Hoda Kotb‘s final days on The Today Show are shaping up to be a major celebration.
Jenna Bush Hager had a special surprise in store for her co-host during the recent broadcast on Dec. 18. She shared her exciting plan for Hoda Kotb’s final day co-hosting “Today With Hoda & Jenna” on Jan. 10, calling it “awesome.”
“We are having a Hoda-bration for Hoda’s final show and guess what? We’re gonna have a live audience,” she announced.
Kotb gasped at the news. “Wait, what?! Are you kidding?” she said.
The surprise event will take place in Studio 8G at Rockefeller Plaza and will be broadcast live. Bush Hager teased that there will be plenty of surprises in store for Kotb, some of which Kotb herself may not even be aware of. The event is ticketed, and it seems that tickets have already sold out!
Kotb appeared overjoyed by the news. “Oh my god! Wait, we’re having a live audience across the street? Wow you guys, that’s awesome,” she replied.
Although Bush Hager expressed some fear that she may have given away too much information and spoiled the surprise, she also admitted feeling nervous about keeping her emotions in check during the emotional “Hoda-bration” that will unfold live on air.
“We just really cannot wait to celebrate you. I don’t know whats gonna be happening with me because just talking about the Hoda-bration brings tears to my eyes,” she admitted. “So we’re hoping we can do it and I can get out alive but it’s gonna be a beautiful day.”
She added, “We’re gonna start 2025 with an absolute bang. I realized I don’t need New Years resolutions. This year, my new years is starting with some big change.”
After Kotb’s exit in January, the fourth hour of Today will be rebranded into Today With Jenna & Friends, with a rotating panel of guest hosts joining her on the show.
She mentioned during the broadcast that they will begin announcing her upcoming guest hosts after Christmas.
“You’re also gonna have some great friends,” Kotb responded. “That’s gonna be so exciting.”
Today with Hoda & Jenna airs on weekdays at 10/9c on NBC.
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