In the glittering world of morning television, where the sun rises on breaking news and heartfelt confessions alike, Savannah Guthrie has long been the steady heartbeat of NBC’s Today show. For over a decade, her warm smile and incisive questions have greeted millions, turning a simple wake-up routine into a daily ritual of connection. But this week, as news broke that the Emmy-winning anchor has been officially tapped to host Jimmy Fallon’s buzzworthy Wordle game show—a high-stakes adaptation of the addictive New York Times puzzle—fans couldn’t help but feel a pang of uncertainty. With filming already underway overseas for the pilot episode, whispers swirled: Would this glamorous new venture pull Guthrie away from the iconic Studio 1A at 30 Rockefeller Plaza? Could the woman who’s anchored Today through pandemics, elections, and personal milestones really step back?
The announcement, confirmed by multiple outlets on October 7, 2025, sent shockwaves through the NBC family. Produced by Fallon’s Electric Hot Dog banner alongside Universal Television Alternative Studio and The New York Times, the untitled series promises to translate Wordle‘s six-guess wordplay into primetime thrills, complete with green-and-yellow tile drama and celebrity contestants. Guthrie, an avowed Wordle superfan who’s solved puzzles on Times Square billboards and geeked out over the game’s algorithms during Today segments, seemed like the perfect emcee. “I’ve been obsessed since day one,” she quipped in a pre-announcement clip, her eyes lighting up like a fresh grid of possibilities. Fallon, ever the game-night kingpin behind hits like Password and That’s My Jam, gushed about her energy: “Savannah’s the only one who could make guessing ‘CRANE’ feel like the Super Bowl.”
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Yet beneath the excitement lay a quiet anxiety among Today‘s devoted viewers. Guthrie’s recent absences—missing the October 6 and 7 broadcasts, with Sheinelle Jones stepping in seamlessly—only fueled the fire. Social media lit up with pleas: #KeepSavOnToday trended briefly, as fans reminisced about her co-hosting chemistry with Hoda Kotb and her unfiltered takes on everything from parenting woes to White House scoops. After all, Today isn’t just ratings gold; it’s a cultural touchstone, averaging 2.5 million viewers daily and shaping how America starts its mornings. Losing Guthrie, even part-time, felt like misplacing a favorite coffee mug—irreplaceable.
Enter Guthrie herself, stepping into the fray with the grace that’s defined her career. In an exclusive sit-down with People magazine on October 9, just days after returning to the Today desk, she addressed the elephant in the room head-on. Leaning forward in a cozy Manhattan café, her voice steady but laced with emotion, Guthrie delivered a message so raw and reassuring it silenced the doubters. “Listen, I get it—the overseas shoots, the pilot buzz, it all sounds like a whirlwind,” she began, her blue eyes misting slightly. “But Today? That’s not a job to me. It’s my family. It’s where I became a mother on live TV, where I cried with you through tough days, and laughed until my sides hurt. This show shaped me—Hoda, Al, the whole crew—they’re my anchors, literally. I could never walk away from that. Not fully.”
She paused, dabbing at her eyes with a napkin, the vulnerability cracking her polished facade. “When I think about leaving even a sliver of time behind, it breaks my heart. My kids watch me there; viewers tell me their stories because they trust that chair. The Wordle gig? It’s fun, it’s a puzzle nerd’s dream—Jimmy’s got me hooked already. But it’ll be structured around Today. We’ll figure out the logistics, maybe shoot closer to home if it greenlights. Because here’s the truth: Today saved me during dark times, gave me purpose when I needed it most. It’s where I found my voice, my home. And I promise you all, from the bottom of my soul, I’m not going anywhere. Not really. This is my forever morning.”
The words landed like a warm embrace, echoing the sincerity that has endeared Guthrie to generations. It’s a sentiment rooted deep: Back in 2017, when she stepped up as sole anchor amid Matt Lauer’s exit, she spoke of Today as her “north star.” Now, amid this new chapter, that star shines brighter. Insiders whisper the Wordle pilot, filmed in London for logistical ease, wrapped principal shooting last week, with potential series orders hinging on test audiences. If it launches—likely in fall 2026—Guthrie’s team is already eyeing U.S.-based production, much like Fallon’s Password films in nearby Newark.
Fans, it seems, can exhale. Guthrie’s pledge isn’t just PR polish; it’s the heartfelt core of a woman who’s juggled law degrees, journalism grit, and motherhood without missing a beat. As she wrapped her People interview, she added with a grin, “Besides, who else is gonna solve Wordle in three guesses on air? We’ve got mornings to conquer.” In an era of fleeting commitments, Guthrie’s vow feels like a lifeline—a reminder that some bonds, like the perfect five-letter word, are simply unbreakable.
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