TODAY with Jenna & Friends is set to make its debut on January 13, following Hoda’s final day on TODAY on January 10. Jenna recently shared that Taraji P. Henson, Keke Palmer, and Eva Longoria will each take on the role of guest co-host during the week of January 13. Additionally, Michelle Buteau has been announced as the guest co-host for the January 16 show.
Expressing her admiration for the upcoming guest co-hosts, Jenna stated, “We love these women, we’ve said we love these women. I feel like Hoda helped me manifest this. Nobody will ever fill this chair, but the three of them sure can try.” Jenna made these remarks on the January 6 episode of TODAY with Hoda & Jenna.
During the same episode, Jenna unveiled the new theme song for TODAY with Jenna & Friends. The transition to the new theme song was an emotional moment, particularly for Hoda. Reflecting on Jenna’s upcoming venture, Hoda shared, “I was picturing you and how proud I’m going to be of you, walking right here from that wall to this desk with that song. It’s going to be awesome. It’s going to be amazing.”
In September, Hoda made the announcement that she would be departing TODAY after nearly three decades at NBC. She explained her decision, citing the desire to devote more time to her children, Haley, aged 7, and Hope, aged 5. “Obviously I had my kiddos late in life, and I was thinking that they deserve a bigger piece of my time pie that I have,” she expressed. “I feel like we only have a finite amount of time.”
Craig Melvin is slated to take over as the co-anchor of TODAY alongside Savannah Guthrie, commencing his new role on January 13.
The information originally appeared on TODAY.com.
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