Savannah Guthrie Brings New Book to 'Today'

On a crisp Tuesday, February 20, Savannah Guthrie returned to the 'Today' show with a renewed sense of purpose. The beloved talk show host, who has been a fixture on the morning show for years, came back not just to deliver the news but to promote her latest literary work, Mostly What God Does. This release comes on the heels of a recent TV controversy that had tongues wagging across social media.

At 52 years old, Savannah sat confidently alongside her dear friend and co-host, Hoda Kotb, at the news desk, setting the tone for the morning's broadcast. Later, Sheinelle Jones joined them to bring the audience up to speed on the day's most important headlines. Meanwhile, Craig Melvin was noticeably absent from the lineup, leaving viewers to wonder about his whereabouts.

A Day of Celebration: The Release of Savannah's New Book

It was a monumental morning for Savannah Guthrie, as her new book, Mostly What God Does, hit the shelves both online and in stores. During a candid behind-the-scenes moment from the episode, Savannah took to Instagram to share her excitement about the book's release, along with a humorous anecdote about the audiobook version.

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"So, the audiobook is available today. However, when I recorded it back in December, I had a terrible cold," she confessed to her followers. "When I finally listened to it a couple of weeks ago, I thought to myself, 'Maybe I should just redo the whole thing.' So, I did. Rerecording the entire audiobook was no small feat and took quite a bit of time. Unfortunately, it won’t be ready for download for another week or so," she added with a laugh.

Hoda's Role in Savannah's Writing Journey

Hoda Kotb, 59, couldn't resist chiming in during the Instagram video, revealing that it "took a lot of convincing" to get Savannah to include some of the deeply personal essays featured in the book. In appreciation of Hoda's unwavering support and encouragement throughout the writing process, Savannah dedicated a special acknowledgment to her in the back of the book.

Savannah's Absence and the Kelly Rowland Controversy

Savannah took a brief hiatus from 'Today' on February 16 and again on February 19 to focus on her book tour. Her absence coincided with the aftermath of a controversial interview she conducted with Kelly Rowland during a February 15 episode. This interview left many viewers questioning the show's priorities.

Savannah Guthrie in a blue dress on 'Today' — NDZ/Star Max/GC Images

During the segment with Kelly, 43, Savannah probed the Destiny's Child alum for her thoughts on Beyoncé's latest country album, a move that left many viewers feeling uneasy.

"What do you think about your friend Beyoncé?" Savannah asked Kelly, emphasizing their close relationship. "She's like your sister, you guys literally grew up together — she’s stepping into country." Kelly's simple yet heartfelt response was, "I’m so proud of her." This answer didn't satisfy Savannah's curiosity, prompting her to press further. "I know, but were you surprised and what do you think about it?" she persisted. Once again, Kelly replied with pride, "I’m so proud of her. So happy for her."

Many viewers were not pleased with the direction of the interview, as Kelly was on 'Today' to promote her new Netflix film, Mea Culpa. One disgruntled fan took to X to voice their opinion, writing, "Very disrespectful to ask as accomplished an entertainer as @KELLYROWLAND about Beyoncé every single time she comes on your show. You didn’t ask J-Lo about Puffy or A-Rod or In Living Color."