Hoda Kotb Calls Out Jenna Bush Hager for Suggesting Gayle King as Today Replacement: 'My Seat Isn't Even Cold Yet!'

Jenna Bush Hager is working through her conflicted emotions about Hoda Kotb’s upcoming performance Today show output.

During the Tuesday, December 3rd episode Today with Hoda and JennaBush Hager admitted she dealt with her frustrations by teasing Kotb about journalist Gayle King, who is a competitor on NBC’s morning show on CBS Morning.

Calling King, 69, his “bestie”, Bush Hager, 43, addressed longtime friend Oprah Winfrey, saying: “The seat is free.”

Kotb, 60, looked mock disgusted, replying: “My seat isn’t even cold yet!”

Bush Hager didn’t let it slip, adding: “I know you have a job 60 minutes and so, but Gayle & Jenna it has a beautiful ring. I’m just kidding.”

Kotb said she “loves” King, adding jokingly, “Please tell me more about how great Gayle King is.”

Gayle King on ‘CBS Mornings’ Jan 9, 2024

Mary Kouw/CBS

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And the former first daughter continued to tease as she interviewed guest Mikey Day.

“Do you like Shaboozey?” Bush Hager she asked him about Saturday night liveupcoming music artist. “Gayle King loves Shaboozey.”

But Kotb was quick to call out Bush Hager, saying of his co-host: “Why? Do you hear what he’s trying to do? She overshadows me. She mentions Gayle King 10 times during our show.”

Instead of denying it, Bush Hager fully acknowledged her playful diss. “Today, that’s my anger,” said Day, 44. “I have abandonment issues because of her leaving, so today Gayle King is how I deal with that.”

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Kotb first shared the news of her plans to leave in September Today show after 17 years in an effort to spend more time with her daughters Haley Joy, 7, and Hope Catherine, 4. Today with Hoda and Jenna it will be renamed Today with Jenna and friends as Bush Hager will be joined by guest co-hosts until a more permanent replacement is found.

“It’s your turn,” Kotby previously told Bush Hager after announcing her departure. “Whoever sits in this seat will have the easiest job in the world because they’re sitting next to you.”

Jenna Bush Hager reacts to Hoda Kotb’s secret shout-out during a live broadcast of the Macy’s Day Parade

Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager on the ‘Today’ show on Monday, November 1, 2021.

Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty

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As for Kotb’s role on the Today morning news, Craig Melvin will replace the mother of two alongside Savannah Guthrie on January 13, 2025. A source previously told PEOPLE that the choice was popular in Today family.

“Everyone on set cheered when the announcement was made,” the insider said. “The whole staff loves him.”

When it comes to Kotb’s post-Today plans, the longtime morning show host said she can’t wait to hit the snooze button … sort of. “I’m used to getting up at 3:00 a.m.,” Hoda told PEOPLE. “I’m sleeping. I’m going to SoulCycle at 5:30.”

Today with Hoda and Jenna airs weekdays (10 a.m. ET) on NBC.

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Source: HIS Education