Kathie Lee Gifford Leaving "Today" in April — Watch her Announcement
by Rebecca Iannucci
December 11, 2018


Kathie Lee Gifford, who has co-hosted "Today‘s" fourth hour with Hoda Kotb for more than a decade, will leave the NBC morning show in April.

“I have something to share with everybody, and it’s bittersweet, as these things always are,” Gifford said on Tuesday’s broadcast, pointing to Kotb as she continued, “I’ve been here almost 11 years. Thought I would stay one year, but something happened along the way: I fell in love with a beautiful Egyptian goddess. And now, when it’s our 11th anniversary, I’m going to be leaving the Today show.”

She added: “It’s an exciting time for me, and I’m thrilled about all of the projects that are coming up. But it’s also hard, because the reason I stayed longer than a year is because I love everybody here so much.”





Gifford will stay with "Today" through April, which will mark her 11th anniversary with the show.

It’s not yet clear what will become of "Today‘s" 10 a.m. hour — Kotb also co-anchors the show’s first two hours with Savannah Guthrie and Craig Melvin — but NBC News president Noah Oppenheim said he will have “much more to share about our plans… which will, of course, continue to include Hoda.”




Oppenheim addressed Gifford’s departure in a memo to staff on Tuesday, which was shared with our sister site Deadline:

"When we first launched this incredible hour, no one could have predicted the lightning (or rather, wine) in a bottle that is Hoda and Kathie Lee. Whether in studio or on one of their many road trips, they have delighted our audience with their distinct brand of fun, friendship and adventure.

During that time, Kathie Lee has cemented her status as one of the most enduring and endearing talents in morning television. In short – she is a legend."

https://tvline.com/2018/12/11/today-show-kathie-lee-gifford-leaving-fourth-hour-video/

Ellen Pompeo called out Kathie Lee and Hoda for drinking hours before this morning's exit announcement (https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/ellen-pompeo-called-out-kathie-lee-gifford-hoda-kotbs-drinking/)

The Grey's Anatomy star tweeted last night in response to the Kathie Lee and Hoda Twitter account mentioning the news of Pompeo not speaking to Patrick Dempsey in years. "Hey here’s a suggestion!! Maybe all of you over there lay off the booze and pay attention to the real conversation that took place ?" Pompeo tweeted.

Who will replace Kathie Lee Gifford on Today's fourth hour? (https://people.com/tv/kathie-lee-gifford-leaves-today-who-could-fill-her-spot-alongside-hoda-kotb/)

People magazine's suggestions include Al Roker, Jenna Bush Hager, Bethenny Frankel and fourth-hour regular John Cena.

Jenna Bush Hager is considered the frontrunner to replace Kathie Lee Gifford on Today (https://people.com/tv/jenna-bush-hager-frontrunner-replace-kathie-lee-gifford-today-show/)

The Today correspondent daughter of former President George W. Bush is "in the mix because she is a favorite among viewers and staffers and she has already filled in for Kathie Lee every time she’s been away,” a source tells People. The source added that “nothing has been determined about (Gifford's) replacement. She’s here until April anyway. But it’s looking like Jenna." The Daily Beast also pegged Hager as the frontrunner, adding that her selection would be a "big blow” to Carson Daly (https://www.thedailybeast.com/kathie-lee-gifford-just-broke-up-daytime-tvs-best-double-act-on-nbcs-today), "who had been eyeing the job." The Daily Beast notes that Hager and Hoda Kotb already have chemistry on- and off-screen. ALSO: Kathie Lee Gifford reportedly tried to resign a year ago, but NBC executives begged her to stay (https://pagesix.com/2018/12/11/execs-begged-kathie-lee-gifford-to-stay-on-the-today-show/).

138. ENTERTAINMENT LAWYER 12/11 **#9** (https://www.crazydaysandnights.net/2018/12/blind-item-9_11.html)
They are trying to be gracious, but this talk show host was not getting her contract renewed, but let her say she was leaving on her own terms. Kathie Lee Gifford leaving "Today" (https://pagesix.com/2018/12/11/kathie-lee-gifford-is-leaving-today/)

I wish Kathie Lee well in her future endeavors, I've always liked her.

Ed.

Kathie Lee Gifford's mere 11 year tenure with Today Show was the biggest thing happen to her iconic career since her on-air pairing with Regis Philbin in the mid to late 1980s & throughout the 1990s.

Jenna Bush Officially Crowned New "Today" Hour 4 Co-Host, First of “Many” Changes Says Noah Oppenheim
by Lisa de Moraes
February 26, 2019


Confirming the worst kept secret in morning show TV, NBC News president Noah Oppenheim made it official Tuesday: former First Daughter Jenna Bush is replacing Kathie Lee Gifford on the fourth hour of "Today".

“Jenna joined Today nearly ten years ago and she quickly became a fixture in our family,” said Oppenheim. That’s quite a statement, given that Oppenheim’s the exec who previously got burned reaching for bright shiny lights from outside the family for his "Today" franchise, including Jenna’s relative Billy Bush, and then Megyn Kelly.

“Her compassion and curiosity come through in all of her stories, along with her Texas-sized sense of humor,” Oppenheim enthused of Jenna Bush in his memo to staff.




Oppenheim said it’s “bittersweet to say goodbye to Kathie Lee” but “we are thrilled to have the opportunity to make some changes at 10 AM” calling the Bush official unveiling “just the first of many.”

“The show is evolving, and we will have additional announcements to share with you in the coming months. In the meantime, please join me in wishing Jenna a big congratulations,” he concluded.

https://deadline.com/2019/02/jenna-bush-officially-crowned-new-today-hour-4-co-host-first-of-many-changes-says-noah-oppenheim-1202565417/

Jenna Bush Hager would be a great successor of Kathie Lee Gifford once next month arrives.

I am so out of touch with the Today show, that I didn't Jenna was even on the show. Morning tv has changed so much.

Kathie Lee Gifford's morning TV legacy will outlast her critics (https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2019/04/05/kathie-lee-gifford-has-been-mocked-years-her-morning-tv-legacy-will-outlast-her-critics/)

There's a reason Gifford saw success for 15 years on ABC's Live With Regis and Kathie Lee and 11 years with Hoda Kotb on Today, despite being the butt of jokes on SNL, Jay Leno's Tonight Show and former Washington Post TV critic Tom Shales (https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1995/12/20/kathie-lee-the-grin-that-stole-christmas/f594b669-d6ba-44e4-a628-71f9dcb3f55d/). "The thing that made Gifford the perfect target for comedians is also what has made her a must-watch TV personality since 1985 and will define her legacy: She has always been, for better or worse, completely and unabashedly herself," says The Post's Emily Yahr, adding: "The always-bubbly Gifford told viewers everything about her life, often sharing too many details. To some, she was a delight. To others, she was incredibly irritating. But she was always honest...Gifford’s polarizing personality has earned her a lot of attention, which partially explains her success in the entertainment industry — even if people are saying negative things, at least they’re talking about you." ALSO: If anyone could be "over-farewelled," it has been Kathie Lee Gifford (https://www.thedailybeast.com/kathie-lee-giffords-nbc-today-show-farewell-god-wine-hoda-and-shameless-self-promotion).

Thank you Kathie Lee for the 26 years of morning fun. You and Hoda were a perfect pair.

Good luck to Jenna, and I know she'll do great.