Jenna Bush Hager and Hoda Kotb Cry on Air amid 'Depression Stage' Ahead of Kotb’sTodayShow Exit

Mar. 15, 2025

Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager on the ‘Today’ show on Jan. 3, 2023.Photo:Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty

Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty

The countdown toHoda Kotb’s final days on theTodayshow has begun.Kotb, 60, will bid farewell to the gig she’s held for 17 years on Jan. 10, and on the Dec. 10 episode ofToday with Hoda & Jenna, she and co-hostJenna Bush Hagerjoked that they’re in “the depression stage” of the mother of two’s departure.The two burst into tears while discussing their upcoming holiday plans, which began with Bush Hager, 43, saying she wanted to pay extra attention to Kotb at an upcoming holiday party they’ll both be attending because of Kotb’s imminent exit.“I’m in the phase of losing Hoda called studying,” Bush Hager. “I’m studying Hoda at this point, and I’d like to study your behaviors tonight and see how you’ve changed.”Kotb, found the sentiment sweet and hold Bush Hager, “I love you. I just love you.”Bush Hager joked that she’d been going through the stages of grief since Kotb announced her plans toleave theTodayshowin September. “Denial lasted a good month. Anger was last week when I tried to make you jealous with Gayle [King],” she said. “I’ve bargained with God basically every night for the last couple months. And now, I’ve hit depression, where she says one thing and [I cry].”Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager on the ‘Today’ show on Nov. 1, 2021.Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via GettyNBC announcedon Nov. 14 thatCraig Melvinwill be replacing Kotb after she steps away next month. Melvin, 45, currently hosts the third hour ofTodayalongsideAl Roker,Sheinelle JonesandDylan Dreyerand will move to hosting three hours in a row starting on Monday, Jan. 13.Bush Hager admitted on theTuesday, Dec. 3, episodeofToday with Hoda & Jennathat she’d teased Kotb about having journalistGayle King, who co-anchors the NBC morning show’s competitorCBS Mornings,take her spot. TheSisters Firstauthor referred to King, 69, as her “bestie,” and Bush Hager, said to King, “There’s a seat open.“The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!“My seat isn’t even cold yet!” Kotb responded.Bush Hager kept pushing it, though. “Gayle & Jennahas a beautiful ring to it,” she continued. “I’m just kidding.“In recent weeks, Kotb experienced her finalMacy’s Thanksgiving Day ParadeandRockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lightingwith theTodayshow.Al Roker, Savannah Guthrie (center) and Hoda Kotb at the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.ara Howe/NBC via GettyOn Thanksgiving,Cynthia Erivogave Kotb a bouquet of white flowers to honor her years of work.“Before you even begin, yes,these flowers are for you because I know that this is the last Thanksgiving parade you’re doing,” Erivo, 37, told her as Kotb got emotional. “I wanted to celebrate that and I wanted to say we love you. Thank you for all of the hard work you’ve done all of these years.“Kotb shared a sweet moment with co-hostSavannah Guthrieat the tree lighting when they stood arm in arm as they watched snowflakes fall as Guthrie, 52, leaned her head against Kotb’s shoulder.TheHope Is a Rainbowauthor said at the time of her announcement that she would like to stay involved with NBC even after leavingToday.“I plan to remain a part of the NBC family, the longest work relationship I’ve been lucky enough to hold close to my heart,” she wrote in aletter to staff. “I’ll be around. How could I not? Family is family and you all will always be a part of mine.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Todayairs weekday mornings on NBC (check local listings).

The countdown toHoda Kotb’s final days on theTodayshow has begun.

Kotb, 60, will bid farewell to the gig she’s held for 17 years on Jan. 10, and on the Dec. 10 episode ofToday with Hoda & Jenna, she and co-hostJenna Bush Hagerjoked that they’re in “the depression stage” of the mother of two’s departure.

The two burst into tears while discussing their upcoming holiday plans, which began with Bush Hager, 43, saying she wanted to pay extra attention to Kotb at an upcoming holiday party they’ll both be attending because of Kotb’s imminent exit.

“I’m in the phase of losing Hoda called studying,” Bush Hager. “I’m studying Hoda at this point, and I’d like to study your behaviors tonight and see how you’ve changed.”

Kotb, found the sentiment sweet and hold Bush Hager, “I love you. I just love you.”

Bush Hager joked that she’d been going through the stages of grief since Kotb announced her plans toleave theTodayshowin September. “Denial lasted a good month. Anger was last week when I tried to make you jealous with Gayle [King],” she said. “I’ve bargained with God basically every night for the last couple months. And now, I’ve hit depression, where she says one thing and [I cry].”

Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager on the ‘Today’ show on Nov. 1, 2021.Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty

Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty

NBC announcedon Nov. 14 thatCraig Melvinwill be replacing Kotb after she steps away next month. Melvin, 45, currently hosts the third hour ofTodayalongsideAl Roker,Sheinelle JonesandDylan Dreyerand will move to hosting three hours in a row starting on Monday, Jan. 13.

Bush Hager admitted on theTuesday, Dec. 3, episodeofToday with Hoda & Jennathat she’d teased Kotb about having journalistGayle King, who co-anchors the NBC morning show’s competitorCBS Mornings,take her spot. TheSisters Firstauthor referred to King, 69, as her “bestie,” and Bush Hager, said to King, “There’s a seat open.”

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

“My seat isn’t even cold yet!” Kotb responded.

Bush Hager kept pushing it, though. “Gayle & Jennahas a beautiful ring to it,” she continued. “I’m just kidding.”

In recent weeks, Kotb experienced her finalMacy’s Thanksgiving Day ParadeandRockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lightingwith theTodayshow.

Al Roker, Savannah Guthrie (center) and Hoda Kotb at the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.ara Howe/NBC via Getty

ara Howe/NBC via Getty

On Thanksgiving,Cynthia Erivogave Kotb a bouquet of white flowers to honor her years of work.

“Before you even begin, yes,these flowers are for you because I know that this is the last Thanksgiving parade you’re doing,” Erivo, 37, told her as Kotb got emotional. “I wanted to celebrate that and I wanted to say we love you. Thank you for all of the hard work you’ve done all of these years.”

Kotb shared a sweet moment with co-hostSavannah Guthrieat the tree lighting when they stood arm in arm as they watched snowflakes fall as Guthrie, 52, leaned her head against Kotb’s shoulder.

TheHope Is a Rainbowauthor said at the time of her announcement that she would like to stay involved with NBC even after leavingToday.

“I plan to remain a part of the NBC family, the longest work relationship I’ve been lucky enough to hold close to my heart,” she wrote in aletter to staff. “I’ll be around. How could I not? Family is family and you all will always be a part of mine.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Todayairs weekday mornings on NBC (check local listings).

source: people.com