week's Sunday Sitdown, Hugh Grant joins Willie Geist for a conversation about his performance in the new movie "Heretic," his habit of seeking out negative reviews, and a look back at his blockbuster romantic comedies that made him a star. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says the country's air defense shot down dozens of missiles and drones targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure. President-elect Trump has announced Elon Musk will lead a new cost-cutting agency called the Department of Government Efficiency. Democrats have raised "serious concern" over Musk's companies having major contracts with the federal government. NBC's Julie Tsirkin reports in this week's Sunday Focus. President-elect Trump has tapped oil industry CEO Chris Wright as energy secretary and part of his newly-formed energy council. Meanwhile, there may be new trouble for Trump's pick for defense secretary Pete Hegseth who reportedly paid a woman for her silence years after a sexual encounter at a Republican conference in 2017. NBC's Allie Raffa reports for Sunday TODAY. Just days after appearing in his first professional fight in nearly 20 years, boxing star Mike Tyson says his main event bout against Jake Paul on Netflix may be his last. NBC's Marissa Parra reports for Sunday TODAY.

Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker joins Sunday TODAY's Willie Geist to discuss the future of President-elect Trump's other controversial cabinet picks after Matt Gaetz withdrew from the attorney general consideration. World leaders at the COP29 climate conference came to an agreement to give $300 billion a year by 2035 to developing nations to manage the impacts of climate change. After 1,000 days into Russia's war on Ukraine and Biden working to get more aid into Ukrainian hands before President-elect Trump returns to the White House, many on both sides of the conflict are wondering what comes next. NBC's Richard Engel reports in this week's Sunday Focus. Erik and Lyle Menendez will appear before a Los Angeles Superior Court judge as they fight for their freedom, 35 years after killing their parents. The procedural hearing is drawing a lot of public attention, even a lottery for seats in the courtroom. NBC's Dana Griffin reports for Sunday TODAY. The annual Thanksgiving holiday travel rush is underway as tens of millions hit the road and head to airports, but severe weather is already having an impact on travel plans across the country. Record rain in Northern California has triggered flooding and mudslides and parts of the Northeast are digging out of heavy snowfall. NBC's Priya Sridhar reports for Sunday TODAY. Sunday TODAY's Willie Geist runs through the Highs and Lows of the week including 50,000 University of Colorado spectators celebrating the birthday of 100-year-old super fan Peggy Coppom, a banana art display selling for $6.2 million at auction and more!

A winter storm has brought freezing temperatures and heavy snow, making travel potentially dangerous for many headed home after Thanksgiving. NBC's George Solis reports for Sunday TODAY. A huge fight broke out on the Ohio State field after Michigan won Saturday's game and attempted to plant their team's flag on the Ohio State field. Police reportedly had to use pepper spray to break up the fight. President Biden plans to roll out a new plan that would require coverage of weight loss drugs for patients of Medicare and Medicaid. The move could potentially help some seven million Americans pay for the expensive drugs, but it may be up to the Trump administration to actually carry it out. NBC's Maggie Vespa reports in this week's Sunday Focus. Notre Dame football's 22-year-old quarterback Riley Leonard is a star player who received a lucrative NIL deal, but decided he'd only accept it if the company cut in his teammates. NBC's Morgan Chesky reports in this week's Sunday Spotlight. Sunday TODAY's Hallie Jackson runs through the Highs and Lows of the week including a chef who drove 6 hours to lead a team of volunteers and feed more than 5,000 people recovering from Hurricane Helene in North Carolina on Thanksgiving, a tongue and cheek encounter between a cow and a woman and more! 

