Savannah Guthrie returned to the Today show on Monday — this time, for real (and for good).
The NBC News morning show’s longtime co-anchor was in her familiar chair next to Craig Melvin when the clock struck 7 a.m. ET. (OK, so technically she was there five minutes earlier for a live promo.) Time to go to work.
Wearing a cheery yellow dress and surrounded by roses of the same color, Guthrie opened with the latest news on Iran — including a potential 45-day ceasefire and the rescue mission to save two downed American airmen — as if it were any other day. It was not.
There were teases on rising gas prices, Artemis II, weather, Royals talk and the NCAA women’s basketball championship — congrats to UCLA!
“It is good to be home,” Guthrie then said to Craig and to camera.
“Yes, it is good to have you back at home,” Melvin said.
“OK, here we go. Ready or not, let’s do the news,” she said.
And then it was pretty much business as usual — early on, at least. By 7:13 a.m. ET, Guthrie was cracking jokes at the expense of Melvin, a University of South Carolina supporter (and a South Carolina native). The Bruins blew out the Gamecocks. Sorry, Craig. (He wore a yellow tie and pocket square; all of the on-air talent had their yellow-ribbon pins, symbolic of the search for Nancy.)
When it was time for the weather, Al Roker commented that he likes looking over at the desk and seeing Savannah where she belongs. The early acknowledgements of the moment were brief, but sweet. Guthrie is a gamer.
Fans were lined up outside of the famed Studio 1A at 10 Rockefeller Plaza (just across from 30 Rock) as per usual, but with a little extra enthusiasm and even more signs supporting Savannah. At 7:30, we got our first live shot of the crowd as Carson Daly and Roker joined the desk.
Guthrie said she was “excited to give them all a hug,” adding, “I’m really feeling the love so much.”
At 7:50, Jenna Bush Hager brought a “Morning Boost” toddler hack to the table. But first, she said, “We don’t even need a boost because we have our sunshine back,” referring to Savannah. By then, it was a full desk — including Sheinelle Jones — the gang was back together.
At 8:30, Guthrie was welcomed back out on the plaza where she let some emotion out.
“These signs are so beautiful,” Guthrie said. “You guys have been so beautiful. I received so many letters — so much kindness to me and my family. We feel it. We feel your prayers, so thank you so much.”
Guthrie has been absent from Today since her mother, Nancy Guthrie, was abducted from her Tucson, Arizona home in the early morning hours of Feb. 1. The investigation, a cooperative effort between the Pima County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI, has had fits and starts since then, but no suspect(s) has been identified. There has been no proof of life; Nancy Guthrie is 84 years old and in poor health.
Savannah Guthrie has stopped by the Today show twice since her mom went missing. The first time was in early March, and was really just a set visit to see friends and thank them for their support. The second time was for a sit-down interview with her longtime colleague Hoda Kotb. It was a tearful, lengthy conversation that aired in several parts over two days. In the interview, Savannah blamed her wealth and fame for Nancy’s abduction, though she added that the family cannot be certain of a motive at this point. She also said God spoke directly to her and stated that Nancy was “with me.” With the interview came the news: Savannah Guthrie would return to work on Monday, April 6.
