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Why Hoda Kotb Returned to the ‘Today’ Desk During Savannah Guthrie’s Absence

Hoda Kotb returned to the Today desk on February 9, 2026, as a fill-in during Savannah Guthrie’s absence. The appearance was not reported as a permanent replacement.
Opened Runtime2 min Written byDocumentaryTube Team
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Hoda Kotb returned to the Today anchor desk on February 9, 2026, as a fill-in while Savannah Guthrie was away amid the search for her missing mother, Nancy Guthrie. The appearance was not reported as a permanent replacement: Kotb had left her regular co-anchor role in January 2025.

Why did Hoda Kotb return to Today?

Kotb filled in for Guthrie during a deeply difficult period for the Today team. Nancy Guthrie, 84, was reported missing on February 1, 2026. Authorities believed she had been taken against her will, according to the Associated Press. The Los Angeles Times described the case as an apparent abduction; those descriptions reflect reporting about the investigation, not a settled account of what happened.

On the February 9 broadcast, Kotb said, “Savannah and her family are our top priority,” the Los Angeles Times reported. Co-anchor Craig Melvin acknowledged the challenge of covering the search while continuing the day’s other stories, saying things were “far from normal right now.” The hosts’ remarks framed Kotb’s return as support for a colleague and a way to keep the broadcast going during a family crisis.

Read the Los Angeles Times account of Kotb’s February 9 appearance. TODAY’s verified YouTube channel also described the return: TODAY’s video report.

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Was Kotb replacing Guthrie permanently?

The cited reports describe Kotb’s February 9 appearance as a fill-in, not a permanent appointment. Kotb had announced in September 2024 that she planned to leave her morning co-anchor role early the following year, while remaining part of NBC, according to the Associated Press. She left the regular role in January 2025.

That distinction matters: returning to the desk for a broadcast does not mean Kotb resumed her former position. The reporting on this episode identifies her as stepping in during Guthrie’s absence and does not announce a permanent replacement.

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When was Savannah Guthrie expected to return?

On March 27, 2026, Guthrie announced that she intended to return to Today on April 6, after nearly two months away, according to CBS News and the Associated Press. In an interview with Kotb, Guthrie said she wanted to try coming back because the show was her family. She also said she could not return by pretending to be someone she was not.

April 6 was Guthrie’s announced plan at the time, not confirmation of her schedule on October 8, 2026. The cited March reports do not establish what her current schedule is.

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The key dates

Date What happened
September 26, 2024 Kotb announced plans to leave her morning co-anchor role early the following year; AP reported that she intended to remain with NBC. Associated Press report
January 2025 Kotb left her regular Today co-anchor role.
February 1, 2026 Nancy Guthrie was reported missing. CBS News report
February 9, 2026 Kotb returned to the desk as a fill-in for Guthrie. Los Angeles Times report
March 27, 2026 Guthrie announced that she planned to return on April 6. Associated Press report

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