THE frontrunners to replace Hoda Kotb as co-anchor of Today are quickly revealing themselves and are “lined up outside the executive producer’s office,” an insider has revealed.
Top talent at Today was fighting for a chance at Hoda‘s seat as soon as the beloved host sent out an email to the staff announcing her upcoming departure before announcing it on air, the source said.
Hoda Kotb’s announcement that she is leaving Today Show set off an immediate fight among top talent who are clamoring for the co-hosting seat (pictured L-R Al Roker, Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, Craig Melvin, Sheinelle Jones)[/caption]
NBC execs are said to be eyeing Sheinelle Jones as a possible replacement for Hoda Kotb[/caption]
“Now that she’s on her way out, there is a power vacuum already,” the insider exclusively told The U.S. Sun
“She put out the email that she was quitting before she went on air and before the show even ended four people were waiting outside the EP’s door to try and get the job.”
The insider said that NBC execs would like a person of color for the spot and that right now Sheinelle Jones “is their first choice.”
Meanwhile, the insider said Today Show lifestyle contributor Jill Martin is “aggressively pursuing in the 10 o’clock hour with Jenna Bush Hager.”
The insider said there has been some talk of Jenna getting Hoda’s Today Show chair during the morning news hours, but they believe that “Jenna doesn’t really want it, and can’t do real news.”
According to an insider, Hoda had been weighing her decision to leave the morning show for at least a year, and the work-life balance was a main factor in stepping away from Today.
While she will be remaining in the NBC family, her workflow will look quite different in the near future, they explained.
HODA’S NEW TRAJECTORY
An insider said once Hoda is done at Today, she will be taking on the role of special correspondent.
She’ll also be interviewing celebrities for one-on-one long-format pieces.
The insider said that Hoda is expected to continue recording her podcast, Making Space, “which she enjoys doing very much.”
HODA’S NBC LEGACY
Hoda’s illustrious career at NBC spans well over two decades.
Hoda joined the NBC network in 1998 as a correspondent for Dateline.
She became a standout once paired with Kathie Lee Gifford in the 10 am hour of Today in 2008.
During her time on the show, Hoda was open about her battle with breast cancer and her fertility struggles.
Fans of the show then watched as she adopted her two daughters; first in 2017 and then in 2019.
She was also vocal about her daughter, Hope’s, scary medical crisis.
Hoda continued in the fourth hour after Jenna Bush Hager replaced Kathie Lee.
She was then named an interim co-anchor along with Savannah after Matt Lauer’s firing from the network in late 2017.
Hoda and Savannah became the first female-led duo to co-anchor Today since its premiere in 1952.
A recent highlight of her time on Today was the previously mentioned birthday surprise.
Hoda’s co-anchors shocked her with an hour-long celebration in August honoring her 60th birthday.
Meanwhile, the prolific author and children’s book author will absolutely keep writing, the insider added.
With her scaled-back role, the source believes that it likely will open the door for her in her contract to do brand endorsements and advertisements.
“Hoda could become the face of L’Oreal, and she could potentially make more money now that she’s off the show,” the source insisted.
NO MORE EARLY MORNINGS
The fan-favorite daytime TV host has The longtime TV host is said to be tired of the hours that go with the morning show grind.
She’s told close friends she “really doesn’t want to get up at three in the morning anymore,” the insider explained.
While she finds the hours manageable in the summer, in the winter it’s just brutal.
The insider noted that the single mom is expecting to profit off of her fame from her morning TV gig.
The insider claimed that Hoda recently told a friend she’s been on the show for so long, “What does another two years do for me?”
“I don’t need the show anymore to be Hoda,” Hoda reportedly said.
“She enjoys being Hoda, but as she said to a friend, she is going to be Hoda till the day she dies,” the insider added.
“After 10 years on morning TV, her fame might decrease – but for example, Katie Couric is still Katie Couric.”
Today contributor Jill Martin is said to be aggressively pursuing the lifestyle-driven 10 am slot at Today[/caption]
Hoda Kotb’s co-host Jenna Bush Hager is said to be in the running for her co-host’s earlier news slots, though there are questions about whether she can do hard news[/caption]
