When Hoda Kotb was asked about the most challenging guest she's ever interviewed on the Today show, it didn’t take her long to come up with an answer. The beloved news anchor, known for her charm and wit, shared that Frank Sinatra Jr. was the toughest celebrity to interview because “he just didn’t want to engage in conversation.”
Hoda Shares Her Experience with Frank Sinatra Jr.
During an appearance on Watch What Happens Live on October 13, Hoda Kotb, now 57, opened up about her career highlights and lowlights. In a game called “Plead the Fifth,” her longtime friend and former co-star, Kathie Lee Gifford, virtually joined in to ask her about some of the most memorable moments from her illustrious career. When Kathie Lee posed the question about her least pleasant celebrity interview, Hoda didn’t hesitate. “I know exactly who that is. It’s Frank Sinatra Jr.,” she said, referring to the late son of music legend Frank Sinatra and his ex-wife, Nancy Barbato.
Frank Sinatra Jr.’s Unforgettable Appearance
According to Hoda, Frank Sinatra Jr.'s visit to the show in 2015 was particularly memorable—but not in a good way. The interview was supposed to revolve around his book, Sinatra 100, which celebrated his late father's 100th birthday. However, the conversation took a strange turn when the songwriter showed little interest in answering their questions. “It was the worst guest we’ve ever had, bar none,” Hoda recalled. “He came for a book he was promoting, but he didn’t want to talk about it, so he didn’t say anything. It was awkward, to say the least.”
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More Conversations with Kathie Lee and Andy Cohen
Aside from her candid confession about Frank Sinatra Jr., who passed away at the age of 72 in 2016, Hoda also had plenty to share with Kathie Lee, 68, and host Andy Cohen, 53, about various topics. With her book I Really Needed This Today under her belt, Hoda is currently planning her upcoming wedding to fiancé Joel Schiffman, and she had a lot to say about their future together. “We were planning on doing it in November — we had the date, the location, the invites … everything was all set,” she explained, noting how the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has forced them to adjust their plans. “But I think we’ll do it next summer and maybe just around somewhere here.”
