As Hoda Kotb prepares to bid farewell to the 'Today' show, Savannah Guthrie seemingly hints at a possible departure, leaving fans pondering the future of the iconic morning show.
- October 12, 2024
AceShowbiz - In recent developments that have intrigued "Today" show viewers, co-anchor Savannah Guthrie seems to have signaled the possibility of her own exit following Hoda Kotb's announcement of leaving the morning show. "Hoda and I have had this discussion for years and years," she said.
At the Project Healthy Minds 2nd Annual World Mental Health Day Gala, Guthrie reflected on Kotb's decision, stating, "We're dear friends and we have a lot of similarities... We're basically in the same phase of life." This cryptic statement has sparked speculation regarding Guthrie's future with "Today".
Kotb, who has co-anchored "Today" with Guthrie since 2018, announced her decision to leave the show, citing her wish to spend more time with her daughters, Haley and Hope. "It's heartbreaking for everyone, but Hoda wants to be able to walk her kids to school," an insider revealed.
However, rumors later emerged that Kotb was faced with pay cut before deciding to leave the show. Meanwhile, bosses at NBC were worried Guthrie would follow in the footsteps of her co-anchor so they wanted to make sure she would stay.
Guthrie has been a prominent figure at NBC since 2007, starting as a legal correspondent before becoming a White House correspondent and eventually joining "Today" in 2012. A show insider disclosed to Page Six that "nobody at NBC wants Savannah to leave," highlighting her significant role and the indelible mark she has made on the show. "She is the beating heart of 'Today' - there is so much support for her," the insider added.
Kotb's departure has indeed set the stage for a tumultuous period filled with mixed emotions. Guthrie, expressing both pride and sadness, said she was inspired by Kotb's bold move into an uncertain future. "She's following her heart...I just think she's being so creative and so bold," she noted.
Yet, despite the change, it is clear that the bond between the two co-hosts remains strong. Kotb, reflecting on her time at "Today", expressed deep appreciation for her colleagues, stating, "Savannah: my rock. Jenna: my ride-or-die. Al: my longest friend at 30 Rock." Even as Kotb prepares for her next chapter, she emphasized that she's not leaving NBC entirely, keeping the door open for future collaborations.
The potential exit of both Guthrie and Kotb signifies a pivotal moment for "Today". As viewers and colleagues brace themselves for the next chapter, Guthrie reminded everyone of the essence of their partnership, "It's pretty easy to love Hoda and it's easy to trust Hoda... If you have to get up at these hours, you want to get up with Hoda."
With Kotb's final sign-off slated for January 2025, the future of "Today" remains a subject of great anticipation and hope.