Jenna Bush Hager shocks viewers with unexpected replacement news on Today with Hoda & Jenna

The Show today is preparing for its new era without longtime host Hoda Kotb.

Weeks after the veteran TV anchor announced she would be moving on from her starring role on the long-running NBC talk show, her official replacement was announced on November 14, none other than co-star Craig Melvin, who will co-host with Savannah Guthrie.

And as for who will be co-hosting alongside Hoda’s other partner in crime, Jenna Bush Hager, the host has announced an exciting switch to 4th class with Hoda & Jenna likewise.

Later during Thursday morning’s broadcast, Hoda and Jenna shared that 4th Hour with Hoda & Jenna would switch to Today with Jenna & Friends.

Instead of a regular co-host, Jenna, who replaced Kathie Lee Gifford in 2019, will instead host with a revolving door of hosts. In the past, when one of the hosts has been absent, Justin Sylvester, Michelle Buteauand Willie Geist often entered.

In the announcement, Hoda praised and credited Jenna’s “ability to connect with people” as what will make the updated show so special, as Jenna in turn joked, “I’m single and ready to mingle. It’s going to be about friendship.

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Hoda’s official departure date is 10 January 2015 and Craig will take over on Monday 13 January.

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Later in their show, Jenna was close to tears as she thanked Hoda for being her co-host, saying, “We’ve had a beautiful trip. I’m going to miss you!” notes, “It’s bittersweet because we love her so much, but we’re so happy for her.”

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When Hoda first announced her departure in September, detailing the incredibly difficult decision, the mother-of-two shared that it was largely influenced by her recently turning 60 and the considerations that accompanied the milestone, as well as the desire to spend more time with her daughters, Hope and Haley.

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“It was such a monumental moment for me when I turned 60 because I started thinking about that decade, like what does that decade mean, what does it hold, what does it want for me, and I realized that it was on time for me to turn the page at 60 and try something new,” she shared.

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She also noted, “This feels like the crest of the wave to me, and I thought, ‘It can’t get any better,'” adding, “(My kids) deserve a better piece of my time pie that I have.”

As the entire Today family choked up, Savannah said, “There’s no way there wouldn’t be tears,” and went on to honor Hoda, her co-anchor of over ten years, with a heartwarming tribute. “Hoda, we love you so much and when you look around and you see these tears and love… you are so loved,” she began, adding, “Honestly, I don’t think any of the ​​us can imagine – we don’t want to imagine this place without you, so it’s complicated because we love you so much and we don’t want you to ever go.”