Matt Lauer's Permanent Replacement Named as Co-Anchor of 'Today' Show
Many loyal “Today” show fans were shocked when news of Matt Lauer suddenly being fired was shared.
Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb were the “Today” hosts who broke the abrupt and heartbreaking news to the public.
NBC News fired Lauer in November 2017. The termination took place because of “a detailed complaint from a colleague about inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace,” according to an NBC tweet.
Guthrie and Kotb prayed together before going on air to deliver the news. It’s a prayer Kotb told PEOPLE she will never forget.
“I said to Savannah after that prayer, ‘We’re gonna make it through this together.’
“We just sort of sat there and I was sort of on autopilot, I don’t really remember a lot of it, but I do remember just sort of holding onto Savannah and saying it just wasn’t in our hands anymore, it was in God’s hands,” she shared.
At the time, Kotb had no idea exactly what it was going to look like to make it through the shock and sadness of learning a friend did something terrible together with Guthrie.
The new year has brought much clarity.
On Jan. 2, the “Today” show co-host who will permanently replace Matt Lauer was announced. Not only will Kotb continue to co-host the fourth hour of “Today,” but she has officially joined Guthrie as co-anchor.
Early this morning, Kotb sent out a tweet that stated “Whaaaaaatttttttt! #SavannahHodaTODAY” along with a selfie of Guthrie and herself. The hashtag #SavannahHodaTODAY is trending on Twitter.
Whaaaaaatttttttt! #SavannahHodaTODAY pic.twitter.com/qX53MUHxcj
— Hoda Kotb (@hodakotb) January 2, 2018
Many people enthusiastically have used the hashtag to congratulate Kotb. It seems that most are thrilled by Kotb’s official debut, including Guthrie.
Guthrie announced on the show, “It’s 2018 and we are kicking off the year right because Hoda is officially the co-anchor of Today.
“This has to be the most popular decision NBC News have ever made and I’m so thrilled.”
With Kotb and Guthrie as co-anchors, it will be the first time a pair of women has anchored on the “Today” show. Kotb has described their connection as one “sort of like sisters,” according to TODAY.
The end of 2017 for “Today” viewers was filled with shock, disappointment, and heartbreak.
The new year has begun with much joy and happiness spurred by the exciting announcement that Kotb is the permanent co-anchor.
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