Kathie Lee Gifford's Today Show Replacement Has Been Announced
UPDATE, February 26, 2019: Kathie Lee Gifford announced in December that after 11 years as Hoda Kotb's co-anchor on the fourth (and finest?) hour of the Today show, she'll be leaving in April to pursue other projects.
Kotb's new drinking buddy? Former first daughter and longtime member of the NBC family, Jenna Bush Hager.
“I’m so excited, I can’t believe it," Hager told People of her new gig. "It feels organic and it feels right. It just feels like the right time for me."
It's with a heavy heart that I share this news: After 11 years, Kathie Lee Gifford is leaving the fourth (and finest) hour of the Today show.
According to Deadline, NBC News Chief Noah Oppenheim sent a memo on Tuesday morning stating that KLG has exited on her own accord.
As we all know, Kathie Lee’s plate has been overflowing lately with film, music and book projects, and after giving us eleven extraordinary years, she’s decided to focus her attention full-time on those other creative endeavors.
As Kathie Lee told me today: “In 2008, I joined the TODAY Show family intending to spend one year. But something unexpected happened along the way: I fell in love with a beautiful, talented, extraordinary Egyptian goddess named Hoda, and an amazing group of individuals who work tirelessly and joyfully at their jobs... I leave TODAY with a grateful heart but I’m truly excited for this new creative season in my life.
Gifford and Kotb's chemistry was the only thing that got me out of bed during periods of unemployment. I'd set my alarm for 9:55 a.m. with the comfort of knowing that two dear friends were going to greet me. On other days, they motivated me to drag my lazy bum to the gym because it gave me an excuse to watch their antics on the treadmill. When KLG's husband Frank Gifford passed away, I wept for her, and when she guzzled vino, I did too. Okay, that's not actually true, but I was sipping a greasy Chard with her in spirit.
To see two strong women share so much joy together-especially since Kotb adopted her one-year-old daughter Haley Joy-is simply the sweetest way to ease into a day. I may never make up a fake excuse to work from home again.
Through tears, Gifford told Kotb this morning, “We’re going to be friends for the rest of our lives. I’m grateful to God for you." Kotb echoed the sentiment saying, "The minute you stepped into my life, everything changed." And for this insomniac who doesn't do the a.m. hours particularly well, I can't help but feel the same.
Gifford is staying on through April 7, 2019. Fortunately (for now at least) Kotb isn't going anywhere.
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