Many Today Show viewers are wondering whether Hoda Kotb will be making a comeback on the morning talk show after seeing the former host appear as a guest on multiple segments. It’s been about a year since Kotb announced that she would be retiring from the show, with her officially leaving on January. But in September, she has appeared a handful of times, talking about her life after leading the show for 17 years and promoting her new book, “Jump and Find Joy.” Rumors are swirling that she might be trying to get something more than that. Here’s what we know so far about whether Hoda Kotb is lining up to return to the Today Show.
Will Hoda Kotb return to the Today Show?
While there’s no official word that Hoda Kotb is coming back to the Today Show, she is reportedly “desperate” to get her old job back.
NBC insiders speaking with The Star said as much, saying that Hoda’s new business venture is apparently not doing as well as she hoped. The 61-year-old created a wellness platform and app called Joy 101 that launched in late May, but an insider says that interest in the brand has stagnated. “Downloads are flat” and the retreat weekends that Joy 101 promotes “aren’t selling.”
Hoda’s popularity was tied to her being a host on Today, with the insider agreeing that “In TV, once you leave, you’re quickly forgotten.”
While Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb co-hosted the show for years, Guthrie is reportedly “not so anxious” for Kotb to return. In her absence, Guthrie has enjoyed stepping into the role of the lead anchor. “Savannah likes being the boss,” the insider noted, “and Hoda’s popularity always bothered her.” From her perspective, she reportedly sees Hoda as a threat to her new position.
In a September interview with Entertainment Tonight, Kotb said that her recent appearances on the talk show felt like “home.” NBC has yet to find a permanent replacement for Kotb on what used to be Today With Hoda & Jenna before being renamed Today With Jenna & Friends after Kotb’s departure. It was previously rumored that Kotb could be hosting The Kelly Clarkson Show.
Andy Cohen admitted in January that Kotb gave him the strength needed to have children later in life.
