Hoda Kotb‘s impending retirement has been looming over Today since she made the shocking announcement in September. And while many are wondering who could possibly replace the sunny daytime host after 26 amazing years on the air, Kotb told E! News that she’s thought quite a bit about who it could be.
“The person who I want is someone who has beautiful chemistry with Jenna [Bush Hager],” Kotb said. Though she didn’t specify who could be in the running for her slot in the fourth hour of Today, Kotb explained, “That’s all I want. Because it’s never about either anchor, it’s about what’s between. So bring the chemistry.”
She continued “I don’t care if it’s her best friend, I don’t care if it’s someone she’s worked with, if it’s some celeb. When she gets in sync, that’s it. If she has chemistry, it will be beautiful.”
Kotb also revealed that she doesn’t get much of a say in who will be replacing her at NBC.
“I do not, I mean they may [consider] if I say, ‘How about this one?’” she said. But she noted that she has encouraged Bush Hager to be vocal during this process.
“I said, ‘Jenna, feel who you want. Feel what feels right for you,’” she shared. “She’ll know, because the only way it’s going to work is if they got a vibe or not. Just the fun party vibe. It can’t be forced.”
Kotb is set to retire from Today in early 2025. Though there has been no evidence of who the network is leaning towards to replace her both on The Today Show and Today With Hoda & Jenna, reports say Saturday TODAY anchor Laura Jarrett is a “big contender.”
Kotb also had one message for whoever will be taking her place beside Savannah Guthrie: “Look, you get to sit next to Savannah Guthrie. Here’s what you’re going to do: You’re going to ride sidecar and say ‘Thank you very much,’ okay?”
Her retirement may be imminent but Kotb says it feels like a “slow goodbye.”
“It can almost be really grueling,” she told E! “It’s sort of like a strange process, which I wasn’t quite prepared for.”
Kotb’s exit has proven to be quite an emotional event. Almost a month after she announced her retirement, she shared an emotional moment with Jason Segel, who told her on The Today Show that he was “going to miss” her when she retires.
But nothing is going to top the heartfelt moment she shared with Bush Hager when they both cried on the air over the news.
“It’s your turn,” Kotb told her co-host as she became choked up. “It’s your turn. And whoever sits in this seat is gonna have the easiest job in the world because they’re sitting next to you! … You are the bright light, you always have been.”
