At a Glance
- Savannah Guthrie called into Today on Jan. 12 while recovering from vocal-cord surgery
- The 54-year-old has been silent since her Dec. 19 procedure to remove nodules and a polyp
- She expects to return to the anchor desk in one week
- Why it matters: Viewers get the first update on when the beloved co-host will be back on air
Savannah Guthrie refuses to let vocal-cord surgery keep her away from the Today show family. The 54-year-old anchor, sidelined since mid-December, surprised colleagues with a live call-in on Monday, Jan. 12, using a whiteboard to communicate during her silent-recovery phase.
The Call-In
Jenna Bush Hager initiated the “Morning Boost” segment by dialing Guthrie, who greeted the studio with a whiteboard that read, “Hi! Miss you!” When asked how she felt, Guthrie answered with three handwritten words: “good, boring, quiet.” Carson Daly quipped, “This feels like a Jimmy Fallon gameshow.”
Bush Hager teased her friend about a recent phone prank. “I was telling them how I called you the other week for you not to answer so your voicemail would play but you answered and just clapped over and over again like a seal,” she said.
Life in Silence
Guthrie detailed her low-key routine:
- Journaling
- Reading
- Daily meditations
- “Trying to grow as a human”
She also revealed a new hobby: watercolor painting. During the segment she held up several pieces, including landscapes and one depicting the Today show logo.
Messages from Home
The mother of two shared a note from her children, Vale, 11, and Charley, 9: “The kids said ‘Mom even when you’re quiet, you’re still loud.'” She hoisted a second whiteboard that read, “We’re gonna need a bigger white board,” prompting laughter from the team.
Return Timeline
Guthrie confirmed she will rejoin the broadcast in one week, wrapping up the recovery period prescribed after surgeons removed nodules and a polyp discovered last month.
Colleagues React
Craig Melvin assured her, “Can’t wait to get you back, SG.” Hoda Kotb, in the studio after covering the U.S. gymnastics team, also sent love on air.
The Original Announcement
Guthrie told viewers on Dec. 19 that her hoarse voice stemmed from vocal nodules and a polyp. “It’s not a big, big deal,” she said at the time, “but I am going to have to have a surgery in the new year and be off for a couple of weeks, so this is my last day for a little while.”
Key Takeaways
- Guthrie’s procedure was successful and her recovery is on track
- She remains engaged with the show despite being unable to speak
- Her return is set for next week, ending a nearly month-long absence
