yessss! I was thinking the same thing. The tone of her speaking voice is so amazing.

Definitely some chemistry there!!!!😍

Yes she was Lol

This is how she normally speaks. The tone of her voice is soothing.

I definitely noticed, after watch numerous interviews

Yes, look at that perfect skin, the warm smile and the twinkle in her eye. What a beautiful woman inside and out.

I thought I was the only one. She was gorgeous.

I agree with you wholeheartedly. The late great Aretha Franklin looks superb in the video seen here! But also, to be frank about the late Miss Franklin, as with many persons in their lives (myself now included), certainly she had her ups and downs with obesity. Miss Franklin also often appeared to be fashion-challenged, and sometimes wearing the least flattering clothing during very high-profile events (such as at presidential inaugurals, etc.). I swear one time Miss Franklin had worn what really amounted to a burlap sack wrapped around her then-very overweight frame. And some of her hats rivaled the legendary gossip columnist Hedda Hopper's for their outrageousness in bad taste. But in this video here, of Miss Franklin being interviewed by Bryant Gumbel on NBC-TV's "Today Show" in 1990, Miss Franklin appears as healthy-looking and stunningly well-dressed as I have ever seen her. Of course, granted, it is more difficult for persons who are obese (compared to persons who are thin) to find flattering fashions. But I also recall when Miss Franklin was at her thinnest weight in the early 1970s (during the "Spirit in the Dark" and "Young, Gifted and Black" albums period), when she must have lost between about 50-75 lbs. from the beginning of her great fame circa 1967-68. Of course, then, Miss Franklin had also often had her hair dyed orange-red, as well sometimes in what I assumed to have been her natural hair coloring but in an Afro hairstyle, which actually looked good on her. It was evident Miss Franklin, then, must have had a very disciplined regimen of diet and exercise and/or diet medication to have looked so svelte. She wore miniskirts and slacks frequently during that period too. Then a few years ago, even as she had aged considerably, I noticed Miss Franklin had lost some considerable amount of weight again. But at that point the weight loss didn't appear to be from a healthy situation, was probably the first public indication of Miss Franklin's illness. And I had also read somewhere, sadly, Miss Franklin weighed only something like 80 lbs. at the time of her death. It is so frighteningly sad how that vicious disease of cancer can ravage a person like that. I have cancer myself now, too, but in early stages. Anyway, just had to chime in here to join you in praising the "Queen of Soul" for this sadly too-infrequent appearance in the video here, when she actually looked healthy and was wearing relatively conservative fashions which also suited her age at the time.

Absolutely, she looks gorgeous

@@gymnastix You just couldn't resist leaving a " nice nasty" comment on this video. I guess all the positive kind words were too much for you..had to throw some salt up on there huh. ...

KC Nwokoye Yes...she was.

Yes, she was. Something about her here is making me think of Anita Baker as well.

I respect her singing ability however - she has been incredibly rude in many interviews. She speaks of God but she should have learned humility. Nothing more distasteful than a big ego.

FACTS 💯

Daphne Smith yes she's being a tad seductive

Daphne Smith Nah. She was charming to everyone.

Sovoya Jackson. Indeed and very UNASSUMING.

Daphne Smith I think she was perhaps humored by bryant gumbel inwardly. I met her once. She gave me the most thoughtful look right into my eyes before signing my autograph and telling me I had a beautiful name. She was warm and kind and loved people.

Sovoya Jackson. Oooh REALLY. YES ur name is ODD and very beautiful. Interestingly, she had a very turbulent childhood. But "When LIFE ask u a question...its hw u ANSWER it". She had NO bitterness and displayed eloquence and courage through life trials and tribulations.

after today music is over...

ITS CALLED RAP KRAP WITH NO SENSE AND LIP SYNCH KRAP

Guided Hands So true! And their fans immediately call them “legends” LOL The delusion!

I took it as if she wanted him to know that she wasn't too old for him LOL - she definitely was flirting, I thought it was cute. She was definitely a one of kind lady. We'll miss you Aretha!

Guided Hands DON'T shame others Just to uplift someone else, RESPECT and Love all.

Those long wigs she favored were horrible!

