AceShowbiz - Television program "Saturday Night Live" addressed news anchor Hoda Kotb's shocking departure from the "Today" show and poked fun at former host Matt Lauer during its Season 50 premiere.

During its Season 50 premiere on September 28, "Saturday Night Live" wasted no time in tackling one of the biggest news stories of the week: Hoda Kotb's decision to leave the "Today" show.

In the "Weekend Update" segment, Colin Jost joked, "Hoda Kotb announced that she will be leaving the 'Today' show. Hoda says she will remember her time on the show fondly, and not at all."

However, it was Jost's subsequent joke that drew the most attention. "Hoda Kotb will be replaced by - oh no! - Matt Lauer-be," he teased, as a photo of Lauer with Kotb's hair photoshopped on him appeared on screen.

Lauer, who was fired from "Today" in 2017 amid allegations of sexual misconduct, had previously been Kotb's co-anchor. In 2019, Lauer denied allegations that he raped colleague Brooke Nevils, calling them "categorically false."

Meanwhile, Kotb's departure from "Today" comes after 26 years with the show. She will continue to work with NBC in an unspecified role.