Hoda Kotb Marks Final ‘Today’ Episode With Tearful Celebration: ‘I Just Want to Say Thanks’

Emotions were running high during Hoda Kotb’s final broadcast as a Today host. The NBC personality waved goodbye to the talk show after 17 years in a celebratory episode on January 10.

The “Hoda-bration” included a gift from Jamie Lee Curtis who couldn’t be there and a celebration with many of her coworkers from over the years.

“I did have something made for you by Moy Thompson, and it’s one of my orbs, and it says, ‘Every today with you is a better day’ and the dates of your time at Today,” Jamie Lee, 66, said of her gift. “So, from all of your fans, your friends, me included. Thank you for being such a shining example to all of us of what’s really important, and the reason that you’re stopping is the most important. God bless you and thank you!”

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A crowd gathered on the Today plaza to give Hoda, 60, the proper sendoff from the program. Her fellow cohosts were all in attendance during the episode, which was full of equally emotional and happy moments. Today producers waving purple streamers and wearing purple hats formed a tunnel as she and Savannah Guthrie headed into the plaza.

“Can I just say thank you? I haven’t been able to articulate it, because I’m a mess most times, but I just want to say thanks,” Hoda said through tears.

The mom of two also had some special words for a few of her cohosts after she watched a video of them looking back at their time together. She described Savannah, 53, as “her person,” Carson Daly as “the special sauce,” Al Roker as her “first friend at Today” and Craig Melvin, her successor, as someone “who earned this.”

Hoda then gave Craig, 45, plenty of words of encouragement.

“You are going to be fantastic. You’re going to bring it home,” Hoda said.

Savannah had several sweet words for her friend and told her, “Hoda, I love you deeply. Whether you’re sitting next to me or not. Whether we’re waking up at 4 o’clock in the morning together or not, I will always be by your side, and you will always be by mine.”

The episode featured some surprises like appearances from Kermit the Frog who serenaded Hoda and her daughters, Haley and Hope, with “Rainbow Connection,” a song she sings to her girls every night.

Hoda first announced she would be leaving Today in September, revealing that her family was the reason why she decided to walk way from the show.

“Obviously I had my kiddos late in life, and I was thinking that they deserve a bigger piece of my time pie that I have,” she told her colleagues with tears in her eyes. “I feel like we only have a finite amount of time. And so, with all that being said, this is the hardest thing in the world.”

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Fans of the star can still expect to see her working on NBC in a role that has yet to be announced. Hoda is gearing up to start her next chapter in the wellness space.

“I love new adventures, and I’ve been on the ride of a lifetime,” she remarked. “And I think sometimes we’re afraid, because what could be better than this?”