Former “Today” co-host Hoda Kotb is on the “list” of candidates to exchange NBC daytime speak present host Kelly Clarkson – paving the way in which for a attainable comeback simply months after her shock exit, The Put up has realized.
Kotb, who shocked followers when she stepped down in January, is firmly on the community’s radar as rumors swirl that Clarkson desires to go away her eponymous present, in keeping with an NBC insider.
“There’s a long list of names and Hoda is part of that list,” stated the supply. “NBC never wanted Hoda to leave. The question is would Hoda want to do it?”
Clarkson’s contract is up subsequent 12 months. It’s not clear when Kotb or one other substitute would take over the present ought to the pop singer determine to stroll away.
In the meantime, the unique “American Idol” winner is embarking on an enormous 12 months for her music profession.
She is releasing a ninth album in June below her personal label earlier than launching a brand new Las Vegas residency from July 4 to Aug. 16, with further reveals from Nov. 7-15.
“If the album doesn’t do well, she might want to keep her talk show,” the supply stated. “But she has a lot going on and the timing may be right for the next chapter.”
NBC, Clarkson and Kotb didn’t return requests for remark.
The supply stated NBC bosses are on the lookout for a recognizable host who already has a following — and being a various candidate wouldn’t harm Kotb’s possibilities, both.
“Hoda ticks a lot of boxes. She’s an Egyptian, older Kelly Clarkson,” the primary supply stated.
Apart from Kotb, a slew of personalities who crammed in as host through the years — like Wanda Sykes, Willie Geist, Molly Sims, Roy Wooden Jr. and Josh Groban — are additionally on the checklist, the insider added.
One other supply instructed that former “Today” weekend anchor Maria Shriver may very well be within the working. The Kennedy scion has been publicizing her new e book: “I am Maria.”
However Kotb may very well be tempted to return to the anchor chair as a result of she wouldn’t need to jockey for the limelight with a co-host.
The affable anchor, who joined NBC in 1998, is well liked by higher-ups on the community and has lots of the prime execs on pace dial, the primary supply stated.
Kotb left “Today,” which she co-hosted with Savannah Guthrie for seven years, to be able to spend extra time together with her ailing younger daughter and to work on her personal wellness model.
The loopy hours required to host a morning present had worn on Kotb and her household, the particular person stated, noting that she can be up at 3 a.m. each morning to host the present.
In comparison with “Today,” a daytime speak present can be a “cakewalk,” the supply added.
“A talk show is good for a mom,” the supply stated, explaining that the taping schedule for the present is extra condensed. The present tapes two reveals a day, one at 11 am and one at 3 pm. It’s airtime differs relying in the marketplace. In New York and Chicago, it airs at 3 pm, whereas in Los Angeles, it airs at 2 pm.
Nonetheless, Clarkson has reportedly bored with her schedule. mulled stepping away to spend extra time together with her youngsters, The Put up beforehand reported.
“Kelly’s No. 1 priority is her children, and they always will be,” one business insider stated on the time. “The show is grueling. It’s a whole lot of work and I hear that Kelly would like to spend more time down South.”
Scores for the “Kelly Clarkson Show” have steadily declined since its launch in 2019. The present drew a mean of 1.2 million viewers this season, in comparison with 1.9 million when it debuted.
This system has gained 22 Daytime Emmys and nonetheless holds its personal towards different prime daytime speak reveals, together with “The View,” “Today with Jenna and Friends” and “NBC News Daily.”
present ought to she depart, sources stated. Bumble Dee – inventory.adobe.com
Since Kotb left “Today” and was changed by Craig Melvin, the present has slipped within the rankings. Earlier than her exit, the present had a mean of slightly below 2.8 million whole viewers. Within the months since she left, rankings averaged round 2.7 million whole viewers, with viewership in March and April dipping to the two.5 million to 2.6 million-range.
In the meantime, Kotb’s different NBC present, “Today with Hoda & Jenna,” which aired at 10 a.m., had averaged round 1.3 million whole viewers. Renamed “Jenna & Friends,” this system — which is hosted by Jenna Bush Hager together with a rotation of visitor hosts — is bringing in between 1.1 and 1.2 million viewers.
