As Hoda Kotb bids farewell to Today, Jenna Bush Hager is stepping into a new chapter for the NBC morning show’s fourth hour.
Following Kotb’s final appearance on Friday, January 10, Today With Hoda & Jenna will undergo a transformation, becoming Today With Jenna & Friends.
In the revamped show, Bush Hager, 43, will cohost alongside a rotating group of celebrity guest hosts until Kotb’s official replacement is chosen.
“Whoever sits in this seat is going to have the easiest job in the world ‘cause they’re sitting next to you,” Kotb, 60, said during a September 2024 episode of Hoda & Jenna, shortly after announcing her departure from Today.
“I mean, the only thing they have to do is not laugh so hard they pee their pants. That’s it. They just have to hang on. You are this bright light, you always have been, and it’s your turn.”
Bush Hager responded with gratitude: “If I’m bright, it’s because I’m sitting in your glow.”
Hoda Kotb (Photo: Getty Images)
Kotb also assisted Bush Hager in announcing the first lineup of guest hosts for the revamped show during her final week on Today.
She described her initial selections as “heavy-hitter, homerun [and] wow” on the Monday, January 6, episode of Hoda & Jenna.
Upon hearing the debut of the new Jenna & Friends theme song, Kotb became emotional, telling her cohost, “I was picturing you and how proud I’m gonna be of you walking right here from that wall to this desk with that song. It’s gonna be awesome. It’s gonna be amazing.”
Several celebrities will be joining Jenna Bush Hager as guest hosts on Today With Jenna & Friends following Hoda Kotb’s departure. Here are the stars confirmed to cohost:
- Taraji P. Henson – Hosting the week of January 13
- Eva Longoria – Hosting the week of January 13
- Keke Palmer – Hosting the week of January 13
- Scarlett Johansson – Hosting from Tuesday, January 21 to Friday, January 24
