Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb, two of Today‘s most beloved hosts, have long had a compelling on-screen chemistry that fans have adored. But a recent revelation has brought an entirely different dynamic to light—one that might not be as harmonious as it seems. :max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(499x0:501x2)/svannah-hoda-d7d7057523f54533b9c2eee72e8c98ec.jpg)
According to Rob Shuter, editor-at-large for The National Enquirer, their seemingly seamless on-air reunion during the show’s recent episodes is hiding years of unresolved tension. Shuter claimed that former Today anchor Matt Lauer’s favoritism toward Kotb over Guthrie is the source of much of the internal friction between the two women. During his April 20 appearance on Sirius XM’s The Megyn Kelly Show, Shuter shared his insights, shedding light on a longstanding issue that has seemingly been ignored by the public.
The tension, according to Shuter, is not just a result of professional rivalry but stems from the role Lauer reportedly played in shaping their relationship dynamic. Shuter described Lauer’s influence on the Today show environment as pivotal, suggesting that the friction between Guthrie and Kotb runs much deeper than just workplace competitiveness.
For many years, the Today show has been a cornerstone of NBC’s morning programming. The show has had its fair share of behind-the-scenes drama, with its hosts often facing off over professional decisions. However, the alleged favoritism by Matt Lauer may have amplified this drama in a way that would surprise even the most loyal viewers.
The Origins of the Tension: Matt Lauer’s Role
To understand the depth of the tension, it’s crucial to look back at Lauer’s time on the Today show. Lauer, who was the anchor of the program for two decades, had a significant influence on the culture of the show, including the relationships between his co-hosts. Shuter claimed that Lauer favored Kotb, which led to feelings of exclusion from Guthrie, who had been working alongside him for years before Kotb’s arrival.
The alleged favoritism was a subtle but powerful force within the Today show team. Shuter explained that Lauer’s actions created an unbalanced work environment, one in which Kotb, despite her undeniable charm and warm personality, was given preferential treatment. According to Shuter, this dynamic was not just a source of tension for Guthrie but also a catalyst for the fractured professional relationship that would persist for years.
“Lauer made it clear who he favored, and that created a competitive environment that was tough to navigate,” Shuter said during the Sirius XM interview. “There was tension. It wasn’t obvious at first, but over time, it became clear that Guthrie felt sidelined, even though she was a key part of the Today show family.”
The Competitive Nature of Morning TV
Megyn Kelly, host of The Megyn Kelly Show, joined in the discussion, acknowledging the fierce competition that exists in morning television. Kelly, who has worked in the industry for many years, noted that the stakes are high for everyone involved. In a field where ratings, viewer engagement, and network politics are crucial to success, the pressure can often create fissures between even the closest colleagues.
“Morning television is a dog-eat-dog world. You’re up against the clock, competing not just with each other, but with the larger media landscape. That kind of pressure can break anyone,” Kelly added. “Savannah and Hoda’s on-air personas are the epitome of professionalism, but behind the scenes, I’m sure there’s been plenty of competition.”
Kotb and Guthrie’s On-Screen Reunion
The tension between Guthrie and Kotb began to surface publicly when Kotb was first introduced as co-host of Today in 2017. The chemistry between the two women appeared to be instantaneous, but behind the smiles, the dynamic was far more complicated. In early 2025, Kotb took a break from the show, and Guthrie was left to take on additional responsibilities during Kotb’s absence. The shift was temporary but showed a clear divide between the two hosts’ professional lives.
When Guthrie returned from her own extended leave in 2025 to search for her missing mother, Nancy, Kotb briefly returned to fill in for her co-anchor. This temporary reappearance, Shuter claimed, did little to resolve the underlying tension that had been building for years.
“While their reunion on-screen was heartwarming, it didn’t erase what had come before,” Shuter explained. “Their relationship had been shaped by a lot of unresolved issues. These things don’t just go away because you’re back on set together. They carry over, and in this case, that tension is still there.”
The High Stakes and NBC’s Response
During the period Kotb was away, NBC had to make adjustments to their broadcasting lineup. The network increased coverage of the show and further leveraged its existing programs like Dateline, NBC Nightly News, and Today to keep viewers engaged. While these efforts were well-received by the network’s audiences, Shuter noted that there was one key disappointment: Guthrie’s return in April 2026 did not draw as much attention as producers had hoped.
Shuter cited that despite the immense media push, the return of Guthrie did not receive the level of public engagement expected. “It’s clear that NBC was anticipating a much bigger response, but it fell short,” he said. “The public wasn’t as invested in her return as they had hoped.”
This underwhelming turnout led Shuter to question whether the network’s handling of the situation had exacerbated the tension between the co-hosts. If audiences were not responding to the changes, then the question remains: Was this a reflection of the strained relationship between the two women, which had been quietly brewing beneath the surface?
Reflecting on Their Journeys: From Rivalry to Reunion
Looking back at the professional journeys of both Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb, it’s evident that their relationship has had many twists and turns. For Guthrie, who joined the show in 2012, it wasn’t always clear where she fit in. However, over time, she became a key figure on Today, earning the trust of viewers and producers alike. Kotb’s arrival brought a different energy, one that Guthrie, according to Shuter, struggled to embrace fully.
However, it was clear that Kotb had her own set of challenges when it came to navigating her role. The public loved her, but the behind-the-scenes politics were something she had to contend with as well. Both women have worked hard to maintain their professionalism, but the alleged favoritism from Lauer may have made that much harder to do.
Despite these issues, both women have remained dedicated to their roles on Today, earning admiration for their ability to carry on in such a competitive environment. However, their journey has been far from easy, and it’s unclear whether the unresolved tension will ever fully subside.
Conclusion: The Real Story Behind the Drama
The Today show has long been the face of morning television, and its hosts have built careers on being relatable, warm, and professional. But the drama behind the scenes has proven that even the most polished public personas can be shaped by personal and professional struggles.
Matt Lauer’s alleged favoritism toward Kotb, combined with the competitive nature of morning television, may have played a larger role in the friction between Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb than anyone realized. As their journey continues, it will be interesting to see if this longstanding tension ever truly resolves or if it will continue to linger in the background.
The true impact of Lauer’s influence on their relationship remains to be fully understood, but for now, fans of the Today show can only speculate about what truly happened between these two iconic hosts.