Syrian rebel forces have overtaken the capital city of Damascus and toppled the Assad regime that has ruled Syria for generations. Russian officials have confirmed President Bashar Al-Assad has resigned and fled the country. NBC's Raf Sanchez reports for Sunday TODAY. Police continue the search for the suspected shooter in the killing of the UnitedHealthcare CEO on a New York City Street. The NYPD released two new images of the person of interest. NBC's Tom Winter reports for Sunday TODAY. President-elect Trump met with French President Emmanuel Macron along with Ukraine's President Zelenskyy ahead of the official reopening of the Notre Dame cathedral. Back in the U.S., Trump's pick for defense secretary Pete Hegseth is still trying to win over Republican senators. NBC's Vaughn Hillyard reports for Sunday TODAY. Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker joins Sunday TODAY's Willie Geist with a preview of her extensive interview with President-elect Trump and his response to pardons for Jan. 6 Capitol rioters, President Biden's pardon of his son Hunter and more. Willie Geist wraps up Sunday TODAY by sharing mug shots sent in by viewers. This week, Willie gives a shout out to Ashley and David welcoming their baby girl in New Orleans! To share your photos, use #SundayTODAY on social media. 

In Part 1 of this week's Sunday Sitdown, Billy Crystal takes Willie Geist on a walk through his alma mater, NYU, where he was taught by then up-and-coming director Martin Scorsese. Crystal talks about his new thrilling series "Before" and the interaction with Muhammad Ali that led to a comedy career starring in movies so iconic, they're teaching classes about them. In Part 2 of this week's Sunday Sitdown, Billy Crystal shares the story behind the iconic "When Harry Met Sally..." scene in Katz's Delicatessen and opens up about his chemistry with co-star Meg Ryan. Residents and local officials are growing frustrated and alarmed by a lack of answers from the FBI and Department of Homeland Security over the slew of mysterious drone sightings in New Jersey and other states. NBC's Sam Brock reports in this week's Sunday Focus. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is recovering from surgery after she fell while traveling with a congressional delegation in Luxembourg. Pelosi was airlifted to a U.S. military hospital in Germany where she underwent a hip replacement. President-elect Trump spent the weekend at the annual Army-Navy football game with Tulsi Gabbard and his defense secretary pick, Pete Hegseth. Meanwhile, ABC News will donate $15 million for a future Trump presidential foundation and museum as part of a settlement to a defamation case. NBC's Aaron Gilchrist reports for Sunday TODAY. "Meet the Press" moderator Kristen Welker joins Sunday TODAY's Willie Geist to discuss the shift in tone by Republicans toward President-elect Trump's cabinet picks, including Pete Hegseth.

Two U.S. Navy pilots were able to safely eject over the Red Sea after their F/A-18 fighter jet was shot down by the USS Gettysburg that reportedly mistook it for an enemy drone or missile. NBC's Raf Sanchez reports for Sunday TODAY. The man accused of driving his truck into a crowded Christmas market in Germany, killing five people and injuring more than 200 others, is now facing murder charges after his first appearance before a judge. Meanwhile, investigators are learning more about the suspect's possible motive. NBC's Daniele Hamamdjian reports for Sunday TODAY. Jonathan Lemire, co-host of MSNBC's Morning Joe, joins Willie Geist on Sunday TODAY to discuss whether President-elect Trump and Elon Musk's work to kill a government funding bill ahead of the holidays is a preview of what Trump's second term will look like. Actress Blake Lively has filed a complaint against her "It Ends with Us" costar and director Justin Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment on the set of the film. Lively says Baldoni sought to retaliate and destroy her reputation with a coordinated smear campaign after they worked together. NBC's Priscilla Thompson reports for Sunday TODAY. Rickey Henderson, legendary baseball Hall of Famer who was nicknamed "Man of Steal," has died at 65. Henderson was Major League Baseball's all-time leader in both stolen bases and runs scored and was viewed as the greatest leadoff hitter of all-time. Taylor Swift's billion-dollar "Eras Tour" lead a year in entertainment that also saw box office records with "Deadpool & Wolverine" and "Wicked" and a new era in media as influential podcasts like "The Joe Rogan Experience" helped to shape the historic presidential campaign. NBC's Adrienne Broaddus reports in this week's Sunday Focus. Former Pittsburgh Penguins star and two-time Stanley Cup winner Kevin Stevens sits down with NBC's Joe Fryer to share how his Power Forward 25 organization has turned his own experience with addiction into the most important work of his career. NBC's Joe Fryer reports in this week's Sunday Spotlight. 
 

