Savannah Guthrie Steps In for Hoda Kotb on Today’s Fourth Hour

Savannah Guthrie Fills In For Hoda Kotb

Savannah Guthrie took over co-hosting duties on Today’s fourth hour with Jenna Bush Hager this week, stepping in while Hoda Kotb is out. Hollywood Life’s Instagram post captured the moment, noting, “With Hoda out, Savannah Guthrie is stepping in for Today’s fourth hour co-host slot alongside Jenna Bush Hager—for now. What do we think about the new addition? 📷 Getty.” The fill-in marks a familiar face returning to the 11 a.m. hour after nearly a decade anchoring Today’s flagship morning segments.

Building On A Proven Rapport

Guthrie and Bush Hager have shared many on-air moments over 20 years at NBC. Guthrie joined Today in 2007 and was named co-anchor of the main show in 2012, while Bush Hager moved from contributor to Today’s fourth hour with Hoda Kotb in 2019. Their easy banter and mutual respect make the transition seamless, with Guthrie slipping into the fourth-hour format—blending personal anecdotes, lifestyle stories and interviews—with her trademark blend of warmth and authority.

Hoda Kotb, who co-hosts the hour with Jenna Bush Hager, is taking a brief break for personal reasons, NBC confirmed. The network hasn’t announced how long Kotb will be away, but Guthrie’s presence ensures continuity for segments like “Inbox” and the daily guest lineup.

Viewer Reactions And Social Buzz

Fans took to Twitter and Instagram Stories almost immediately after Guthrie’s debut. One viewer posted, “Savannah and Jenna are pure gold—can’t tell they’re missing Hoda at all.” Another wrote, “Guthrie’s energy is just what the fourth hour needs right now.” Some fans even suggested rotating co-hosts from the main Today anchors, citing Guthrie’s journalistic chops and on-screen ease.

Hollywood Life, known for delivering timely entertainment news and run by Penske Media Corporation, flagged the story on its Instagram @hollywoodlife, drawing hundreds of comments within hours. Followers praised the network’s choice and predicted strong ratings retention for the midday show.

What This Means For Today’s Lineup

NBC’s Today franchise spans four hours each weekday. The first two hours (7–9 a.m.) feature Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, Al Roker and Craig Melvin. The third hour, Today with Hoda & Jenna, blends lifestyle and light-hearted segments. The fourth hour shifts to a more conversational tone, spotlighting culture, wellness and viewer questions.

By inserting Guthrie into the fourth-hour slot, NBC leans on a seasoned anchor with deep audience trust. This move also highlights the network’s flexible approach to keeping its lineup fresh and connected to its core personalities.

Savannah Guthrie’s résumé includes Emmy-nominated reporting, high-profile interviews with world leaders and celebrities, and breaking news coverage from Newtown to Paris. Her ability to pivot between hard news and lifestyle content makes her an ideal stand-in—especially alongside Jenna Bush Hager, who balances book recommendations, parenting tips and political conversations with equal ease.

Fans can catch Guthrie and Bush Hager on Today’s fourth hour from 11 a.m. to noon eastern time on NBC. As Hoda Kotb’s return date remains unconfirmed, viewers will be watching how this temporary pairing evolves—and whether Guthrie’s presence sparks any permanent shifts in the network’s morning roster.

Savannah Guthrie’s stint alongside Jenna Bush Hager underscores NBC’s deep bench of trusted talent and keeps the fourth hour humming until Hoda Kotb’s comeback. Viewers tuning in this week have seen that, even in a temporary role, Guthrie’s seasoned hosting makes the midday show feel right at home.

Reporter

Reshmi Das

 

Reshmi Das has over four years of experience as a content writer, covering parenting and films. She writes for Hollywoodjunction and Momjunction. Her interest in journaling and writing made this biotechnology postgraduate to take up content as her full-time profession.

Read full bio of Reshmi Das