Hoda Kotb has been co-hosting the Today show in recent weeks, over a year after her official retirement, and her future on the show has now been revealed. Her return comes amid Savannah Guthrie’s personal crisis. New reports have now clarified whether Kotb’s return is permanent or for the interim.
Hoda Kotb to continue to hosting Today show
Former NBC host Hoda Kotb returned to co-host the Today show earlier this month. According to reports, she is a temporary replacement for Savannah Guthrie and will continue in that role until the foreseeable future (via Variety). Craig Melvin will remain as the other host.
Kotb announced her retirement in September 2024 and marked her final day on January 10, 2025. Since then, she has occasionally appeared on other shows and podcasts. However, this is the first time she has appeared for an extended period. While Kotb’s fans may be happy to see her, unfortunately, her return was prompted by difficult circumstances.
On January 31, 2026, Savannah’s mother, Nancy Guthrie (84), went missing from her home in the Catalina Foothills, near Tucson, Arizona, after her son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni, had dropped her off outside her house late in the evening. However, her family noticed Nancy was missing the following day. They filed a missing persons report with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at noon.
When the Sheriff’s Department began a search operation, they quickly suspected that Nancy had been abducted. Subsequently, they launched a criminal investigation, and the FBI got involved. The family reportedly received ransom notes demanding millions in Bitcoin. In response, the Gunthrie family said that they were ready to “talk.”
On February 5, federal authorities arrested a California man for allegedly posing as the abductor and demanding ransom. They later confirmed that his demand was not related to the other ransom letters.
On February 10, FBI Director Kash Patel shared screenshots and clips retrieved from a doorbell camera. They show a masked suspect attempting to cover the camera. Furthermore, earlier this week, Savannah and her family announced a $1 million reward for credible information leading to Nancy’s return.
Originally reported by Harsha Panduranga on ComingSoon.
