Hoda Kotb just dropped a nostalgia bomb on the Today universe this week. Even though she parted from the show in January, she couldn’t resist coming back in for Jenna Bush Hager’s birthday. What started as a simple video greeting turned into a full-on surprise reunion that left Jenna surprised and laughing her way through the moment.
Hoda Kotb makes a surprising return to the Today Show to wish Jenna Bush Hager on her birthday
Hager kicked off her birthday episode of Today With Jenna & Friends with guest host Andy Cohen, expecting a fun morning but definitely not a drop-in from her old co-anchor. Things started with a sweet video from Hoda, who smiled into the camera and said, “JBH, good morning… guess what was on my calendar? It’s your birthday!” (via Entertainment Weekly)
Jenna lit up as Hoda added, “Happy birthday, my girl… I wish I could be with you, but I’m with you in spirit.” However, as the clip ended, Hoda suddenly walked out from behind a backstage curtain, queso and chips in hand, leaving Jenna stunned and jumping out of her seat.
“What?! Is that why you asked me if I’d been talking to Hoda?” she asked Cohen, still in shock. Hoda and Jenna hugged as Jenna kept saying, “I cannot believe you’re here.”
Later, Hoda started chatting about her upcoming gig co-hosting the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. She even shared photos from a kids’ birthday party she recently hosted at home, which cracked Jenna up. “She’s hosting!” Jenna laughed. “She never used to host!”
Hoda also talked about her Joy 101 wellness app, and Jenna encouraged her, telling her, “What you’re doing is amazing, but we miss you!”
Kotb spent 17 years on Today and 26 at NBC, becoming a major part of the morning-show family with Hager, Savannah Guthrie, and Al Roker. She stepped away earlier this year to focus on her daughters and her growing wellness brand, but she hasn’t drifted far.
Originally reported by Rishabh Shandilya on ComingSoon.
