CRITICAL MASS! KATHIE LEE AT BREAKING POINT

NationalEnquirer.com

KATHIE LEE GIFFORD is teetering on the edge of an emotional breakdown!

Ongoing bickering with her “Today” co-host Hoda Kotb, the epic failure of her recent Broadway musical, and caring for her 82-year-old husband Frank have left the talk-show legend a wreck, say sources.

“Kathie Lee is at her breaking point,” an insider told The ENQUIRER. “It’s a perfect storm of professional disappointments and personal dilemmas. The topper is that she’s also suffering from a bad case of empty-nest syndrome because both of her kids are now grown and pursuing their own dreams.”

The Giffords’ son Cody, 22, is in his senior year and a gridiron star at USC, his dad Frank’s alma mater. Gorgeous daughter Cassidy, 19, is an aspiring model and actress.

“To add to the stress and loneliness, Frank seems to be failing,” said the source. “He’s forgetful and not very active, while Kathie Lee always wants to be the life of the party.

“In fact, her closest friends are concerned that Kathie Lee will begin to start boozing too much in an effort to numb her sadness.”

As for professional woes, the 59-year-old is still reeling from the critical drubbing heaped on her Broadway musical “Scandalous: The Life and Trials of Aimee Semple McPherson,” which she wrote and produced. The show closed after only three weeks amid scathing reviews.

And adding to Kathie Lee’s stress is her deteriorating relationship with her NBC co-star Hoda.

According to reports, hot on the heels of a two-week stint in Los Angeles, Kathie Lee is gunning to move their segment of the “Today” show west, a move Hoda opposes.

“Kathie Lee would love the change of scenery, but Hoda is resisting uprooting her whole life,” added the source. “They’re sniping at each other behind the scenes – and the tension is evident.

“Kathie Lee is stressed and on edge, and it seems like she’s just about ready to crack.”