Change is in the air! Savannah Guthrie wanted to make sure her new cohost Craig Melvin felt right at home as he stepped into the big shoes left by Hoda Kotb after her retirement. But before Craig could truly embrace his new role, Savannah had to tackle a little housekeeping—literally. And let me tell you, it wasn’t pretty.
Starting Fresh: Out With the Old
"It’s funny," Savannah, 53, said with a laugh during an appearance on The Tonight Show alongside Craig, 45. "It’s a new era. We gave Hoda this beautiful goodbye, and now it’s time for something fresh—a new chapter. Welcome to the Craig era!" Savannah explained how they walked into the set one day, ready to start anew, only to find remnants of Hoda's tenure lingering in unexpected places.
She went on, "There were these trays—little dishes, you know, the kind you might expect to hold mints or candies. But instead, they were filled with... well, let’s just say, Hoda’s personal treasures." From an expired can of bean dip to what Savannah humorously referred to as "belly button lint," the trays were a time capsule of sorts, capturing years of Hoda’s presence on the show.
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A Case of Mistaken Identity
Craig initially thought the items belonged to Savannah, which led to some confusion. "None of this is mine," Savannah clarified with a chuckle. Realizing the importance of clearing the slate, she decided it was time to bid farewell to the relics of the past.
"So, we threw it all out," Savannah continued. "And I sent Hoda a video because, you know, you’ve gotta keep things light, right? I told her, 'Honey, we miss you, but here’s what’s happening.'"
Watch This: Savannah’s Message to Hoda
Jimmy Fallon, 50, couldn’t resist playing the video for everyone. In the clip, Savannah addresses her former cohost directly. "Oh, hey girl, I guess you didn’t want any of this s**t," she says into the camera as she dramatically tosses the tray full of Hoda’s items into the trash. "Don’t mind me. Love you."
A Poll for the Fans
As the trio laughed about the moment, Savannah described the tray as "disgusting" and joked that it looked like it had "rusted barnacles" attached to it. It was clear that while the cleanup process was necessary, it was also a lighthearted way to honor Hoda’s legacy.
A Heartfelt Farewell to Hoda
Hoda, 60, bid adieu to the Today show after 17 incredible years on January 10. Her final day was nothing short of magical, filled with surprise guests and heartfelt sendoffs from friends and family. One standout moment came from actress Jamie Lee Curtis, who couldn’t be there in person but sent a touching gift to mark Hoda’s retirement.
“I had something special made for you by Moy Thompson,” Jamie Lee Curtis, 66, said while describing the thoughtful gift. “It’s one of my orbs, and it says, ‘Every today with you is a better day,’ along with the dates of your time at Today. From all your fans, friends, and me included, thank you for being such a shining example to all of us of what truly matters. And the reason you’re stopping? That’s the most important thing of all. God bless you, and thank you!”
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A Surprise Appearance
Hoda’s two daughters made a special appearance during the episode, and together they were serenaded with the iconic song “Rainbow Connection” by none other than Kermit the Frog. Adding to the magic, Hoda’s former cohost Kathie Lee Gifford made a surprise visit, showing up in person despite claiming she’d be in Nashville, Tennessee, on Hoda’s last day.
Kathie Lee, 71, reminisced about their years together on the show, thanking Hoda for helping her grow as a host. “You took away fear,” Kathie Lee told her dear friend