From the hottest new acts in music to the biggest stars in Hollywood, Willie Geist wraps up 2024 by looking back at the highlights from this year's Sunday Sitdowns.

In this week's Sunday Sitdown, Lisa Kudrow joins Willie Geist to talk about sharing the screen with Ray Romano in their new Netflix show "No Good Deed," the enduring legacy of "Friends" and her late co-star Matthew Perry. New York City has officially become the first city in the country to implement a congestion charge for any vehicle entering the middle of Manhattan. The tax has been in effect for decades in other parts of the world and officials say it has provided benefits from easing traffic to curbing pollution. NBC's Emilie Ikeda reports in this week's Sunday Focus. A pharmacy in London is dispensing a different kind of medicine to help people get through difficult times. Customers who walk into the Poetry Pharmacy can find a poem or words of comfort to make them feel a bit better. NBC's Kelly Cobiella reports in this week's Sunday Spotlight. NBC's Joe Fryer runs through the first Highs of 2025 on Sunday TODAY including toaster pastries living out their dream at the Pop-Tarts Bowl, a confused dad waking up in the middle of an UNO game and more.

In this week's Sunday Sitdown, Mariska Hargitay joins Willie Geist for a discussion on the real-world impact of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" and her character Olivia Benson that she made her own more than 25 years ago. President-elect Donald Trump said he would not rule out the use of American military force to seize control of Greenland, a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. Trump is not the first American president to consider the strategic appeal of the world's largest island. NBC's Raf Sanchez reports in this week's Sunday Focus. The Goodyear Blimp is celebrating 100 years floating over America's biggest events from NASCAR races to Super Bowls and oversights like San Francisco and Las Vegas with legendary passengers like President Ronald Reagan, Charles Lindbergh and even Charles Barkley. NBC's Jesse Kirsch catches a ride to celebrate the century of flight in this week's Sunday Spotlight. Sunday TODAY's Willie Geist runs through the Highs and Lows of the week including some acts of bravery and kindness shown during the Southern California wildfires, Walker Kessler of the Utah Jazz reacting to his girlfriend Abbie Stockard being named Miss America and more!

In this week's Sunday Sitdown, Hollywood icon Glenn Close joins Willie Geist for a chat about her latest role in "Back in Action" and walks through her extraordinary 50-year career that began with a young theater actress dreaming big on the stages of New York City. Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker joins Willie Geist on Sunday TODAY with a preview of her exclusive phone interview with President-elect Donald Trump about his first actions in office after inauguration. As firefighters begin to get a handle on the blazes that have re-shaped Southern California, the thousands of people displaced by the wildfires are now facing the challenge of rebuilding. NBC's Dana Griffin reports in this week's Sunday Focus.

President Trump is facing mounting criticism after firing 18 inspectors general from federal agencies that were tasked with monitoring fraud, waste and abuse. This comes after the confirmation of two of Trump's high-profile cabinet picks and a slate of controversial nominees set to face confirmations hearings this week. NBC's Vaughn Hillyard reports for Sunday TODAY. Trump carried out deportations during his first week in office while promising raids in major cities like Chicago. NBC's Gabe Gutierrez reports for Sunday TODAY. Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker joins Sunday TODAY's Willie Geist to discuss the reports that Republicans lawmakers may face pressure to get behind the remaining Trump cabinet nominees. The CIA issued a statement saying the COVID-19 virus likely originated from a Chinese lab, but it noted it has "low confidence" in its conclusion. A pair of giant pandas made their highly anticipated American debut at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, D.C. This marks the return of a tradition between the United States and China that dates back more than 50 years. NBC's Tom Costello reports in this week's Sunday Spotlight. The Super Bowl stage is almost set with the Kansas City Chiefs facing the Buffalo Bills in the AFC championship for a chance at their third consecutive Super Bowl title while the Washington Commanders take on the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC championship. NBC's Sam Brock reports for Sunday TODAY.