No one does it quite like Hoda.
Hoda Kotb, the longtime host of “Today” on NBC, bid farewell to audiences Friday with her final show. Her exodus leaves the network without one of its most notable faces and viewers without a reliable morningside companion.
To celebrate the sendoff, “Today” pulled out all the stops − inviting not just NBC royalty but genuine A-listers to the program to share goodbye messages.
From Simone Biles to Jamie Lee Curtis, here’s a guide to the best celebrity moments from Friday’s broadcast.
Final show recap:Hoda Kotb bids tearful ‘Today’ show farewell
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Walker Hayes performs new song ‘Wednesdays’
“Fancy Like” hit-maker Walker Hayes joined the show to perform an original song he penned alongside Kotb.
The tune, “Wednesdays,” plays on the idea that while life may be punctuated by exclamations (It’s a girl! She said yes!) it’s mostly just made up of Wednesdays – average moments that if you love them will end up totaling a quality existence.
Kotb teared up as Hayes performed the song’s chorus: “Just another Wednesday with you.”
The entire tribute − an hours-long affair− ultimately wrapped up with Kotb driving away in her mini-van, daughters in the backseat, to the tune of “Wednesdays.”
The bumper was decked out newlywed style with streamers, cans and a sign that read: “Just repotted.”
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Hoda Kotb’s ‘Eras’ tour featuring Simone Biles, Maria Shriver
Hoda, a Taylor Swift superfan, received an Eras Tour-style sendoff as co-hosts offered her friendship bracelets and aired a 2009 interview with the then-emerging star.
In a look back through Kotb’s own “eras,” the broadcast featured an interview with gymnastics legend Simone Biles and a surprise appearance by Biles herself which brought Kotb to tears.
“I’m so proud of you,” Kotb told Biles. “I love you.”
Maria Shriver, who Kotb credited as helping her find a new chapter, also stopped by the show.
“Very few people will do that,” Shriver said of leaving her post for the unknown, “and it’s so brave.”
‘You are so beloved’:Kathie Lee Gifford surprises Hoda Kotb on final ‘Today’ episode
Kermit joins Hoda Kotb for a song
Kotb’s daughters Hope and Haley also joined the “Today” couch briefly, for a rendition of “Rainbow Connection” sung by Kermit the Frog himself.
Kotb has said she sings the song, a time-honored classic, to her daughters before bed each night.
Hope and Haley were also featured in Jenna Bush Hager’s personal farewell, joining Kotb on stage at the end to wave goodbye to the audience.
Oprah and Jamie Lee Curtis send video messages
The first video tribute of the morning featured messages from longtime fans as well as Dwyane Wade, Jamie Lee Curtis and Kristin Chenoweth who all offered parting messages.
Curtis, who was supposed to be at the show in person but was home instead to deal with the fallout from the fires ravaging Los Angeles, gifted Kotb a statue for her home, and Oprah Winfrey offered some parting words.
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Gayle King, Jimmy Fallon bid farewell
Fellow newswoman Gayle King (also dressed in the purple theme) joined Kotb for another surprise, gifting her a T-shirt making fun of the fact that the two women are oft-confused.
“I’m so excited that she is doing this on her own terms,” King said of Kotb’s exit.
Jimmy Fallon echoed that sentiment. Gifting her a framed piece of carpeting from the elevators at 30 Rockefeller Center, where the “Today” show broadcasts, Fallon applauded Kotb on her “curiosity” and on-air evolution.
He joked about Kotb’s newest venture − a wellness company − asking if they had anything for aging men’s necks.
Hoda Kotb details ‘weird’decision to leave ‘Today’ show after 16 years
Where is Hoda going after the ‘Today’ show?
Kotb’s next venture revolves around a concept she has long spotlighted on the “Today” show. In an appearance on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” earlier this month, the newswoman revealed she plans to launch a wellness company in the spring complete podcasts and retreats.
“I’ve been given way more than I deserve, way more,” she told Clarkson. “So now it’s like this is the season of giving, of helping, of mentoring, of showing and hopefully it could make someone else’s life easier.”
