Hoda Kotb Officially Replaces Disgraced 'Today' Co-Anchor Matt Lauer!
Jan. 2 2018, Updated 2:21 p.m. ET
It's out with the old and in with the new on Today! NBC officials have officially announced that Hoda Kotb is replacing the show's disgraced co-anchor Matt Lauer.
Kotb, 53, will join be joining Lauer's ex-sidekick, Savannah Guthrie, 46, on the popular morning program's earlier timeslot, but she will also remain on the 10 o'clock hour of Today, opposite Kathie Lee Gifford, for the foreseeable future.
"When you click with someone, man, woman, it doesn't matter. If it works, it works," Kotb said of Guthrie in a new interview in PEOPLE. "We're sort of like sisters, and everybody wants a sister."
As RadarOnline.com reported, Lauer, 60, was shown the door on Nov. 29 after allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior surfaced against the longtime Today veteran.
"That morning was so hard, but Hoda and I were in it together," Guthrie revealed. "We are family, and families do go through hard times, and when that happens in good families, you just get closer."
Despite Kotb's popularity on set and with viewers, "It was such a shock to wake up one day and not have Matt, but it was the most natural and comforting thing in the world to have Hoda right there," Guthrie said.
Though Kotb noted the rest of the show's cast and crew "were just trying to make it through those days together," there is a silver lining to the scandal.
"Sometimes when you go through something with someone, you see something special," explained Kotb. "I think that's what happened. I didn't think about whether it would be me."
While Guthrie appreciates Kotb, she revealed in the interview that she also hopes to remain close to Lauer, who is desperately trying to repair the damage he's caused.
"We know he's working on his family, we know that for sure. Of course our hearts go out to the brave women who have told their stories," Guthrie said.
"What we are experiencing and processing now is how to honor and remain a true friend to someone even in spite of learning things that are deeply disturbing. And we are trying to navigate that path with integrity."
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