Is the search for Jenna Bush Hager’s new co-host already over? Scarlett Johansson seems to hope so.
This week, the actress is impressing everyone as a co-host on the show called Today With Jenna & Friends. After returning to the program on Wednesday, Johansson was in high spirits and mentioned that she had a fantastic time on her first day as a morning talk show host on Tuesday, January 21st.
“I went to bed last night and I was like, buzzing,” she told Bush Hager. “I was so excited, I like prepared everything for today… I love this job!”
Bush Hager expressed her joy at having Johansson as a co-host on the show. Throughout the broadcast, she couldn’t stop talking about her new colleague, especially when they revisited some of the show’s most beloved segments that Bush Hager used to do with Hoda Kotb.
At one point on the episode, Bush Hager even announced that they should just change the show’s name to Today With Jenna & Scarlett.
“Now that you’re a morning television host, I mean, Jenna & Scarlett sounds good. We can just change it,” she said.
“I agree, let’s make it happen!” Johansson giddily responded.
Even though it’s only Johansson’s second day on the job, it’s clear that she has already made a significant impression on Bush Hager and the NBC team. At the end of Wednesday’s episode, Bush Hager humorously mentioned that she now needs a marker to remove the “& Friends” part from the show’s title.
Johansson will be guest hosting for the rest of the week. In fact, Thursday’s broadcast will be a family affair as Johansson and Bush Hager will be joined on the show by both of their twin siblings. Today has yet to announce who will be the next guest host to join Bush Hager once Johansson leaves.
While it’s been fun to see Bush Hager co-host with the likes of Keke Palmer and Eva Longoria, the Today host is still searching for a permanent co-host to replace Kotb, her partner in crime, who recently retired from daytime television. But Johansson certainly brings a sunny attitude and quick wit that matches Bush Hager’s hosting style. Could she be the one?
It might come down to a matter of money. At one point on today’s show, Johansson’s husband, Saturday Night Live cast member Colin Jost, joined the duo for a playful debate during which Bush Hager had to rule in favor of Jost. “Scarlett, please do the show with me if we can round up a lot of money,” she pleaded to Johansson after choosing her husband over her.
Today With Jenna & Scarlett certainly does have a nice ring to it. Fingers crossed this works out for Bush Hager!
Today with Jenna & Friends airs on weekdays at 10/9c on NBC.
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