Savannah Guthrie Talks Hoda Kotb Replacing Matt Lauer: ‘Something Really Lovely and Positive Has Happened’

Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb
Getty Images

The ‘Today’ co-anchors visited the ‘Tonight Show’ on Wednesday.

Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb are turning a tough situation into a great experience! The pair officially became co-anchors of the Today show earlier this month when Kotb replaced Matt Lauer after the longtime anchor was fired late last year.

It marks the first time in the morning show’s history that there have been two female anchors.

“Savannah and I started anchoring together, and it was just weird,” Kotb recalled on Wednesday’s Tonight Show. “It was like if you’ve ever met a friend and had, like, a great moment where you say to yourself, ‘Wow, that was so much fun. It worked.’ I think we had an instant thing”

Guthrie agreed, joking, “Hoda said it was like a first date, and I was like, ‘and I’m easy and desperate,’ so no problem! It just clicked, and it felt so good. And we’re so happy.”

The duo also touched on Lauer’s sudden exit after 20 years on the show. Kotb admitted, “It was a difficult time for the show, no question.”

“Yeah, it was hard, and like everyone saw, we went through it,” Guthrie added. “But something really lovely and positive has happened. And I think that’s where we’re focused.”

And now the ladies are teaming up for the Winter Olympics in China next month. Kotb, who recently had a life-changing moment herself thanks to her new position, remarked on how special the event can be.

“The thing about the Olympics is there’s no other place on earth where you can sit there and watch a kid you’ve never heard of before and in that instant you get to watch their life change,” she said.

For more on the Today show drama, watch the clip below.

RELATED CONTENT:

Willie Geist Raves About Hoda Kotb's 'Today' Promotion, Says He's Been In Touch With Matt Lauer (Exclusive)

Ann Curry Finally Speaks Out About Leaving the 'Today' Show in 2012

Ann Curry Says She's 'Not Surprised' by Matt Lauer Sexual Misconduct Allegations