Today viewers tune in mornings to watch Savannah Guthrie and her co-hosts deliver the news. The longtime anchor shared heartbreaking news with fans on Friday. She’ll be off the morning program for an extended period. Keep reading to find out what’s going on.
Savannah Guthrie Leaving Today Show For Extended Period
Savannah Guthrie has been a staple at NBC’s Today Show since 2012. She was absent for about a month in 2019 after her son hit her in the eye with a toy. She had surgery to reattach the retina. Now she’s leaving the New York City studio again to deal with a new medical issue.
The Today host told viewers on Friday that she’ll be MIA starting in the new year for an extended period of time. She revealed that she needs vocal surgery after struggling with her voice.
“Some of you have noticed that my voice has been very scratchy and started to crack a little bit. Well, I have found out what it is. I have vocal nodules and I also have a polyp. It’s not a big, big deal, but I am going to have to have a surgery in the new year and be off for a couple of weeks, so this is my last day for a little while,” the host explained.
She added that she has to be “totally silent” for a few weeks. She joked that Christmas was “coming early” for her family amid the doctor’s orders not to speak.
Her Co-Host Offers Support, Gift
Sheinelle Jones, who was recently named as Jenna Bush Hager’s permanent co-host on Today, revealed that she had the same surgery a few years ago. She shared the best part about not being able to talk.
“The silver lining is you have permission to be still. The house gets quiet, the kids are gonna want to help you out,” Sheinelle Jones said.
However, not being able to speak makes communication difficult. She had a special gift to give Savannah Guthrie to make it easier. She presented her Today co-host with a whiteboard to use to communicate after the vocal surgery.
Sheinelle Jones joked that maybe Savannah Guthrie will sound like Celine Dion after the surgery. “Well, you know, it’s really funny, I used to sing. Then I couldn’t sing anymore and then I couldn’t speak anymore. So who knows, guys the tour is happening in 2026,” Savannah Guthrie responded.
Fans React To Shocking News
Today viewers were not expecting Friday to be Savannah Guthrie’s last day for a while. They took to social media to share their well-wishes.
- “We’re sending our love and prayers to you for a smooth procedure and a speedy, Savannah”
- “Sending you love and healing”
- “What a way to start the new year…but its to be stronger and better.”
- “Is that what’s going on with Craig Melvins voice as well?”
- “Prayers and love for you and a speedy recovery”
- “Speedy recovery. Craig should have a consultation as well.”
Several fans shared concern for Craig Melvin’s voice. One fan even suggested that the Today host go to the doctor for a checkup on his vocal cords.
Savannah Guthrie will be off the show for a while but her co-hosts will share updates with viewers on her recovery.
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
