Scarlett Johansson May Be Out, But There Are Two Other Today Hosts Carson Daly Would Love To See Take Hoda’s Place

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Today, after undergoing numerous transformations over its long years on NBC, we’re still waiting to find out who the next permanent team member will be in the 2025 TV schedule, following Hoda Kotb’s departure in January. Over the past few months, the daytime program has seen a rotation of guests joining Jenna Bush Hager in the fourth hour, with Scarlett Johansson being a notable addition. Although the actor with the highest box-office earnings might not be jumping at the chance for a full-time daytime TV role anytime soon, Carson Daly is considering a couple of potential guest hosts who he believes could fit perfectly into a permanent seat.

Scarlett Johansson’s reasoning behind her brief stint as a co-host on Today also indicates why she isn’t prepared for daily live TV for hours at a time. Meanwhile, longtime Today contributor Carson Daly offered his thoughts on the current vacancy to Us Weekly.

Among many co-hosts, I particularly admire Dwayne Wade and find him impressive. Every time Erin Andrews appears, I’m struck by how fantastic she is. Scarlett Johansson is widely adored, though she commands high fees in Hollywood, which unfortunately makes it impossible for us to have her. Yet, she seems genuinely passionate about what she does.

The anchor from Today, named Daly, hinted at some high-profile individuals who might be appearing on Jenna Bush Hagar’s segment of the show, which was previously called “Today With Hoda & Jenna” but is now titled “Today With Jenna & Friends.” It seems that Erin Andrews, a well-known TV personality and sportscaster who used to host Dancing with the Stars, as well as NBA legend Dwyane Wade, made a strong impact on The Voice host.

As a devoted fan, I’ve got to say that Carson Daly didn’t exactly drop hints when he mentioned Erin Andrews and Dwyane Wade, but he did. He also admitted that he frequently inquires about who could potentially replace Jenna Bush Hager as her permanent co-host. Yet, he hinted that the Today team is inclined to keep the revolving door approach going for now. This sentiment aligns with what Jenna herself shared this summer, stating that they’re still on the lookout for a permanent addition to her segment of the show.

Daly further mentioned that the rotating guest hosts help maintain variety in the show, and he recognized that Jenna has welcomed many outstanding individuals since Hoda Kotb’s departure. Notable celebrities who have graced the Jenna & Friends hour this year include Taraji P. Henson, Keke Palmer, Ciara, Andy Cohen, Bowen Yang, Tyra Banks, Olivia Munn, and Wynonna Judd, among others.

For the past few months, Erin Andrews and Dwyane Wade have been alternating two full weeks each, hosting episodes of Today alongside Jenna Bush Hager. Both replacements occupied Hoda Kotb’s former seat for an equivalent duration prior to her retirement, yet they each contribute unique qualities to the show.

In the near future, it’s uncertain when Today will officially select a permanent co-host for Jenna Bush Hager, so we may continue to see temporary hosts filling in. As of now, Erin Andrews has been serving as the guest host, but according to Today, they plan to air “Best-of episodes” from August 18 – 29.

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2025-08-22 14:20