It’s Official: Hoda Kotb Is Replacing Matt Lauer as ‘Today’ Show Co-Anchor
Just a few short weeks after firing Matt Lauer amid some pretty damning sexual misconduct allegations, NBC’s Today show has 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.
.@SavannahGuthrie announces @HodaKotb will be co-anchor of TODAY. #SavannahHodaTODAY pic.twitter.com/B64n2FmCwq
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) January 2, 2018
“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!”
"You and me are together forever. You're stuck with me!" @HodaKotb tells @KathieLGifford how grateful she is to be named co-anchor of TODAY and how happy she is to have KLG by her side in life. And, Hoda's mom and sister called in to share their joy for Hoda Woman! pic.twitter.com/meiUJxLwMH
— Kathie Lee and Hoda (@klgandhoda) January 2, 2018
Fans are beyond excited about the news, and even got #SavannahHodaTODAY trending on social media.
Congratulations @hodakotb! Epic way to start 2018. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 #SavannahHodaTODAY https://t.co/DWqz0cwUJF
— Jacob Soboroff (@jacobsoboroff) January 2, 2018
#SavannahHodaTODAY congrats!!! 🎉🎉🎉 Very well deserved. #Hodadidit pic.twitter.com/CLyhsNBNJa
— LG (@0706Lg) January 2, 2018
YES!!! a lady-led morning show 💃🏻💃🏻 it’s about time 👏🏼👏🏼 #SavannahHodaTODAY https://t.co/Qa0gaY9lqB
— Jamie Stelter (@JamieStelter) January 2, 2018
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)
