Today meteorologist Dylan Dryer was surprised to learn that the colleague Hoda Kotb is planning to leave the famous morning show.
“I was in Nashville because I had just covered the People’s Choice Country Music Awards (in September 2024). She calls me at 6:55. I’m like “Why is Hoda calling me? I hope everything is fine,” Dreyer, 43, exclusively said Us Weekly on Friday, Jan. 17, before participating in the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions. “She whispers into her phone, ‘I just want you to know that the announcement is coming out today. I’m leaving Today’s show.’”
Dreyer continued, “And I was like, ‘Wait, what?'” It was such a closely guarded secret. I don’t know if anyone knew because I called Al (Rocker) and he said he found out this morning before the show, and Craig (Melvin) found out this morning before the show. It was shocking, but I’d say not surprising, because once you found out why he was doing it, it was like, “Oh yeah, that makes a lot of sense.”
Kotb, 60, confirmed this in September 2024 she plans to leave Today after three decades on the air. She initially joined the television network in 2007, later becoming an anchor in 2018. together with Savannah Guthrie.
The news of Hoda Kotb’s departure from the Today show is bittersweet for her co-hosts. “I just turned 60 and it was such a monumental moment for me when I turned 60 because I started thinking about that decade, like what does that decade mean? What does it contain? What will there be for me?” Kotb, (…)
The final performances of Kotb aired live earlier this month, which were particularly emotional for Today team and spectators.
“Hoda is like your favorite aunt that you loved when she came along. … I mean she was the heart and soul of Today show and really brought that to the people,” Dreyer said us. “Everybody’s like, ‘What’s Hoda like live?'” She’s exactly what you see on TV. I mean, none of it is fake, but at the same time, she chose this new path. She wants to get into the wellness space and will still be reporting on the Olympics and doing special stories… so she I will still be part of the show. It was her choice, so you can’t help but support her and applaud her for that.”
Dryer will still get a frequent “Hoda fix” off-screen as the two broadcasters are also neighbors. (In front of her Today exit, Kotb moved to the New York suburbs with his daughters Hope and Haley.)
After Kotb Today departure, Melvin, 45, took Kotb’s position as coach.
“We’ve all been working together for so long that nothing feels different,” Dreyer said Friday on the the new Today composition. “Everyone has different titles and stuff, but nothing really feels different because it makes sense for Craig to take on that role – and he’s like a brother to me.”
She added: “It’s just one big happy family and everything is getting a little bit rearranged, but I texted Savannah the other morning. I’m like, ‘Savannah, I just want to say congratulations,’ because she’s had so much to give lately.”
According to Dreyer, Guthrie, 53, had to watch “Hoda’s farewell” before the team began “building Craig up for this new role.”
“I just wanted to say, ‘Kudos to you for taking so long to step back and give everyone the flowers,'” Dreyer noted. “I think she handled it with such grace, and it’s good to give, give, give, but it’s also good to receive. So I say to myself, “I hope you realize how integral a person you are when it comes to Today show.’”
While Dreyer is also an integral member of the NBC News family, she briefly traded the broadcast studio for the fairway. She will compete in the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions golf game in Orlando, Florida later in January against other celebrities.
Hoda Kotb is celebrating her new chapter after her latest appearance on the Today show. The 60-year-old broadcaster took to social media on Monday, January 13, with a positive message about starting over. “And suddenly, you know… it’s time to start something new and trust in the magic of new beginnings,” read a quote she shared through her (…)
“(Golf) opens so many doors for you. It’s like the fact that at some point in my life I learned to play golf well enough to be invited to these things opened up a whole new world,” Dreyer said. us. “There’s so much fun, the people you meet and hang out with; it’s like a pinch moment. These are all your favorite sports star(s) and the celebrities you watch on TV. It’s like you’re in a place where you’re cool enough to be with them. It’s just so much fun.”
The Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions takes place at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club in Orlando from Thursday, January 30th through Sunday, February 2nd.
With reporting by Dan Trainor
