Jenna Bush Hager Says Son Hal Didn't 'Humiliate Me' on “Today” — Despite Sister Mila 'Egging Him On' (Exclusive)

Hannah Sacks, Dory Jackson
·2 min read
6
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

Bush Hager's 4½-year-old son joined her and co-host Hoda Kotb to celebrate the show's fifth anniversary on Monday, April 8

<p>NBC; Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty</p> Henry Hager, Jenna Bush Hager on the Today Show

NBC; Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty

Henry Hager, Jenna Bush Hager on the Today Show

Jenna Bush Hager is proud of her son for making his live TV debut on Today with Hoda & Jenna.

While speaking with PEOPLE at Today's eclipse viewing at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City on Monday, April 8, the mom of three, 42, shared how she felt about son Hal, 4½, joining her on screen for the fifth anniversary of her talk show with co-host Hoda Kotb.

"It was a little shaky," Bush Hager admitted. "It was a tough booking. We've been literally trying for years to get him."

"He's high maintenance," she joked. "He's high maintenance and he was a good sport."

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jenna Bush Hager (@jennabhager)

Related: Jenna Bush Hager's Son Hal, 4½, Makes Debut Appearance on Today with Hoda & Jenna — See the Adorable Moment!

Compared to her daughters Mila, 10, and Poppy, 8, who have joined Bush Hager on her show in the past, the proud mom said, "He didn't totally humiliate me."

"Mila was actually egging him on, trying to get him to say some, by the way, naughty things," Bush Hager said with a laugh. "But he knows better. He was the cutest."

Introducing the toddler on Monday's talk show episode, Kotb said, “We have a guest. Remember I told you? We’ve been waiting for this booking. It took a lot of phone calls and crying but after five years, this guest is finally making his appearance. There’s a clue, it’s a boy. Ladies and gentlemen, Hal Hager!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jenna Bush Hager (@jennabhager)

Hal joined the set with a shy smile and quickly ran over to his mom with his arms outstretched, carrying two stuffed animals.

“What do you say? To Hoda?” Bush Hager asked her son.

“Hi!” Hal said softly. “Hi, honey bunny,” Kotb responded.

Later in the segment, Hal answered his mom's earlier question of whether he likes her talk show or Bluey better, sweetly sharing, "I like both!"

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.