Hoda Vs. Savannah! Kotb Upset Guthrie Didn't Ask Approval Over Jenna Bush Hiring
Feb. 26 2019, Published 5:10 p.m. ET
Jenna Bush's longtime pal Savannah Guthrie is thrilled over her new gig at Today — but the conservative star's cohost Hoda Kotb is "upset" she didn't have a say in her hiring, RadarOnline.com can exclusively reveal.
Hoda, 54, had "little choice" when it came to the decision of who would replace Kathie Lee Gifford, 65, on the fourth hour.
As readers know, Bush, 37, officially landed the job of her dreams Tuesday, February 26 after Gifford announced the stunner would be replacing her on the show's fourth hour as a permanent cohost with Kotb.
While Kotb has no issues with Bush, the veteran host would have still liked to be consulted. "Hoda likes her but it would have been nice to have been asked to make the final decision," a source told RadarOnline.com exclusively.
Meanwhile, Bush was "livid" that she hadn't immediately been given the job after Gifford announced her show departure weeks ago, but Guthrie, 47, put her at ease.
"Jenna is very close with Savannah," dished a behind-the-scenes snitch. "Savanah is the boss of the show. She decides everything and told Jenna to just relax."
"Jenna is closer with Savanah than Hoda," revealed the informant. "She knew in the end the job was hers."
Gifford announced the replacement news on air. "I think everybody pretty much knows that in about five weeks I'm going to be leaving the Today show after 11 wonderful, unbelievable years. It's starting to dawn on us that it's really going to happen, and there's been a lot of speculation about what's going to happen, who is going to be here the following Monday, and how is the show going forward and all that," Gifford, 65, said before calling Bush to the stage.
"The person is — come on out! Jenna bush Hager!" she and Kotb said in unison as a smiling Bush walked up to the host table.
"Oh, my gosh. My heart is pounding. Pounding!" said Bush while hugging her colleagues.
Now, insiders tell RadarOnline.com Bush is "super excited and having the boss Savanah in her corner will make this much easier."
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