Today Show's Dylan Dreyer Weighs in on Hoda Kotb's Possible Replacement (original) (raw)
On Sept. 26, Kotb announced she would be leaving her duties as co-anchor on the longtime morning show
Published on September 27, 2024 03:59PM EDT
(L-R) Dylan Dreyer and Hoda Kotb attend Hudson River Park Friends 8th Annual Playground Committee Luncheon on March 08, 2024 in New York City. Photo:
John Nacion/Getty (2)
Dylan Dreyer is one of the many who are looking forward to learning who will replace Hoda Kotb on Today.
On Sept. 26, Kotb announced she would be leaving her duties as co-anchor on the long-running morning show. The news of her departure shocked devoted fans and begged the question, who will step forward to fill the broadcaster's big shoes?
While she considers Kotb, 60, the "heart and soul of The Today Show," Dreyer opened up about who she thinks could be her replacement once she steps back from her role. The Third Hour of Today cohost, 43, told E! News that anyone in her "family" of colleagues — including Craig Melvin, Sheinelle Jones, Carson Daly and Weekend Today anchors Peter Alexander and Laura Jarrett — would be perfect for the job.
(L-R) Al Roker, Craig Melvin, Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Carson Daly.
Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty
"I don’t think if they named anyone in our core group of people it would be surprising," she confessed. "We’ve all filled in along the way when somebody’s out. I don’t know if anybody’s made any decisions yet, but if it’s one of the core group, I really don’t think it’s that surprising."
When asked if she'd consider herself for the role, Dreyer joked, "Everybody knows I'm trying to get Al Roker to retire, let’s be honest."
The weather forecaster also admitted that the news of Kotb's exit came as a complete surprise.
"I knew about 10 minutes before the show started," she shared. "Which, I think, is when everybody kind of found out."
(L-R) Peter Alexander, Sheinelle Jones, Laura Jarrett, Carson Daly, Al Roker, Jenna Bush Hager, Hoda Kotb, Savannah Guthrie, Dylan Dreyer, Craig Melvin and Willie Geist on 'Today'.
John Nacion/Getty Images
Moments before publicly announcing her departure on the NBC morning show, Kotb wrote a letter to her staff detailing her reasons behind the decision.
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"As I write this, my heart is all over the map," she wrote. "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."
"My broadcast career has been beyond meaningful, a new decade of my life lies ahead, and now my daughters and my mom need and deserve a bigger slice of my time pie,” she continued. “I will miss you all desperately, but I’m ready and excited."
Kotb is slated to conclude her duties in early 2025 but she is still "gonna stay in the NBC family."