Hoda Kotb’s last ‘Today’ show: Host says goodbye with Kathie Lee, Gayle King, Kermit the Frog
Today (show) co-host Hoda Kotb received a heartfelt farewell on Friday, a multi-hour event dubbed a “Hoda-bration”, to commemorate her last episode as host of NBC’s morning flagship program.
Of course, there was much ado as the network saw off its long-serving broadcasting legend who wrapped up her 17-year tenure on “Today.
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I’ll continue my journey with this network, taking on a fresh role following my departure from my co-host position alongside Savannah Guthrie.
In a surprising turn of events, Kathie Lee Gifford, former co-host of Kotb during the third hour, appeared in studio instead of attending virtually as she had led everyone to believe due to her commitments in Tennessee. Jimmy Fallon, host of “The Tonight Show,” dropped by “Hoda & Jenna” to present Kotb with a framed piece of elevator carpet from 30 Rockefeller Center. Additionally, journalists Maria Shriver and Gayle King, who is often confused with Kotb, visited the show to celebrate the departing anchor.
In addition to her mother, Hoda Kotb was visited at the studio by Kotb’s daughters, Hope and Haley, as well. Kermit the Frog made an appearance, serenading Kotb with “Rainbow Connection.” Country artist Walker Hayes performed a touching rendition of “Wednesdays,” which Kotb co-wrote, to conclude the episode. With the entire “Today” show team joining her onstage, Kotb left in her minivan with her kids after the event.
60-year-old television personality, who is a star at NBC, disclosed her departure in September, explaining that she wanted to devote more time to her children, whom she had later in life. She started co-hosting the amusing fourth hour of “Today” with Gifford in 2008. In 2018, when Matt Lauer was dismissed from the network due to alleged inappropriate sexual misconduct, Hoda and Savannah Guthrie took over as co-hosts for the main program. Prior to her “Today” stint, she served as a correspondent for “Dateline NBC” and NBC News during the late 2000s.
On Mondays starting from now, Jenna Bush Hager will be hosting the fourth hour of the program alone, having previously shared this role with an Emmy winner. Meanwhile, Craig Melvin, who has been one of the show’s co-hosts, will take over the 7 a.m. hour from Monday onwards.
On Friday, it was confirmed that Hoda Kotb will continue with NBC, even though she’s stepped down as a “Today” host. In conversation with NBC News, she revealed her plans: contributing stories for “Today”, reviving her podcast titled “Making Space With Hoda Kotb”, and returning to the morning program for Olympic coverage.
× I was there alongside Guthrie, Hager, Melvin, Al Roker, and Carson Daly for the emotional farewell on Friday. There wasn’t a dry eye as tears flowed in nearly every segment. A heartwarming video tribute graced our screens, filled with stars like NBA legend Dwyane Wade, Oscar winner Jamie Lee Curtis, “Wicked” star Kristin Chenoweth, gymnast Simone Biles, and media mogul Oprah Winfrey, all offering their well-wishes for my upcoming journey.
As a fellow movie enthusiast, let me tell you about Hoda – she’s not just anyone’s sister, but feels like my own. She’s truly exceptional, words can hardly express it. In a pre-recorded chat, I shared that she’s been through tough times, notably beating breast cancer. Yet, those trials only served to strengthen her, multiplying her empathy and resilience exponentially. When you meet her, you see someone who genuinely cares about others. She has an immense love for people, making her the epitome of a true people person.
Following the broadcast, Melvin expressed his affection for his ex-workmate Hoda on Instagram yet again: “Hoda embodies kindness, love, and has been the soul of @todayshow. I am truly blessed to have you as a coworker and dear friend. Here’s to you. This isn’t goodbye; it’s just see you later. I adore you. Thank you.” On-screen, Kotb praised him for being “outstanding” and deserving of his new role, but she mentioned that she would be sleeping soundly during his first 7 a.m. hour as anchor because she would be asleep.
In her closing remarks on “Hoda & Jenna,” Kotb shared a heartfelt message that wasn’t meant as a goodbye, but instead, it was a letter filled with love and affection, intended solely for you.
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In January, Savannah Guthrie will be joined at the “Today” desk by Melvin, as Hoda Kotb revealed in September that she’s stepping down from the show to devote more attention to her little ones.
She went on to explain, “This is also like a heartfelt thank-you note. Let me find the right words to express my gratitude for all the extra love and warmth I’ve received, more than any one person truly deserves. Seventeen years back, I found myself seated next to Kathie Lee, and she transformed my life. She picked me, and honestly, at that time, I was apprehensive. I had never embarked on anything like this before. I was a news broadcaster, known for ‘Dateline’, but then one day, she called me the ‘Hoda Woman.’ I discarded my news journalist’s uniform. We shared a glass of wine together. And thus, our journey began.
The transition from ‘Hoda Woman’ to ‘Hoda Mama’ occurred with the birth of Haley. In that moment, I cradled Haley while you embraced me. Your encouragement, in the form of cards, comments, and letters, was a constant source of strength for me. I took it all in, and soon enough, Hopey arrived as well.
Kotb expressed that a new phase commenced when she joined forces with Hager in the year 2019. Their partnership spanned “an unforgettable six-year journey filled with hearty laughter and genuine camaraderie,” during which she came to cherish Hager’s emotional moments and discovered her own vulnerable, endearing side.
As our cinematic odyssey unfolded, you graciously welcomed me into the tapestry of your lives – the victories, the intimate instances, and the festivities that make each of you unique. Being privy to these personal milestones significantly influenced my own growth and understanding. I cannot thank you enough for allowing me to be an integral part of your extraordinary journey. As a heartfelt montage of our shared memories unfolded on screen, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for this remarkable experience.
Throughout this program, I’ve grown into who I am today, and you’ve been with me every step along the way. As I conclude this chapter in my career on this last day, I want to express heartfelt gratitude for the incredible journey we’ve shared. I appreciate you deeply.
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2025-01-11 02:31