Savannah Guthrie is currently absent from the Today show as she takes time off to recover from vocal cord surgery, reports Baltimore Chronicle. Fans noticed her absence during the first major broadcast of the morning program in 2026 on January 5, when co-anchor Craig Melvin appeared without his usual co-host. Guthrie had previously announced on December 19 that she would be stepping away from the show to undergo a planned procedure addressing vocal nodules and a polyp.
The Today co-anchor shared that while the surgery was not considered serious, it required her to take a break from the program for complete vocal rest. “It’s not a big, big deal, but I am going to have to have a surgery in the new year and be off for a couple of weeks, so this is my last day for a little while,” Guthrie explained. During her recovery, she must remain completely silent for several weeks to ensure proper healing of her vocal cords.
Guthrie revealed that she had experienced a scratchy and cracking voice prior to the procedure, which led to the discovery of the nodules and polyp. She noted that some viewers may have assumed she had a lingering cold due to her voice. She expressed relief that the medical issue had been identified and could be corrected. Fellow Today co-anchor Sheinelle Jones, who underwent similar surgery in the past, presented Guthrie with a whiteboard to facilitate communication during her silent recovery, emphasizing that she finally had “permission to be still.”
Neither Guthrie nor NBC has provided an official date for her return to the anchoring desk. Before her absence, she estimated a recovery period of a couple of weeks. Although she has not appeared live on the show since then, Guthrie participated in a pre-recorded New Year’s Day segment with Melvin, Al Roker, and Carson Daly that aired on January 1, where she thanked viewers and wished them a happy New Year. “We’re so happy to have you, we don’t take it for granted,” she said during the segment, highlighting her appreciation for the Today show audience.
Following the January 5 broadcast, Guthrie posted a selfie on Instagram, showing her smiling while holding a whiteboard reading, “All good! Thanks for prayers and love!” She added the caption, “See you soon!” Several colleagues, including former co-anchor Hoda Kotb, commented with messages of support and well-wishes for her recovery.
In Guthrie’s absence, Today show colleagues have stepped in to cover her role. On the January 5 broadcast, Sheinelle Jones co-hosted alongside Craig Melvin, filling in for Guthrie. At the start of the show, Melvin acknowledged Jones’s participation and wished Guthrie a successful and speedy recovery from her vocal cord surgery.
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