By Alex Smith, TODAY
Starting Saturday, Erica Hill will take her seat next to Lester Holt as co-anchor of Weekend TODAY. Erica worked at CBS, CNN and HLN before joining NBC News, where she will also serve as a national correspondent.
TODAY.com flew a few questions past the New York mother of two sons (Weston, 6, and Sawyer, 2 ½) to find out a little more about her before her big debut on Nov. 3. Here’s what she had to say.
What are three things TODAY fans should know about you?
I love dance parties with my kids. I am a klutz. I was an exchange student for a year in high school.
How have you prepared for the early morning hours? What's your morning routine?
Luckily, I've been on early mornings for a while, so I have the "o'Dark 30" wake-up down. I always set two alarms (iPhone and Blackberry) and, as crazy as it sounds, I read emails and check the overnight tweets to help me wake up. I save my first cup of coffee for when I get to the office.
What's your ideal day?
It would involve, most importantly, the people I love the most. To start, a leisurely, late wake-up (7 a.m., anyone?), a family walk with our dog, Jake, a run by the beach, lounging on the couch with the paper, building Legos with my boys, lots of laughter and a beautiful sunset, shared with my husband, David.
What makes you most excited about joining TODAY?
I have been a fan of the TODAY Show and NBC News forever; this is the show that made me want to work in morning television. I love the mix of solid, smart journalism, the chance to bring people the stories that matter and also the opportunity to have a little fun. Not to mention the leftovers from cooking segments!
What book are you currently reading?
"In the Garden of Beasts" by Erik Larson.
What song is playing on repeat on your iPod?
Hard to choose just one! Currently "I Will Wait" by Mumford & Sons.
What's your guilty pleasure TV show?
Any marathon on Bravo and "House Hunters."
Do you have any pets?
Yes! Jake, 10, is an Aussie shepherd-husky rescue mix; Lulu, 7, is a beautiful cat my husband found when she was maybe 6 weeks old, and we recently added two fish to the mix: Pokemon Blue and Kimmy.
Besides TODAY.com, what's your favorite website?
My new favorite is Simply Recipes.
If you could write your own fortune cookie - what would it say?
"You are about to embark on a magnificent journey"
Check out Erica's first broadcast!
Alex Smith is a editor/producer for TODAY.com who requires three alarms and an entire pot of weapons-grade coffee to greet the morning.
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