The search for Jenna Bush Hager’s new Today show cohost is one friendly competition.
Ever since Hoda Kotb departed from NBC’s morning show in January, the fourth hour of Today has transformed from Today With Hoda & Jenna to Today With Jenna & Friends.
Every week, Bush Hager has had the opportunity to work alongside a rotating slate of cohosts.
While NBC has yet to announce a permanent replacement, some guests are leaving quite a positive impression on viewers.
“I’ve loved a lot [of the cohosts],” Carson Daly exclusively shared with Us Weekly on August 18. “I loved Dwayne Wade. I thought he was awesome. Every time Erin Andrews is on, I’m like, ‘She’s amazing.’ Scarlett Johansson is everybody’s favorite, but she happens to be Hollywood’s most expensive actor. We can’t afford her, but she loves doing it.”
With Labor Day weekend here and the fall season quickly approaching, Us Weekly decided to spotlight some of the “friends” who have impressed viewers and Bush Hager alike.
Keep watching Today With Jenna & Friends on NBC weekdays at 10 a.m. to see guests like Ciara, Maria Shriver, Bowen Yang, Matt Rogers, Tyra Banks and more have their chance at the cohost chair.
Dwyane Wade
In addition to being one of the greatest NBA players of all time, Wade also has the skills to be a great daytime talk show host. While cohosting Today, the athlete wasn’t afraid to open up about family life with wife Gabrielle Union, reveal what’s in his murse and try pilates on live TV.
“Since I left the show in March, I’ve been all around the world and I just want to thank everybody who has come up to me and say how great we are together on this show,” Wade said while cohosting on July 8. “Thank you for coming up to me and just expressing how great we are together. … And that’s why I’m back. Because you told me I was good.”
At the end of the week, Bush Hager commented, “I loved every minute teammate!!! ❤”
Olivia Munn
When Munn had the opportunity to cohost with Bush Hager, many viewers were impressed with her calm presence and willingness to be open about a variety of topics.
Whether discussing family life with husband John Mulaney, recalling her cancer battle or questioning the Blue Origin space crew mission, Munn wasn’t afraid to speak her truth while still letting Bush Hager shine.
As viewers may recall, it was Munn who somehow got her cohost to reveal if she schedules sex every week with her husband. Cheers to morning show confessions.
Heather McMahan
If viewers were looking for an hour of laughter, chances are they loved Bush Hager and McMahan together. The duo’s chemistry was on display as they enjoyed a girls’ night out filled with empanadas, margaritas and line dancing atop a bar with cowboys.
The fun continued when Bush Hager played matchmaker for McMahan’s mom.
“I had such a great time hanging out with Jenna and everyone at the Today show for a week,” McMahan told Entertainment Tonight in March. “That’s a tough gig though. I’m more of a nighttime gal.”
Willie Geist
The longtime Today show family member makes cohosting with Bush Hager look easy every time he takes a seat at the anchor table at 10 a.m.
The Sunday Today host can tackle the day’s heaviest news stories one minute and then handle guy code scenarios with ease the next. Plus, he has a longstanding friendship with Bush Hager that extends far beyond the TV screen.
“You just can’t have more fun — on TV or off — than with @JennaBHager,” Geist shared via Instagram on July 27. “Thanks for a great week, @JennaAndFriends family!”
Bush Hager later commented, “You’re the best! Please come back soon! ❤”
Scarlett Johansson
She may be one of Hollywood’s most successful leading ladies on the big screen. But every time Johansson cohosts with Bush Hager, she excels in the world of daytime TV.
The Marvel star doesn’t hesitate to try viral foods, test out Internet hacks and tackle social dilemmas from viewers.
“It’s a complete dream,” Johansson told People while cohosting. “I was saying to Jenna earlier, it’s like that thing that I imagined as a 10-year-old: Some day I’m going to be on a daytime show and meet all of these amazing people.”
She continued, “It’s such a good vibe here. I’ve done obviously morning shows and whatever for years and years, publicizing projects I worked on and whatever, [but] it’s always so fun to come on this show. And the opportunity to be on this show for an hour and get to know more people at the show? It’s just awesome.”
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