NBC “TODAY” Show host Savannah Guthrie was all smiles this morning as she revealed her engagement to political consultant Mike Feldman, setting off a flurry of reaction in Washington and beyond.

Guthrie flashed her diamond ring on air. Weatherman Al Roker tweeted that actor Bradley Cooper brought Savannah flowers for the occasion. NBC “MTP” Executive Producer Betsy Fischer remarked, “Two great people — Savannah and Mike — awesome news!” CNN’s Jessica Yellin added, “Wowza. Check out that pic! Congrats guys!” And Co-host Willie Geist assumes his invitation is in the mail: “Two of the greats. Spoiler alert guys: I already grabbed the shower caddy off your registry.” CNN’s Jake Tapper wrote, “Congrats to Savannah Guthrie and Mike Feldman!!!! Xoxo.” NBC Washington’s Angie Goff wrote, “Congrats Savannah! You’ll make a beautiful bride.” And Mediaite founder and ABC Legal Analyst Dan Abrams added his congratulatory note, saying, “Two people I’ve really liked and respected for a long time.”

Savannah had a pointed message for Prince Harry… “Tell him I’m no longer available.”

Even US Weekly splashed it up on their site this morning.

See Cooper giving flowers to Savannah. Read more

Over the weekend, NBC “MTP” Producer Betsy Fischer posted this on Facebook: “Washington weekend! Lots of electricity in the sky but none at home!”

We do hope she’s talking about Pepco and not Politico‘s Senior Reporter Jonathan Martin who recently appeared on MTP.

The pair recently wed.

Over the weekend Jonathan Martin, senior political reporter of Politico, published a nearly 2,000-word review in WSJ of two books on Florida GOP Sen. Marco Rubio. Huh? Why not for Politico? But worse: Martin apparently read the wonky books while honeymooning in Europe with his new bride, NBC “MTP” Executive Producer Betsy Fischer.

As Politico Editor-in-Chief John Harris explains it, Martin writing the piece for WSJ involved standard operating procedure. “We don’t  typically do standard book reviews of the sort Jonathan wrote for the Wall Street Journal,” Harris wrote FishbowlDC. “Those guys had specifically solicited him to do this review and, following our policy for outside assignments, he asked for permission and in this case we gave it. I thought it was a very well-turned review of the Rubio books and I’ll confess to a momentary pang of ‘maybe we should have done this’ but in any event I’m glad he did it. My understanding is he read the Rubio books on his honeymoon—the last of the great romantics.”

But something worthy to note: Politico has lost several prominent reporters to WSJ. One was White House Correspondent Carol Lee in February of 2011. The other, media writer Keach Hagey in March, 2012. In the spring of 2010, Victoria McGrane left Politico and went to Dow Jones. By September she was — you guessed it — at WSJ. Also in 2010: Patrick O’Connor left Politico for Bloomberg. He, too, eventually wound up at WSJ.

Read Martin’s WSJ review here.

that Poshbrood, the upscale family travel site created by publicist and travel writer Elizabeth Thorp, helped plan the honeymoon of recently married NBC “MTP” Exec. Producer Betsy Fischer and Politico Senior Writer Jonathan Martin.

The couple heads to Europe next week. And from our best translation skills, looks like they’re headed to glorious Italy. “@BetsyMTP Finalized all details of your ‘luna di miele’ — see you tomorrow! #ladolcevita”

Thorp wouldn’t comment any further on the newlyweds’ honeymoon plans.

Bon voyage! Let’s hope they abandon their respective Twitter accounts for a few days.

Top 5 Reasons Why Politico Senior Political Reporter Jonathan Martin and NBC’s “MTP” Exec. Producer Betsy Fischer‘s Wedding Was Everything That’s Wrong With Washington. The journo power couple married in a garden wedding in Warrenton, Va. over the weekend.

