Jenna Bush Hager is starting a new era of the Today show’s fourth hour.
Following Hoda Kotb’s final episode on January 10, Today With Hoda & Jenna relaunched under the new title Today With Jenna & Friends. Bush Hager, 43, will appear alongside a rotating panel of celebrity guest hosts until Kotb’s official replacement is selected.
“Whoever sits in this seat is going to have the easiest job in the world ‘cause they’re sitting next to you,” Kotb, 60, said on a September 2024 episode of Hoda & Jenna after announcing her Today exit. “I mean, the only thing they have to do is not laugh so hard they pee their pants. That’s it. They just have to hang on. You are this bright light, you always have been, and it’s your turn.”
At the time, Bush Hager replied: “If I’m bright, it’s because I’m sitting in your glow.”
Kotb helped Bush Hager announce her first lineup of guest hosts during her final week of Today, describing her first three picks as “heavy-hitter, homerun [and] wow” on the January 6 episode of Hoda & Jenna.
After hearing the brand-new Jenna & Friends theme song, Kotb tearfully told her TV partner: “I was picturing you and how proud I’m gonna be of you walking right here from that wall to this desk with that song. It’s gonna be awesome. It’s gonna be amazing.”
Scroll down to see which celebs will be sitting next to Bush Hager on Today With Jenna & Friends:
Taraji P. Henson
Hosting dates: January 13 and January 17
Eva Longoria
Hosting dates: January 14
Keke Palmer
Hosting dates: January 15
Michelle Buteau
Hosting dates: January 16
Scarlett Johansson
Hosting dates: January 21 through January 24
Kelsea Ballerini
Hosting dates: January 27
Kimberly Schlapman
Hosting dates: January 28 (filling in for Jordin Sparks)
Ciara
Hosting dates: January 29 and January 31
Wynonna Judd
Hosting dates: January 30
Ego Nwodim
Hosting dates: Week of February 3
