Hoda Kotb set to return to TODAY as Craig Melvin's absence is announced


Craig will be taking a well-deserved vacation for the following week, with an old favorite returning to the TODAY chair beside Savannah


Ahad Sanwari
Ahad SanwariSenior Writer - New York
April 9, 2026
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It's been less than a week since Savannah Guthrie's return to the TODAY Show anchor's desk amid the disappearance of her mom Nancy Guthrie, and we're getting another shake-up!

On the Thursday, April 9 iteration of the show, Savannah looked to her co-anchor Craig Melvin, and shared with viewers that her co-anchor will be taking a leave of absence for the show for the following week.

However, as you can see in the video above, it's all just for a "well-deserved" spring break, and as Savannah quipped, they'll be bringing in a "new host" to hold the fort down with Savannah, aka Hoda Kotb.

Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie sit down for the latter's first interview since her mother Nancy Guthrie's disappearance© TODAY
Hoda Kotb will return to co-anchor TODAY with Savannah Guthrie while Craig Melvin takes a vacation

On April 6, aka Easter Monday, Savannah returned to NBC's Studio 1A for the first time to host the show since her mom Nancy was kidnapped. The mom-of-two, who shares kids Vale and Charley with husband Michael Feldman, has been with family in Tucson, Arizona.

She returned briefly to New York City for a sit-down interview with her former co-anchor Hoda, her only interview since her mom was reported missing.

Savannah kept things brief for the show's intro, simply saying it's "good to be home," with Craig reassuring her by adding: "It's good to have you back at home." She did get more emotional out on the TODAY Plaza during the show's second hour, receiving the love the fans and viewers had for her and her family.

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