It’s Official: Hoda Kotb Is Replacing Matt Lauer as ‘Today’ Show Co-Anchor

Kat Armstrong
Jan 02, 2018

Just a few short weeks after firing Matt Lauer amid some pretty damning sexual misconduct allegations, NBC’s Today showhas named his replacement. Making the announcement during the show’s official first 2018 opening segment, Savannah Guthrie shared that the network had given Hoda Kotb the title of co-anchor, making this the first time two women have co-anchored the long-running morning show.

“It’s 2018 and we are kicking off the year right because Hoda is officially the co-anchor of Today,” Guthrie gushed Tuesday morning. “This has to be the most popular decision NBC News has ever made and I am so thrilled.” Kotb was also overjoyed, telling her co-anchor, “I’m pinching myself!”

Guthrie went on to praise her new co-anchor, saying, “You are a partner and a friend and a sister and I am so happy to be doing this.”

Kotb has been a regular fixture on the program for several years, even co-hosting the 10am slot with Kathie Lee Gifford since 2008. She’ll continue to do that in addition to her new responsibilities. “You and me are together forever,” Gifford told Kotb during their segment. “You’re stuck with me!”

Fans are beyond excited about the news, and even got #SavannahHodaTODAY trending on social media.

Although the female co-anchors are a first for NBC, this isn’t the only time that a morning show has had two women leading the charge. Between 2005 and 2008, Diane Sawyer and Robin Roberts were the co-anchors on Good Morning America.

In a memo to staff posted by PageSix, NBC News boss Andy Lack sang Kotb’s praises, saying, “Over the past several weeks, Hoda has seamlessly stepped into the co-anchor role alongside Savannah, and the two have quickly hit the ground running. They have an undeniable connection with each other and most importantly, with viewers, a hallmark of TODAY.”

He continued: “Hoda is, in a word, remarkable. She has the rare ability to share authentic and heartfelt moments in even the most difficult news circumstances. It’s a tribute to her wide range and her innate curiosity.”

What do you think of Today‘sannouncement? Tell us @BritandCo!

(photos via Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images + Peter Kramer/NBC/NBC NewsWire via Getty Images)

Anne Hathaway And Zendaya Join Christopher Nolan’s Next Movie For The Most Insane Cast Ever

The age of the movie star might have been replaced by the age of the fictional character, but there are still more than a few actors audiences L-O-V-E. Rachel Zegler, Florence Pugh, and Madelyn Cline are some of the stars who make the list, but there's one A-lister who's finally making his return to the big screen: Tom Holland!

The Hollywood Reporter confirmed on October 21 that the Spider-Man actor would join Christopher Nolan's new movie alongside Matt Damon and I have never leapt down an internet rabbit hole so fast — especially since the biggest names in Hollywood just joined the cast. If you're wondering 'What is Tom Holland's next movie?' then look no further. Here's everything you need to know about the new movie before it hits theaters.

  • Tom Holland is finally starring in a new movie.
  • After The Crowded Room "absolutely broke" him, he decided to take a break from Hollywood.
  • The new film, directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Matt Damon, Zendaya, and Anne Hathaway, is coming next summer.

Who else is in Tom Holland's next movie?

AppleTV+

Tom Holland will star in Christopher Nolan's new movie for Universal Pictures. The film is still unnamed for now, but it's sure to be one heck of a drama. And when I learned Tom would be joined by Zendaya, Anne Hathaway, and Matt Damon? This just became my most-anticipated movie of 2025!

When is the movie coming out?

Pascal Le Segretain/John Nacion/Getty Images

Tom Holland & Zendaya's new movie is scheduled for July 17, 2026 and Deadline reports they're expected to begin filming at the beginning of 2025.

What is Tom Holland's next movie about?

Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

We don't have an official synopsis yet, but sources told THR that it likely won't be set in the present day. Considering Tom is one of my favorite actors ever, I'm super excited to see him return to the screen — especially given how devastated I was when he said he needed a break from acting. "This show absolutely broke me in every way possible,” he said at the premiere for AppleTV+ show The Crowded Room in New York City. “I just kept my head down. I dug my heels in, and I just tried my best.”

"I'm no stranger to hard work," he told ExtraTV. "I've lived by the idea that hard work is good work. Then again, the show did break me. There did come a time where I needed a break and disappeared and went to Mexico for a week and had time on a beach and laid low. I'm now taking a year off, and that is a result of how difficult this show was."

Bero

Tom was recently able to step into a more senior creative role with his new non-alcoholic beer BERO on October 16.

“After two years on my sobriety journey, I wanted to create something that reflected my lifestyle and values," Tom Holland said in a statement. “This beer isn’t just for those on a similar path, but for everyone who appreciates quality, craftsmanship and living life to the fullest."

Here's hoping you get to cheers a BERO on the set of your new movie, Tom!

