The world of morning TV will look just a little totally different because the 2025 tv schedule plows forward, with longtime At this time Present anchor Hoda Kotb stepping away from her desk-bound duties alongside quite a lot of acquainted faces who might be a tragic bunch at any time when she’s formally gone. However even thought that day is simply over the horizon, Jenna Bush Hager confirmed that she’s not in any hurry to leap into the method of discovering a everlasting alternative, regardless of being concerned with the choice.
Maybe unsurprisingly, Hager has had some enjoyable on the air with regards to the upcoming exit, generally trolling her co-anchor with Gayle King’s assist, and generally taking the additional step to really shock Kotb whereas filming. (Extra on the newest iteration of that under.) The 2 have clearly turn out to be very shut through the years, and when Hager talked to Selection whereas filming a brand new solo opening for At this time’s fourth hour, she addressed the behind-the-scenes process at hand with discovering somebody akin to her fellow Daytime Emmy winner. As she put it:
I’m concerned.
However simply because she’s a part of the decision-making course of does not imply she’s in a rush to get all of it ironed out and prepared for audiences. As a result of her display associate was such an important a part of having fun with the job, Hager understands that making an attempt to hunt out the very same dynamic is a idiot’s errand, and he or she’s extra curious about touchdown simply the fitting alchemy. And she or he has no downside telling others to be affected person along with her, saying:
What I liked about doing the present was Hoda, you realize? . . . Relax. I really feel like our viewers deserves the time to get to know a ton of various individuals, ton of various backgrounds. We’re hoping to tug up the chairs to all several types of individuals. I feel there might be some surprises for positive. And so it’s like once we know, I feel we’ll know.
There is no precise measurement to use to “a ton of various individuals,” but it surely appears like Jenna Bush Hager actually is able to embrace visitor host mode for an extended stretch. And government producer Talia Parkinson-Jones spoke to the truth that whereas one short-term co-anchor could solely stick round for a single broadcast, others could also be concerned for upwards of per week, with some falling in between these two extremes.
Parkinson-Jones additionally gave props to Hoda Kotb and addressed the truth that the aim is not essentially to carbon-copy her chemistry with Hager, however to discover a comparable parallel. As she put it:
Hoda is the queen, you realize, and he or she brings one thing so particular. I don’t assume you’ll be able to ever replicate that. We’re on this new model of the present, and it’s actually Jenna’s relationship. We get an opportunity to fulfill totally different individuals, and we’ll fall in love sooner or later, however till then we’re simply having a extremely good time.
Contemplating Hager has been sticking with that “relationship” metaphor for the lineup of friends hosts on the best way, one has to surprise simply how far she’s going to take that notion. Particularly since her first week of co-hosts contains three extraordinarily common ladies. To not point out she’s been married to Henry Chase Hager since 2008.
Talking to that, the very first visitor to share the stage with Jenna Bush Hager in solo mode on January 13 might be Taraji P. Henson, who may also be within the combine for Kotb’s remaining episode on January 10. The rest of the week’s eps will function the likes of Eva Longoria and Keke Palmer.
Now take a look at Hoda Kotb getting stunned this morning by her Tri Delta sorority sisters showing to kick off her remaining week on At this time.
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Hoda Kotb, who has already put it on the market that her friendship with Hager is her large takeaway going into 2025, shared her personal ideas a few alternative, although her suggestion was only a imprecise and kind-hearted plea for the long run option to be somebody who has equally stellar chemistry with Jenna Bush Hager. So everyone seems to be on the identical web page right here, and I can not wait to see who else pops up every morning because the weeks go by.