Sensational Sheinelle
Once again the subject is the network morning programs--specifically, the weekend Todayshow. More specifically, a cast member of that program upon whom I've dwelt before and for whom my affection--indeed, my love--for has grown every time I see her. By now, it has reached epic proportions. The weekend-Today cast member about whom I'm talking, if you'll think back to a few columns ago, is Sheinelle Jones. This gal has, quite simply, seized my heart. She has certainly, definitely become the leading reason I tune in to the Saturday-Sunday Today show and she has certainly, definitely become my second-favorite Today host (My favorite: Hoda Kotb, although, alas, whenever she goes barefoot, for her it's, to employ the Eddie Murphy-in-Boomerang phrase, "hammer time"). Sheinelle is, to say it outright, the network-morning-program girl I'd (after Hodie) most want as a gal-pal, the one I'd most want to, as do KLG and Hoda Woman, meet for lunch once a week and with whom take in a Broadway show. Allow me to explain myself. First, there are her striking good looks. This girl is, to employ a popular phrase, hauntingly beautiful. With her rich, lustrous black hair; her wide, sparkling eyes; her pert button nose; and her full, ever-kissable lips, all encased in a fiercely enticing package of caramel-colored skin, it is absolutely impossible to, when she's in a two-shot, not have your eyes fixed upon her. And an added bonus is her diminutive stature--she herself figures her height to be 4'11". It, quite simply, gives her that mighty-she-mite air that is such a major factor in making Jada Pinkett Smith so abundantly appealing. Secondly, there is the overall way she carries herself. A Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, when asked what words would immediately come to mind when thinking of her, laughingly replied: "Bubbly, vivacious." Those are two words that neatly sum up Sheinelle's persona as well. This gal is a veritable volcano of sprightliness and good humor, her unabashed sparkle being entirely infectious. Whenever she's on-screen (except when she's doing her news readings, where of course the situation demands seriousness) you can't help but smile and have good feeling coursing through your whole body. This chick is, simply put, a hell of a lot of fun. Some examples of her ingratiatingly high fizz quotient. .After a report on this one company that's literally boss-free, where the members are in effect their own bosses, Sheinelle's sister weekend-Today host Erica Hill spoke up for bosses, going on about how the boss concept can actually be beneficial to companies. Asked Sheinelle lightheartedly from the Today Orange Room: "Erica, do I see a little brown on your nose?" .A bit later, Sheinelle was still in the Orange Room, for the purpose of reporting the results of this one poll. Turning toward this screen upon which said poll's findings could be found, our weekend-Today she-babe said: "Survey says..." Then, turning toward the camera, she, again lightheartedly, inquired: "Who says that?" (Why, Steve Harvey on Family Feud, of course) .On a later weekend-Today outing, Sheinelle was in the Orange Room again, this time with the show's Fan Of The Day and her family. After the aforementioned Fan announced what the next weekend-Today story would be, Sheinelle gaily--and quite aggressively--hugged her. .During one segment, our girl was lined up with the other weekend-Today regulars, all of them preparing to take a test. While said folks were taking the test, Erica fouled up one answer, while Sheinelle wrote down the right one. The latter turned to the former and gave her a mock-gloating Bronx cheer. Those are just a few examples of Sheinelle's ever-engaging buoyancy. And the two stand-out showcases for her extravagant appeal, ironically enough, can be found not on any network but on YouTube. To wit: .One highlight item looks back upon Sheinelle's final day as co-host/co-anchor of Good Day Philadelphia. The segment begins with her other host/anchor (a white male) going over the great teams of our age, from Fred and Ginger through Friends's Ross and Rachel all the way up to ("Sheinelle will hurt me if I don't include this") The Cosby Show's Cliff and Clair Huxtable. Sheinelle, for her part, is quite moved by this send-off ("God has bigger dreams for you than you can ever have for yourself...I didn't wake up in Kansas. God had bigger dreams for me...[To her white male on-air colleague] The two of us will always have an unspeakable bond. Anunspeakable bond"). and her farewell warmth genuinely touches the heart (It touches her white male on-air partner's heart also, as he tells her: "You're a gift. From God." And, for the record, Sheinelle was leaving Good Day Philadelphia so she could spend more time with her kids). .The other stand-apart item concerns Sheinelle's first day as a part of the Today show (An off-camera announcer to Sheinelle: "Welcome to the [Today] family!" Then, to us: "You're gonna love Sheinelle Jones as much as we [of Today] do"). Sheinelle's enthusiasm regarding joining Todayis palpable and warming ("This is such an honor to sit next to you guys. It really is...This [welcome] has been fantastic. And I've been wanting to come out here [to New York and join theToday show]"). The regular Today folks, for their part, are equally appealing as they welcome Sheinelle, with Erica telling her: "A lot of folks are already expressing a lot of love for you online" and Dylan Dreyer leading her to and acquainting her with the Orange Room. It all culminates with Sheinelle and her new co-workers chowing down on a generous helping of food ("Sheinelle: "I'm from Wichita. The whole place is known for its food"). When Sheinelle signs off as the co-host/co-anchor of Good Day Philadelphia, she tells her viewers: "This wouldn't be a Sheinelle Moment if I didn't have a story." It is we weekend- (and, at times, weekday-) Today viewers who should be highly grateful that we're privy to many, many, many "Sheinelle Moments"--moments that are always, always greatly spirited, smoothly charming and smile-encouragingly bouncy.