Savannah Guthrie’s Determination Amid Family Tragedy Brings New Morning to NBC’s ‘Today’

The show must go on.

Savannah Guthrie on her first day back behind the desk at NBC’s “Today” kept the emotion
to a minimum, a signal that NBC News’ nearly 75-year-old morning franchise won’t be derailed
by the surreal and tragic abduction of her mother, Nancy, that has occupied her — and national audiences — for more than two months.

Well, here we go, ready or not,” she told co-anchor Craig Melvin at the start of Monday’s broadcast. “Let’s do the news.”

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NBC’s venerable early-day franchise has been the center of attention it would rather not have since Feb. 1, the day after Guthrie’s mother was discovered missing from her Arizona home. Her disappearance has upset not only “Today” viewers, but friends of the Guthrie family and a legion of people in TV-news circles. Working as a morning news anchor brings with it a closer-than-normal connection with audiences, and when something happens in the personal life of an a.m. anchor, viewers feel like a family member is under duress.

The trick for “Today” going forward is to make sure viewers see Guthrie “beyond the tragedy,” says one former morning producer, and that she feels comfortable in all aspects of hosting “Today,” even those that might seem highly emotional or silly. “I would probably slow roll her into that, see how the audience reacts to having her back,” says this person, who would only speak without being identified, out of sensitivity toward “Today” staffers. “These are decisions she has to make.”

There is business to consider as well. Advertisers turn to “Today” because it’s a stable venue, says one media buying executive who helps determine how marketers allocate their spending. The program is “a trusted source for news in a culture where there is a lot of distrust right now,” this executive says, noting that sponsors may grow wary of news if the U.S. war with Iran escalates. The first two hours of “Today” — watched by around 3 million viewers each weekday — generated nearly $203.5 million in advertising in 2025, according to Guideline, a tracker of ad spending. Add the 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. hours to the mix, and NBC nabbed around $315.4 million from the weekday editions.

Moments of deep feeling underscored Guthrie’s entire first day back. She had short but heartfelt [rep moments] with Al Roker and Carson Daly, as well as Melvin. But none of their exchanges trampled on the delivery of news or information, something that is viewed internally as critical to the “Today” mission.

Guthrie on Monday took part in one of the show’s signature segments — hanging out on the plaza outside Studio 1A at NBC’s New York headquarters. Fans are allowed to gather around, and many carry signs. On this day, several placards vowed support for Guthrie.

Guthrie waited until Melvin introduced her before walking out, flanked by Jenna Bush Hager, a close friend and co-host of the program’s 10 a.m. hour. “You guys have been so beautiful,” Guthrie said with emotion. “I’ve received so many letters, so much kindness to me and my whole family. We feel it. We feel your prayers. So thank you so much.” As the show moved to a commercial break, she posed for a selfie with a fan.

Melvin was assigned to handle an interview with actor Terry Crews and his wife, Rebecca King-Crews. And he sat down with Keanu Reeves to discuss his upcoming projects. Guthrie and Hager led a segment with a health expert about the symptoms of perimenopause.

People familiar with the show say producers are prepared for Guthrie to help “set a tone” during her early days back. Already, she has cracked a few jokes on air and demonstrated interest in being present in a variety of segments.

She may yet have more to say about the unsolved crime that hovers over her family. Morning anchors like Katie Couric and Robin Roberts who have dealt with personal challenges — the death of a spouse or a medical ordeal — returned to illuminate issues tied to their tests. Guthrie has an opportunity “to turn that tragedy into something that’s virtuous,” says the former producer, by calling attention to stories about missing persons and how their loved ones grapple with the aftermath.