What To Know
- Savannah Guthrie has been absent from NBC’s Today for a handful of days this week.
- A source reportedly revealed to People whether or not her absence is related to the investigation into her mother Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance.
- Savannah recently teared up on Today while addressing an update in the case.
Savannah Guthrie is taking some time off from Today, but not for the reason some might expect.
Guthrie appeared on both the Monday, July 6, and Tuesday, July 7, episodes of the NBC morning show. However, Sheinelle Jones filled in for Guthrie at the anchor desk on Wednesday, July 8. Guthrie was absent again on Thursday, July 9, with Weekend Today‘s Laura Jarrett taking her place alongside co-anchor Craig Melvin.
A source reportedly confirmed to People on Thursday that Guthrie will be absent on Today for the remainder of the week, and is expected to be back in Studio 1A on Monday, July 13.
Guthrie is one of several Today host absences this week. Melvin previously shared on the show that Al Roker has the week off. Dylan Dreyer and Carson Daly have been absent since Wednesday, but reported live from Lake Tahoe on Thursday to chat about the annual American Century Championship. Jones and Bush Hager were also missing on Thursday, and the day’s episode of Today With Jenna & Sheinelle was prerecorded.
Though the reason for the host’s absences has not been shared, it is likely they are taking time off to enjoy summer vacation with friends and family. The People source reportedly shut down one theory as to why Savannah is off this week, claiming that her absence is unrelated to her mother Nancy Guthrie‘s disappearance.
Don Arnold/WireImage via Getty Images
Nancy was reported missing from her home in Tucson, Arizona, in February. Authorities have yet to name any suspects in the case. In a new update, Fox News reported on Wednesday that a man who pleaded guilty to sending fake ransom notes about Nancy’s alleged kidnapping was ordered to inpatient substance abuse treatment, per federal court records.
Since returning to Today in April, Savannah has often skipped out on episodes featuring new reports about the investigation. She was present, however, when Melvin reported on new details about one of the ransom notes sent to media outlets in the days after Nancy’s appearance on the June 23 episode of Today. The reports claimed that the note indicated that Nancy had died.
Savannah teared up as her colleagues, all dressed in black, joined her and Melvin at the anchor desk to show their support. “I love you guys, and I love this place, and this is unusual and unprecedented, to say the least, to be sitting here,” she said. “I don’t have any comment on this story, and I’m not involved in our coverage, but I can’t pretend I’m not here.”
She went on to “beg” viewers to report any information they have regarding the case. “Somebody knows something. This is a news story today that is on your radar, but this is the life that my sister lives, that I live, that my brother lives, that our extended families live, that our children live, every day,” Savannah stated. “And we are in agony, and we cannot be at peace. So, no matter how much I try to come out here every day and smile and find that joy — and I will, I promise I will — this is a moment to tell you that we need your help, we’re begging for your help, and I’m not gonna miss that opportunity.”
She wrapped up her comments by saying, “Please, if you’re watching, no matter how small, the reward is there. You can tell us. It can be anonymous. Please, do the right thing for us, for our family, for our children. And we love our mom, and we’ll never stop looking for her, ever.” Melvin concluded the report by encouraging people to reach out to 1-800-CALL-FBI with any information.
Today, Weekdays, 7 am/6c, NBC