Kitty he's a jerk. I worked at a hotel on Universal Studio Hills in L.A. Bryant was a frequent clientele who stayed there on his journalist assignments. He was outright as hateful as a human could be. He behaved like he was mentally disturbed.

Yes. All canned questions. He could have followed her answers with his next questions - I think she had something to say.

It sounds to me like he's throwing a little shade.

Byant Gumbel STILL IS the BEST interviewer in the Business. You have NO idea what you're talking about.

If I were u I hate me 2 it's just his style

If I were u I hate me 2 LOL YELP

He is a fool!

Exactly.!

He looks like a clown. Like some kind of fake corious antusiast

I feel you

I agree, especially the ending: (while cutting her off) "Take care of yourself." BOY, BYE.

Tressa really, r u serious? Was she trying to preserve her voice?

Actually yes she said it once

DearJRenae yes Ms. Aretha said she would not speak unless necessary to preserve her voice.

She held a lot of painful secrets. She was wise not a woman of few words.

Sovoya Jackson It seemed to be a prerequisite for the males on that show. So many ageist questions. She looked fabulous here!

Sonya Flowers Tale as old as time, yes

He seems very uncomfortable in her regal royal present.

I don't think he could handle Aretha the woman, and the brilliance, beauty and sexiness of the QUEEN! #hotandbothered

Sharon Grant, Ryt!

Life of Aaron I was like “Stfu!” 💀

GOING RIDING ON A FREWAY IN A PINK CADILLAC

HoneyHoneyBaby I can hear the Queen saying "You're not so Bad yourself, Honey" 😊

Thank you so much, RoDi Baker!!!!

HoneyHoneyBaby Anytime 4 U...

RoDi Baker Awh :-)

Yes I agree... it was a turbulent time. But the music was something to behold. My oldest brother served in Vietnam too. We were very fortunate to have" Re-Re", Jazz music, groups of Motown and many other fantastic bands Isley Brothers, * EWF, singers Marvin Gaye & Tammy Terrell, Donny Hathaway to get us right on through. Blessings...

always is an was darling I miss her sooo much. Have a great holiday😚 Sweet Home ✨ 🏠❤🏠💃💛🏃🎶🎶

because of the interviewer, not her baby; though I didn't dislike it the video...trying to give one the benefit

I think the dislike is for bryant gumbel. His lack of respect for Aretha shown by the arrogance, is the Only thing I see bad here. The Queen Aretha, "May she rest in peace" was Flawless, absolutely Beautiful in this video. I admire how she kept her cool and grace, no matter how "full of himself" bryant was. CLEARLY he was intimidated by her. A pity, he couldn't just simply be kind. What a gift she was to us all.

Aretha is absolutely gorgeous and yes her eyes are beautiful .

Benyikoko 😱

She was very beautiful in her middle age.

Benyikoko black don't crack

Benyikoko beautiful and no one asked about her skin care regimen! This woman aged well! Miss her so much!

Yes she was absolutely beautiful❤

Yes the Queen was so faboulas and Elegant in this interview R I P THE Queen of Soul ARETHA

It's the vibe.. They exude strong femininity, grace, class.. It's funny because Phylicia Rashad always reminded me of my mother.

D'ana D'amyka that says a lot about your mom. She must first of be gorgeous, intelligent, can’t get nothing pass her type of mom lol! On the Huxtables I was kind of scared of her because they tried to keep things from her but she was super smart. And don’t be company she’s meeting for the first time lol! You getting 21 looks and 21 questions! Love me some them!

LOL! Exactly! So, so true.

They are both Queens

And Ja'net Dubois to me.

Extremely annoying. He barely gave her a chance to answer before he asked the next question.

Exactly! This was a very "tight" interview.

He is so very annoying, indeed. I do not like the entitled and arrogant persona that he demonstrates in this interview. The ending: "Take care of yourself. " (as he interrupts her) He did not behave like he was speaking to music royalty and more than likely didn't see her in this way. Sad.

Instead of asking open-ended questions that would encourage her to give longer responses, he asked mostly yes/no questions -- which made him sound hostile and the interview seemed choppy.

Serious One Exactly..it was so uncomfortable to watch. But she seemed to of liked him. She did very well with the interview and came of nice though.

I think he was in awe of her to a large degree.

I think Aretha knows he is a little nervous.

@@m.e.d.7997 that's a great point.