Hoda Kotb bid farewell to Today Friday morning after a more than 17-year stint with NBC News’ flagship morning franchise.
It was a two-part farewell for Kotb, who first said goodbye to his main Today family at the start of the morning show. His farewell continued today with Hoda and Jenna at 10 a.m.
A “Hoda-bration” took place at 8 a.m. with messages from Kotb’s NBC News colleagues, including Savannah Guthrie, Al Roker, Craig Melvin, Keith MorrisonAnd Carson Daly. There were also surprise appearances from famous faces like Jamie Lee Curtis, Simon Biles, Maria Shriver, Kermit the FrogAnd Oprah Winfrey.
Standing outside in Today Square, Hoda thanked her colleagues and all the fans who came to wish her goodbye. “Can I say thank you to everyone who came here? » she said, adding: “I read your cards. I received your bracelets. I have the scarves you put between your legs. I had everything. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart.
The second part of the “Hoda-bration” took place during the fourth hour today, alongside Jenna Bush Hagerwho wrote a moving letter to his departing co-host.
Kotb was celebrated with even more surprise posts and appearances during that hour. His mother, Sametha Kotbpaid a special tribute saying: “Hodie, I’m proud of you. I’m sure you’ll do a great job later and I love you so much.
Meanwhile, Kotb’s morning show competitor, CBS Mornings’ Gayle Kingmade an appearance in person, as did the Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallonand former co-host of The Fourth Hour Katie Lee Gifford. Country music star Walker Hayes came out for a studio performance, serenading Kotb and Bush Hager with their song “Wednesdays.”
Amidst all this, Kotb still found time to read a farewell letter to viewers in which she explained her professional and personal journey.
“All along the way, you have invited me into your lives, your triumphs, your special moments and your celebrations,” Kotb told viewers. “Having a front row seat to all of this has really helped shape who I am. Thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of your journey.
As the show’s final moments approached, Kotb was seen leaving the NBC News New York studios in a minivan with her two daughters in the backseat and a “Just Rempotted” sign attached to the back of the vehicle.
While Kotb leaves Today in the rearview mirror, NBC News is moving forward with its new duo of Guthrie and Craig Melvin. A new campaign called “We are Today” celebrated the emotional connection shared between Today and its audience.
NBC News explains that the idea behind the campaign is to focus on viewers who “choose to spend their mornings with us because they see themselves in the show and in the anchors and know it’s the best way to start their day.”
Kotb announced his departure from NBC News in Septembertelling her team today, “It’s the right time for me to move on” and citing her children as one of the main reasons she decided to move on.
“They deserve a bigger share of my time than I do,” she said at the time. Kotb also announced that his post-now plans include launching a wellness app and business.
