Savannah Guthrie has been a familiar face on Today for over a decade,
but stepping into her role as co-anchor in 2012 was anything but easy.
In a candid interview with Parade, the 53-year-old journalist revealed that she was “terrified”
when she was offered the job, admitting that the transition was fraught with challenges.
At the time, Today was going through a turbulent period following the departure of long-time anchor Ann Curry.
Rumors swirled that Ann’s exit was due to poor on-air chemistry with her co-anchor Matt Lauer, with speculation that Lauer had played a role in pushing her out.
The controversy surrounding the show only heightened the pressure on Savannah as she stepped into the high-profile position.
A Difficult Transition into Today
Savannah reflected on the difficult circumstances that surrounded her promotion, explaining that it was not a joyous occasion for anyone involved.
“I came at a time of a lot of controversy for the show, and it wasn’t, I don’t think, a happy occasion, really – for anyone, including me,” she told Parade.
Taking on the co-anchor position meant that Savannah was stepping into a role that came with high expectations. The show’s ratings were heavily dependent on how viewers responded to the lineup change, making the pressure even greater.
The weight of responsibility only grew in the years that followed. In 2018, Matt Lauer was fired from NBC following a sexual misconduct scandal, leading to another major shake-up in the Today lineup. Hoda Kotb was eventually promoted to co-anchor alongside Savannah, and the two have since become a powerhouse duo on morning television.
Keeping Political Views Private
As a prominent journalist, Savannah has often found herself at the center of speculation regarding her political beliefs. She has made a conscious effort to separate her personal opinions from her reporting, striving to remain neutral and objective on-air.
