In my experience, I've found that our viewers are very savvy, and any veteran viewer could easily tell me at least one story they will see on tonight's broadcast: the Thanksgiving Eve Getaway! We're covering it a bit differently this year, but have no fear -- it will be there! We're also following two Iraq story lines (and will add our Thanksgiving mention of those fighting overseas), one of which involves the Marine Corps.

Also tonight, we will continue our reporting on the US Airways incident involving those Muslim passengers this week [Editor's note: this item was dropped from the broadcast lineup at 5:30 p.m.], and we have an interesting surveillance story from our own Lisa Myers. We will continue our week-long series "What Works" tonight with an aggressive and constructive anti-drunk driving effort.

And attention to all fellow parents of college students: We'll have a special item tonight of significance during Thanksgiving break.

RANDOM NOTES & GIVING THANKS
Thanks to all of you who took the time and trouble to watch Charlie Rose. Thanks especially to those who further took the time to write with nice comments.

And allow me to say the following on this Thanksgiving eve: I wish everyone in our audience could know the people I work with here at NBC News. There is something about this time of year that makes me feel especially thankful and indebted to them for their friendship and for how hard they work. While I will spend a good deal of tomorrow enjoying the scenery (and the good fellowship of my fellow drivers) along the New Jersey Turnpike, when the time comes to start the meal, I will give thanks as I do every year. And please join me in giving thanks for those who will spend this family holiday in the armed forces.

I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving. I hope you will join us for tonight's broadcast. I ask that you all swing your loyalty toward Ann Curry, who is so generously filling in for me tomorrow. Ann, whose work from Africa last week was so brave and passionate, is also one of the nicest people in our business. I've been assured she'll be able to spend a big chunk of the day with her family. I will see you back here on Friday.