This morning, after what had been almost five straight months off the air, Hoda Kotb returned to Studio 1A and Today.
And boy was she psyched about it.
“I went to bed last night I popped up at 3:15 and I was like, ‘I get to come home!,” Kotb said of her return.
It’s may not be Christmas morning.. but it sure feels like it! Can’t wait to unwrap this day with my @TODAYshow fam !!! Nice to be back!!!❤️ pic.twitter.com/3IgRbSxcQN
— Hoda Kotb (@hodakotb) September 3, 2019
Savannah Guthrie, Kotb’s partner in crime at the anchor desk, was pretty excited as well.
She’s here!!! pic.twitter.com/JTaO0Do8wd
— Savannah Guthrie (@SavannahGuthrie) September 3, 2019
Could. Not. Be. Happier!!!!! pic.twitter.com/YebPoehmmD
— Savannah Guthrie (@SavannahGuthrie) September 3, 2019
“I can confirm she’s real, she’s with us. @HodaKotb is back!” –@savannahguthrie pic.twitter.com/KideUJXZh4
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) September 3, 2019
In April, Kotb adopted a second child, a baby girl named Hope Catherine. Since then, she’s gone on maternity leave to take care of her. Kotb’s first child is named Haley, and she’s two.
The return of Kotb comes at an important time for the morning show. Today has finished in second place behind GMA among adults 25-54 for back-to-back weeks (weeks of Aug. 12 and Aug. 19). The last time Today took second place among A25-54 for back-to-back weeks was August 2015.
Perhaps buzz around the return of the popular morning newser will get the NBC morning show back on track.