On Thursday, the “Today” show went out of its way to emphasize to viewers that the NBC morning news show is “family,” as its on-air talent welcomed co-host Savannah Guthrie for a visit after she was in Arizona last month, dealing with the heartbreaking search for her 84-year-old mother.
But sources for the Daily Mail’s hotly contested report dispute the idea that people on the show are close and caring, or that they are eager to see Guthrie return, as he promised he would.
In fact, the “brutal truth” is that “many” employees at the show hope Guthrie doesn’t find his way back to “Today,” the Daily Mail reported, citing interviews with multiple sources.
“It’s a snake’s nest, even if you suffer,” said another source.
Different people had different reasons for hoping that Guthrie would stay forever, the Daily Mail reported. Although all sources interviewed said they hope for the safe return of Nancy Guthrie, who was reported missing from her Tucson home on Feb. 1, they also present a behind-the-scenes look at the busy TV crew.
‘Do you think the ‘Morning Show’ is bad? That’s nothing,” said another source talking about the back and forth between Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon in the Apple TV show. This source said that Guthrie’s colleagues on the air see themselves getting more screen time if he doesn’t go. “These people will steal your seat while you’re sitting in it,” said the source.
Another person said the production staff felt more comfortable in Guthrie’s absence, because of his star power and high standards. “They prefer the friendly Hoda Kotb, who will replace him,” said the source.
Four days before Guthrie’s brief visit to the studio, NBC executives held a production meeting, with “up-and-comers and aspirants” hoping he would provide answers about their futures, the Daily Mail reported. They were dismayed when management announced that Guthrie would return, but on an unknown date. Officials also asked everyone to keep Guthrie and his family in their thoughts.
During Guthrie’s visit to Studio 1A, where he was “welcomed by our ‘Today’ show family,” as Craig Melvin said, he informed his co-stars, “I’m still standing and I’m still hopeful and I’m still me.” He also said, “I am determined to come back, I don’t know how to come back, but I don’t know how to come back, you are my family, and I want to try.”
Guthrie’s visit takes place on Day 33 in search of his mother. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI believe that Nancy Guthrie was taken from her home against her will on the morning of February 1, after being dropped off at her home the night before by family.
Despite a massive search, wall-to-wall coverage and President Donald Trump’s plea for her grandmother’s safe return, she has not been found, with authorities and her family admitting they don’t know if she’s still alive. The authorities have not yet identified the suspects or the reasons for his arrest.
During Guthrie’s visit, Dylan Dreyer, “Today” meteorologist and “3rd Hour of Today” host, led other anchors and staff in a “moving prayer” for Nancy Guthrie’s safe return.
“You know, it felt like the right moment for all of us,” Dreyer said on the show. “We talk about how the ‘Today’ show is a family. And here we were, each of us praying alone. Why don’t we hold hands and send one big prayer to God? … And I think, Savannah felt our love. As a family, we gave her that love. It was our gift to her.”
