When Savannah Guthrie Asked Tom Hanks To Coanchor On 'Today'

Picture this: Savannah Guthrie, with her signature smile, leaning into Tom Hanks during an appearance on the iconic "Today" show. She didn’t just ask him a question; she threw him a playful challenge—would he ever consider coanchoring the show with her? Now, Tom Hanks is known for his wit and charm, and he didn’t disappoint. Let’s dive into their lighthearted banter and see how it unfolded.

Tom Hanks Visits the "Today" Show

Tom Hanks, the beloved actor who’s starred in everything from "Forrest Gump" to "Cast Away," stopped by the "Today" show during a visit to NBC Studios in New York City. At 68 years old, he’s still as sharp and funny as ever. But when Savannah Guthrie, 53, playfully suggested he join her as a coanchor, Tom was quick with his response. It wasn’t just a simple "no"—oh no, this was classic Tom Hanks humor.

Savannah’s Bold Proposal

“Are you going to coanchor with me ever?” Savannah asked, her eyes twinkling with hope. “Wouldn’t that be great?” she added, clearly envisioning the two of them delivering the news together. Tom didn’t miss a beat. “I’m not getting up that early, lady,” he quipped, drawing laughter from everyone in the studio. It was a witty and relatable response that resonated with anyone who’s ever dreaded an early morning alarm.

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But Savannah wasn’t ready to give up just yet. “Come on!” she pleaded, trying to persuade him further. Tom, ever the gentleman, replied with a grin, “And I am not reading all that research.” It was clear that while Tom appreciated the offer, he wasn’t about to trade in his movie career for the world of morning television.

The Gag Suggestion

Savannah wasn’t done pushing the subject. She suggested they could do it as a gag, perhaps for a fun segment or special occasion. But Tom had his limits. “No, I’m sorry,” he said with a smile. “It would have to be for the full week.” His response highlighted the dedication and commitment it takes to coanchor a daily show like "Today," even if it’s just for a short stint.

Savannah couldn’t help but laugh at his response, joking, “Twist my arm!” It was a lighthearted moment that showcased the camaraderie between the two. Tom then added, “By the way, will I be cranky on Friday morning?” Savannah quickly reassured him, “Your cranky is like everyone else’s best day.” Tom playfully agreed, saying, “I will say when I’m cranky, I’m pretty damn hilarious. I must say.”

A Side of Nature

During his visit, Tom also spoke about his work on a new nature documentary series called "The Americas." This project took five years and involved 180 expeditions to capture its stunning footage. “Narrating is an interesting way of talking about it because yeah, they wrote great copy … but a ton of it is also just me reacting to this footage,” he shared, highlighting the passion and dedication that goes into creating such a series.

Tom Hanks: A Fan Favorite

In the caption of the Instagram post, Tom received another formal invite to appear on "Today." “Tom Hanks, our couch is always open for you. Come coanchor with @savannahguthrie and @craigmelvinnbc whenever you want!” it read. It’s clear that Tom is a fan favorite, and his charm and humor make him a perfect fit for any show.

Craig Melvin’s Morning Routine

Meanwhile, Craig Melvin, the former "Dateline" host who’s now a key part of the "Today" team, opened up about his early mornings. “My alarm used to go off at 4:15 a.m. if there was something big happening that morning, 4:30 a.m. if it was a slow morning,” he told TODAY.com. “I have to get up at 3:45 a.m.” he added, noting the challenge of waking up so early. “Which, when you say it out loud, it’s like, ‘Ooh, that stinks. That stinks.’”

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Craig has developed a "triple alarm system" to ensure he’s up on time. “I’ve got my radio alarm clock that’s on my nightstand,” he explained. “Then I set two alarms on my phone, as well, just in case I oversleep one. It’s hard to oversleep all three.”

He also shared his morning routine, which includes taking a multivitamin, using an electrolyte mix, taking allergy meds, and shaving every morning. “That’s the thing about the shift, you really have to commit to a regimen to make it work,” he admitted. It’s a routine that reflects the dedication required to anchor a daily morning show.