Mariska Hargitay Praises Hoda Kotb forTodayExit but Tells Savannah Guthrie She's 'Happy to Step in Anytime'

Mar. 15, 2025

Hoda Kotb (left), Mariska Hargitay, Savannah Guthrie.Photo:Nathan Congleton/NBC (2); Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty

Nathan Congleton/NBC (2); Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty

Mariska Hargitayis happy to fill in forHoda Kotb.

Hargitay, 60, continued, “And my gosh, I grieve for all of us in this country who’s gonna miss you — and most of all you,” referring to her longtime co-anchor,Savannah Guthrie.

The actress then made a tempting offer, saying she would be “happy to step in any time.”

“I love you!” Kotb said as she laughed, before both she and Guthrie, 52, grabbed Hargitay’s hands and said, “Deal.”

Mariska Hargitay on the ‘Today’ show on Oct. 1.Today Show/X.com

Today Show/X.com

Kotb announced her plans to leaveTodayon Sept. 26, writing in aletterto NBC staffers: “I know I’m making the right decision, but it’s a painful one. And you all are the reason why. They say two things can be right at the same time, and I’m feeling that so deeply right now. I love you and it’s time for me to leave the show.”

Kotb reflected onturning 60 earlier this yearand how the milestone birthday led her to decide to “turn a page” and “try something new.”

“I had my kiddos later in life and I was thinking that they deserve a bigger piece of my time pie that I have. I feel like we only have a finite amount of time. And so, with all that being said, this is the hardest thing in the world,” Kotb said through tears.

“I’m gonna be here through the first of the year — past the first of the year — and I’m gonna stay in the NBC family, but it’s kind of a big deal for me.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“This was a complete surprise to most people at the show. However, Hoda has put a lot of thought into it. She also talked a lot about it with both Savannah and Jenna.”

“Ultimately, she made the final decision in the interest of her girls,” the source said, referring to Kotb’sdaughters Hope, 4, and Haley, 7. “The show is focused on Hoda right now, not on filling the roles just yet.”

source: people.com