Jenna Bush Hager is set to take on a new role as the main co-host of the fourth hour of Today following Hoda Kotb’s departure from the network on January 10. The question arises – who will be her co-hosts?
It has been revealed that Bush Hager will be accompanied by Taraji P. Henson, Eva Longoria, and Keke Palmer during the first week of Today With Jenna & Friends, which is scheduled to debut on NBC on January 13.
During an episode of Today With Hoda & Jenna on Monday, Bush Hager expressed her admiration for these women, stating, “We love these women, we said we love these women. I feel like Hoda helped me manifest this. Nobody will ever fill this chair but the three of them sure can try you know.”
Kotb also unveiled Bush Hager’s new theme song, which is just as peppy but still noticeably different from the custom ballad Meghan Trainor made for their show. “I can see it,” Kotb told Bush Hager as the new theme song played.
“I’ll tell you what I was picturing,” Kotb then told her co-host through tears. “I was picturing you and how proud I’m gonna be of you walking right here from that wall to this desk with that song. It’s gonna be awesome.”
Bush Hager listened on as tears rolled down her cheeks. “You guys, how am I gonna get through this?” she asked.
She then promised that “the tears will be stopped” by tomorrow’s show, when they’ll announce the next batch of hosts who will be joining her on Jenna & Friends.
“What are we gonna be on?” Kotb asked, before she and Bush Hager announced together: “Beta blockers!”
This week will be a complete Hoda-bration on the show as the Today hosts count down Kotb’s final days. Her last day will be celebrated with a live studio audience Friday, Jan. 10.
Today with Hoda & Jenna airs on weekdays at 10/9c on NBC.
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