Hoda Kotb is Back on “Today” Show After a Break from Her Suburban Life—And She’s Filling In for Craig Melvin!

After taking some time off to focus on her family, Hoda Kotb is returning to the “Today” Show for a special stint—just days after wrapping up her role filling in for Savannah Guthrie.

Kotb, 61, made the decision to step back from her co-hosting duties in January 2025, leaving behind her glamorous role at NBC to spend more time with her two young daughters, Hayley and Hope. She relocated her family to a luxurious $2.9 million home in Bronxville in 2024, signaling a new chapter in her life. But the world of television just couldn’t keep Hoda away for long.

Starting April 13, Hoda will be stepping back in front of the cameras, filling in for Craig Melvin while he takes a well-deserved vacation.

The timing couldn’t be more perfect, as it was just two weeks ago that Kotb last graced our screens in February, stepping into the role once more to cover for Guthrie, who had been on a leave of absence dealing with a family crisis. Savannah Guthrie returned to “Today” on April 6 after a heartbreaking two-month ordeal, where her mother, Nancy, was abducted from their home in Arizona.

Savannah herself was the one to break the news about Hoda’s return during the April 9 broadcast, joking that Craig Melvin would be enjoying his vacation while Hoda takes over for the week.

“Craig, you’ve earned it, buddy. Time for a spring break!” Savannah announced, adding, “And Monday, we’ll be trying something new. Hoda will be filling in for you!”

In a light-hearted moment, Craig teased, “Oh, I’ve heard of her! I won’t be watching, but it sounds fun!”

But while the fun is happening on set, the past few months have been far from easy for Guthrie. In a tearful and emotional interview with Hoda earlier this year, Savannah shared her deep guilt over the abduction of her mother, worried that her fame may have led to Nancy’s kidnapping.

“I’m so sorry, Mommy. I’m so sorry,” a heartbroken Guthrie sobbed on-air, apologizing to her family and loved ones for the pain caused.

In the midst of these personal challenges, new developments have surfaced surrounding Nancy’s disappearance. On the same day Savannah returned to “Today,” TMZ revealed that they had received multiple cryptic messages from an anonymous sender, claiming to know the whereabouts of Nancy’s body and the identity of the kidnappers. While the authenticity of these claims remains unverified, it’s a chilling reminder of the ongoing pain Savannah and her family are enduring.

Despite the drama unfolding behind the scenes, Hoda’s return to the show promises a much-needed boost of positive energy, and fans can’t wait to see her back alongside her co-hosts for this special segment. The “Today” family remains as strong as ever—weathering the storm together, both on and off the air.

Stay tuned as Hoda Kotb steps back into the spotlight to fill in for Craig Melvin, bringing her signature warmth and charm to morning TV once again.