Former 'Today' host Katie Couric weighs in on Nancy Guthrie case
Former 'Today' host Katie Couric weighs in on Nancy Guthrie case
Edward Segarra, USA TODAYThu, February 26, 2026 at 6:01 PM UTC
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A longtime member of the "Today" show family is showing support amid host Savannah Guthrie's absence from the morning talk show.
Katie Couric, who co-anchored the NBC broadcast from 1991-2006, reflected on the talk show's staffing limbo as it navigates Guthrie's unexpected hiatus following the disappearance of her mother, 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie.
"This situation is tragically unprecedented, and I think it's really hard to compare anything else to what Savannah and her family are dealing with right now," Couric told Variety in an interview published Thursday, Feb. 26.
Guthrie, who's served as a "Today" anchor since 2011, has taken a step back from hosting duties after her mother Nancy was reported missing on Feb. 1. Authorities, which include a combination of local police and the FBI, said they believe the woman was taken from her home outside of Tucson, Arizona, against her will.
Hoda Kotb returns to 'Today' amid Savannah Guthrie absence
In her absence, Guthrie's former "Today" show colleague, Hoda Kotb, has returned to the talk show to fill in for Guthrie.
"Morning shows are living, breathing organisms, and when something happens to a member of these very close-knit teams, it is devastating, I think, to everyone," Couric, an Emmy-winning journalist, told Variety. "The 'Today' show team is doing the best they possibly can, and it must be excruciating to try to carry on, but also to cover a story about a beloved colleague."
Of Kotb's substitute role, Couric added, "They are fortunate that Hoda, who is a familiar and beloved face, is able to step in so seamlessly under very difficult circumstances."
Katie Couric 'cannot stop thinking and worrying' about Savannah Guthrie
Earlier this month, Couric took to social media to share her condolences for Guthrie and her family amid the search for Nancy Guthrie.
"I cannot stop thinking and worrying about Nancy Guthrie, Savannah, her siblings and her children," Couric wrote in the Feb. 3 post alongside a photo of Guthrie and her mother. "There is just so much sadness and anxiety in the world — so much cruelty, it is almost impossible to fathom."
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Katie Couric, left, and Savannah Guthrie attend the Yahoo News/ABCNews Pre-White House Correspondents' dinner reception at Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C., on May 3, 2014.
She added: "Sending them and all of you out there love and support and praying for the safety and well-being of this lovely mom and grandmother and honestly, right now for an entire country that seems lost."
The following day, Couric shared a video of Guthrie and her siblings addressing their mother's absence, writing, "This is absolutely gutting. My heart is breaking for the Guthrie family. Anyone with information please call 1-800-CALL-FBI. ❤️"
What have Savannah Guthrie's 'Today' cohosts said amid her absence?
Couric joins the rest of the "Today" show family in standing by Guthrie.
Guthrie's costars, Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager, both showed their support on social media after the "Today" host shared a post thanking fans for their prayers amid Nancy Guthrie's disappearance.
"Nonstop prayers — love you my girl XO," Kotb wrote under the Feb. 2 post, while Bush Hager added, "Praying, my love. Can't stop thinking of you and Nancy. ❤️"
1 / 0See memorable moments from 'Today' show host Savannah Guthrie's career
Savannah Guthrie has been a main co‑anchor of NBC’s "Today" show since 2012.
The "Today" show cohost returned to Studio 1A Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, after taking a lengthy hiatus to undergo vocal cord surgery. Look back at her career on TV.
During the "Today" show's Feb. 6 broadcast, Kotb reflected on the emotional impact of Guthrie's absence.
"There's this helpless feeling. We're all so close with her, and we all want to help her," said Kotb, noting Guthrie's consistent moral support of her costars. "You know, they say, 'Love is patient. Love is kind.' We'll be patient and put prayers up."
Contributing: Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Savannah Guthrie mom – Katie Couric supports 'Today' show amid case
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