1. Martin thanked the troops during his remarks. “We want to keep in mind that this is an important weekend. Tomorrow is Memorial Day. So we also want to honor our veterans, and those who are fallen.” (h/t Politico Playbook and h/t Mike Allen for h/t)

2. NBC newsman Tom Brokaw made their wedding sound like a beer summit: “We’re awakened every day, these days, and reminded about what divides us. But this is what unites us: the idea that two people who care
passionately about their country and about the political system that
drives it, finding each other, setting out on their married life.”

3. Politico Editor-in-Chief John Harris looked hammered. See here. (Just kidding, we’re sure the boss was keeping it together.)

4. Gift bags included treats from — not a joke — The Political
Cookie Company.

5. Politico and NBC’s MTP will now forever and incestuously be linked in holy matrimony. By the power vested in FishbowlDC, we now pronounce you husband and wife.

Quotes of the Day

Are you there Gin? It’s me, John

“No, bottle of Hendricks, I will NOT come play with you again.” — Roll Call‘s John Stanton.

It’s 3:34 a.m. Do you know where your reporter is?

“Jerk @DCPoliceDept officer — working the wreck I-395 near Cap Hill — told friend and me in cab ‘idiots’ like us cause these accident.” — The Daily Caller‘s Alex Pappas. Pappas, who is caucasian, followed up with a comment on the race of the officer. “The white @DCPoliceDept officer working the i-395 wreck is unfortunately the reason people don’t respect law enforcement here.”

Journo must work on Memorial Day

“Anyone else have to work on Memorial Day? #nothappy” — TWT‘s Emily Miller.

Journo enjoys surprise fiddle concert

“Am being treated to an impromptu fiddle concert on the patio at Red Rocks from the guy next door and it is fabulous.” — NJ‘s Alexandra Jaffe.

Tragedy and celebration in Warrenton

“WARRENTON, Va. (AP) – Virginia State Police say 1 pilot dead, another injured after crash involving 2 planes.” — HuffPost‘s Ethan Klapper tweeted this. In happier news, Warrenton was also the site of this weekend’s nuptials between NBC “MTP” Executive Producer Betsy Fischer and Politico Senior Reporter Jonathan Martin. Congratulations to Fischmart on their wedding. We hope all the wedding planning paid off.

Did Jason Linkins kiss Jake Tapper’s ass?

“@dceiver i have to say, strip away the fun snark, sounds like you liked the show! (Ssshh. I wont tell anyone)” — ABC’s Jake Tapper, who hosted “This Week” on Sunday, referencing HuffPost‘s Jason Linkins, who writes up the Sunday shows. After getting through as much of Linkins’ Sunday roundup as we could bear, yes, he does suck up to Tapper about how smart he is throughout. But he also inexplicably runs a tweet by Salon‘s extraordinary Alex Pareene twice. God knows why. We just hope Pareene still sports his porn star mustache.

Howard Fineman attends Brown mixer

“Great time last night with my wonderful @BrownUniversity alumna wife at Campus Dance. 1000s of alums on The Green: an open-air re-mixer.” — HuffPost‘s Howard Fineman. Is anyone as disturbed as us that Fineman attended an open-air school dance?

TV reporter claims victory, albeit a shady one

“Finally, first tennis victory of summer. ok… opponent doubled over with stomach cramps, but a ‘W’ is a ‘W’!” — ABC7′s Stephen Tschida. Congratulations Tschida! Cramps doesn’t detract from your win whatsoever.

TV reporter celebrates wedding anniversary

“10 years ago today, Maureen said ‘yes.’ We celebrated by going to the pool with Declan, Evelyn and Hugh, who are the result!” — CNBC’s Eamon Javers.

Touching moment amidst girls giggling at ‘bosom’

“Just passed Joyce Kilmer rest stop & read Trees to daughters. Touching reaction though they laughed to hear ‘bosom’ aloud.” — NPR’s Scott Simon.

Spotted: A relaxed Neda Semnani, of Roll Call‘s HOH, coming out of SweetGreen in Logan Circle on Memorial Day.

Peter Ogburn contributed to this report.

