Savannah Guthrie is known for her professionalism and dedication to delivering the news on the TODAY Show. But even the most seasoned anchors can have a momentary lapse in focus – especially when Richard Gere walks into Studio 1A. The actor was in town to promote his new documentary, Wisdom of Happiness. Before his interview with Savannah and Craig Melvin, the TODAY hosts caught a glimpse of him behind the scenes – and Savannah couldn’t help but get a little distracted. “It’s hard for Savannah to keep her concentration right now,” said Craig. “Because Mr Gere is here,” replied Carson Daly.
Richard then made his on-screen entrance, taking a seat next to Savannah on the studio sofa. Savannah blushed as she gushed over the Hollywood star, clearly a little starstruck by his presence. Richard playfully called out Savannah for missing his interview that would occur later in the show. “Well, I have to catch a flight,” said the NBC star. “Where are you going?” asked the actor. “I’m going to Arizona, my home town,” replied Savannah. “Why?” said Richard. “I’m doing a story that will air later on the TODAY Show,” responded the host.
The actor then admitted he came on the show just for Savannah. “At least I’m going to come over and sit with her for a second before she leaves for Tucson,” he said. However, Savannah was still in the studio later in the show and ended up joining Craig to conduct Richard’s interview. The host explained that her flight had been delayed, allowing her to stick around a bit longer than planned. “The flight was delayed, we won’t name the airline,” explained Savannah.
Richard Gere Crashes “Today” Show Segment, Leaving Savannah Guthrie Flustered: ‘Is It Getting Hot in Here?’
The 76-year-old rom-com star caused Guthrie to fan herself after sitting very close to her
NEED TO KNOW
- Richard Gere had some fun with Savannah Guthrie on the Today show on Thursday, Oct. 16
- The 76-year-old actor crashed the show’s Pop Start segment, sitting very close to a flustered Guthrie
- He later gave Guthrie a hard time for having to miss his interview
Richard Gere took over the Today show on Thursday, Oct. 16. The 76-year-old rom-com king visited the news program for an interview about his new project with the Dalai Lama, Wisdom of Happiness, which he executive produces.
However, he crashed the Today couch earlier in the show, while Jenna Bush Hager, Dylan Dreyer, Savannah Guthrie, Craig Melvin and Carson Daly were in the middle of their Pop Start entertainment segment.
“It’s hard for Savannah to keep her concentration right now,” Melvin teased his co-anchor as the Pretty Woman star made his way across the studio to sit next to Guthrie, 53.
“Oh, look, come sit down,” Guthrie said, clearly flustered. “Hi, Richard Gere.”
Gere claimed that the show often shares teases that “really embarrass” him, but it was Guthrie who was in the hot seat.
“Now I’m like, ‘Oh, is it getting hot in here?’ ” Guthrie quipped, fanning herself.
However, Gere didn’t mind giving Guthrie a hard time, calling out the fact that the journalist was scheduled to leave the show before his interview.
“Well, I have to catch a flight,” Guthrie revealed, noting she was going to Tucson, Ariz., for a future Today segment.
“Did you come here for her? For Savannah?” Bush Hager asked Gere.
“Yes! Yes! I thought well at least I’m going to come over and sit with her for a second before she leaves for Tucson,” Gere said, and proceeded to stay close by Guthrie’s side for the remainder of the segment.
“She hasn’t seen the film, but she’s also leaving for Tucson,” Gere teased.
“She stuck around just for you!” Melvin told Gere of Guthrie.
“She put off the flight to Tucson!” Gere quipped after Guthrie clarified that the flight had been delayed.
He then told Guthrie to “call me afterwards” when she shared that she planned to watch his film amid her travels.
Of course the playful banter was all in good fun. Guthrie has been married to Mike Feldman since 2014, and Gere has been married to publicist Alejandra Silva since 2018.
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