Check back here for the latest Tom Holland movie news! And read up on his adorable relationship with Zendaya, of course.

This post has been updated.

entertainmentmoviepop culturecelebrity

Not Close With Your Family? Here's How To Have a Joyous And Connected Holiday Season

Last year, some of us celebrated the holidays apart from our families for the first time. COVID has brought with it many changes, some of them arguably positive (like increased flexibility to work from home), some difficult (such as the realization of vastly different political and social views between family and friends), and some horrible (obviously, the health implications of a global pandemic). However, for some of us, celebrating the holidays without family members isn't exclusively due to COVID. In addition to so many of us living in different areas than our families of origin, some of us simply don't have close bonds with the people we grew up around. Sometimes, this can cause loneliness.

If you're not close with your family members, the holidays can be a difficult time. This is doubly true if you don't have a close circle of friends to call upon. But make no mistake, if this sounds like your situation, you're not alone — there are thousands of other people going through the same struggles you are. We sat down with Irad Eichler, founder of Circles, a website that connects people who are sharing similar struggles, like heartbreak, grief, or loneliness. Here are some of Eichler's tips for coping — and even thriving! — during the holiday season when you're not planning on spending it with your family, for one reason or another.

Don't Fall For "Perfect Families" On Social Media

Laura Chouette

The first VERY important step to having a joyous holiday season when you're going it alone is to stop believing the narrative that others' family situations are perfect, Eichler says.

"Remember people only post a moment in time, and only the moments when they look their happiest and best."

In addition to the fact that everything you see on social media is curated for the 'gram, it's also important to remember that by focusing on what others have and you lack, you risk failing to see the great things at play in your own life.

"These holiday periods can become a time of focusing on who and what we don't have, rather than who or what we do, and can cause a negative spiral into depressing and dreadful feelings of inadequacy," says Eichler.

Gratitude is the reason for the season, after all. So instead of only seeing the negative, try some gratitude journal prompts to help you focus on what's actually really wonderful about your life right now.

Make An Effort To Deepen New Connections

Joel Muniz

While it may seem like everyone has friends and family to spend time with during the holiday season, that doesn't mean no one is available for deepening a blossoming relationship or new friendship.

"Make a list of people you can or would like to connect with, and try to reach out to at least one of them," advises Eichler.

Reaching out doesn't have to mean a big plan or an hour-long conversation. Even a quick text letting a friendly coworker know you're thinking about them can go a long way toward deepening the relationship and moving it in the direction of closer friendship.

Don't have an acquaintance in mind? Then it's time to make new acquaintances. What's more in line with the Christmas spirit than attending a Meetup or event full of people eager to make new friends?

"Join groups with similar interests to yours, such as hiking, baking, or games. Push your boundaries and be brave - you might find new people who have much in common with you."

Give Back

Priscilla Du Preez

The holiday season is a great time to focus on giving back to your community, and coincidentally, acts of generosity and kindness are known to reduce loneliness and help people feel happier. One study found that knowing a few of your neighbors and doing small acts of kindness for them — such as cheering them up, listening to them, mowing their lawn, providing advice about local business recommendations and job opportunities, and chatting over the fence — was statistically correlated with feeling less lonely and having a lower risk of depression.

Helping out elderly neighbors can be a particularly gratifying way to give back.

"Notice older lonely people in your neighborhood or community who might have no family at all, and offer to help them," says Eichler. "These can become mutually meaningful connections, and help you 'adopt' a grandparent."

Connect With Others Online

Thought Catalog

Finally, use the Internet for its highest and best purpose: to connect people. Whether you're using Meetup to find in-person events, digital forums for having conversations about special interests, or programs like Circle for getting support from others in your situation, the opportunities to create new connections are practically endless.

"There are many interest groups that can be found digitally, where or any person can connect with others in the same life stage, going through the same challenges, or who would like to explore the same interests," Eichler states. "Meaningful connections can be formed easily in these circumstances. The Internet enables us to find and connect to people all over the world who fit this, and to whom we can become more easily attached, as we are able to find people with the exact interests that energize us."

If you're struggling with loneliness, you're not alone. Connect with our digital community of makers and creatives here at Brit+Co by following us on IG and signing up for our newsletter!

This post has been updated.

relationship advicewellnessfriendshiprelationshipsholidays

83 Budget-Friendly Finds Under $30 That'll Have You Gifting Ready This Season

Discover 83 Amazon products under $30 that are nothing short of pure gold. From stylish fashion finds to the latest beauty trends, these steals offer exceptional value without compromising on quality. We always ask, what's better than the perfect gift? Well, it's the gift that also doesn't break the bank! We're confident you'll find something in here to at least appease a few loved ones this holiday season.

Thanks for reading about our favorite finds from across the internet! FYI: We participate in affiliate programs and may get a share of the revenue from your purchase.