New York ? She can’t cook, once had a hamster named Al and teases Matt Lauer about his rippling abdominals – these are the things America learned Wednesday about Meredith Vieira on her first day as co-anchor of NBC’s “Today” show.

While predecessor Katie Couric’s first week on the “CBS Evening News” was scrutinized for its seriousness, Vieira’s debut was all about convincing viewers she could be their friend.

“I feel like it’s the first day of school and I’m sitting next to the cutest guy,” Vieira said after the camera focused on her and Lauer sitting behind the gleaming white desk on the show’s new set.

It was a first day with major implications. “Today” is on a 10-year winning streak as the nation’s favorite morning show and is television’s most profitable program, so millions of dollars depend on whether viewers are comfortable watching Vieira as they sit in their pajamas.

Admitting to nervousness, the former panelist on “The View” showed off a good-luck bracelet her husband and three children gave her.

After the show, she seemed buoyant and relieved.

“I just had a lot, a lot of fun,” she said. “It’s a great family and I’m glad that they let me in.”

Matt Lauer laughs as his new co-host, Meredith Vieira, surprises him by smearing frosting from a cake on his nose during her first day on NBC's Today show. Vieira made her debut on Wednesday.

Everyone tried hard to convey that family atmosphere. “Nightly News” anchor Brian Williams stopped in with a bouquet of flowers. Vieira took a finger-full of wedding cake icing and smeared it on Lauer’s nose. She showed a recent People magazine with Lauer pictured on the beach, and her new co-host pulled out an old Esquire where Vieira had flashed her legs.

Her only serious duty was interviewing NBC’s Washington bureau chief, Tim Russert, who had traveled north for the special day. They talked about the political response to President Bush’s speech on the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

After Vieira asked about whether the Democrats needed a specific plan for Iraq, the friendly Russert said: “That’s the magical question. You have put your finger on it.”

That segment, in the first half hour, is where her nervousness passed, Vieira said later.

“I felt OK, I could do this, this is a good place,” she said. “Then from there it was fine.”

NBC briefly profiled Vieira and her family, showing clips from the beginning of her career in Providence, R.I. Her eyes glistened when “Today” gathered the students and teachers at her old grammar school for a live shot welcoming her.

She also served notice she won’t be completely abandoning the bawdy personality that came through during her years on “The View.”

“I’m going to be ‘the broad’ in broadcasting,” she said.

“Today” rebuilt its studio and broadcast in high definition for the first time. The furnishings were as bright as a sunlit morning, with a gleaming white desk, spotless white easy chairs and background of blue glass subway tiles.

Vieira’s only difficulty was in muffing the “throw” to a commercial a few times. Once she threw a magazine behind her in exasperation.

“At least I didn’t say ‘enjoy the view,”‘ she said later.