Topic / Subject
A Hollywood Reporter piece explored the uncomfortable “what if” scenario for NBC’s Today: what happens if Savannah Guthrie’s extended absence becomes long-term amid an ongoing family crisis.

TL;DR
Per People, Guthrie has been away from Today as the search for her missing mother continues, and Hoda Kotb has been co-anchoring with Craig Melvin since Feb. 6. The “doesn’t return” angle is speculative, but it’s already turning into a loaded NBC succession conversation.

Key Details

• Savannah Guthrie has been away from Today amid the ongoing search for her missing mother, Nancy Guthrie.
• People reports Hoda Kotb has been co-anchoring Today with Craig Melvin since Feb. 6 during Guthrie’s absence.
• TV News Check says the THR framing is essentially “the show must go on,” even though insiders don’t want it to be without Guthrie.
• People reports the family offered up to a $1 million reward for information and the FBI also has an active reward.
• No public decision has been announced by Guthrie or NBC about a permanent exit.

Breakdown
This story is less “celebrity rumor” and more “live newsroom triage.” Today is one of the most routine-based shows on TV. When a core anchor is out unexpectedly, the broadcast still has to hit the runway every morning, on time, with a steady tone.

Per People, NBC’s immediate answer has been stability: keep Hoda in the chair, pair her with Craig Melvin, and avoid making the absence the show’s whole identity. That approach makes sense because audiences don’t just watch Today for headlines, they watch it for familiarity.

The THR question (as summarized by TV News Check) gets uncomfortable fast because it forces a second conversation while the first one is still unresolved: how long can the show hold its current shape, and what does “temporary” become if the calendar keeps moving?

The key caution: “doesn’t return” is not a report of a decision. It’s contingency talk, the kind that happens at every network, whether anyone wants to admit it.

What We Know

• Guthrie is absent, and the search for her mother is ongoing.
• Today’s on-air setup has shifted, with Kotb and Melvin co-anchoring during the absence (per People).

What We Don’t Know

• When (or whether) Guthrie returns to the desk.
• Whether NBC would make a permanent co-anchor change or keep rotating the lineup if the absence continues.
• What Guthrie and NBC have discussed privately about timing.

What Would Confirm It

• An on-record update from Guthrie or NBC on her return plan.
• A formal NBC announcement about a permanent anchor change (if it ever comes to that).
• A sustained, clearly labeled “new permanent lineup” presentation on-air.

How Credible Is This?
This is credible as a “media industry what-if” analysis because it’s grounded in observable facts (Guthrie’s absence and the current co-anchor setup) reported by People and discussed via THR/TV News Check. The speculative part is only the long-term outcome.

Production Reality Check
Morning shows are built on consistency. Networks usually prioritize the least disruptive option until they’re forced to do otherwise, especially when the situation is sensitive and unresolved.

Does It Make Sense?
Yes, the question is unavoidable from a business/production standpoint, even if it feels harsh. The show still has to plan for every scenario while hoping the best outcome is a return.

What to Watch Next

• Any official update from NBC or Guthrie on timing.
• Whether the Kotb/Melvin pairing stays locked, or NBC starts testing other configurations.
• How often Today addresses the situation on-air (or chooses not to).

Sources
TV News Check — What Will “Today” Do if Savannah Guthrie Doesn’t Return?
People — Hoda Kotb Will Co-Anchor Today for Fourth Week as Search for Savannah Guthrie’s Mom Continues
The Hollywood Reporter — What Will “Today” Do if Savannah Guthrie Doesn’t Return?

Comment
Should NBC keep the current setup indefinitely, or eventually name a permanent co-anchor if the absence stretches longer?