Savannah Guthrie plans to return to Today after emotional Studio 1A visit

NBC said Savannah Guthrie stopped by Studio 1A at 30 Rockefeller Plaza on Thursday and plans to return to the Today show at some point, though the network emphasized the timing is entirely up to her. In a statement NBC said, "Savannah Guthrie stopped by the studio this morning to be with and thank her TODAY colleagues. While she plans to return to the show on air, she remains focused right now supporting her family and working to help bring Nancy home."

The visit was described as Guthrie’s first at Rockefeller Center since her mother, Nancy Guthrie, 84, went missing. Video of the gathering shows Guthrie hugging staff and crew through the Studio 1A window; Hoda Kotb appeared emotional as she greeted her, and Guthrie left smiling and acknowledged well-wishers before getting into a waiting SUV. Co-host Jenna Bush Hager told colleagues on air, "She hugged every single person in this room," and said Guthrie "has the intention to return to the show — even though it feels like the hardest thing to do, it’s also her home and where she feels so loved, and she is beyond loved here." Sheinelle Jones added, "Whenever you are ready, we are here."

Authorities in Arizona believe Nancy Guthrie was abducted from her Tucson-area home, and Savannah Guthrie spent several weeks in Tucson assisting search efforts before returning to her home in New York. Guthrie posted a video on Tuesday increasing the reward for information leading to her mother’s recovery to up to $1 million, a move that has amplified public attention and encouraged tips, though details on the reward’s funding and administration have not been released publicly.

An NBC source told colleagues, "Her 'Today' family will welcome her back with open arms on her timeline," underscoring that the network is framing the return as a personal decision rather than a company timetable. Media commentator Rob Shuter, speaking on The Nerve podcast and quoted in entertainment coverage, said, "These stories never made sense to me that she wouldn’t come back. And I know Savannah. I’ve hung out with her in a social environment. She’s really ambitious," and suggested insiders think she could return in "two to three weeks," while acknowledging uncertainty.

Reporting has included inconsistent accounts of when Nancy Guthrie went missing. Some descriptions say she disappeared in early February, while other reports describe the disappearance as "nearly a month" or specifically "33 days." Those timelines do not align and the exact calendar date of the disappearance has not been provided in public statements included with Guthrie’s studio visit coverage.

Guthrie’s return will be watched closely by colleagues and viewers alike. Beyond the personal and newsroom dimensions, her presence affects one of broadcast television’s highest-profile morning programs and will likely shape how the network covers the ongoing investigation. For now, NBC’s public posture is supportive and deferential to Guthrie’s timeline as law enforcement continues its work in Arizona.