Kathie Lee is not a diva, Hoda Kotb says in the book

Hoda Kotb

Hoda Kotb, a 46-year-old Oklahoma native made her comments in her new memoir Hoda: How I Survived War Zones, Bad Hair, Cancer and Kathie Lee, which was released on Tuesday.

"Kathie Lee is not a diva," Kotb says in the book, according to an excerpt posted on The Today Show's website. "She's always on time and she comes to play. She asks everyone about their family and friends and keeps up with all the happenings. She sings to me every morning when she strolls into the makeup room to the tune of Oklahoma!" 

Hoda Kotb and Gifford began co-hosting The Today Show's fourth hour together in 2008. Kotb in says that she sits next to Gifford on her right side because her co-host sat to the left of Regis Philbin when she co-hosted Live with Regis and Kathie Lee between 1988 and 2000. Gifford had left the show to pursue a singing career and was replaced by Kelly Ripa."It's like sleeping on the usual side of the bed for her,"  Hoda Kotb said. "And for me, it's a little like sitting next to Regis. Kathie Lee has settled nicely into the role of Velvet Barb Thrower. And I'm the bull's-eye."

Kathie Lee

She also said Gifford has poked fun at her love life and her weight and dubs her "Hoda Woman" and "Egyptian Goddess," referring to her ethnicity.

"Can Kathie Lee be a pain in my ass?" Kotb said. "Yes. Some days I want to take her to the mat and stick gum in her hair. But, love her or hate her, Kathie Lee knows how to do live talk television. And don’t worry about me, I can take whatever she dishes."