COULD IT BE TRUE Jenna Bush Hager’s STRANGE HINTS Leave Today Viewers BUZZING Over Possible RETURN Of Hoda Kotb After EXTENDED BREAK From Show
TODAY viewers are buzzing with speculation that Hoda Kotb will return to the morning show after Jenna Bush Hager dropped some cryptic hints.
Jenna, 43, who was co-hosting the 4th Hour of TODAY with Savannah Guthrie, 53, on Friday, teased an upcoming guest for Wednesday’s show with a rather vague clue.
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TODAY viewers are buzzing with speculation that Hoda Kotb will return to the morning showCredit: Getty
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Jenna Bush Hager was co-hosting the 4th Hour of TODAY with Savannah GuthrieCredit: Instagram / jennaandfriends
She said: “I have a clue ready. They are a former basketball star turned best-selling author. Who is it? Nobody knows.”
A puzzled Savannah replied: “You didn’t even say if it’s male or female!”
Jenna shrugged playfully, adding: “No, I’m not going to.”
Savannah shrugged: “All right, that tells me almost nothing.”
But that was all it took to send fans into detective mode.
Commenting beneath an Instagram post of the clip, one wrote: “defi HODA. she’s announcing her new venture!”
Someone else said: “Omg if you guys are right and it’s Hoda, it will be the best Wednesday ever!”
Another gushed: “Hoda please!! That would be so wonderful. She is missed!”
A third chimed in with: “Hoda hoda hoda lol,” while a fourth said: “Gotta be Hoda!!!!!”
Though not an NBA legend, Hoda was a high school basketball player – and she’s penned multiple best-selling books, including I Really Needed This Today and Ten Years Later.
Today fans are ‘so excited’ as Jenna Bush Hager reveals ‘hilarious’ new Hoda Kotb replacement
Since her unexpected leave from the fourth hour in January, Jenna has had a rotating cast of guest co-hosts.
The likes of Andy Cohen, Eva Longoria, Taraji P. Henson, Tyra Banks, and Tiffany Haddish have all filled in.
But none have been permanent replacements.
We previously revealed that Sheinelle Jones will officially replace Hoda as Jenna co-host after she returns from family leave.
An insider exclusively told The U.S. Sun that although NBC execs have found their permanent replacement, the transition is on hold.
Our source claimed that Sheinelle, 46, “has the job,” but added there will not be an announcement until after her leave of absence has ended.
She first departed the show in December to deal with a private health matter.
The show source added that while Sheinelle landed the job, Today’s lifestyle contributor, Jill Martin, also lobbied hard for the gig.
Sheinelle was perfect for the position because she’s a seasoned professional, whereas Jenna is not as experienced.
Although she has led more hours on air as she fronted the hour-long lifestyle segment with a rotating roster of guest co-hosts.
The insider added: “They need someone who can throw to break, someone who knows the craft of making TV work, and Sheinelle is a pro.”
The U.S. Sun reached out to TODAY for comment when first reporting the story.
Elsewhere in the installment, TODAY’s hosts announced on Friday that Sheinelle Jones’ husband Uche Ojeh has died at 45 after a battle with an aggressive form of brain cancer.
Sheinelle, 47, quietly stepped away from the NBC morning show in December to deal with a “family health matter.”
“With profound sadness, we share this morning that Uche Ojeh, the husband of our friend and Today co-host Sheinelle Jones, has passed away after a courageous battle with an aggressive form of brain cancer called glioblastoma,” Savannah Guthrie announced through tears on Today.
“There are no words for the pain we feel for Sheinelle and their three young children.
“Uche was an incredible person. We all loved him.
“And so we want to take a moment to tell you more about the remarkable man who was Sheinelle’s perfect partner in life.”
The stars then shared a heartfelt photo montage of the couple and recapped Sheinelle and Uche’s incredible love story.
“Two years ago, when Sheinelle completed her first marathon, Uche was there at the finish line, his pride evident with his beaming smile,” Savannah said.
“They celebrated each other’s victories, big and small.
“Uche was the kind of person who brought light, warmth and joy in every room.
“Today, with heavy hearts, we celebrate his life, devoted husband, loving father, and a man whose generosity of spirit touched all who knew him.”
Savannah and co-hosts Jenna, Al Roker, Craig Melvin, Carson Daly and Dylan Dreyer all wiped away tears after the emotional tribute.
“We just want to say, Sheinelle, Kayin, Clara and Uche and the Ojeh family, we are with you, we love you, you are our family, and we are just sending all of our love to you right now,” Savannah concluded, speaking to Sheinelle and her late husband’s three kids.
Sheinelle and Uche share son Kayin, 15, and twins Clara and Uche, 12.
After the segment aired, Sheinelle reposted the video and broke her silence on the tragedy.
“Thank you, for all of your love and support,” she told her Today colleagues.
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Hoda stunned fans as she left the show in JanuaryCredit: Getty
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Elsewhere in the installment, TODAY’s hosts announced that Sheinelle Jones’ husband Uche Ojeh has died at 45Credit: NBC
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It comes after a battle with an aggressive form of brain cancerCredit: Instagram/sheinelle_o
