Hoda Kotb‘s final days on The Today Show are shaping up to be a major celebration.
Jenna Bush Hager surprised her longtime co-host during Wednesday’s (Dec. 18) broadcast with her “awesome” plan for Kotb’s very last day on Today With Hoda & Jenna on Jan. 10.
“We are having a Hoda-bration for Hoda’s final show and guess what? We’re gonna have a live audience,” she announced.
Kotb gasped at the news. “Wait, what?! Are you kidding?” she said.
“We are doing it in the studio. We will be live from Studio 8G in Rockefeller Plaza,” Bush Hager continued. “There will be big surprises, lots of surprises that Hoda won’t even know about it.” She explained that the event is ticketed – though it looks like it has already sold out!
Kotb appeared overjoyed by the news. “Oh my god! Wait, we’re having a live audience across the street? Wow you guys, that’s awesome,” she replied.
Bush Hager then admitted she was “scared” that she had already spoiled the surprise. But she also appeared nervous that she wouldn’t be able to hold back her tears during the live “Hoda-bration.”
“We just really cannot wait to celebrate you. I don’t know whats gonna be happening with me because just talking about the Hoda-bration brings tears to my eyes,” she admitted. “So we’re hoping we can do it and I can get out alive but it’s gonna be a beautiful day.”
She added, “We’re gonna start 2025 with an absolute bang. I realized I don’t need New Years resolutions. This year, my new years is starting with some big change.”
After Kotb’s exit in January, the fourth hour of Today will be rebranded into Today With Jenna & Friends, with a rotating panel of guest hosts joining her on the show.
She mentioned during the broadcast that they will begin announcing her upcoming guest hosts after Christmas.
“You’re also gonna have some great friends,” Kotb responded. “That’s gonna be so exciting.”
Today with Hoda & Jenna airs on weekdays at 10/9c on NBC.
The post Jenna Bush Hager Surprises Hoda Kotb By Announcing They’re Having A Live Audience Join Them For Her Final ‘Today’ Show: “We Are Having A Hoda-Bration” appeared first on Decider.
