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The revolving door at Studio 1A is enough to make anyone’s head spin. You wake up, brew your coffee, flip on the TV, and suddenly there’s a face you weren't expecting sitting next to Savannah Guthrie. Or maybe Savannah isn't there at all. It’s the "Today Show" gamble. If you’ve ever wondered why the Today hosts today look a little different than they did yesterday, you aren’t alone. Keeping track of the NBC morning lineup is basically a full-time job.
Morning TV is built on habit. We want the same people telling us the news while we're half-awake. But between Olympic assignments, sick days, and those dreaded "special assignments," the roster is constantly in flux.
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The Current Core: Who Runs the Show?
Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb are the anchors everyone thinks of first. They are the engine. Savannah, with her legal background and sharp interviewing skills, usually handles the "hard" news at the top of the 7:00 AM hour. Hoda is the heart. She’s the one who brings the emotional weight, though she’s just as capable of grilled a politician when the moment calls for it.
Then you’ve got Al Roker. He’s the institution. People genuinely panicked when he was out for his health scare a while back, which just goes to show how much viewers rely on that 1A weather map. Craig Melvin has solidified his spot as the third main anchor, often sliding into the main seat when the others are away.
But here is the thing.
The Today hosts today are rarely just those four.
You’ve got Carson Daly in the Orange Room, handling social media trends and "Pop Start." You have the 3rd Hour crew—usually Craig, Sheinelle Jones, and Dylan Dreyer. Then there’s the 4th hour, "Hoda & Jenna," where Jenna Bush Hager brings that specific energy that only a former First Daughter can.
Why the Lineup Changes So Often
Television schedules are brutal. These people are up at 3:00 AM. Burnout is real, and NBC is actually pretty good about letting their talent take time off for family or personal projects. If you see a guest host, it usually means one of three things:
- A Remote Shoot: They are in Paris, Tokyo, or some random town in the Midwest for a "Main Street" segment.
- The 4th Hour Shift: Sometimes Hoda is pre-recording segments for her podcast, Making Space, which pulls her away from the live desk.
- The "Special Assignment": This is often code for a big sit-down interview that hasn't aired yet.
Breaking Down the Today Hosts Today Roles
It’s not just about sitting in a chair. Each person has a "lane." Understanding these lanes helps you realize why certain people sub in for others.
When Savannah is out, you’ll often see Willie Geist step in. Willie is the "Sunday Today" anchor and has that same measured, intellectual vibe. He’s the safe pair of hands. If Hoda is out, they might lean more on Sheinelle Jones, who has a massive amount of live-broadcast experience from her days in local news and Weekend Today.
Sheinelle is honestly one of the most underrated players on the court. She can jump from a tragic breaking news story to a cooking segment without breaking a sweat. It looks easy. It isn't.
Then there’s the weather. Dylan Dreyer is the primary fill-in for Al Roker, but we’re seeing more of the weekend meteorologists like Somara Theodore or Angie Lassman. It’s a deep bench. NBC spends millions of dollars ensuring that no matter who is sick, the "vibe" of the show stays consistent. They don't want you to change the channel just because your favorite person is on vacation.
The Dynamics of Guest Hosting
Have you noticed how some guest hosts just fit?
When Justin Sylvester or Adrienne Elrod stops by, the energy shifts. Justin brings that E! News celebrity gossip flair that works perfectly for the 4th hour. It’s less about hard news and more about "did you see what happened on Instagram?"
Conversely, when someone like Peter Alexander or Laura Jarrett steps in, the show feels more "Nightly News." They are the heavy hitters. Laura Jarrett, especially since joining from CNN, has become a staple for legal analysis. Seeing her as one of the Today hosts today tells you it's going to be a news-heavy broadcast.
The Evolution of the 3rd and 4th Hours
The show isn't just one block. It's really three different shows stitched together.
The first two hours (7-9 AM) are the traditional news program. This is where the "Today hosts" act as journalists.
The 3rd Hour (9 AM) is "Today 3rd Hour." It's looser. They talk about parenting, gadgets, and health. This is where Craig, Al, Sheinelle, and Dylan really shine as a group. Their chemistry feels less like coworkers and more like people who actually like each other, which is rare in TV.
The 4th Hour (10 AM) is "Hoda & Jenna." This is practically a daytime talk show. It’s wine, it’s tears, it’s book clubs. When we talk about who is hosting "Today," we have to specify which hour, because the talent pool changes as the morning goes on.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Host Schedule
People think there is some secret drama every time an anchor is missing. "Are they getting fired?" "Is there a feud?"
Usually, no.
The contracts for these anchors are incredibly specific. They have a set number of days they are required to work. If they hit their limit, or if they have "comp time" from working a weekend special, they take a Monday or Friday off. It’s a corporate job, just with better lighting and more makeup.
The Today hosts today are also juggling a massive digital presence. They are filming TikToks, recording voiceovers for digital articles, and doing photo shoots. If an anchor is "missing" from the desk at 8:30 AM, they might just be in a dressing room down the hall recording a promo for the 11:00 PM news.
How to Stay Updated on the Daily Lineup
If you are a die-hard fan, you don't have to wait for the show to start to see who's on.
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- Check Instagram Stories: The "Today" show account and the individual anchors usually post "behind the scenes" clips around 6:30 AM ET. You'll see who is in the makeup chair.
- Look at the "Early Today" Hand-off: The 4:00 AM news anchors often tease who is coming up on the main show.
- Twitter (X) Feed: The show’s producers often tweet out the guest list and host lineup about an hour before air.
It’s worth noting that the "Today" family is huge. Beyond the main desk, you have correspondents like Vicky Nguyen, Gadi Schwartz, and Kaylee Hartung. These guys are the lifeblood of the show. They are the ones standing in hurricanes or outside courthouses so the main hosts can stay dry in the studio.
The Future of the Today Desk
Hoda Kotb recently announced she would be stepping away from her anchor role in early 2025. This is a massive deal. It’s the biggest shakeup since Matt Lauer’s exit, though obviously for much happier reasons—she wants to spend more time with her kids.
This means the search for the next Today hosts today is already happening behind the scenes.
Will it be Craig Melvin? Most likely. He’s already "the guy." But will they bring in someone from the outside? NBC has a history of promoting from within, but they also aren't afraid to make a splashy hire. The transition period will likely see a lot of "audition" rotations where different NBC News personalities get a week in the big chair to see how the audience reacts.
Actionable Tips for Today Show Viewers
If you’re trying to keep up with the chaos, here’s how to handle it like a pro:
- Don't panic if your favorite is gone. Check the show's official website under the "About" section to see the permanent roster.
- Follow the "Today Food" segments. If you see a specific host missing from a cooking segment they usually love, they are likely out for the whole day.
- Use the NBC News App. It often features "Who's on Today" articles that list the guests and the hosting team for that specific date.
- Watch the 8:00 AM "handover." That’s the most common time for the second-string hosts to cycle in if the main anchors have to leave early for an interview.
Morning television is a comfort. It’s the background noise to our lives. While the faces at the desk might change depending on the news cycle or vacation schedules, the format remains a constant in a world that feels increasingly unpredictable. Whether it's Savannah and Hoda or a team of sub-ins, the show goes on. If you miss a day, you can always catch the "Best of Today" clips on YouTube to see what you missed—usually it's a mix of hard-hitting journalism and a segment about the best air fryers of 2026.