At a Glance
- Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb surprised Sheinelle Jones on her first day co-hosting Today with Jenna & Sheinelle
- The pair presented a “wine torch” and toasted with rosé from Gifford’s GIFFT label
- Kotb co-hosted the fourth hour from 2019 until stepping down in January 2025
- Why it matters: The moment links three eras of the beloved fourth-hour franchise and spotlights Jones after a year of personal loss
Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb stormed the Today set on Monday, Jan. 12, to welcome Sheinelle Jones as the new permanent co-host of the fourth hour. Jones debuted alongside Jenna Bush Hager in the freshly renamed Today with Jenna & Sheinelle, and the surprise visit reduced both women to tears.
The Surprise Entrance
Cameras captured Gifford and Kotb emerging with an oversized wine glass containing fake flames-an accessory they quickly labeled the “wine torch.” Kotb beamed at the new co-hosts, declaring, “Can we just say how awesome you two look together? How amazing this day already is?”
Jones, visibly moved, turned to Gifford and said, “First of all, you invented the genre, you really did.” Gifford, never far from a quip, responded, “Is Kelly Ripa here?”
Passing the Torch
The symbolic hand-off continued as the four women raised glasses of GIFFT-brand rosé. Gifford encouraged viewers at home to “lift up your wine” in solidarity and assured Jones she is a “pretty crier.”
Jones recalled earlier days filling in for Kotb: “I would just sit under your head. I’m like, ‘Look, she has melanin too!'” The memory drew laughter and underscored the mentorship Kotb provided behind the scenes.
Kotb’s Exit and Advice
Kotb ended her six-year run on Today with Hoda & Jenna in January 2025, telling News Of Losangeles she wanted to dedicate more time to daughters Haley Joy, 9, and Hope Catherine, 6, and to her wellness app Joy101.
Before leaving, Kotb phoned Jones with guidance:
- “Don’t say anything, just listen”
- “You’re gonna be doing graduation speeches and all that… this was a moment that changed your career”
- “Working with Jenna, it’s gonna be better than you could ever imagine”
Jones shared only a portion of the 45-second call, calling it “wisdom that changed me.”
Gifford’s History on the Hour
Gifford co-hosted Today with Kathie Lee & Hoda for over a decade, becoming famous for daytime banter and on-air wine sipping. She admitted reluctance to return to daytime after 15 years alongside Regis Philbin, but “fell in love with Hoda” and accepted the gig.
Gifford’s last previous visit came during Kotb’s emotional send-off in January 2025.
A Difficult Year for Jones
The celebratory milestone follows a painful stretch for Jones:
- May 2025: Husband Uche Ojeh died of glioblastoma at 45
- Dec. 31, 2025: Grandmother Josephine Vonceal Pace Brown died suddenly
“I keep telling my friends, I have reached my heartbreak quota for the next 75 years, so I am praying that 2026 and beyond is just sunshine and rainbows,” Jones, 47, posted on Instagram.
Franchise Legacy
- Kotb co-anchored the fourth hour for 11 years total-first with Gifford, then with Bush Hager
- The Gifford-Kotb era became synonymous with spontaneous laughter, celebrity interviews, and frequent wine toasts
- Jones now steps into a role occupied by only a handful of women, carrying the tradition into its next iteration
Key Takeaways
- Gifford and Kotb’s surprise linked past and present, reinforcing the fourth hour’s legacy of female camaraderie
- Jones’ debut marks a personal rebound after profound loss
- Kotb’s ongoing mentorship illustrates the off-screen support that has kept the hour vibrant across host changes
