Jenna Bush Hager’s Co-Host Rotation Sparks Fan Favorites
Since Hoda Kotb's retirement in January, Jenna Bush Hager has been hosting Today With Jenna & Friends with a variety of A-list guests. But one name keeps coming up in conversations among fans: Willie Geist. At 49 years old, Willie joined Jenna, 43, on February 17, and the two have been creating some serious on-screen magic. Viewers couldn’t help but notice their undeniable chemistry during a lighthearted segment where they joked about playing drinking games like Beer Pong and Quarters.
Willie's Quarter Skills Steal the Spotlight
During the segment, Willie playfully chimed in when Jenna mentioned Beer Pong, adding, “Since you brought up Beer Pong, I’ll throw in Quarters. Always fun.” He then confidently declared, “Quarters is like riding a bike. You think, ‘I’m not in college anymore. I can’t do it.’ But if I bounce a quarter, it goes in every time. It’s an amazing skill I have.” Jenna, intrigued by this claim, decided to test his abilities. With a mischievous grin, Willie effortlessly bounced a quarter into a Today mug on his very first try, proving he’s got game both on and off the screen.
Fans Weigh In: Willie as the Permanent Choice
Viewers didn't hesitate to express their thoughts in the comments section of Today’s official Instagram post. One fan wrote, “There you go! She found her partner for this show. They go together. Great pairing.” Another commented, “Willie is the one. No offense because I LOVE Jenna, but the show has been a little frenetic at times. Especially for the mornings. Willie balances Jenna’s energy, which we love!, with some balance and calm. Please, please, please pick Willie, and soon.” A third person chimed in saying, “Willie is the coolest guy at NBC right now! I love him with Jenna! Their personalities vibe so well together. He treats her like a real sister on air. Maybe that’s why I miss Hoda so much on this show.”
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Looking Ahead: The Future of 'Today With Jenna & Friends'
For now, it seems like Today With Jenna & Friends won’t have a permanent replacement for Hoda Kotb, 60, anytime soon. The plan is for Jenna to enjoy different celebrity guests by her side. When Jenna initially joined the fourth hour of Today, she replaced Kathie Lee Gifford, and the segment became Today With Hoda & Jenna. The two quickly became a hit with audiences thanks to their witty banter and genuine connection. Since then, viewers have enjoyed seeing stars like Keke Palmer, Scarlett Johansson, and Amy Poehler join Jenna for the hour.
Hoda's Farewell and Jenna's Reflections
When Hoda announced her retirement back in September 2024, Jenna and the longtime Today host teared up multiple times discussing her decision to leave the show and focus more on family time with her daughters, Haley and Hope. Jenna joked during the December 10, 2024, episode, “I’m in the phase of losing Hoda called studying.” She added, “I’m studying Hoda at this
