Hoda Kotb Laughs at Final Prank on Last Day as Today Anchor


The Today show crew is preparing to say their final goodbye as Hoda Kotb hosts her last show on Friday, January 10.
After seven years in the co-anchor seat next to Savannah Guthrie, Kotb is officially retiring.
But before she signs off for the last time and leaves her anchor chair behind, the people in the Today show control room pulled one last prank on Kotb.
After coming back from break following the first half hour of the show, Guthrie began the script.
“We’re back at 7:30 it’s Friday morning,” Guthrie said. “And it’s a day of mixed emotions as we get ready to say goodbye to an icon here at 30 Rock.”
“Let’s face it, all around the world we’ll be counting down to it,” Guthrie continued as she began to giggle and the cameras panned their way over to the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree that is still lit up and standing behind the Today studio in New York City.
“Yes, our beloved Christmas tree is coming down tomorrow.”
The prank turned what would have been tears into belly laughs as Kotb, Guthrie and Kotb’s successor Craig Melvin realized Guthrie wasn’t talking about Kotb but the iconic Christmas tree so many people travel to see each holiday season.
“What? Did you think we were talking about something else?” Guthrie joked as Kotb buried her face in her hands.
Guthrie and Melvin praised the control room for their mood-lightening joke.
“Brilliant,” Melvin added. “They had to have one last crack at you,” Guthrie said to Kotb on behalf of those in the control room.
Kotb decision to retire comes after celebrating her 60th birthday on the Today plaza.
She said she saw her career so clearly and knew it was time to shift her focus to her beloved mom and her two young daughters.
Prior to her final broadcast, Kotb took to Instagram to share a quick message, writing, “How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”
How the Sports World Has Discussed Travis Kelce’s Potential Retirement
Peyton Manning, Travis Kelce, Stephen A. Smith. Getty Images (3) Travis Kelce’s future...
15 Office-Friendly Pants That Feel Like Loungewear
Us Weekly has affiliate partnerships. We receive compensation when you click on a link...
Ryan Reynolds, Scarlett Johansson and More Exes at SNL 50 Anniversary
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images (2) SNL 50: The Anniversary Special brought together...
NYFW Models Wore These $10 Press-On From Walmart
Us Weekly has affiliate partnerships. We receive compensation when you click on a link...