It is the end of an era as Hoda Kotb described Today co-anchor and Hoda & Jenna co-host. There was no shortage of great moments during the four hours of television, with a short preview announcing newly-elected President Donald Trump’s verdict of ‘unconditional dismissal’.
While there was plenty of news to report on Kotb’s last day — the fires in Los Angeles County, Jimmy Carter’s funeral — it was also very much a “Hoda-bration,” as NBC called her weeklong farewell. There were montages, tributes to colleagues, tributes to celebrities and lots of tears.
As the news show kicked off Friday morning, co-host Savannah Guthrie teased that the day would be about celebrating “everything everyone loves about Hoda, filled with special surprises and lots of joy.”
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The female presenting team – the first ever on the show – held hands as Kotb, dressed in a white pantsuit, said: “One last time. Let’s do this.”
Kotb revealed in a behind-the-scenes video that Guthrie — who wore black for the occasion — gifted her a bracelet that said “With you” in cursive, as well as a ring that said “Love.” She said, “I feel loved and held.”
Every member of the Today team paid tribute to Kotb in a video. Guthrie, who said Kotb was “like a sister to me,” said, “I love you very much. I always say to you: whether you sit next to me or not, whether we get up at four in the morning or not, you will always be by my side.’
Al Roker opened up about his near-death scare in 2022, when Kotb visited him in the hospital almost every day – so many times people could have mistaken her for a doctor.
Craig Melvin, Kotb’s replacement, said: ‘Hoda doesn’t do interviews. She has conversations [in which] she peers into your soul.’ He talked about how encouraging she was to him. (Kotb wished him luck on Monday when he takes over, joking that she wouldn’t be watching because she would be sleeping in.)
Carson Daly talked about Kotb’s good energy, how she’s always singing and dancing on set, and he dedicated Coldplay’s “All My Love” to her.
Keith Morrison, who worked with Kotb Dateline earlier in her 26-year career at NBC News, she spoke about guiding her as she learned to tell stories. He said, “We will miss our Hoda.”
NBC correspondent Maria Shriver was on hand to discuss Kotb’s next step professionally: starting a business in the wellness space. Shriver told her, “You were made for this… You’re going to help people come alive.”
Kotb, a breast cancer survivor, is known for her good energy and sharing inspirational quotes on her Instagram. The team said it has added the “morning boost” segment, an uplifting story that airs after a series of tough news stories. Kotb said Jenna Bush Hager will take the “boost” and hand it over to her Hoda & Jenna co-hosted a metal baton to commemorate the transition.
The fans in the square were ready to say goodbye to Kotb. There was a large crowd of people with posters and glasses that said ‘Hoda’. Kotb joked that a security guard outside told her, “Next time you retire, do it in July,” since it’s a particularly cold week in New York.
There were plenty of celebrity tributes, from Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, who appeared in person, to pre-recorded tributes from Oprah Winfrey and Kristin Chenoweth. Jamie Lee Curtis also had a sphere made for Kotb with the inscription: “Every today with you is a better day.”
Kotb said her decision to leave was made around her two young daughters, Haley and Hope, who both showed up. They said they were excited that their mother would be home Monday morning to take them to school.
Kotb – with guest Taylor Swift and former host Ann Curry – in 2007, the year she joined Today as a correspondent. (Ali Paige Goldstein/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images)
Mother and daughters were serenaded by Kermit the Frog, who sang “Rainbow Connection,” the song Kotb sings to her girls every night. Kotb became emotional listening to it, especially when her colleagues joined in.
Other family members who supported Kotb on her last day included her sister, brother, sister-in-law and nieces. She said her mother, Sameha, who has supported her over the years as a working mother by taking the children to school, was “watching at home,” having previously made several long trips to New York City from the suburbs where Kotb lived. moved. summer.
The 8 a.m. hour ended in the square, where everyone wore purple hats and Kotb thanked everyone who came here. I read your cards. I have your bracelets. I have the scarves you crocheted. I have read the texts. I have everything. “I want to say from the bottom of my heart, thank you,” she said. “I love you.”
The party started later Hoda & Jenna at 10 a.m., Bush Hager started off by saying their last show together would be “a love letter” to Kotb, and the woman of the hour responded, “I think I’m ready.”
They talked about letting the emotions flow and not trying to hold them back. Bush Hager joked that the show was “brought to you by Kleenex.”
TODAY — Pictured: Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager on Monday, January 6, 2025 — (Photo by: Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images)
Kotb debuted on the fourth hour in 2007 and began co-hosting with Kathie Lee Gifford in 2008. The lighter lifestyle show’s current hosting team started in 2019 after Gifford left.
The anchor’s daughters and extended family members were again in attendance. She also invited her closest friends and new mom friends from her Westchester County town.
Kotb’s mother and head cheerleader recorded a tribute, telling her daughter, “I’m proud of you and I’m sure you’ll do a great job growing up.”
Bush Hager announced that the winner of a “Hoda lookalike contest” was the first guest, and it turned out to be her famous lookalike Gayle King from the US. CBS mornings.
“I’m so excited about that [Hoda’s] she’s doing this on her own terms,” King said of Kotb’s decision to leave Today.
A love letter Bush Hager wrote to her co-host was partially interrupted by Trump news, but she praised Kotb, saying, “Thank you, Hoda, for everything you taught me, everything you gave me.” All hugs. all my heart, all my laughter, all my love. I will miss you my friend, but I love you and I am so proud.”
The Today show team – Guthrie, Melvin, Roker and all – appeared to give Kotb hugs. The tonight showJimmy Fallon stopped by to give her a gift: carpet from the NBC elevator. Singer Walker Hayes stopped by to perform the song “Wednesdays”.
In a nice surprise, Gifford sent a video message to her “dear Hoda wife” from Tennessee, saying she was sorry she couldn’t make it, but that she hoped Kotb was feeling the love. Gifford then appeared live and danced. She serenaded her former co-host of 11 years with “The Best Is Yet To Come.” Of course, there was wine and a toast, with Gifford saying, “May you enter the most joyful, prosperous, purposeful time of your life with those precious daughters I have seen emerge into your lives.” Although Gifford added that she doesn’t drink “real wine” anymore, just spritzers.
Kotb shared her own love letter with viewers as the show ended. She thanked viewers for their years of support and recapped memorable moments. She also shared personal highlights, including sharing the broadcast when she adopted her daughters. She also talked about her friendships with co-hosts Gifford and Bush Hager.
“As I sit here today, in my final moments on this final day, in this chapter of my career, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the ride of my life.”
The show – and Kotb’s Today tenure – ended with her shouting out the team behind the show, led by executive producer Talia Parkinson-Jones, as they stood on stage with her. She said they lifted her up every day. Haley and Hope ran over as she signed off for the last time with Bush Hager by her side.
Her last words? Telling people to tune in Jenna and friends on Monday and closes with, “We love you!”
Updated, January 10 at 11:35 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with new details about Hoda Kotb’s last day Today.
