With Hoda Kotb exiting Today in early January, it's clear folks are saddened by the news. As it turns out, the guests she interviews are too, with some even making grand gestures to express their emotions on air.
Hoda and Jenna Bush Hager welcomed Saturday Night Live star Mikey Day to Today's fourth hour on December 3, where they discussed his role as host of the Netflix competition series Is It Cake?. Toward the end of the interview, Jenna let Mikey know about Hoda's plan to leave the NBC daytime show, which led to quite an explosive reaction.
"[Hoda's] leaving — did you read that?" Jenna asked Mikey in a clip posted on TikTok.
"No! No!" Mikey exclaimed in shock. "When did this come out?"
"She's leaving January 10," Jenna replied. "Oh god — earlier than I thought!"
With Mikey seemingly not knowing about Hoda leaving the Today show, he did what everyone would've likely done in the situation. He jokingly stormed off the stage, leaving Hoda and Jenna in stitches over his unexpected response. But as he sat down, Jenna couldn't help but probe him about a potential new opportunity that could potentially be available to him.
"Mikey, there's a chair open," Jenna noted. "Would you ever host a morning show?"
"Are you kidding? Let's do it! Jenna and Mikey!" Mikey added, seemingly into the idea. "I'm throwing my hat in the ring, producers."
Upon seeing Mikey's over-the-top reaction to Hoda's Today exit, people couldn't stop commenting on how relatable the moment was online. "That response was so Michael Scott coded 😂," one person wrote in the comments. "This was my actual reaction," another noted. "Same, Mikey, same," a different follower added.
What's more, folks were actually intrigued by the idea of Mikey becoming a host on the Today show. "Honestly, he’d be a great host," one person penned. "Mikey and Jenna would be amazing," another agreed.
As fans know, Hoda's last day on the Today show will be January 10, 2025. While Craig Melvin will take her spot as a co-anchor during the 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. slot with Savannah Guthrie, Jenna will have a new show during the fourth hour called Jenna and Friends. There, she'll welcome different guests as they discuss the latest in pop culture and interview the hottest celebrities of the moment.
Looks like Hoda may have some competition soon!
As the entertainment and news associate editor for Good Housekeeping, Adrianna (she/her) writes about everything TV, movies, music and pop culture. She graduated from Yeshiva University with a B.A. in journalism and a minor in business management. She covers shows like The Rookie, 9-1-1 and Grey's Anatomy, though when she’s not watching the latest show on Netflix, she’s taking martial arts or drinking way too much coffee.
