Megyn Kelly welcomed her family and friends onto the set of her ‘Today’ show on Tuesday so they could share stories of the host’s childhood days as she makes the transition to daytime television.
It was all very gushing and effusive, with her brother Peter called her ‘silly’ while her mother Linda stated that her daughter is ‘never a phony.’
There was also a small dose of humor too thanks to a number of never-before-seen photos that revealed Megyn’s tomboy childhood and great love of jazzercise.
And after singing her daughter’s praises, mom Linda was able to get in one swipe at the end of the segment when she joined Megyn on stage, saying: ‘She does kick you under the bus every once in a while.’
The gang’s all here: Megyn Kelly was joined by her family on her NBC morning show Tuesday (l to r: brother Peter and his wife, husband Douglas Brunt, Megyn, mother Linda Kelly, stepfather Peter Kirwan, stepbrother Paul Kirwan and stepsister Liza Kirwan)
Work it out: Her mother, siblings and step-siblings all shared stories about Megyn’s past as well as a number of never-before-seen photos and video
Get into the groove: These included images of Megyn jazzercising and leading workout classes (above)
Big fan: ‘She has such a rare gift where she can combine silliness with these crazy, ninja litigator skills,’ said husband Douglas Brunt
Burn: Mom Linda took an amusing swipe at her daughter, joking: ‘She does kick you under the bus every once in a while’ (Peter and Megyn above)
Among those joining Megyn on Tuesday was also husband Douglas Brunt, making his second straight appearance just one day after his wife spoke about how camera shy he is on national television.
‘She has such a rare gift where she can combine silliness with these crazy, ninja litigator skills,’ said Doug.
He went on to describe what a wonderful mother she was, and her ability to make up a game on a whim that will kept their three children entertained.
He did admit however that his wife was not much of a cook, something that was widely agreed upon by other members of her family.
‘I love my children and I’m honest with them and I try to set a good example,’ said Megyn.
There was also a great deal of talk about the family’s humor, which Megyn said was ‘handed down to me from a long line of great women.’
That humor was also inherited by her brother Pete, who said: ‘I came home from school one day and told her that all the good looking girls are aerobics instructors.’
Soon after, Megyn took up jazzercising, and stayed at it for the next 10 years.
The family even brought along some video of Megyn in her gear as she led an aerobics class.
Things got emotional when talk later turned to Megyn’s late father.
Rah rah: There was also a great deal of talk about the family’s humor, which Megyn said was ‘handed down to me from a long line of great women’ (Megyn second from left on top)
Building blocks: ‘I love my children and I’m honest with them and I try to set a good example,’ said Megyn
Difficult subject: Things got emotional when talk later turned to Megyn’s late father (above)
Big loss: ‘My dad died when I was 15 and he died 10 days before Christmas without any warning,’ said Megyn
Pain: ‘You know, I remember vividly the moment my sister came into my room that night because I was asleep saying, “Wake up, daddy had a heart attack,”‘ said Megyn
Moving forward: Her mother said that she later gathered all her children together after that horrible day to speak about the future.
‘My dad died when I was 15 and he died 10 days before Christmas without any warning,’ said Megyn.
‘You know, I remember vividly the moment my sister came into my room that night because I was asleep saying, “Wake up, daddy had a heart attack.”
‘And I rushed downstairs and the ambulance had already taken him and my mother had been trying to revive him and he never came back. It was the saddest night of my life.’
‘It was a pep talk about who we were as he left, and we would carry his being with us,’ explained Linda.
Megyn later said of her father: ‘He was with me for 15 years and he’s still with me.’
Funny ladies: Megyn with her nana, who she claims to have inherited her humor from
Mother and daughter: Linda was in the audience on Monday as well to support her daughter
Dancing queens: Liza Kerwan (above with Megyn) sang her stepsister’s praises on Tuesday
Tiny flaw: Husband Douglas did admit that Megyn’s cooking leaves much to be desired
‘Megyn Kelly Today’ kicked off its second episode on Tuesday with the host fielding some questions from the audience.
And right off the bat Megyn was put on the spot, as a woman asked her to weigh in on the current controversy surrounding NFL players taking a knee during the playing of the national anthem.
She responded with a carefully thought out response that was sure to offend few, and while making no mention of the man who is most opposed to the peaceful form of protest, President Trump.
‘Assumes facts not in evidence because I would never be at a sporting event,’ joked Megyn when asked if she herself would take a knee.
She then said: ‘I have a different take on that whole situation with the NFL. You know, I practiced law for nine years and I am a lover of the first amendment and I think this whole situation underscores the beauty of our nation.
‘Because those players have every right to take a knee and those who object to it have every right to object.’
Meanwhile, Megyn scored a solid 2.1 household rating in overnight numbers released early Tuesday, putting her just behind the 2.2 earned by ‘Live With Kelly and Ryan.’
The two shows tied however in the all important women 25 – 54 demo, where they both earned a 0.9 rating.
Both Megyn Kelly and Kelly Ripa finished behind Ellen DeGeneres (1.1), Dr. Phil (1.1), Wendy Williams (1) and the women of ‘The View’ (1) on Monday in the key demo.
They were not far behind however, as there was a negligible 0.2 spread between all six shows.
Megyn and Ripa’s overall numbers meanwhile were well behind Dr. Phil (3.1) but within reach of both ‘The View’ (2.5) and Ellen DeGeneres (2.4).
The two ladies also managed to beat out Wendy Williams (1.7).
Megyn has credited her hard work with her success, and on Tuesday was able to talk a little more about how she moved her way up the the ranks.
She was asked what advice she might have for young woman by a mother in the audience whose daughter is now in college.
‘I would say work hard and work harder and then work harder than that,’ said Megyn. ‘And don’t whine and don’t complain and say yes to everything and don’t be entitled or think that you’re special.’
She went on to say: ‘I think especially as a young person you should be volunteering to do the shifts on New Year’s Eve and on Christmas Eve and on the weekends and overnight.’
Megyn then explained to the audience how hard work has been both a ‘security blanket’ and ‘soothing balm’ for her in both her careers as a lawyer and a television host.
‘The more you say yes to and the harder you work, the more you will stand out,’ said Megyn.
There was also a little bit of current events at the top of the show, with Megyn giving her thoughts on the romance between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after they were photographed together at the Invictus Games.
‘My main impression in watching them is how much pressure she in particular is under,’ said Megyn, who pointed out that there was no ring in sight on Meghan’s hand.
‘He’s a prince so he’s used to it but her world must be exploding right now. Think of Princess Diana, Princess Grace.’
Megyn went on to wish the couple ‘all the best’ saying that the two ‘seem like lovely people.’
Later in the program Megyn sat down with the stars of another beloved NBC show, This Is Us, one day after welcoming the ‘Will & Grace’ actors on her program.
Emmy-nominee Chrissy Metz was in studio, while Megyn spoke to the other stars in a taped interview conducted on the Los Angeles set of the drama.