Scarlett Johansson: Today’s Jenna Bush Hager Is Seeking a Sense of Humor
Scarlett Johansson has shared her thoughts on who would be the ideal permanent Today co-host for Jenna Bush Hager.
In a cover story for InStyle magazine, published on March 11, the 40-year-old actress expressed her belief that the NBC news program could benefit from someone “spicy,” suggesting that Today’s Hager, who is 43, “needs to be paired with someone funny.”
Reflecting on her week as a co-host on Today starting January 20, Johansson also paid tribute to the show’s previous co-host Hoda Kotb, stating that she found Kotb to be “a mentor.”
“With Hoda, it was fantastic because she was slightly older and had kids,” Johansson noted. “She was a step ahead.”
Johansson reminisced about her time on Today, describing it as a magical experience. “Cohosting Today truly feels like a dream job for me,” Johansson remarked. “I enjoy every component of the role because I love engaging with people. In some ways, it’s not so different from hosting Saturday Night Live. The live aspect is exhilarating—it’s spontaneous and a bit risky too. However, I wouldn’t want my own TV show.” (Johansson has hosted SNL six times, with her latest appearance on December 14, 2019.)
When Johansson was announced as a temporary co-host for Today in January, she caught many of her friends and family off guard. “Everyone in my life is in disbelief,” Johansson shared during the January 21 episode of Today. “Those who know me best are like, ‘You’re living your dream! I couldn’t be happier for you.’ Meanwhile, those who don’t know me as well were like, ‘What’s happening? Are you OK?’”
During the episode, she talked about her childhood ambition of becoming a breakfast television host, recalling that as a child, she would look at herself “in the mirror holding a shampoo bottle.”
She added, “I’d say, ‘Good morning, everyone! I hope you had a fantastic weekend. What’s going on in your neck of the woods?’”
Regarding Kotb, who is now 60, the former host made her final appearance on Today on January 10, after 17 years with the program. Her last segment began with an emotional moment as she teared up while watching a video montage featuring Savannah Guthrie, Al Roker, Craig Melvin, and Carson Daly praising her. She also took the opportunity to share heartfelt words about her colleagues.
Kotb joined NBC in April 1998 as a correspondent for the network and Dateline, before becoming the host of the fourth hour of the Today show in September 2007. Kathie Lee Gifford was her co-host from April 2008 until April 2019, at which point Hager took over the role.
