Savannah Guthrie, 54, recently shared a lighthearted moment during an appearance on *The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon*, reflecting on the end of an era at *Today*.
The host, known for her witty personality, joked about the aftermath of her co-anchor Hoda Kotb’s departure from the show, which occurred earlier this month.
Guthrie revealed that, after Kotb left the show,
she had found some rather unusual items left behind in Kotb’s workspace and decided to have a little fun with it.
“We go in and we sit on the set, and there are these trays,” Guthrie explained.
She went on to describe the odd assortment of items she discovered, which included “one contact,” “expired bean dip,” and even “belly button lint.”
With a laugh, Guthrie added, “So we just threw it right out!” This humorous take on the situation had the audience in stitches and showcased the camaraderie between the two co-hosts. As Guthrie put it, it was the dawn of “a new era”—one where Craig Melvin is taking over Kotb’s role on the *Today* show.
During the interview, Fallon played a video that Guthrie had recorded as she tossed out the bizarre assortment of items left behind by Kotb. In the video, Guthrie quipped, “Guess you didn’t want any of this s–t” before throwing the items into the trash. She also commented on the state of the tray, humorously noting, “It had rust and barnacles on it. I mean, it was disgusting!”
Kotb’s departure was a significant moment for both her and the *Today* show, as she had been a beloved anchor on the morning show for over two decades. The announcement came in September 2024, when Kotb, 60, shared that after reflecting on turning 60, she felt it was time to step away from her position at *Today* to focus more on personal pursuits, including spending more time with her daughters, Haley and Hope, and venturing into new projects. Kotb expressed that she was embarking on this new chapter to explore other professional opportunities, including launching a wellness app and company, as well as taking on new roles such as conducting exclusive interviews and covering the next two Olympic Games for NBC.
In her final days on the show, Kotb received heartfelt tributes from her colleagues, especially from Guthrie, who had worked alongside her since 2017, following Matt Lauer’s firing due to sexual harassment allegations. The two shared a close bond both on and off-screen, making Kotb’s departure especially emotional for Guthrie. On Kotb’s last day, she tearfully thanked her colleagues for their support over the years, while Guthrie, also overcome with emotion, told her, “Hoda, I love you. I love you deeply. Whether you sit next to me or not, whether we get up at 4 a.m. or not, I will always be by your side and you will always be by mine.”
Though Kotb’s departure marks the end of an era for *Today*, the transition to a new era with Craig Melvin is already underway. Melvin, who has been with the network for several years, stepped into Kotb’s co-anchor role, and Guthrie is adjusting to the changes with a positive outlook, despite the bittersweet nature of saying goodbye to a long-time friend and colleague.
While the departure of Kotb has left a gap at *Today*, Guthrie’s playful reflection on the situation highlights the importance of finding humor during difficult transitions. The end of this chapter for *Today* signals the beginning of a new phase, both for the show and for the people involved. Guthrie’s lighthearted approach to the situation also underscores the resilience and close bonds between the *Today* team members, as they continue to move forward together into the next chapter of their careers.
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