Hoda Kotb returned to the “Today” show as Savannah Guthrie remains absent while her mother, Nancy Guthrie, is still missing. Kotb, who left NBC in January 2025 after 26 years with the network, temporarily took Guthrie’s place on Monday’s broadcast.
Craig Melvin introduced Kotb, telling viewers, “Hoda is joining us as Savannah remains with her family in Arizona,” expressing gratitude for her presence. Kotb, 61, responded, “We always talk about our show as a family… I’m happy to be with you because we show up for each other.”
Later, Melvin acknowledged the difficulty of balancing coverage of Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance with regular news, describing it as “uncharted territory.” He asked viewers for “grace” as the team navigates the situation. Kotb emphasized that while supporting Savannah and her family is the priority, “there is also a job to do.”
Carson Daly and Al Roker echoed this sentiment, with Roker noting, “We’re able to do this because we know that’s exactly what Savannah would want.” Jenna Bush Hager and Sheinelle Jones also shared their ongoing support for Guthrie’s family, highlighting public messages of encouragement.
Nancy Guthrie, 84, was last seen at her Tucson, Arizona, home on January 31 and is believed to have been kidnapped. Savannah and her siblings have released emotional video appeals responding to purported ransom demands of $6 million in bitcoin. “We will pay,” Savannah stated in their latest plea, having stepped back from hosting the Winter Olympics to focus on her mother’s case.
No suspects have been named, with Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos confirming they are “actively looking at everybody.” The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to Nancy’s safe return or the arrest of those involved.