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    • Why Hoda Kotb Leaving the ‘Today’ Show Is ‘The Hardest Thing in the World’
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    Why Hoda Kotb Leaving the ‘Today’ Show Is ‘The Hardest Thing in the World’

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    It was a shock this morning: Hoda Kotb announced on Thursday, September 26, that she is leaving the Today show, which she co-hosted for more than five years.

    This may not seem like shocking news, and it probably isn’t, but it’s more important to many people than you might think.

    As the show’s cast gathered on a couch at the end of the show, in one of those moments you only get on a morning show, Kotb made the announcement. “This is the hardest thing in the world,” she said. Tears flowed, pleasantries were exchanged, and Kotb explained her decision. She recently turned 60, she said, and it gave her a new perspective on things. So did her children, whom she had later in life, she said.

    Kotb will remain on ‘Today’ until the end of this year

    “They deserve a bigger piece of my time than I have,” Kotb said. “I feel like we only have a limited amount of time.”

    Co-host Savannah Guthrie cried as she said, “You have guts. For someone to leave at the peak of their potential, to leave something that’s amazing, that you love, that’s easy and comfortable and beautiful and fun, and say, ‘But I’m going to dream bigger for myself in the great unknown.’ You have so much guts. You inspire me. I love you.”

    Kotb co-hosts the “Today” show itself and the show’s fourth hour (kind of the same, but different). She started hosting the show’s fourth hour in 2008. In 2017, NBC shockingly fired longtime “Today” co-host Matt Lauer following allegations of sexual misconduct. She was initially a temporary replacement, but eventually became permanent.

    If evening news shows still draw large audiences (they do), the once-exalted position of anchor has declined in prestige. But prestige is not what you want in a morning show host. You want stability, a known quantity. Mornings are about routine, and when that routine is disrupted, the whole thing goes haywire.

    Who will succeed Hoda Kotb?

    For millions of people, Kotb was part of that routine. She came from local TV, so her reporting skills are solid. But she has a kindness, a genial demeanor that’s perfect for an early-morning audience. It’s not a learned skill. It’s just a vibe, and Kotb has it.

    Kotb said she will stay with “Today” through the end of the year and will remain with the network. NBC has not yet named a replacement.

    It’s going to be tough. Mixing chemistry on morning shows is like trying to split an atom. Screw it up and you’re in real trouble.

    Craig Melvin was right when he spoke to her after the announcement. “You’ve been the heart of the show for a long time,” he said. “There’s no replacing that.”

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    Reach Goodykoontz on [email protected]. Facebook: facebook.com/GoodyOnFilm. X: @Good morning. Subscribe to the weekly film newsletter.

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