Logo

NBC, TVWeek

NBC’s ‘Today’ Names Permanent Host to Replace Kathie Lee Gifford

Feb 26, 2019  •  Post A Comment

NBC has found a replacement for Kathie Lee Gifford as co-host of the fourth hour of the “Today” show. The show announced that Jenna Bush Hager will join Hoda Kotb as Gifford’s permanent replacement later this year.

The news comes less than three months after Gifford announced that she plans to step down in April.

After the news broke on this morning’s show, Bush, the daughter of former President George W. Bush, said: “It feels humbling and I can’t believe it.”

She added: “My dad just wrote me three words, which made me weep. He said, ‘Very proud dad.’ … Which I’m like, what is there to be proud about? I’m just drinking wine in the morning!”

Bush and Gifford had high praise for each other with Bush telling Gifford: “You have been such a role model and so generous with your time. … You are beloved here in so many ways and if I can use some of your grace and have a half of what you’ve done, my life will be a very happy one.”

Gifford responded by telling Bush: “You keep trusting your instincts and you’re going to sit next to the best person in the whole world because she has your back, because she has your heart. It’s going to be fun. You guys are going to have a ball.”

One Comment

  1. Finally official! I would have been as devastated as Jenna if you hadn’t signed her!

Your Comment

Email (will not be published)