Jenna Bush Hager, known for her role as co-anchor of the Today show has moved into a new position with the show now being named "Today with Jenna and Friends". The new title marks a fresh chapter in her career as well as how the program will now look with a new co host position open.
Transition to "Today with Jenna & Friends"
The show title change happened after Hoda Kotb's departure on January 10 2025 . Jenna stepped into the new role of solo anchor, leading into the new program called "Today with Jenna and Friends" with a new program structure and name change. This marked a new beginning for her long time viewers who watched the original show format for so long.
New Format and Set Design
The changes include new show opens with a city setting with Jenna being spotlighted with voiceovers which all highlight what’s to come with her at the forefront of the production. A subway sign is a new set element, with it's own designed way to put the spotlight on guest co-hosts names which gives them special acknowledgement within each individual show. The update is a modern design with circular logo which removed previous bright colors.
Jenna's First Solo Broadcast
Her first solo show saw actress Taraji P Henson as a first celebrity guest host. This special edition showcased a unique dynamic that the show hoped to take into all coming episodes. The show has previously used celebrity co hosts but now in a more emphasized fashion.
Addressing Emotions
Jenna spoke in her dressing room having a self pep talk showing how serious the change was for her emotionally before starting the program for the very first time with the "Today with Jenna & Friends" banner and talked with humor about a nervous type feeling she had as the premiere began. She also acknowledges Henson being there is a wonderful occasion because “humans need humans,” making it her first show.
Hoda Kotb's Send-Off
The final week before her departure the Today Show focused on honoring Hoda with a “Hodabration” event . She did finally say her goodbye and will always be known as an important part of the legacy of the program. Now many are wondering how it will look without her at the forefront.
Kotb's Support of Jenna's New Era
Hoda conveyed full support of her friend with social media statements and expressed full joy at seeing her succeed in the new role by calling it magic. This highlights a sense of support and comradery which she hoped for with all the success of her replacement. Kotb's own perspective showed her excitement to watch her step into her new moment and embrace the challenge.
Jenna's Preparedness and Vision
Jenna was noted to mention taking lessons from her friendship with Hoda to embrace this role in a way that would honor her and the viewers. Jenna's approach will use the show as her chance to focus on the community around the program and connect on a larger scale. She noted Hoda’s many great qualities which was also her approach toward hosting that she intends to keep going with while making it her own.
Taking Direction From Hoda
Jenna’s take away from Hoda's advice focused on being open with honesty while being as kind as she is to viewers, the crew and all those involved in this program’s process. To bring her natural energy while still respecting everyone that takes time to watch her is something she says she learned. The optimism Hoda delivers also will be another area of her work that is being taken forward into future programming.
Hoda's Future Plans and Family Focus
While ending this chapter at "Today" Show, Hoda will focus on family by seeking less structured mornings and more time with her kids. This new phase provides opportunities for early workouts, enjoying her daughters and a new direction in life that is dedicated to her children.
A Shift in Priorities
Hoda shared that she wanted to make her daughter a priority with them being the center focus of this stage of her life. The ability to share the love for family and for hard work to show the full scope of life and have them see how important it was to make choices in alignment with personal values. These ideas were delivered through a statement for them all.
New Co Host Roles and a Rotating Cast
The new approach with "Today with Jenna & Friends" brings a change in how that segment of the program operates, by using guest celebrity hosts with a more inclusive environment and fresh perspectives. It was said to give a variety of unique people while not giving an immediate decision to replace what was once there.
Celebrity Guests
There will be a long lineup of notable figures filling this spot including Scarlette Johansson, Taraji P Henson, Keke Palmer, Eva Longoria all of whom will bring different skill sets and different perspectives for every day. The approach has no official deadline or timeline for finding a new full time host but seems as though a full look at options is currently underway.
Key Takeaways
- "Today with Jenna & Friends" began airing January 13th with Jenna as the leading co host with rotating celebrity guest co-hosts.
- The program showcases a new look while highlighting a change in the production and new segment elements that showcase celebrity presence.
- Hoda Kotb’s has exited to allow for focus on a different path centered on her children.
- The decision is seen as having been made so Jenna Bush Hager could fully step into her role with support from those closest to the production and personal relations to her.
- The focus of “Today with Jenna & Friends" will highlight an approach to unique talent, personality along with an expanded viewpoint for future installments.