Why Savannah Guthrie Wasn’t Surprised by Hoda Kotb’s ‘Today’ Show Exit

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In the whirlwind world of morning television, changes in the anchor chair are always headline-worthy, but Hoda Kotb’s recent decision to leave the today The show did not surprise its co-host, Savannah Guthrie.

Just days before the 60-year-old NBC star’s announcement, Guthrie, 52, received the call that marked the end of an era for the dynamic duo.

“It was the Monday before the world found out, and he called me because he had the day off and was traveling,” Guthrie explained to US Weekly at a gala in New York City on Thursday, October 10. “He called me and the first thing I said to him was, ‘I’m proud of you.’ I love you, you are amazing. And it doesn’t matter where we sit, we will always be next to each other’”.

While the Australian native is upset to see her friend go, she’s not surprised, noting that she and Kotb “have had this argument for years.” Guthrie added: “I was so sad for me and for the show because, to me, she’s irreplaceable. I was happy for her as her friend. I just think she’s being so creative and so bold and going into this amazing new future that she she doesn’t know exactly what it’s going to be like. She believes in herself and knows that and feels that call.

Kotb announced the news on air Thursday, Sept. 26, that he was permanently leaving the morning show, citing his children, Haley, 7, and Hope, 4, as the main reason for his choice. “I realized it was time to turn the page at 60 and try something new,” the mother of two shared with her longtime castmates Guthrie, Jenna Bush Hager, Al Roker, Craig Melvin and Sheinelle Jones. .

On Monday, October 7, the beloved anchor opened further The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon about his decision to leave it. “When I turned 60, a weird thing happened, man,” he told host Jimmy Fallon. “I turned 60 and we had this beautiful party at the today show, and I looked at the sea of ​​all the people that came and good signs and so many good wishes and I knew in my heart, like, “This is it, man.” This is how the top of the mountain should feel.’ Like, I’ve never had that feeling before.”

After nearly three decades at NBC, Kotb will be stepping away from it today duties sometime in 2025.