Hoda Kotb to Continue at 'Today' in Savannah Guthrie's Absence

Variety

by Brian Steinberg

February 25, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Hoda Kotb will continue to step in as the temporary co-anchor on *Today* while Savannah Guthrie remains absent due to her ongoing efforts to locate her missing mother, Nancy Guthrie, who has been missing since January 31. Kotb, who has been filling in for Guthrie over the past three weeks, is expected to keep taking on this role temporarily rather than rejoining the show full-time. NBC producers view her as a reliable and familiar face during this challenging period, and introducing a new anchor could disrupt viewer connections with the long-standing *Today* lineup. Kotb’s decision to return part-time for *Today* comes after she left the program in early 2025, citing a desire to focus on her two young daughters following her recent 60th birthday. However, her continued involvement with NBC keeps her closely tied to the network, even as she pursued other projects like hosting a podcast and participating in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade telecast. Her familiarity with the show and its audience makes her a logical choice to fill in for Guthrie without altering the show’s dynamic too drastically. While Guthrie is expected to return on her own timeline, her absence may extend significantly as she continues searching for her mother. This situation highlights NBC’s strategic approach to maintaining viewer trust by relying on an established anchor like Kotb rather than testing new talent during such a sensitive time. Her presence also avoids alienating long-time viewers who have grown attached to the current lineup, emphasizing stability over change in a high-stakes environment. This decision underscores

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Originally published on Variety on 2/25/2026