Hoda Kotb Sparks Drama on Today Show: Makes Bold Move to Reclaim Her Role

After stepping in for her close friend Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb is reportedly eager to make her return to the Today Show a lasting one. Kotb has been filling in for Guthrie, who has been absent following an emotional situation involving her family.

Kotb, who is 61, came back to the famed morning program while Guthrie, 54, dealt with a personal crisis after her mother, Nancy, disappeared from her Tucson residence. This unexpected event has kept Guthrie occupied, awaiting developments with her siblings in a lavish desert estate.

In Guthrie’s absence, Kotb has taken on the role of lead anchor, and it seems she’s keen to stay. Sources reveal that Kotb has expressed her desire to the show’s executives to return as a permanent fixture, despite stepping down last year to dedicate more time to her two adopted daughters.

An NBC insider shared, “This decision isn’t just driven by emotions; it’s also about preserving the show’s legacy.” Kotb’s potential return is seen as a move to safeguard the program’s future.

‘This isn’t just about feelings – it’s about protecting the franchise,’ an NBC insider exclusively told the Daily Mail.

‘Morning TV is a multimillion-dollar machine, and they need stability. Right now, that stability is Hoda.’

A second source added: ‘Hoda is absolutely ready to step back in full-time if asked. She never really left the building mentally.’

Her moves have left co-anchor Craig Melvin, 46, nervously wondering whether he will still have his place next to Guthrie if the blonde mom-of-two returns to the show.

Hoda Kotb, 61, has been filling in for her close friend Savannah Guthrie, 54, amid the hunt for her kidnapped mother, but sources tell the Daily Mail that she’s hoping to make her current role in the anchor seat permanent 

Nancy Guthrie, 84, mysteriously disappeared from her Tucson home more than two weeks ago, prompting Savannah to retreat to a desert mega-mansion with her siblings while they await news 

Kotb initially left her coveted top spot on the Today Show last year to spend more time with her two adopted daughters, but sources say she wants to stay fulltime to protect the franchise 

But other insiders are skeptical about whether 54-year-old will ever return – with no end in sight to the investigation into her mother’s disappearance on January 31.

Guthrie had already been absent from the show for a month while recovering from surgery to remove vocal cord nodules.

‘There’s real uncertainty about Savannah’s timeline,’ another insider explained. ‘No one knows when – or if – things return to normal.’

A senior staffer added: ‘Hoda stepping in wasn’t random. Those appearances were strategic. Conversations are happening behind the scenes.

‘The show cannot afford to sit in limbo. Advertisers and affiliates expect consistency.’

Guthrie had previously been the subject of behind-the-scenes gossip over her future and dramatically canceled her plans to front NBC’s Winter Olympics coverage after her mother’s abduction.

Since then, the mood has changed with multiple insiders voicing sympathy for their beleaguered colleague.

But all are clear that the show must go on – with or without Guthrie on board. ‘Everyone adores Savannah,’ one inside told the Daily Mail.

Sources say behind-the-scenes talks are underway about Hoda Kotb stepping in full time, as the timeline for Savannah Guthrie’s return remains unclear 

The news has reportedly left co-anchor Craig Melvin, 46, anxious over whether he will still have a seat next to Guthrie if and when she eventually returns 

Guthrie had already been absent for a month when her mother went missing, as she was recovering from a surgery to remove vocal cord nodules 

Another factor behind Kotb’s decision is her struggling YouTube channel, Joy 101, whose most-watched episode – a car interview with Guthrie in January – has managed just 39,000 views 

Other episodes on the channel struggle to break 1,000 views- including one posted Thursday featuring neuroscientist Wendy Suzuki that has attracted just 1,800 views 

‘But this is television. You always have to prepare for every scenario.’

The source added: ‘Hoda remains enormously popular with viewers. Bringing her back full-time would be the least disruptive option.’

‘There are contingency plans on top of contingency plans,’ another insider reveals. ‘That’s just how network news operates.’

Helping Kotb’s case is the fact that viewing figures have surged since her return and taken Today past perennial rival Good Morning America – although the ongoing mystery over 84-year-old Nancy’s whereabouts has also played a large part.

And Kotb has reasons of her own to want a return – not least the flailing fortunes of her new YouTube project, Joy Rides.

The show, which is billed as a series of candid celebrity interviews on wheels, featured Guthrie in the launch episode.

That episode has now had 39,000 views on Kotb’s Joy 101 YouTube channel but subsequent outings, including the most recent featuring neuroscientist Wendy Suzuki, have not fared as well – with the Suzuki installment racking up just 1,800 views in six days.

NBC insiders say Joy 101’s lack of success has given the veteran star yet another reason to want to reclaim her position at Today.

‘The emotional return tested extremely well internally,’ a source says of Hoda’s recent reappearance on the show. ‘Executives were watching closely.’

‘At the end of the day, Today is a business,’ an insider concludes. ‘And smart businesses always have a backup plan ready to go.’