Hoda Kotb’s surprise announcement on September 26 that she is leaving The Today Show after 17 years has left many wondering who will fill her spot.
Kotb, who will remain with the show until January 1, cited her young children as a major factor in her decision, stating that she needs to spend more time with her five and seven-year-old kids.
According to an NBC insider, the network is considering several candidates to replace Kotb, with Laura Jarrett being a top contender. Jarrett, 40, is currently the anchor of Weekend Today and has a strong background as a lawyer. Her mother, Valerie Jarrett, was a senior advisor to former President Barack Obama.
Other potential candidates include Craig Melvin, Carson Daly, and Sheneille Jones, who could be paired with Savannah Guthrie or other anchors. The network may also consider moving around existing anchors to fill the spot.
Additionally, Political and National correspondent Jacob Soboroff and NBC News Now anchor Tom Llamas are being considered as rising stars who could potentially take on the role. Both are seen as strong contenders, especially with the potential retirements of Al Roker, Lester Holt, and Keith Morrison on the horizon.
Meteorologist Dylan Dreyer, when asked about the potential replacements, remained diplomatic, stating that the network has not made any decisions yet and that it would not be surprising if the new anchor came from within the core group.
Kotb said about her decision to leave: “I realized it was time for me to turn the page at 60 and try something new. I have my kiddos late in life, and I was thinking that they deserve a bigger piece of my time pie.”
