Countdown to the last days of Hode Kotba on Today the show has started.
On January 10, Kotb (60) will say goodbye to the performance she held for 17 years, and in the episode on December 10 Today with Hoda and Jennashe and co-host Jenna Bush Hager joked that they were in a “depression phase” over the mother-of-two’s departure.
The two broke down in tears as they discussed their upcoming vacation plans, which began with Bush Hager, 43, saying she wanted to pay extra attention to Kotb at an upcoming holiday party they’ll both be attending because of Kotb’s imminent departure.
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“I’m in the process of losing the Walk called studying,” Bush Hager. “I am currently studying Hoda and would like to study your behavior tonight and see how you have changed.”
Kotb, finds the sentiment sweet and holds Bush Hager: “I love you. I just love you.”
Bush Hager joked that she had been going through stages of grief since Kotb announced his plans to leave Today show in September. “The denial lasted for a good month. The rage was last week when I tried to make you jealous with Gayle [King]”, she said. “I have been negotiating with God almost every night for the past few months. And now I fell into depression, and she says one thing and [I cry].”
Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager on the ‘Today’ show on November 1, 2021.
Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty
NBC announced on Nov. 14 that Craig Melvin will replace Kotb after she steps down next month. Melvin, 45, is currently leading the third hour Today along with Al Roker, Sheinelle Jones and Dylan Dreyer and will move to host for three consecutive hours starting Monday, January 13.
Bush Hager acknowledged the episode on Tuesday, December 3 Today with Hoda and Jenna that she teased Kotba about journalist Gayle King, who co-hosts NBC’s morning show CBS Morning, take her place. The Sisters first the author called King, 69, her “best friend,” and Bush Hager told King, “There’s an open seat.”
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“My seat isn’t even cold yet!” Kotb replied.
Bush Hager continued to push it though. “Gayle & Jenna it has a beautiful ring,” she continued. “Just kidding.”
In recent weeks, Kotb experienced its final Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting with Today show.
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Al Roker, Savannah Guthrie (center) and Hoda Kotb at the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York.
ara Howe/NBC via Getty
On Thanksgiving Day, Cynthia Erivo gave Kotb a bouquet of white flowers in honor of her many years of service.
“Before you even start, yes, these flowers are for you because I know this is your last Thanksgiving parade,” Erivo, 37, told her as Kotb grew emotional. “I wanted to celebrate and I wanted to say we love you. Thank you for all the hard work you’ve done all these years.”
Kotb shared a sweet moment with co-host Savannah Guthrie at the tree lighting when they stood hand-in-hand and watched snowflakes fall as Guthrie, 52, rested her head on Kotb’s shoulder.
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The Hope is long the author said at the time of her announcement that she would like to stay involved with NBC even after she leaves Today.
“I plan to remain a part of the NBC family, the longest working relationship I have had the good fortune to hold close to my heart,” she wrote in a letter to staff. “I’ll be around. How could I not be? Family is family and you will all always be a part of me.”
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Today airs weekday mornings on NBC (check local listings).
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Source: HIS Education