Hoda Kotb, a longtime member of the NBC News team and co-host of the Today show’s fourth hour, has stepped into the full-show co-host slot vacated by accused sexual harasser Matt Lauer late last year. The announcement was made at the beginning of this morning’s show by co-host Savannah Guthrie, and quickly tweeted by the official Today account:
“This has to be the most popular decision NBC News has ever made,” Guthrie told their viewers.
Kotb has been serving as Lauer’s temporary fill-in since his dismissal in late November, following “a detailed complaint from a colleague about inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace,” according to a company memo by NBC News president Andrew Lack. That announcement and investigation gave way to several more complaints of sexual harassment, indecent exposure, and more.
“Over the past several weeks, Hoda has seamlessly stepped into the co-anchor role alongside Savannah, and the two have quickly hit the ground running,” Lack wrote in a statement today. “They have an undeniable connection with each other and most importantly, with viewers, a hallmark of Today.”
Kotb will continue to co-host the show’s fourth hour with Kathie Lee Gifford. The Guthrie/Kotb partnership marks the first time two women have hosted Today, which is kind of fucked up, really.