Celebrity

'Today' Fans Are Emotional After Hoda Kotb Reveals She'll Temporarily Co-Host As The Search For Savannah Guthrie's Mother Continues: 'That's A Good Friend'

March 2, 2026 by Julia DeKorte
shefinds | Celebrity
Featured image

Savannah Guthrie has been absent from the Today show since February 1, the day her mother, 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, was reported missing. Over a month has passed, and police aren’t any closer to finding Savannah’s mother. In her absence, former Today co-host Hoda Kotb has stepped up to the plate, filling in for her friend and colleague while the search continues. Keep reading for more information.

house unit img
Say Bye To Wrinkles And Fine Lines — This LED Mask Is The Skin Rejuvenation Game-Changer You Need!
nancy guthrie savannah guthrie

Hoda Kotb Steps In For Savannah Guthrie

While Savannah Guthrie has taken a step back from Today to focus all her energy on bringing her mother home, Hoda Kotb has taken a step forward. Though Kotb had decided to officially part ways with the show last year, she didn't hesitate to temporarily fill in for Savannah while she copes with the disappearance of her mother.

Of course, Savannah's main priority over the month has been cooperating with the police in any way she can to help bring her mom back home. She and her siblings have posted videos on social media, begging her kidnapper to return her home, offering rewards and responding to alleged ransom notes.

This trauma may be too much for Savannah to ever return to Today, with one source telling Status News, "There's no way Savannah's coming back. I can't imagine she would want to." However, another executive noted that Today won't want to risk losing Savannah. "If you could pick one person across the span of morning TV that a show would not want to lose, it would be Savannah."

"Savannah was always the glue on that show," the source continued, "and without that, this whole paradigm of our morning anchor team as a family, that connective tissue has just been ripped out."

jenna bush hager hoda kotb

Social Media Reactions

Across social media platforms, fans are expressing their gratitude for Hoda filling in for Savannah."@HodaKotb is the bestie we all need," one person wrote on Instagram, and another agreed: "Thank you Hoda. Awesome way to support Savannah."

"Now that's a good friend!" wrote a third person.

"Love love Hoda," another user posted. "Praying for the Guthrie family."

"That's very nice of Hoda!" added the next. "I hope they find Nancy Guthrie. What a great friend."

"That's what friends do for each other...support one another," another person commented.

"Hoda you are amazing and really walk the walk of a true, loving friend," a final fan said.

Author:

Freelance Writer

Julia DeKorte is a New York-based writer. A graduate of the Columbia Publishing Course, Julia covers celebrity and brand news for SheFinds, reviews toys and games for People of Play, and loves cooking for her family, walking her dogs, and running outside, preferably in view of the ocean.