Hoda Kotb slides back into ‘Today’ anchor chair as she covers for Savannah Guthrie

Just under a year after leaving “Today,” Hoda Kotb is temporarily returning to the show to cover for Savannah Guthrie, who is currently caring for her 84-year-old mother, Nancy, who is missing.

As a viewer, it’s clear ‘Today’ is walking a tightrope right now. Co-host Craig Melvin addressed the elephant in the room this morning, acknowledging the emotional weight of the ongoing search for Savannah Guthrie’s mother while they still try to deliver the news as usual. He directly asked for understanding from the audience, and honestly, it’s a request we should all happily grant. It’s a tough situation, and they’re doing their best to balance sensitivity with their professional duties. You can feel the strain, but they’re handling it with admirable transparency.

World & Nation

Detectives searched the desert area around Nancy Guthrie’s Tucson home again while authorities examined a new clue potentially related to her disappearance. Nancy Guthrie is the mother of Savannah Guthrie, a host on the “Today” show.

I was listening to Hoda Kotb on the show, sitting with Melvin, Carson Daly, and Al Roker, and she emphasized that Savannah and her family are what everyone at NBC is most focused on right now. It’s clear they’re the biggest concern for all of us.

She added that she also had a job to focus on. Hoda Kotb became co-host of the morning show with Savannah Guthrie soon after Matt Lauer was fired in November 2017 due to concerns about his conduct. She held the position for seven years.

We’ll definitely give it our all, though our work isn’t easy,” Daly said on Monday. “We’re doing this for her, and for you, our viewers.”

Going on with the show was “exactly what Savannah would actually want us to do,” Roker added.

World & Nation

Savannah Guthrie and her brother and sister released a heartfelt video on Wednesday, begging for the safe return of their mother, Nancy Guthrie. They also asked anyone holding her to reach out to them.

Savannah Kotb, along with colleagues Hoda Guthrie and Lester Melvin, had been scheduled to report from Italy for the 2026 Winter Games. However, they all withdrew following the apparent abduction of Nancy Guthrie from her home near Tucson on February 1st. Terry Gannon and Mary Carillo stepped in to cover the opening ceremony instead.

NBC Sports confirmed that Savannah Guthrie will not be attending the Olympics. She is prioritizing time with her family as they continue to search for her mother. NBC Sports expressed their support for Savannah and her family during this challenging time.

It’s been really tough seeing videos of Guthrie online. She looks completely drained, and you can just tell how much this is affecting her and her siblings as they desperately try to reach our mom. It’s heartbreaking to watch.

In a video message released Saturday, Guthrie addressed the people holding her mother, saying, “We’ve heard your message and understand what you’re asking.” She pleaded with them to release her mother so their family could be together and celebrate. “This is the only thing that will bring us peace,” she said, adding that they are prepared to meet the kidnappers’ demands and will pay the requested amount.

Television

Hoda Kotb is leaving her role as a co-host on NBC’s ‘Today’ show. She received farewell messages from her children, as well as celebrities like Kathie Lee Gifford, Jimmy Fallon, and Gayle King, and even a special appearance from Kermit the Frog.

The conversation was direct but felt a little uncomfortable, and it lacked the personal touches about Nancy Guthrie that were present in their initial video. Unlike the first time, they didn’t ask for any confirmation that she was still alive.

Kotb is also using social media to ask for support and prayers.

The retired morning-show host shared the Guthrie family’s first video message with a heartfelt plea: ‘It’s too much to bear… please bring her home.’

On Friday, Kotb also stepped in to host, but it wasn’t immediately known if she’d be returning to “Today” permanently. She had left the show nearly a year prior to focus on her two young daughters, and Melvin had been chosen as her replacement a few months before.

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2026-02-09 21:31