On Sunday’s “Meet the Press”, Tom Brokaw was analyzing the Presidential race of 2012 when he took a sharp turn into Curmudgeon-ville to take major swipes at Nerd Prom. He is not pleased about the glittering of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner with stars like George Clooney and Charlize Theron. Some people may argue that at last those stars are politically active and aware of what’s going on the world. The same can’t be said for the likes of Kim Kardashian and Lindsay Lohan.

In any event, reaction started pouring in over Twitter as Brokaw’s comments went viral. WSJ’s Neil King welcomed Brokaw’s comments by saying, “Here’s seconding Brokaw’s takedown of the WH Correspondents Dinner. And here’s predicting the day when POTUS says thanks but no thanks.” Longtime Washington political journo and columnist for the Dallas Morning News Carl Leubsdorf told FBDC, “I think he spoke for many of us.” He went on to say, “Tom is spot on. And as the dinner has become glitzier, fewer seats have gone to actual correspondents and more to corporate executives, advertisers and celebrities. The upcoming 100th WHCA anniversary in 2014 might be a perfect time to consider this, though I’m not too hopeful that will happen.” Something that got the attention of HuffPost’s Michael Calderone was Brokaw’s mention of “taking over the Italian embassy.” It just so happens that was the location of the blowout MSNBC after-party. National Correspondent for The Atlantic, James Fallows also agreed with Brokaw, saying, “Good for Tom B!”

Brokaw is one in a procession of Washington journalists who are trashing what the dinner has become. Late last week we reported on U.S. News & World Report’s Susan Milligan,
who also believes celebs ruin the image of the event. Some may also recall WaPo Dana Milbank‘s take on Nerd Prom last April, in which he says journalists have turned themselves into pimps for the politicians and the stars. He intimated that he grew sickened as he started to RSVP for parties and “made other plans for the weekend.” But Brokaw’s blast is a little bit different. First, he has the highest profile of anyone who has criticized the dinner. Second, he doesn’t seem to differentiate between George Clooney and Lindsay Lohan. He wants Hollywood out of the dinner.

It’s interesting to note that while Twitter was having a field day with Brokaw’s comments, neither Betsy Fischer, Exec. Producer for “Meet the Press”, nor host David Gregory made any comments. Watch Brokaw’s comments in the video below.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Washingtonian has its own whodunit mystery theater going on in the world of Capital Comment writer Carol Joynt. She has been inexplicably deleting items and lines — not an overwhelming amount, but one on her personal blog, another on the magazine’s website.

The latest of which occurred Monday.

On its surface, the item on Washingtonian‘s website appeared to be an innocuous item on Rob Lowe visiting Washington, where he dined with six lovely ladies at The Four Season’s Bourbon Steak. Among them was NBC “MTP” Exec. Producer Betsy Fischer, CNN’s Jessica Yellin, Lobbyist Jack Quinn’s wife, Susanna Quinn, a friend and Washington liaison to Lowe, and Washingtonian Publisher Cathy Merrill Williams.

In the next sequence of the mystery, Joynt wrote up the item and included this line: “Lowe’s son has stayed in the past at the home of Quinn and her lobbyist husband, Jack Quinn.”

But soon the line involving Lowe’s son disappeared.

We asked Joynt: “Why did you remove the line?” She declined to comment. We also wrote Washingtonian Editor Garrett Graff. So far, he’s not talking either. Lowe’s son, Matthew, spent the summer interning for House Maj. Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.). And yes, he bunked at the Quinn’s humble abode.

In other disappearing Joynt item news…

Read more

Ribbons or no ribbons? She wants ribbons. Casual or ivory on ivory? No ivory. Navy blue and yellow or sage green? Undecided but leaning towards navy and yellow.

On Tuesday morning NBC “MTP” Executive Producer Betsy Fischer had a sit-down with two wedding planners at Baked & Wired, a Georgetown cafe. Her fiance, Politico‘s Senior Political Reporter Jonathan Martin was not present. He’s leaving the invitation details to Fischer.

When discussing yellows, the women grew finicky, weighing between “buttery” yellows versus “bright sunshiney” yellows. The shape of the card is also important — square, horizontal, vertical. Horizontal appeared to be the hit of the day. Fischer, dressed head to toe in black, didn’t appear to care about the particular hue of yellow.

