Kotb previously served as Savannah\u2019s primary replacement<\/a> during her two-month-long absence, as Savannah took time away from the NBC morning show following her mother Nancy Guthrie<\/a>\u2018s disappearance in February. As the investigation<\/a> continues in Tucson, Arizona, Savannah made her highly anticipated return<\/a> to Today\u2018s Studio 1A on April 6.<\/p>\n On Thursday, April 9, Savannah revealed that Kotb would return to her former co-anchor role this week as Craig Melvin<\/a> went on spring break<\/a> with his family. Kotb\u2019s return<\/a> to the anchor desk on Monday, April 13, marked her first time leading the show with Savannah since January 2025.<\/p>\n \u201cI still feel every time we walk out, people are like, \u2018Could she possibly [come back]?\u2019 Yes! Now, she\u2019s here. We\u2019re so glad to have you this week,\u201d Savannah said at the top of Monday\u2019s show. Kotb noted that she was \u201cso happy to be sitting back in this chair next to you this week, too.\u201d<\/p>\n As her week-long guest-hosting gig comes to an end, Kotb gushed about reuniting with Savannah on the small screen in an interview with People<\/a> published on Thursday, April 16. \u201cIt\u2019s been fun holding her hand. I mean, that\u2019s been my favorite part,\u201d she told the outlet while attending Sheinelle Jones<\/a>\u2018 Through Mom\u2019s Eyes<\/a> book launch<\/a> event on Wednesday, April 15.<\/p>\n \u201cJust sitting next to her. That\u2019s it,\u201d she added. \u201cIt\u2019s been really beautiful and I feel privileged to be able to sit there for a little while.\u201d<\/p>\n NBC<\/p>\n Kotb shared that Savannah has told her that she\u2019s been \u201chelping [her] out.\u201d However, Kotb said she feels the opposite. She explained, \u201cI feel like I get to be in the seat to watch what strength looks like. There\u2019s nobody like her.\u201d<\/p>\n Following Matt Lauer<\/a>\u2018s 2017 sexual misconduct scandal and Today firing, Kotb took over his role as Savannah\u2019s co-anchor. Kotb held the role until her January 2025 exit<\/a> from Today after nearly 30 years at NBC. She has continued to appear on the morning show to promote her latest projects \u2014 such as her wellness company, Joy 101, and her latest book, Jump and Find Joy<\/a> \u2014 and to fill in for hosts when needed.<\/p>\n Jones and Weekend Today<\/a>\u2018s Laura Jarrett<\/a> also filled in for Savannah during her absence. Before she returned to the show, Savannah sat down with Kotb for an exclusive Today interview<\/a> about her mother\u2019s disappearance. (Nancy was reported missing on February 1 after being last seen at her home the day prior. Officials have yet to name any leads, but the Guthrie family has been cleared as suspects. The family has also offered a reward of up to $1 million in exchange for information about Nancy\u2019s whereabouts.)<\/p>\n \u201cTo think that I brought this to her bedside, that it\u2019s because of me \u2014 and I just say, \u2018I\u2019m so sorry, Mommy. I\u2019m so sorry,\u201d Savannah tearfully told Kotb. \u201cI\u2019m sorry to my sister and my brother, and my kids and my nephew, and Tommy, my brother-in-law.\u2019 I\u2019m just, like, so sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Hoda](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Hoda-Kotb-Savannah-Guthrie-Today-April-13-2026-NBC-1014x566.jpg\")
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