Carson Daly Shares His Candid Reaction To Hoda Kotb Leaving The Today Show: ‘That Was My First Thought’

Carson Daly Shares His Candid Reaction To Hoda Kotb Leaving The Today Show: ‘That Was My First Thought’

As a long-time viewer and avid fan of The Today Show, I must admit that hearing about Hoda Kotb’s departure left me feeling like someone had snatched my morning coffee. She has been a constant presence on our screens for over a decade, her warm smile and comforting demeanor making even the most challenging mornings seem bearable.


Viewers of “The Today Show” were disheartened upon hearing that Hoda Kotb will be departing from the program sometime in 2025. This longtime host, who turned 60 this year, has been a familiar face on NBC’s morning lineup for over a decade, but she has chosen to focus more on her young daughters now. Even those behind the scenes at the show seemed taken aback by the news, with Carson Daly sharing his initial reaction upon hearing it.

Carson Daly started working on Today in 2013, meaning Hoda Kotb has been part of the team throughout his entire tenure. During an interview with People following her emotional announcement on September 26th, Daly shared that his first thought was about how the decision impacted him, and it left him feeling “sad”.

Since I enjoy seeing her daily, one reason for not wanting her to leave is that I would miss our daily interactions. On another note, when you truly love someone… it feels like being part of a family. Such feelings cannot be feigned.

It’s understandable if your initial reaction is driven by personal feelings, given the situation. As Hoda Kotb is highly respected within the network, it’s not hard to picture the surprise such news might bring. Carson Daly went on to say…

When you truly care about those you work with, it significantly enhances your experience. That’s what initially struck me. Later, I found myself filled with joy knowing she’s chosen a path that benefits her, her family, and her future. Indeed, she’s exceptional.

It appears Carson Daly deeply cherishes Hoda Kotb, and even though he’ll certainly miss their daily interactions, he recognizes this choice as the one that benefits her family the most, and he wholeheartedly supports it.

When Hoda Kotb shared her news — adorning a significant piece of accessory that reflected her values — she expressed her intention to devote more time to her children, Haley Joy (age 7) and Hope Catherine (age 5), saying she wanted to give them “a larger slice” of her time. Despite the potential disappointment felt by The Voice host and their coworkers, this sentiment is hard to contest.

As for who will replace Hoda Kotb, Carson Daly isn’t concerned about that right now, saying:

There’s quite a lot of time for that. … We’re celebrating her and glad she’s still in the building.

For quite some time, the co-host of Today has reassured followers that she will continue to be associated with the NBC family in one way or another. However, specifics about her future endeavors beyond Today have yet to be disclosed, except for her dedication to her kids.

Although Carson Daly might have been taken aback by Hoda Kotb’s announcement, Savannah Guthrie may not have been as startled due to their previous discussions about life and aspirations. It was even speculated that Guthrie herself was considering leaving the morning show when Kotb made her move, based on rumors.

It’s possible that Jenna Hager Bush was aware of her fellow Today show host’s decision, given that they are said to have had multiple discussions on the topic.

To put it in my own words as a devoted fan, the announcement left many of us quite surprised and, truth be told, I couldn’t help but feel a touch of self-centered emotions about it. But fret not, we still have several more months to savor Hoda Kotb’s charm on our screens, as she will continue gracing The Today Show until at least the 2024 TV schedule comes to an end.

Read More

Sorry. No data so far.

2024-10-15 21:07