TODAY has revealed new seating assignments on Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie’s first day back – and Hoda is placed on the end.
The two rival co-hosts of the popular morning news show have been in a tense feud since the start of the summer.
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Savannah, 50, had been missing from Today in recent weeks as she’s been taking time off to celebrate the end of summer with her family.
Now that summer has come to an end, Savannah and Hoda are back full-time and ready to host through the fall.
However, some new seating arrangements were spotted during this morning’s broadcast.
Savannah has been placed front and center of the live stream and Today producers placed Hoda off to one side of the panel.
Although Hoda was placed off to the side, she still announced plenty of the stories.
TIME TO SHINE
Earlier this summer, Savannah was placed front and center as Hoda was missing from her positing position entirely for one day earlier in August.
The U.S. Sun reported Savannah was beaming ear-to-ear this morning as she starred in this morning’s news report for the Today Show.
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As Hoda was off-air, Savannah took the spotlight leading the biggest news stories and interacting with fans.
According to the insider at the taping, Today staff rearranged the panel setup so that Savannah was placed front and center.
Savannah also reported all of the biggest news stories and interviewed the guest celebrity Idris Elba solo while Hoda was absent.
When Savannah exited the studio to film outside, she received a large roar from fans and smiled, making sure to wave to everyone and even stop to talk to a few lucky fans.
HODA’S TURN
A few weeks later, Savannah was missing from the broadcast, and while Hoda took over she appeared calm and collected.
An insider at the taping told The U.S. Sun Hoda carried on business as usual while Savannah was missing from her usual seat on the morning news panel.
Hoda carried the lead as she reported on the biggest headlines solo while Savannah was out.
She sat front and center on a couch among her other co-hosts and interviewed the Citi Concert Series guest Brendon Urie – known to fans as the lead singer of Panic! at the Disco
According to the insider, Hoda professionally chatted to interns, production staff, fans and her co-hosts during off-camera moments.
She appeared to be unfazed with Savannah’s absence, kept her notes organized and carried a calm but cheery demeanor.
LEAVING TODAY?
Fans have been concerned Savannah is leaving the show for good, as she has reportedly been feuding with Hoda.
She posted photos of herself in the studio, standing in front of the camera, outside talking to fans, and some of her and Hoda sitting together with a lot of space between them.
After her followers saw her posts, they asked if she was leaving the show or not.
“I assume you are leaving the show based on your recent posts,” one fan commented.
Another wondered if Dylan Dreyer will be taking “Savannah’s place” on the show.
Over the past few weeks, fans have noticed that Savannah has been sharing a bunch of slideshows of photos from her time on the show, fueling the speculation.
The host possibly leaving the morning show wouldn’t upset all viewers, though, as many have been calling for her to be fired amid her alleged feud with Hoda.
TEAM HODA OR SAVANNAH?
Last month, Today’s staff members told The U.S. Sun they have chosen secret favorites amid the feud between Hoda and Savannah.
Staff exclusively told The U.S. Sun they prefer Hoda over Savannah and gushed over their favorite news anchor.
A source said Hoda is everyone’s “absolute favorite” and she is “so warm and friendly” to all of the staff behind cameras.
The source shared that Hoda takes the time out of her day to talk to the staff and hold small Q&A’s for the summer interns.
Hoda is also a “great mentor off-camera” and even knows everyone’s names around the studio.
As the Today staff source gushed over Hoda, they failed to mention anything about Savannah.
FEUDING CO-HOSTS
Over the summer, there has been speculation the co-stars are at odds behind the cameras.
In June, a source close to production revealed to The U.S. Sun that the co-hosts secretly “can’t stand each other.”
The insider claimed: “Savannah is the boss. After Matt Lauer was ousted, Savannah grabbed power, and she really wanted Willy Geist in Hoda’s role, but his ratings were just not up to par for the network.”
“Hoda out maneuvered Savannah and got the spot.”
The source added that Savannah “thinks of herself as a real news person.”
“Jenna landed the best job on TV with zero experience- no one works people better than Jenna.”
The insider concluded: “She is a master at playing the game.”
Honda is described as “the lightweight that drank wine with Kathy Lee Gifford.”
“Savannah was the White House correspondent before getting the host job, which also explains her love for Jenna since her father was president.”
Hoda’s co-host, Jenna Bush Hager, is the daughter of former president George W. Bush.
Even though Jenna is Hoda’s co-host, the insider claimed that Jenna has played both sides between the women.
“Jenna and Savannah are the best of friends, and they ice Hoda out.”
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