Hoda Kotb, Savannah Guthrie team up to surprise fans

Cue the nostalgia – Hoda Kotb is back at the Today desk… at least for a week.

Starting April 13, Kotb will reunite with Savannah Guthrie as a guest co-anchor while Craig Melvin takes a well-earned vacation. 

The announcement dropped live on April 9 – and yes, the chemistry was immediate.

“You’re heading off on a very well-deserved vacation,” Savannah told Melvin. “Monday we’re gonna try a new host here. Her name is Hoda…”

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Melvin’s response? Pure dad humour: he’s “heard of her” – and plans to avoid watching the show while he’s away.

“Yeah, don’t,” Savannah laughed. “You’re not supposed to watch on your vacation.”

The reunion comes at a heavier moment behind the scenes. Savannah only recently returned after her mother, Nancy, disappeared from her Arizona home – a case now stretching into its 10th week.

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Opening up about coming back, she did not pretend it would be easy: “It’s hard to imagine doing it… I can’t come back and try to be something that I’m not.”

But she also made it clear why she had to return: “I can’t not come back because it’s my family… My joy will be my protest. My joy will be my answer.”

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Kotb, who left the show in early 2025, has been right there through it all – on and off camera.

“It’s gut-wrenching… yet, to still show so much resilience,” said Carson Daly.

Short version? This is not just a hosting switch – it’s a full-circle moment. And for viewers, it’s giving comfort TV with heart.