Jenna Bush Hager recently announced that Scarlett Johansson will join her on Today with Jenna and Friends as a guest co-host. While the broadcaster, 43, is thrilled to collaborate with the Oscar-nominated actress, 40, Bush Hager admitted that she also misses her former co-host on Today with Hoda and Jenna, Hoda Kotb.
As the former First Daughter dished to People this week: “Scarlett Johansson is the queen! First of all, I’ve been obsessed with her movies since forever. The Girl with a Pearl Earring, I mean that shows you I’m a nerd who loves to read.” Johansson will be Bush Hager’s co-host from January 21st onward. Bush Hager added: “She’s also a big reader, which will be so much fun. We have so much in common.”
Jenna Bush Hager Shares ‘Bittersweet’ Thoughts on Scarlett Johansson Replacing Hoda Kotb on the 'Today' Show
She continued: "It's just a wild dream. But that's what I'm saying, the fact that she's coming to give us a week of her time, she could be doing anything, is a testament to the show that we have built. So I am beyond thrilled. I cannot wait." Bush Hager went on: "We've never seen Scarlett Johansson host a daytime show before!" During the January 7th broadcast, Bush Hager hinted that the show has a lot of exciting activities lined up with Johansson.
"First of all, you guys had a great click. She is an awesome person," Kotb (whose last day on Today is January 10th) said. "And right away, I still remember, right when she was here, you were like, ‘Can she do it?’ You know when you know someone’s gonna be good at something?" Bush Hager replied: "I think we’re gonna have a blast."
Today with Jenna & Friends will premiere on January 13th, shortly after Kotb's final appearance on January 10th. On the January 6th show, Bush Hager revealed that a series of celebrity guests would temporarily step in until the Marriage Story star assumes the role. Among the stars set to fill the gap are actresses Taraji P. Henson, Eva Longoria, and Keke Palmer.
"What's so cool about it is that it really does feel like we're pulling up chairs for all different types of people," Bush Hager noted. She also pointed out:"Yes, we have actors, but we also have comedians and people in media. And I think that really is what we're hoping to have: a total representation of who watches our show and something for every viewer."
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Despite the thrill of launching a new phase for the fourth hour of Today, Bush Hager would be neglectful if she didn't acknowledge that the experience is also tinged with a sense of "bittersweet" emotions.
"I adore Hoda. She's the best partner. She's been the most generous partner, and we are truly really great friends, so the thought of her not being here is almost too much to bear," Bush Hager shared.
Kotb’s fans are still reeling after the television personality announced that she will be departing the show after working for NBC for over 26 years. She revealed on-air on September 26, 2024 that her 60th birthday in August inspired her to make a major change in her life and career.
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The mom of two noted that wanting to spend more time with her children was a big motivator for her choice to leave the show. “Obviously I had my kiddos late in life, and I was thinking that they deserve a bigger piece of my time pie that I have,” Kotb said at the time.
In the days before Kotb leaves, Today is celebrating her with a "Hoda-bration" this week,ending with a final live broadcast on Friday from New York City's Studio 8G at Rockefeller Center. Bush Hager further explained: "Obviously, I've had months to wrap my head around it, although I cannot promise that our last Hoda-bration won't also be filled with tears. I'm sure it will be just because I can't help it. I'm excited and nervous and thrilled, and I'm also really, really going to miss Hoda." (Us, too!)
