After Hoda Kotb’s Final Today Show, Savannah Guthrie, Al Roker And More Paid Tribute To Her

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For a large number of individuals, today seemed just like any regular day. They rose from bed, had their morning coffee, and eagerly anticipated the arrival of the weekend. Yet, for those whose mornings are marked by tuning into NBC for The Today Show, it was a day that stood out distinctly. January 10 held a significant place on the 2025 TV schedule, a date that has been met with apprehension since September when Hoda Kotb announced her departure from the morning program after 17 years. After her final broadcast, several of her fellow hosts, such as Savannah Guthrie and Al Roker, honored the cherished figurehead.

It’s hard to believe that Hoda Kotb’s last day has come and gone, as she prepares to start new adventures and spend more time with her two young daughters. Savannah Guthrie may not have been surprised that Kotb decided to walk away, given things her colleague had said about turning 60 — which Kotb did in August — but it was still an emotional day. Guthrie honored her co-host by posting some candid photos of the two of them on set to Instagram, and wrote this simple yet sweet message:

all my 💛

Famed weatherman Al Roker added his own social media photo montage, filled with images from the past two decades that showed he and Hoda Kotb have been friends and colleagues for a long time. He included a sweet message in the caption, too, joking about what she’ll do with her mornings now. (Hopefully she sleeps in!)

Here’s what Roker wrote:

For over two decades, I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Hoda Kotb, and her heart is truly immense – it’s a constant compass in her daily life. That compassion is her guiding force. Love you dearly, my friend! I can’t wait to learn about your upcoming week. A big thank you to @photonate for those fantastic photos!

Jenna Bush Hager, who co-hosted The Today Show’s fourth hour with Hoda Kotb, has been on quite the emotional roller coaster, trolling Kotb about her potential replacement while also admitting that it felt like she got dumped. That mixture of laughter and tears continued on Friday, as Bush Hager shared several clips honoring her friend, including the package that aired during the “Hoda-bration”:

A post shared by TODAY with Hoda & Jenna (@hodaandjenna)

A photo posted by on

Carson Daly also shared pics from Hoda Kotb’s last day, with a humorous caption that warned Kotb’s replacement Craig Melvin that he’s got some “big heels to fill.” The Voice host posted:

Enjoy the good times, let’s go! What a fantastic farewell week at The Today Show 👏 I can bet my $20 it will carry on tonight on NBC Nightly News! We’ll miss you @hodakotb starting Monday and beyond, but we’re excited for your new chapter and quality time as a mom. ❤️ You’re up next @craigmelvinnbc, big shoes to fill, but I know you’ve had plenty of practice 😂👠 Photo credit: @photonate

Monday may be Hoda Kotb’s first day to sleep in, but as Carson Daly noted, it’s also a big day for Craig Melvin. While the incoming co-host is already part of The Today Show’s third hour, his promotion to Kotb’s spot apparently comes with quite a massive pay bump. However, none of that was important on this day. Friday was all about Hoda, and Craig Melvin’s Instagram post paid homage to her with an adorable message and several photos of the two of them over the years. Here’s what the incoming anchor had to say:

I can’t help but admire how Hoda embodies compassion, love, and has truly been the soul of @todayshow. I am incredibly fortunate to have you as a cherished colleague and dear friend. Here’s to you! It’s not farewell; it’s just a temporary goodbye. My heart is full of affection for you. Thank you for everything, my friend. ❤️

Or

Hoda, you are the epitome of kindness, love, and the pulsating spirit behind @todayshow. I feel incredibly blessed to call you both a colleague and a close friend. Here’s to you! It’s not goodbye; it’s just till we meet again. I cherish you. Thank you for everything. ❤️

Today is a bittersweet moment for countless Hoda Kotb fans, as NBC bid her farewell in a heartwarming and fitting manner, which they called the ‘Hoda-bration.’ Her colleagues’ tributes underscore just how unique and cherished she is to them all. Don’t forget to join us on Monday morning to witness Craig Melvin stepping into his new role and see what Jenna Bush Hager’s hour will be like without Kotb.

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2025-01-11 03:07