A local woman who got an "ambush makeover" via the "Live with Regis & Kelly" show revealed her new look this morning.

In a word: Wow. Tonya Braswell of the Battleboro community in Rocky Mount looked great in a sleeveless faux wrap shift dress with ruching, that showed off her slim figure. "The Fashion Guy" Lawrence Zarian also helped Braswell with a new 'do. Her hair was cut, colored and styled in a flattering layered look. (Here's her "before" shot.) The show airs weekdays at 9 on WTVD.

Braswell is a 1st grade teacher and single mother of three, who was secretly entered into the show's "Rescue Me Ambush Makeover" week contest by her friend Laura Hoarty.

Rocky Mount, can you handle this red hot mama?

Photo by Disney-ABC Domestic TV/ Lou Rocco

Charlotte is still dominating in the made-up contest in my mind in which they battle Raleigh for having the most people appearing on national television shows. 

This time it's Charlotte firefighter Jeff Nixon, whose recipe for Stuffed Mango Pork Loin got enough viewer votes online to earn him a trip to Friday's "Live with Regis & Kelly" show.

Nixon will appear on the show to prepare his dish and then go on to compete against other firefighters for a $10,000 grand prize and a spot in an upcoming edition of Better Homes and Gardens magazine. Click below to see Jeff's submission video to "Live."

"Live with Regis & Kelly" airs at 9am on WTVD.

Remember when Erica Kane and her first husband Tom Cudahy went on their honeymoon in St. Croix? Or when Hayley Vaughan (Kelly Ripa) arrived in Pine Valley dressed like a punk rocker with black hair?

Then you must be a fan of "All My Children," and this might excite you. In honor of the show's 40th anniversary, the producers are opening up the photo archives and making them available for purchase starting today. The gallery has about 40 cast images from every year of the series since it premiered in 1970.

There's more: if you just love Erica, Susan Lucci has signed a limited number of photos of her character from her first month playing the role. If you buy one, you'll get a certificate of authenticity. I have to say, looking at the "then" and "now," 40 years have been good to La Lucci!

Go to www.abcdaytimefans.com for sizes and prices.

Today on Live! with Regis and Kelly, WTVD anchor Tisha Powell got a shout-out and some good news.

Powell is a finalist in the show's "From Local to LIVE Co-Host for a Day" search. She anchors the 5 & 5:30 p.m. news on WTVD and the 10 p.m. broadcast on CW22.

Arden McFarlane of Raleigh got an early call this morning from Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa, who offered her a chance to win a free trip to Turtle Bay Resort in Hawaii. All she had to do was tell them Rainn Wilson's character's name on "The Office."

Even though I yelled "Dwight! Dwight!" at the TV, McFarlane tossed out a last second guess of "Ed." Unfortunately, she didn't get the trip, but she did get a $500 gift certificate to Crabtree & Evelyn instead. "I'm okay with that," McFarlane told Happiness is a Warm TV this morning. 

Goode Family (8:30pm, ABC) - ABC moved this from Wednesdays to Fridays to get that big ratings bump from "Surviving Suburbia" at 8pm (which is not renewed for next season). Tonight the well-intentioned family hires some Latino gardeners to help with their organic garden after Helen hurts her back, only to discover they have unknowingly exploited the workers. 

Masters of Reception (10pm, TLC) - The series opener of a new reality series following Robert and Jerry Frungillo, brothers who have been running a New Jersey wedding/catering company for over 30 years. Managing four separate facilities, the Frungillos can host up to ten weddings a day, so there's potential for lots of drama. The show is produced by Kelly Ripa and Mark Conseulos. And you know the vibe you get watching the Manzo family  run The Brownstone on Bravo's "Real Housewives of New Jersey?" Ripa says this is different.

20/20 (10pm, ABC) - Talk about strange bedfellows: "20/20" interviews both Adam Lambert ("American Idol") and Glenn Beck (Fox News) on the same show.