Savannah Guthrie Takes Break From ‘Today’ Show
Savannah Guthrie is taking a short break from NBC’s Today, but viewers do not need to worry. The longtime morning show co-anchor is stepping away for several weeks to film a new primetime project that will see her in an entirely different role.
Guthrie announced her temporary leave during the July 16 broadcast of Today, telling viewers and her fellow hosts that she will spend the next few weeks filming the first season of NBC’s upcoming Wordle game show. The series is based on the wildly popular online word puzzle that became a worldwide sensation and is expected to debut on NBC in 2027.
A New Chapter For Savannah Guthrie
The veteran journalist said she is excited about the opportunity to host the competition series, which will feature contestants solving word-based challenges inspired by the daily Wordle game. Production is expected to take place over the next several weeks, allowing the entire first season to be completed before she returns to her regular duties on Today.
Her co-hosts celebrated the announcement on-air, wishing her luck while joking that they would miss having her behind the morning news desk.
What Is NBC’s ‘Wordle’ Game Show?
NBC announced earlier this year that it had ordered a television adaptation of Wordle, one of the most successful online games in recent memory. The puzzle, which asks players to guess a five-letter word in six attempts, became a cultural phenomenon after launching in 2021 before being acquired by The New York Times.
The television version expands the concept into a fast-paced game show where contestants compete through a series of increasingly challenging word puzzles for cash prizes. The show is being executive produced by Jimmy Fallon, who has helped develop several entertainment projects for NBC.
A Familiar Face Will Return Soon
Although Guthrie will be absent from Today for several weeks, NBC has indicated that her leave is temporary. The network is expected to rely on its deep roster of anchors and correspondents to fill in alongside Craig Melvin and the rest of the morning team while production is underway.
Guthrie has been one of the defining faces of Today for more than a decade, earning praise for her reporting, major political interviews, and coverage of breaking news. Her move into entertainment programming adds another dimension to an already accomplished broadcasting career.
Fans Won’t Have To Wait Long
Once filming wraps, Guthrie is expected to return to Today and resume her role as co-anchor. In the meantime, fans will have the opportunity to see her lead an entirely different kind of program when Wordle premieres, bringing one of the world’s most recognizable word games to network television.
The temporary leave marks a rare break from the morning show for Guthrie, but one that reflects NBC’s confidence in her ability to connect with audiences well beyond the newsroom.
