“Today” present co-host Hoda Kotb was honored Friday with an hour-long sendoff — referred to as “Hoda-bration” — to have fun its final episode internet hosting NBC’s flagship morning present.
Of course, the community had rather a lot in retailer because it bid farewell to the veteran broadcaster because it concluded its 17-year stint on “Today.”
Kotb’s former third hour co-host, Kathie Lee Gifford he brought out a bait and switch and shocked her colleague with an in-studio look after saying in a tribute video that she could not make it as a result of she was busy with different obligations in Tennessee. “Tonight Show” star Jimmy Fallon spoke on “Hoda & Jenna” to give Kotb as a gift a framed piece of carpet from the 30 elevators at Rockefeller Center. And journalists Maria Shriver and Gayle King, the host of “CBS Mornings.” often mistaken for Kotb – I ended to have fun the outgoing anchor.
His mother they stopped by the studio, as did Kotb’s daughters, Hope and Haley. His daughters have been joined by Kermit the Frog, who sang “Rainbow Connection” in Kotb. And nation singer Walker Hayes sang a soulful model “Wednesday”, which Kotb co-wrote, which closed the episode. After being joined on stage by your entire “Today” present workers, Kotb she left in her minivan with her children.
The NBC star, 60, introduced her exit in September and stated she was leaving to spend extra time together with her younger kids, who she welcomed “late in life.” She joined “Today” in 2008 alongside Gifford to co-host the lighthearted Fourth Hour. She and Savannah Guthrie stepped in to co-host the flagship program in 2018 after Matt Lauer was fired for what the community stated was inappropriate sexual conduct. In the late Nineties, and earlier than his tenure at “Today,” he was a correspondent for “Dateline NBC” and NBC News.
The Emmy winner additionally co-hosted this system’s fourth hour alongside Jenna Bush Hager, who will start internet hosting that hour alone on Monday. Craig Melvin, who has been among the many present’s co-hosts, will now host the 7 a.m. broadcast beginning with Monday’s broadcast.
Kotb confirmed Friday that she would stay with NBC regardless of stepping down as “Today” host. He stated NBC News who will contribute tales to “Today”, will resume his podcast “Making space with Hoda Kotb” and resume the morning present to cowl the Olympics.
Guthrie, Hager, Melvin and fellow co-hosts Al Roker and Carson Daly have been additionally amongst these on set for the farewell Friday, and tears flowed in almost each section. A star-studded tribute video featured NBA star Dwyane Wade, Oscar winner Jamie Lee Curtis, “Wicked” star Kristin Chenoweth, gymnast Simone Biles and Oprah Winfrey wishing Kotb properly in her subsequent chapter .
“Hoda is everybody’s sister, and she or he’s like a sister to me… She’s so particular. It’s virtually indescribable,” Guthrie he said in a pre-recorded interview. “ She has confronted challenges (like battling breast most cancers) they usually have made her stronger, elevated her empathy and made her 10,000 instances stronger. People see somebody who cares wanting in entrance of them. Love folks. He is the right folks individual.
After the episode, Melvin began Instagram to as soon as once more pay tribute to her former colleague: “Hoda is the definition of compassion, love, and was the heartbeat of @todayshow. I’m so grateful to have you ever as a colleague and shut pal. Greetings to you. It’s not goodbye. We will see one another later. I like you. Thank you.” On the air, Kotb said he could be “superior” and “earn this” project, however she deliberate to overlook her first episode by anchoring the 7 a.m. time as a result of she could be “lifeless asleep.”
“This is just not a farewell letter. This is a love letter, a love letter to you,” Kotb stated in her last “Hoda & Jenna” section, studying a pre-recorded message she had written for the published.
“It’s really additionally a type of thanks be aware. So how do I say it? How can I say thanks for extra hugs and extra love than an individual deserves? he continued. “Sixteen years in the past I sat subsequent to Kathie Lee and she or he modified my life. She selected me. And to be trustworthy, I used to be scared. I had by no means carried out something like this earlier than. I used to be a tough information individual, a “Dateline” individual, after which sooner or later he referred to as me “Hoda Woman.” I tore the information corset. We poured ourselves a glass of wine. And so it started.”
“When Haley was born it went from ‘Hoda Woman’ to ‘Hoda Mama.’ I held Haley and also you held me. You supported me, the playing cards, the feedback, the letters. I learn all of them, after which Hopey got here alongside too.
Kotb stated “a brand new period started” when she and Hager bought collectively in 2019. Their run collectively included “six unforgettable years of uncontrollable laughter and pure friendship” throughout which she fell in love with Hager’s tears and her personal ” I’m susceptible and lovable.”
“Along the best way, you will have invited me into your lives, your triumphs, your particular moments and your celebrations. Having a entrance row seat to all of this has actually helped form who I’m. Thank you a lot for letting me be part of your journey,” he continued as video of memorable moments with viewers performed.
“I’ve turn out to be who I’m on this hour of this present and you’re there with me each step of the best way. So as I sit right here at this time in my last moments, on this final day of this chapter of my profession, I wish to thanks from the underside of my full coronary heart for the journey of a lifetime. I like you.”
