Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie will be back together at the Today anchor desk in Craig Melvin’s absence.
“Speaking of tomorrow, Craig, you are heading off on a very well-deserved vacation, you’ve been holding it down here for a long time,” Guthrie, 54, said on the Thursday, April 9, episode of Today. “And Monday, we’re going to try a new host here. Her name is Hoda.”
“Oh, I’ve heard of her,” Melvin, 46, quipped, while Guthrie added, “So, that will be fun.”
The pair’s reunion as coanchors will mark their first since Kotb’s final day in January 2025. (Kotb, now 61, announced that she would be stepping down from her role but would remain part of the NBC family. Melvin later assumed her position.)
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Kotb, however, had been filling in for Savannah amid the search for her mom, Nancy Guthrie, who was reported missing in February by a family member who called 911. As authorities continue to investigate, Savannah sat down with Kotb for her first interview about her mom’s disappearance.
“There is a desperation and also a steeliness about Savannah,” Kotb shared in March, reflecting on their interview. “She’s hoping that somebody — whoever this person is — will see something and say something.”
Kotb noted that the pair spoke about “so many things” pertaining to Nancy’s case.
“She talks about the investigation, she talks about her faith and she talks about how she’s getting through,” Kotb continued. “That was one portion there, and then the next portion you’ll see how she talks about how God’s holding her hand.”
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Kotb went on to praise Savannah for her strength, adding, “I was sort of marveling that she was able to sit there with an outfit on, have a conversation and also have direct thoughts about what she sees going forward. … It’s like no one’s stealing her joy, so you’ll see both sides of that.”
Savannah returned to her role on Monday, April 6, wearing a yellow dress to symbolize hope amid Nancy’s disappearance.
“Welcome to Today on this Monday morning. We are so glad you started your week with us, and it is good to be home,” Savannah said at the beginning of the broadcast, while coanchor Melvin added, “Yes, it is good to have you back at home.”
“Well, here we go, ready or not, let’s do the news,” Savannah said, while Melvin replied, “So good to have you back.”
Kotb shared her support from afar, uploading an Instagram photo of Savannah with her kids and writing, “With you xoxo.”
