Hoda Kotb reunited with former Today With Kathie Lee and Hoda cohost Kathie Lee Gifford — and it was full of laughs.
Kotb, 61, introduced “my dear friend” Gifford, 72, to viewers during the Monday, March 9, episode of Today. The women were quick to get back into their old groove, even though no wine was present.
Gifford made her return to Studio 1A to promote her new book, Nero & Paul: How the Gospel of Grace Defeated the Ruler of Rome, which is set to be released on Tuesday, March 10.
“Have you actually read it, though?” Gifford asked Kotb, who was promoting the “page-turner” of a novel. Kotb admitted that she had not.
“I will,” Kotb continued. “Because I love you.”
Gifford then suggested the best way for Kotb to read the book.
“When you’re on the beach in your thong over Memorial Day, I want you to crack it open,” Gifford said as Kotb could barely contain her laughter.
The women continued their conversation about Gifford’s book, which offered a walk down memory lane. Kotb said she knows Gifford as someone who was “always creating.”
Gifford and Kotb hosted the fourth hour of Today for 11 years from 2008 to 2019.
“Every time I look at you, I am reminded that my life changed because of you,” Kotb said on Monday. Gifford replied, “You owe me everything.”
As they wrapped the interview, Kotb promised to read Gifford’s book over the Memorial Day holiday this coming May.
“In your thong,” Gifford stated. Craig Melvin could be heard yelling, “Oh,” in the background of the interview.
Kotb has been a recent fixture on Today as of late following the disappearance of Savannah Guthrie’s mom, Nancy Guthrie. News broke on February 1 that Nancy, 84, went missing from her Tucson, Arizona, home. Savannah took a step back from her Today hosting gig and dropped out of the 2026 Winter Olympics coverage. Kotb, who retired from Today in January 2025, has stepped in for her longtime friend.
Savannah has, however, promised that she plans to return to the morning show.
“I have every intention of coming back. I don’t know how to come back, but I don’t know how not to,” she said during a surprise return to Studio 1A last week. “You’re my family and I would like to try.”
While Savannah did not appear on air when returning to New York on Thursday, March 5, she did address the Today staff and thanked them for their ongoing support as the search for Nancy continues.
“I wanted you to know that I’m still standing, and I still have hope, and I’m still me,” she said. “I don’t know what version of me that will be, but it will be.”
