Savannah Guthrie Makes First ‘Today’ Show Visit Since Mom Nancy’s Disappearance, Thanks Staff for Support
Savannah Guthrie returned to NBC’s “Today” on Thursday — but not on camera.
The co-host visited with colleagues in her first appearance at NBC since her mother, Nancy, was abducted January 31. The case remains open and authorities have not publicly identified a person of interest.
“Savannah Guthrie stopped by the studio this morning to be with and thank her ‘Today’ colleagues,” NBC News said in a statement. “While she plans to return to the show on air, she remains focused right now supporting her family and working to help bring Nancy home.”
Anchors at the long-running A.M. franchise have grappled with many challenges over the years, ranging from personal health issues to talent transitions, but these past months have presented a set of circumstances that are believed to be without parallel: An agonizing search for Nancy Guthrie around her home in Arizona has been in process for weeks, leaving producers not only to manage coverage thoughtfully, but also to ponder how to fill Savannah Guthrie’s seat for an undefined interim.
How has “Today” handled the matter? Hoda Kotb, the veteran “Today” co-anchor who left full-time duties early last year, has rejoined the show on an interim basis, and is holding forth with Craig Melvin. Kotb will stay while Guthrie is with her family, according to a person familiar with the matter. Guthrie is expected to return to the show on her own timeline, even if she requires a significant period to feel ready to do so, this person says.