FischMart is not doing save the date notices. Instead, invitations will be dispatched early. Fischer agreed with the planners that she wants it “classy but not frou frou.” The raspy-voiced planner with dishwater blond hair remarked, “It’s a destination wedding as close to DC as possible.” A refrain that Fischer reiterated throughout the meeting: “I just don’t want it to be formal.”

To that end, FischMart’s wedding will include a barbecue. The couple will also be making “an appearance” at breakfast the following day. Above all, Fischer wants things easy for guests. “I don’t want people to freelance on accommodations,” she said. The raspy voiced, overly loquacious woman broke into her thought, “Tennis, bike, pool…it’s a fun weekend retreat, escape from the city.” Fischer concluded, “It’s a family friendly place but I don’t want to be like, bring your nine kids.”

Quotes of the Day

Washington Watch’s Resident Fashion Plate Roland Martin: “Me and wifey @jhoodmartin getting our Texas on at the Black Republican gathering.”

Up With Hazy, Down with Hazy: Not always easy to tell

“For all I know @chrislhayes is the greatest TV talent in the world. Still don’t get people who watch msnbc first thing Saturday morning.” — National Review Online‘s Jonah Goldberg.

“Just starting my DVR of UP! with @chrislhayes . No spoilers, please! #uppers” — Mediaite‘s White House correspondent Tommy Christopher watches “Up with Hayes” like it’s a reality TV marathon.

Piers to his driver: I’m not that important

“My driver just went ‘around the block’ because he thought we were being followed. At 6am, in Los Angeles. Mate, I’m not the President.” — CNN’s Piers Morgan.

Super Committee Humor

“Failure of super comm is the most surprising thing to happen in Wash DC since the time that family values pol got caught having an affair.” — Former White House speechwriter Jon Lovett.

“It’s Sunday. Are you ready for some SITTING IN THE CAPITOL ON DEATHWAAAATCH!” — The Takeaway’s Capitol Hill radio reporter Todd Zwillich.

SHOCKING DEVELOPMENT: Media gets painted as evil

“The media’s a little bit like the Jurassic Park dinosaur, it notices movement in the polls & it moves in to kill it.” — GOP Consultant Mike Murphy on NBC’s “MTP” Sunday.

HUH? This week’s Date Lab includes 28-year-old Matt Holland, who thinks he has a handle on what women want. Holland, a grown man, says, “I had a good week at work, and afterward I went and bought myself a new sweater. Girls like soft sweaters.”

The Media Critic

“Ok – I don’t like this ‘Meet’ format. Kerry sits there while Kyl talks? No interaction? #peanutgalleryopinion” — Senate Fox News reporter Trish Turner.

The Observer

“Chris Wallace ‘dancing’ with turkeys is exceedingly disturbing. #sundaymorninghell” — Roll Call‘s John Stanton.

And now a positive word on Wallace…

“Chris Wallace is growing on me. He asks very pointed questions.” — Roll Call‘s Ryan Teague Beckwith.

Journo Sundays

Politico‘s Jake Sherman: “My #sundayroutine: hour-long workout. Sunday shows. Work.”

NBC “MTP” Executive Producer Betsy Fischer: “My #SundayRoutine; wakeup at 4am, make some live television, start weekend, play with daughter, take a nap.”

WaPo editor Lindsay Applebaum: “Sometimes I like quiet weekend mornings just sitting here with my coffee and my newspaper and my iPhone and my iPad and my laptop and my TV.”

WaPo‘s Chris Cillizza (on Saturday night): “The Bourne Supremacy on Bravo. And just like that my next two and a half hours are spoken for.”

A Convo Among Three Journos

Our favorite Cabbage Patch doll/blogger Matt Mackowiak: “Here’s an idea: the SuperCommittee could be working today instead of appearing on the Sunday Shows.”

NBC’s Fischer: “I disagree!”

Roll Call‘s Steven Dennis: “Maybe if they appeared together & talked it out w/Dr. Phil. Or Regis. #Supercom”