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Jenna Bush Hager Will Have Rotating Panel of Guest Cohosts on ‘Today’ Amid Hoda Kotb’s Exit
Craig Melvin was announced as Hoda Kotb’s replacement in the early morning hours on Today, however, things are still up in the air as to who will step in to cohost Today With Hoda & Jenna with Jenna Bush Hager.
So far, Today With Hoda & Jenna has not found an official cohost to join Jenna, 42, permanently. Instead, there will be a rotating panel of guest cohosts alongside the former first daughter until a permanent cohost is named. Viewers can expect to see some familiar faces in the rotation as well as some “surprises.”
“It’ll be a full-bodied rotation of people,” a source told People. “Some expected, some who are in the family already and some unexpected. They don’t know where it’s going to land.”
The outlet said that the show will be called Today With Jenna and Friends up until the fourth hour show finds a new cohost. It was not publicly shared how long the show will follow this new format after Hoda, 60, officially leaves.
This comes after fans speculated that Laura Jarrett would be joining Jenna as the permanent cohost on Today With Hoda & Jenna. She has filled in as a cohost on the show before, so fans are holding out hope that she is still in consideration for the spot when the time comes to make the decision. Only time will tell!
Craig’s big announcement was revealed during the Thursday, November 14, episode of the talk show. He will cohost the show’s first three hours once Hoda leaves the program officially. Viewers of the first hour will see him tackle the day’s headlines alongside Savannah Guthrie.
Fans are used to seeing Craig join Hoda and Savannah later on in the early morning hours as the third coanchor, as well as during the show’s third hour with Al Roker, Sheinelle Jones and Dylan Dreyer. But now, he’ll be taking on even more responsibility, and his costars are so happy for him.
“I knew that this day would come,” Al, 70, told Craig, during a virtual appearance on Today on Thursday. “I mean, I’ve watched you grow. I’ve seen you as a journalist, but also, more importantly, I’ve seen you as a dad, as a son, all the things that make you who you are. I am so proud and so happy for you right now.”
Hoda first announced she would be leaving Today on September 26. Her final broadcast will come in early January 2025.
“Happily and gratefully, I plan to remain a part of the NBC family, the longest work relationship I’ve been lucky enough to hold close to my heart. I’ll be around. How could I not? Family is family and you all will always be a part of mine,” she said in a letter to staffers at the time.
Craig shared his love for Hoda after the announcement was made that she would be leaving.
“People in this business, when that little red light, it goes off, they’re different people,” Craig said at the time. “We’ve worked with all these people before. You’re the opposite. That little red light goes off, you are exactly like people see you in the morning — just the biggest heart.”
“You’ve been the heart of this show for a long time, and there’s no replacing that,” he added.
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