Before returning to the small screen for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Hoda Kotb is stopping by Today for a special reason.
“Something to look forward to tomorrow here on Today. Hoda will be back,” Craig Melvin announced on the NBC morning show’s Wednesday, November 19, episode. “She’s gonna be here to share her really touching conversation with Jay Leno. The comedy and late-night icon opening up about his love story with his beloved wife, Mavis, and their journey and his new role as caretaker after her dementia diagnosis.”
Melvin noted that he was looking forward to Kotb and Leno’s conversation, as “a lot of folks can relate to that.” Guthrie agreed, adding, “Absolutely. Powerful conversation tomorrow.”
In January 2024, news broke that Leno had filed for conservatorship over his wife, whom he wed in 1980, after she had been diagnosed with dementia. He was granted the conservatorship that April.
“I’ve been very lucky in my life. My wife is fighting dementia and all that, but it’s not cancer,” Leno shared in an interview with People earlier this month. “It’s not a tumor, so I enjoy taking care of her.”
He noted that taking care of his wife is “not work,” adding, “People come up, and say they feel so sorry. I understand the sympathy, because I know a lot of people are going through it, but it’s okay. I like taking care of her. I enjoy her company, and we have a good time. We have fun with it, and it is what it is.”
Courtesy of Hoda Kotb/Instagram
Kotb has returned to Today several times since she stepped away from the NBC morning show in January. Two months after making a video appearance on the show to announce her book, Jump and Find Joy, Kotb returned to Studio 1A in May to celebrate the launch of her wellness brand, Joy 101.
“The wave I’m riding right now is magical for me. I’m starting a new business. I’m putting all my time and effort into what I hope will make people feel better, which was my favorite part of the show anyway,” Kotb said in a prerecorded package on May 28. “How can we lift people up? How can we lighten the load? What can we do?”
Kotb most recently appeared on Today‘s October 2 episode, and was given a special surprise in honor of her book Jump and Find Joy. “We found a story that we think you’re gonna love. It really fits with that mantra of jump and find something new,” Savannah Guthrie explained. “This is a journey that combines two of your favorite things, music and taking a very big leap.”
Guthrie and her fellow Today hosts went on to surprise Kotb with America’s Got Talent Season 20 contestant Chuck Adams, whom Kotb previously praised via social media. Adams worked as a struggling musician before his AGT audition went viral earlier this year.
“I am so proud of you and so happy for you, ’cause I think a lot of people might have after a couple of setbacks, like after getting dropped by a record label, you might say, ‘Maybe this wasn’t for me,’” Kotb told Adams.
He returned her kind words, stating, “That’s why I appreciate you posting it and your story. It makes me feel seen and comforted a little bit.” Adams went on to make Kotb tear up with an a cappella version of his AGT audition song, “Iris” by the Goo Goo Dolls.
Following her upcoming Today appearance, Kotb will reunite with Guthrie and Al Roker to host the 99th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday, November 27.
Today, Weekdays, 7 a.m./6c, NBC
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