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Today's Savannah Guthrie was noticeably absent from the NBC morning show's Jan. 16 broadcast not even one week after new cohost Craig Melvin took over Hoda Kotb's place at the news desk.
‘Today's’ Sheinelle Jones Absent From Show Due to "Family Health Matter"
Craig Melvin is holding down the Today fort with the help of a familiar face.
Savannah Guthrie was noticeably absent from Melvin's fourth day as official cohost of the NBC morning show for a very understandable reason. Melvin kicked off the Jan. 16 broadcast by addressing why his co-worker was already taking a day off not even one week into his tenure as Hoda Kotb's replacement at the news desk.
"Welcome to Today, so glad you're with us on this busy Thursday morning," the 45-year-old told viewers. "Laura Jarrett is in, Savannah's a little under the weather."
Of course, Melvin didn't hold any hard feelings towards Guthrie as she stayed home to recover from an undisclosed illness.
"I know what you're thinking," he jokingly added, "that after three days of Craig she decided to bail."
Jarrett hilariously replied, "I wasn't going to say it...But it's nice to be with you."
Guthrie's sick day comes just 24 hours after Today family member Sheinelle Jones announced that she is taking time away from the morning show due to ongoing personal matters.
"Hi everybody...I sincerely appreciate all of you who have reached out while I've been absent from the show," the co-anchor shared in a Jan. 15 Instagram message. "I want to share with you that I'm taking time to deal with a family health matter. It's not lost on [me] how lucky I am to have not only the support of my Today Show family, but to also have all of you. Your kindness means so much to me. I'll see you soon."
As for Melvin's first few days in his newly expanded Today role, the journalist kicked off the week with a very warm welcome from Guthrie and an especially special message from his predecessor.
Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images
“You’ve sat there so many times but this morning is special,” Guthrie, 53, said at the beginning of the Jan. 13 episode. “Let’s go, this is going to be a beautiful ride.”
Meanwhile, Kotb—who said goodbye to Today on Jan. 10 after nearly 17 years—left a personal letter for Melvin to read on air.
“It’s your first day. How does it feel?" read the 60-year-old's pre-recorded message. "First of all, I’m so proud of you, and I wanted to let you know just how proud of you I am, because, first of all, you’re going to be fantastic.”
(E! and Today are both part of the NBCUniversal family)
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