Today fans are wondering who will be named Hoda Kotb’s permanent replacement on the fourth hour of the show once she leaves on January 10.
“At this point, Hoda’s replacement is anyone’s guess,” an insider exclusively tells Closer. “NBC doesn’t want to wait too long, but they’re definitely not rushing into making a decision this important.”
The network announced that Jenna Bush Hager will temporarily be joined by guest cohosts in Today’s fourth hour once Hoda leaves the show.
“They’re looking for that special spark between them,” the insider says of the rotating panel of guest cohosts. “That person, whether it’s someone with a news background or a celebrity, will have some big shoes to fill.”
Hoda, 60, is leaving the show to focus on her parenting responsibilities. The broadcaster is a mom to kids Haley and Hope.
She has high hopes that the network will find someone great to replace her in the show’s fourth hour, and she made it known that she will be supporting Jenna’s quest for a new cohost.
“Whoever gets the privilege of sitting here over the course of however long this phase goes on will be very privileged to sit next to you,” Hoda said during a recent episode of Today. “The circle of friends around you is a testament to you. You have a way of attracting people into your world.”
Hoda Kotb’s 4th Hour Today Replacement ‘Is Anyone’s Guess’ (Exclu)
January 13 will mark Jenna’s first broadcast with a guest cohost on Today With Jenna & Friends. So far, no official guest cohosts have been announced just yet.
Hoda received an outpouring of love from celebrity friends after announcing she would be leaving the talk show on September 26.
“I’m so proud of my friend @hodakotb for following her heart into this next chapter!” Maria Shriver wrote on Instagram. “May we all be inspired by your bravery, your courage, and your willingness to see what’s next. May we all trust in life’s adventures and never stay complacent. May we keep learning, and trying, and seeing what else is out there! Hoda, I’m so excited for you, and I can’t wait to see what this next chapter holds for you!”
Celebrity chef Bobby Flay also shared kind words for Hoda and presented her with a potential business opportunity.
“Take some time off, and then, you know what, I want to bring you to the Food Network,” the Food Network personality told Hoda during an October 29 appearance on Today. “You and I, Kotb and Flay, we’re gonna travel the world, we’re gonna eat, you’re gonna cook for me, I’m gonna cook for you.”
“I’m standing right here,” Jenna joked, to which Bobby, 60, responded, “It’s over. I’m taking her to the Food Network. She’s given you all these years, but it’s time for you to come over to the Food Network.”
Hoda already has her eyes set on her next project. She revealed that Maria, 69, inspired her to strive for a career in the wellness space.
“It’s a whole wellness situation, and I got lit up by that just from stuff I’ve been working on and doing on myself,” Hoda told People in an interview published on October 11. “I’ve learned to do a bunch of different things with breath works and what not through friends, through Jenna, through Maria, through all these different people, and I’ve been loving it.”
