Sheinelle Jones officially joined Jenna Bush Hager as co-host of the fourth hour of Today. A former host revealed the shockingly pricey gift she gave the newest co-host. Keep reading for all the details on the expensive present.
Former Today Host Welcomes Sheinelle Jones With Pricey Gift
One year after Hoda Kotb’s exit from the Today Show, the morning program finally found a replacement. Craig Melvin immediately took over her spot on the show’s first two hours. However, they paired Jenna Bush Hager with a rotating lineup of celebrity guests on the show’s fourth hour.
Jenna Bush Hager revealed in November that Sheinelle Jones was moving from the third hour to the fourth to join her as co-host. Jenna & Sheinelle premiered on Monday, January 12. In her first appearance on the show’s fourth hour, Sheinelle Jones shared a deeply personal final interaction she had with her late husband.
But her debut wasn’t a total downer. She received a fantastic surprise when Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford returned to the New York City studio to toast her. The duo were the OG hosts of the fourth hour. Kathie Lee Gifford left in 2009 and was replaced by Jenna Bush Hager.
It was a happy reunion for all four Today Show hosts. Kathie Lee Gifford later told Entertainment Tonight that she left another surprise for Sheinelle Jones. “I left a lot of Chanel in her dressing room today,” she said.
The former Today host added, “I went to Saks Fifth Avenue yesterday, and yes, I did. I paid for it all on my own credit card. All right, it’s a write-off, but who cares? It’s the thought that matters.”
Viewers Give Unfiltered Feedback On New Host’s First Days
Kathie Lee Gifford said it was “the coolest” to be there for Sheinelle Jones’ first day as host.
But some viewers were underwhelmed by the new host. One fan took to Reddit to share unfiltered feedback on how the host can improve.
- “Two takeaways so far – Sheinelle needs to stop hitting the table/drum rolls/ and hitting Jenna at this point! Jenna needs to use her name – not Sheinell-y”
The fan added that they had hoped Matt Rogers would get the role instead of Sheinelle Jones. Other viewers chimed in with their reactions to the first few episodes of Jenna & Sheinelle.
- “I like but honestly I liked when it was just jenna”
- “Jenna is too loud and their chemistry is not working for me. Sheinelle is FAR more qualified and should be in the #1 position w/Jenna as sort of the 2nd/side kick.”
- “Definitely not working . Not watchable as far as I’m concerned . I like both of them but this is not good”
- “I don’t like it at all. I liked “the friends” better. Too sweetsy”
“I kind of hate it. I really really like Sheinelle but this feels like The Jenna Show featuring Sheinelle”
Tell us in the comments your first impression of Sheinelle Jones as permanent co-host of the Today Show‘s fourth hour.
Jennifer Havener grew up in a small town in Upstate New York. She earned her B.A in Writing & Literature from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. She always knew watching reality TV shows and soap operas, particularly ‘Days of Our Lives’, would come in handy someday. When she’s not writing, she’s playing with her dogs, Lola and Ruger
