NBC switches-up Today's holiday decor as rarely seen hosts exchange gifts in Chirstmas special
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: NBC recently made a significant change to the Christmas Day broadcast of ‘Today’ from its usual setup.
The cherished morning talk show had a distinctive appearance for its holiday episode as some rare hosts appeared on the show.
During the episode, beloved hosts Hoda Kotb, Al Roker, Craig Melvin, Carson Daly, and Savannah Guthrie celebrated Christmas with a game of Secret Santa where they all surprised each other with gifts.
‘Today’ show makes a Christmas switch-up
As the Christmas-themed graphics adorned the beginning of Monday's ‘Today’ show episode, the narrator announced it as a "special edition" of the program.
One noticeable change was the departure from the usual opening setup featuring Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb at their desk.
In this instance, both hosts were seated on the show's white couch alongside co-stars Al Roker, Craig Melvin, and Carson Daly.
"Good morning, everybody! Welcome to Today, and Merry Christmas!" greeted Guthrie, setting the tone for the show.
"We're all here, and we're so happy when you join us on this special day. Christmas morning, here we go.”
Kotb chimed in, saying, "We're happy to be sharing it with you."
Despite the hosts being present together on set, the Christmas episode wasn't broadcast live.
NBC revealed one of the alterations to the show by indicating in the corner of the screen that certain portions had been "previously recorded," including the segment featuring the hosts.
The timing of the hosts' pre-taped segments for Monday's (December 25) episode remains uncertain, particularly as Kotb and Guthrie commenced their breaks before Friday's broadcast.
To ensure that ‘Today’ continued to deliver current news stories to its viewers, Guthrie handed over to correspondent Garrett Haake to help anchor the program live.
The announcement of their holiday hiatus was made on Thursday during an on-air segment.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Kotb and Melvin took a moment to wish Guthrie an early happy birthday since her birthday falls on December 27, a day when everyone would be on break from the show.
This heartfelt moment occurred during Thursday's show instead of Friday's, as Kotb explained that the two main anchors would be on break at the end of the week.
"Your much-deserved holiday, all of ours, starts soon," Kotb remarked. "Tomorrow."
She added that they wouldn't be together again until the new year and extended an early birthday wish to Guthrie, encouraging her to spend it with people she loves.
Kotb told Guthrie, “But happy early birthday to you. Spend it with people you love.”
‘Today’ hosts Secret Santa exchange
During the episode, the hosts revealed their Secret Santa, a session they hold every year on Christmas.
It was revealed that the budget of the game was $24 and Craig Melvin’s secret Santa was Savannah Guthrie.
While Melvin opened his gift, he got a South Carolina ice Cube maker. He lauded Guthrie, “Well done! That’s a gift.”
After that Melvin revealed he picked Hoda Kotb, and she received a journal with a collage of her pictures with her daughter and ‘Today’ family.
Kotb then said she picked Carson Daly and she gifted him manly scents for his room as he “loves a beautiful smelling space.”
Daly drew Uncle Al Roker and he received a T-shirt with a ‘The Grandfather’ logo printed on it in honor of Sky since the weatherman became a grandfather for the first time.
Meanwhile, Roker gave Guthrie a Simpsons-crafted photo frame of her family as she calls it ‘priceless.’
