SAVANNAH Guthrie’s Today Show host replacement has been revealed as she recovers from a massive surgery, and the the stand in is a familiar face.
During Monday morning’s broadcast, co-anchor, Craig Melvin announced who will be filling Savannah‘s very big shoes, and she happens to be a fan favorite.
Craig told audiences that beloved anchor Sheinelle Jones will take the reins alongside him for the first hour of Today.
“Sheinelle is in for Savannah, and we’re wishing her a speedy recovery from her vocal chord surgery,” Craig announced, before going into the news of the day.
Last month, Savannah announced she was undergoing major surgery and would be absent from her hosting duties.
She explained at the time that she was dealing with vocal nodules and polyps, which had left her voice sounding “very scratchy.”
After displaying a classic Brady Bunch clip of Peter’s voice cracking as he sang, Savannah told viewers: “Some of you have noticed that my voice has been very scratchy and started to crack a little bit like Peter Brady, who was going through a change.”
“Well, I have found out what it is. I have vocal nodules, and now I also have a polyp. It’s not a big, big deal, but I am going to have a surgery real early in the new year and be off for a couple of weeks.”
Savannah mentioned that she will be required to remain completely silent during her recovery period.
“You’ll love this, guys. I have to be silent for a couple of weeks, totally silent. Christmas coming early for my family!” she joked, referring to her husband, Michael Feldman, and their children, Vale, 11, and Charley, 9.
“So it’s my last day for a little while,” Savannah concluded. “I just want to let everyone know, and if you’ve been wondering, do I have the world’s longest head cold? No, I don’t.”
BIG CHANGES
Other significant shifts are coming to Today this month, which may keep Sheinelle extra busy, if her role as a fill-in for Savannah overlaps with her new position.
As previously reported, Sheinelle will be stepping into her new role as Jenna Bush Hager’s permanent co-host for the show’s fourth hour.
Sheinelle had previously taken a leave of absence to care for her husband, Uche Ojeh, who passed away in May after a battle with brain cancer.
She returned to the program in September and has now been named to this official new position.
“It feels divine,” Sheinelle remarked on air during the announcement.
“It feels like Uche is up there with God, he’s Mr. Competitive, saying, ‘Let’s make this happen for Sheinelle.’ Let’s go be with not my friend, but my sister.”
The fourth hour will be rebranded as Today with Jenna & Sheinelle, with the new format officially debuting on January 12.
