Jenna Bush Hager will soon be entering a new phase of her career as the lead co-host of the fourth hour of Today after Hoda Kotb retires from the network Jan. 10. But who will be joining her at the desk?
Well, it looks like Bush Hager will be joined by Taraji P. Henson, Eva Longoria and Keke Palmer on the first week of Today With Jenna & Friends, launching Jan. 13 on NBC.
“We love these women, we said we love these women,” Bush Hager announced on Today With Hoda & Jenna Monday. “I feel like Hoda helped me manifest this. Nobody will ever fill this chair but the three of them sure can try you know.”
Kotb also unveiled Bush Hager’s new theme song, which is just as peppy but still noticeably different from the custom ballad Meghan Trainor made for their show. “I can see it,” Kotb told Bush Hager as the new theme song played.
“I’ll tell you what I was picturing,” Kotb then told her co-host through tears. “I was picturing you and how proud I’m gonna be of you walking right here from that wall to this desk with that song. It’s gonna be awesome.”
Bush Hager listened on as tears rolled down her cheeks. “You guys, how am I gonna get through this?” she asked.
She then promised that “the tears will be stopped” by tomorrow’s show, when they’ll announce the next batch of hosts who will be joining her on Jenna & Friends.
“What are we gonna be on?” Kotb asked, before she and Bush Hager announced together: “Beta blockers!”
This week will be a complete Hoda-bration on the show as the Today hosts count down Kotb’s final days. Her last day will be celebrated with a live studio audience Friday, Jan. 10.
Today with Hoda & Jenna airs on weekdays at 10/9c on NBC.
