Hoda Kotb will officially leave the Today show on Friday after nearly three decades at NBC, and after DailyMail.com rubbed shoulders with her esteemed colleagues earlier this week, it’s clear everyone feels the same way about her departure.
The popular presenter, 60, announced her decision to leave the show in September, immediately sparking a wave of sadness across the country.
It was later confirmed that Craig Melvin, 45, will take his place as co-host in “one of the most popular decisions” made by the network and will begin his tenure on Monday.
But what do Hoda’s co-stars really think about her impending exit?
DailyMail.com mingled with the Today show team on Tuesday night in Manhattan, New York, as the network prepared to launch its new health and wellness app Start Today.
And within seconds of conversations with Craig, Al Roker, Dylan Dreyer and Laura Jarrett, it was abundantly clear that while they are sad to lose their dear and treasured colleague, they are overwhelmingly happy that she is taking the next step.
Hoda Kotb will officially leave the Today show on Friday after nearly three decades at NBC.
DailyMail.com mingled with the Today show team on Tuesday night in Manhattan (pictured December 2024).
Not only that, but they all seemed united in the idea that they’re not actually saying goodbye, and that although Hoda will be saying goodbye to Studio 1A, it will remain a constant in all of their lives.
Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, Laura, 41, who joined the Today show family as a presenter in 2023, also revealed that Hoda is “at peace” with her departure from the network.
“I’m very happy for her,” she enthused. “I feel like anyone who’s seen not just the last few days, but the last few months since she announced, has seen how at peace she is and how happy she is, and she’s just marinating in this moment, which is very nice to see.” see.
‘People don’t want the attention focused on them, especially trained journalists, but Hoda is enjoying her moment.
“And I think no matter how long he’s worked and no matter how hard he’s worked, he deserves every ounce of attention he gets.”
Meteorologist Dylan, 43, echoed a similar sentiment, adding that as he prepares to say goodbye to Hoda in a job capacity, they will remain in close contact as they both reside in Bronxville, an affluent New York suburb.
“I love seeing her so happy about this next step,” she told DailyMail.com.
‘You know, this is her journey, and it’s one she chose to take, and if she’s happy about it, I can’t help but be happy for her.
Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, Laura Jarrett revealed that Hoda is ‘at peace’ with her departure from the network
Dylan Dreyer said that while he will miss working with Hoda, he is “so happy for her in this next step.”
‘Selfishly, I will miss working with her. “She is the heart of the show (and) makes you smile every time you see her.”
Dylan added, “Hoda and I are neighbors, so I’ll still see her all the time.” “Our kids pretty much grew up together, so I’m not going to lose Hoda in my life.”
And suffice to say, Today show powerhouse Al, 70, of course shared the same perspective.
“We are not going to say goodbye,” he insisted. ‘We just say, “See you a little later.”‘
He added: ‘She’s still around and it’s not like she’s going to leave, she’s gone. “She’s just transitioning, so everything is fine.”
Hoda announced she was leaving the Today show in September, citing that turning 60 had changed her priorities in life.
“I realized it was time to turn the page at 60 and try something new,” he said on the show.
The friendship between Al Roker and Hoda goes back a long way and, of course, the two will continue to stay in touch.
Speaking to DailyMail.com, Al said: ‘We’re not saying goodbye. We just say “see you a little later.”
“I remembered standing outside looking at this beautiful group of people with these gorgeous signs, and I thought, ‘This is what the top of the wave feels like to me.’
“And I thought it couldn’t get any better, and I decided this is the right time to move on.”
Hoda added that her two young daughters, Haley, 7, and Hope, 5, also played a big role in her decision.
“I obviously had my children late in my life and thought they deserved a bigger portion of my time than I did,” she said.
‘I feel like we only have a finite amount of time. And, having said all that, this is the hardest thing in the world.”
In November, it was confirmed that Craig, who has worked at NBC News for nearly 14 years, would replace Hoda.
He will move into the role of co-host alongside Savannah Guthrie starting Monday, January 13.
Craig Melvin will replace Hoda on Monday as co-host of the Today show.
Addressing his new role, the announcer exclaimed at the time: ‘I am beyond excited and grateful. This is the latest in a long list of blessings.”
And Craig’s signing has proven very popular with his colleagues.
Giving insight into how the news happened at the studios, Savannah said live on air: “The biggest staff found out this morning and people broke out into applause.
‘This is one of the most popular decisions NBC News has ever made. Congratulations.’
Of course, the Today show stars have been supportive of Craig and are excited to see him take on his new role.
“Right now, we’re all really close, so it’s like watching my brother get this promotion, and you can’t help but feel happy for him,” Dylan said, emphasizing that “it’s not fake happiness.”
He added: “I know him as a person and it makes a lot of sense.” I’ve never seen anything that makes more sense.