If you woke up this morning, January 17, 2026, and felt like the Today Show anchor desk looked a little different, you aren't imagining things. It's a Saturday. That means the "main" weekday crew is off, but there is a lot more drama behind the scenes than just a simple weekend rotation.
Honestly, the lineup has been a whirlwind lately.
Who Is Hosting the Today Show Today?
Because it is Saturday, Peter Alexander and Laura Jarrett are the primary faces you're seeing at the desk this morning. They have been the steady hands of the weekend edition for a while now. Peter, who is also NBC’s chief White House correspondent, usually handles the heavy-lifting news while Laura, the senior legal correspondent, brings that sharp analytical edge.
They aren't alone, though.
Joe Fryer is typically there as the feature anchor, and Angie Lassman handles the weekend weather. It's a tighter, slightly more relaxed vibe than the weekday madness. But the real story everyone is buzzing about is why the weekday lineup has been so chaotic over the last two weeks.
📖 Related: Gwendoline Butler Dead in a Row: Why This 1957 Mystery Still Packs a Punch
The Savannah Guthrie Health Mystery
If you've been looking for Savannah Guthrie and coming up empty, here’s the deal. She is currently on medical leave.
She hasn't left the show. She just can't talk.
Back in late December, Savannah dropped a bit of a bombshell. She revealed she had vocal nodules and a polyp that required surgery. She actually joked that she’d have to be "totally silent" for a few weeks, which her family probably considered an early Christmas present. She underwent the procedure in early January and has been recovering at home.
She actually popped up on a video screen earlier this week holding a whiteboard. It’s kinda heartwarming, but also a little weird to see a professional talker forced into silence. She’s expected to be back at the desk very soon—likely next week—so the "Today Show hosts today" search won't keep pointing to substitutes for much longer.
👉 See also: Why ASAP Rocky F kin Problems Still Runs the Club Over a Decade Later
Where Is Hoda Kotb?
This is the part that still trips people up. If you are looking for Hoda, you won't find her in the 2026 lineup.
She’s gone.
It has been about a year since Hoda Kotb officially stepped down from the Today Show to focus on being a mom to her daughters, Haley and Hope. It was a massive shift for morning TV. Craig Melvin was the one who officially stepped into her shoes as Savannah’s main co-anchor starting in January 2025.
Interestingly, Hoda just made a surprise "reunion" appearance a few days ago. She showed up to support Sheinelle Jones, who has officially taken over the fourth hour alongside Jenna Bush Hager. The segment is now called Today with Jenna & Sheinelle, finally replacing the Hoda & Jenna era.
✨ Don't miss: Ashley My 600 Pound Life Now: What Really Happened to the Show’s Most Memorable Ashleys
The 2026 Anchor Shake-up
The current weekday roster looks like this:
- Savannah Guthrie: Co-anchor (currently recovering).
- Craig Melvin: Co-anchor (the new "main" guy).
- Al Roker: The legend. Still there. Still doing weather.
- Carson Daly: Pop start and Orange Room king.
- Sheinelle Jones & Dylan Dreyer: Heavy hitters in the 3rd and 4th hours.
Why the Weekend Crew Matters
While most people focus on the Monday through Friday drama, Peter Alexander and Laura Jarrett have actually built a massive following on the Saturday slot. It’s a different kind of energy. It’s less about the "rush to work" and more about long-form storytelling.
If one of them is missing today, expect to see Joe Fryer or Vicky Nguyen slide into the main seat. NBC has a very deep bench of talent, which they’ve needed lately given Savannah’s surgery and the permanent transition away from the Hoda era.
Basically, if you’re watching right now, you’re seeing the "B-team" that has increasingly become the "A-team" as the network navigates a year of huge transitions.
To stay on top of the rotating chairs, keep an eye on Savannah’s social media. She’s been posting whiteboard updates throughout her recovery. For those wondering about the fourth hour, the new chemistry between Jenna and Sheinelle is finally starting to stick, even if we all still miss Hoda’s 10:00 a.m. wine toasts.
Check the local NBC listings if you’re seeing a pre-emption for sports, as weekend schedules often shift for early morning soccer or seasonal events. If the desk looks empty, it’s probably just a localized broadcast delay.