TODAY’S Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb have shocked fans after announcing their colleague’s new gig live on air.
The morning show hosts shared the big news about their co-host Kristen Welker’s next career move during Monday’s broadcast.
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Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb shocked fans after announcing their co-host’s new jobCredit: Getty
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Their colleague, Kristen Welker became the new of host NBC’s Meet the PressCredit: NBC
Savannah, 51, and Hoda, 58, congratulated Kristen, 46, for being the new host of NBC’s Meet the Press via a video call.
They gushed over their co-worker’s impressive achievements while reporting from studio 1A in New York City, as Kristen was in Washington DC.
“Kristen Welker, thank you so much. Chief White House correspondent, Saturday anchor of Weekend Today, and now we can announce the new moderator of Meet the Press,” Savannah revealed.
She and Hoda clapped for their friend and Today colleague, who smiled at the on-air recognition.
Savannah then noted that Kristen would be taking over for nine-year host Chuck Todd, who is stepping down from the role.
Kristen shared her gratitude to her co-hosts: “Thank you so, so much. I just want to thank you all for being so supportive. My Today show family, you guys have been so supportive of me always and in this moment. I’m so grateful.
She then boasted about the show’s former host, Chuck, who announced on Sunday that he would be leaving the position.
“It’s been an amazing nearly decadelong run. I am really proud of what this team and I have built over the last decade.
“I’ve loved so much of this job, helping to explain America to Washington and explain Washington to America,” the 51-year-old said during the broadcast.
BIG SHAKEUP
But Chuck has no plans to leave NBC as he’s signed on as chief political analyst and will focus on long-form journalism.
“When I took over ‘Meet the Press,’ it was a Sunday show that had a lot of people questioning whether it still could have a place in the modern media space.
“Well, I think we’ve answered that question and then some,” Chuck added.
Many fans were surprised by the changeup and shared their thoughts on Twitter.
“Let’s hope she can be more inclusive of conservative views than Chuck was,” one person tweeted.
“Another bad choice Kristen is in your face biased just like Chuck. No different just a different face. Won’t be watching we need fair balanced people in this spot,” another harshly wrote.
“Does anyone still watch that show? Chucky Toad ruined it…irreparably,” a third said.
“Impartial or not…If Chuck Todd taught her everything she knows about politics then it’ll be more of the same liberal MTP that CT turned it into. Bad hire,” a fourth commented.
“Thank God, NBC didn’t choose @SavannahGuthrie,” chimed in another.
NEW HOSTING GIG
Both Savannah and Hoda have been working on other projects away from the daytime TV show.
Last week, executives enlisted the duo to anchor a primetime NBC special dedicated to celebrities being honored for their good deeds.
Their co-host, Carson Daly, 49, announced the news on his daily segment, Pop Start.
He explained that the TV network recently announced the honorees that made NBC’s Inspiring America: The Inspiration List for 2023.
“Savannah and Hoda, alongside Lester Holt [of] Nightly News, are gonna be hosting a primetime special, ten extraordinary people making an impact in their communities,” The Voice host outlined.
Every day people making a difference in the world have also been included in the list alongside the A-listers.
The big names that are set to be tributed are country star Reba McEntire, 68, NBA icon LeBron James, 38, and mainstream Hollywood actress Eva Longoria, 48.
Hoda, 58, confessed that for the upcoming special, she got to have a heart-to-heart with Eva.
“I had a deep and personal conversation with Hollywood star Eva Longoria on her work supporting Latina businesswomen,” she revealed.
Hoda added that “Savannah sat down with an incredible woman [named] Susan Burton,” who is an “amazing person” helping “formerly incarcerated women start a new life.”
KEEPING UP WITH HODA
Outside the show, Hoda recently made her big debut in a sneak peek of an episode of The Kardashians.
The clip showed eldest sibling, Kourtney Kardashian, 44, doing press in New York City, where she sat down with Hoda during a Today show appearance.
Monday, September 12, 2022, was the appearance date, with Hoda sporting a long blue dress and Kourtney in a black pants suit.
Fans will see more of Hoda on this week’s episode of the Hulu series.
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Savannah and Hoda were recently enlisted to anchor a primetime NBC specialCredit: Getty
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The special is dedicated to recognizing celebrities for their good deedsCredit: ABC
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Hoda recently appeared in a sneak peek for this week’s episode of The Kardashians
