Savannah Guthrie Back On 'Today' After Norovirus Scare: Inside The Quick Recovery

Hey there, friends. Let’s dive right in. Savannah Guthrie, the beloved host of Today, made her triumphant return to the show after missing an episode during Craig Melvin’s first official week as her coanchor. It was a whirlwind week, to say the least, and fans were eager to see Savannah back in action.

Savannah, who turned 53 last year, wasn’t on the show on Thursday, January 16. In her absence, the talented Laura Jarrett stepped in and handled the news desk with her usual grace and professionalism. But Savannah's absence left fans wondering what was going on behind the scenes.

At the start of Thursday’s episode, Craig, who’s 45 and known for his sharp wit, greeted viewers with his signature charm. "Welcome to Today, so glad you're with us on this busy Thursday morning," he said with a warm smile. "Laura Jarrett is stepping in today because Savannah is feeling a bit under the weather." He then couldn’t resist throwing in a little joke, saying, "I know what you're thinking—that after three days of me, Savannah decided to take a powder. But no, it’s something else entirely."

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Laura, quick on her feet, replied with a laugh, "I wasn’t going to say it... But it’s great to be here with you, Craig. And we all miss Savannah so much." Laura’s seamless transition into the role kept the show running smoothly, but fans were still eager for Savannah's return.

Savannah's Quick Comeback

But here’s the thing—some viewers were genuinely surprised when Savannah was back at the helm just a day later, on Friday, January 17. It was like she hadn’t missed a beat. "Glad you're back," Craig said with obvious relief as they kicked off the Friday episode. "Feeling any better?"

Savannah, looking as radiant as ever, gave an honest update. "Oh, the norovirus—it swept through the house like a storm," she said with a shake of her head. "But it moved quickly. Thankfully, we’re all on the mend now." Her words were a relief to fans who had been worrying about her health.

Savannah, who recently released her book Mostly What God Does, gave fans a peek into her health struggles through her Instagram Stories. She shared a screenshot from her Oura Ring app that read, “Your biometrics show major signs of something straining your body.” It was a candid moment that resonated with her followers.

A Quick Norovirus Battle

Savannah explained that she caught the bug after appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Wednesday, January 15, alongside Craig. “I guess I was already feeling it, and then the norovirus hit my household hard,” she admitted. Despite the setback, she was back in time to celebrate Craig’s inaugural week as coanchor, proving once again that she’s a trooper.

In a joint interview with Parade, Savannah and Craig opened up about their partnership following Hoda Kotb’s emotional departure from the show. “We’ve truly become friends. Our kids have hung out together, and we’ve even spent time outside of work, so there’s no need to fake anything,” Craig revealed. He’s a proud dad to Delano and Sybil with his wife, Lindsay Czarniak.

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“The audience can always tell when the chemistry is forced, and we don’t have to manufacture anything. This makes the journey even more enjoyable. I’m thrilled to be on this adventure with my sister,” Craig added with enthusiasm.

Balancing Work and Family

Savannah, a mom of two who shares Vale and Charley with her husband, Mike Feldman, echoed similar sentiments. “We talk more about our personal lives than work. It’s all about the kids. We show each other pictures, exchange stories, and compare notes on puppy ownership since we both have new furry additions to our families,” she shared.

There was also a memorable moment during their appearance on The Tonight Show. Savannah joked about cleaning out Hoda’s stuff that was left behind. “It’s a new era, the Craig era, and we were sitting on the set, noticing these trays that were all filled with Hoda’s things—expired mints, bean dip, and even belly button lint,” she said with a laugh. She even sent Hoda a video of herself throwing out the items, saying, “Oh, hey girl. Guess you didn’t want any of this s–t. Don’t mind me. Love you.”