Savannah Guthrie Explains Why Hoda Kotb Will Be Missing From 'Today' All Week

Avid Today show viewers may have noticed that a core member of the morning program was absent from Monday’s broadcast—Hoda Kotb.

Thankfully, fans didn't have to worry for long as Kotb’s co-star Savannah Guthrie immediately offered an explanation to fans and Kotb’s replacement host, Craig Melvin.

"Hoda's got the morning off – she's probably at Simone's house right now just being like 'Go Simone!!'" she said, referring to Simone Biles’ victorious gymnastics comeback over the weekend and eliciting a laugh from Melvin. Kotb previously shared an Instagram video supporting Biles during the Core Hydration Classic.

On a more serious note, Guthrie confirmed that Kotb will be off the whole week, adding, – “it's her birthday this week by the way."

Guthrie explained that Kotb intends to spend some time celebrating her 59th birthday on August 9 with family, and quite frankly, we think more places should approve week-long PTO days for your birthday!

A quick glance at Kotb’s Instagram page reveals she’s wasting no time getting the party started. In one photo from the weekend, she was cuddled up with her daughters, Hope and Haley, as she watched the U.S. women’s soccer team match, while another found her sharing a loving birthday post for her friend and colleague, Donna Farizan.

Just last week, Kotb teased fans with the exciting news that she wrote a new children’s book called “Hope is a Rainbow,” inspired by her three-year-old daughter.

"It reminds me that hope is in every corner, no matter what hardship you endure,” she said of her second children’s book—her first, “I’ve Loved You Since Forever” is dedicated to her six-year-old daughter—which will be released in March 2024.

Kotb isn’t the only one taking some time off, as Al Roker was also missing from the Monday morning episode, with Dylan Dreyer standing in for him. While it’s unclear how long his absence will be, there’s no need to worry as the famed weatherman—who recently welcomed a brand new grandchild—shared a video of himself walking around Martha’s Vineyard (Island in Dukes County, Massachusetts) following his attendance at the RSF Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival.

“Obviously not walking in Central Park today. After a gratifying screening of our documentary #gaininggroundthefilm at the @mvaaff went for a walk this morning and met two new friends #starttoday,” he captioned the video.

Guthrie and Carson Daly were also OOO earlier this month—find out why!

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