Savannah Guthrie’s return to Today for the first time in more than two months was very emotional behind the scenes, but on-air marching orders were said to be “business as usual,” sources tell Page Six.
Sources said that prior to the broadcast, NBC staffers on the show were clearly instructed not to mention the disappearance of Guthrie’s mother, Nancy, who was abducted from her Arizona home in February, or even formally welcome the anchor back.
“It was supposed to be business as usual, but[producers]were told to act completely normal,” the source said. “The atmosphere is ‘move on.’ It’s been a tough year and a draining time.”
I hear that this move is realistic. They feel that if a correspondent mentions Guthrie’s situation, it will interrupt the flow and demand a response from her.
Still, Guthrie was welcomed back on the air by co-anchors Craig Melvin, Al Roker, Jenna Bush, Sheinelle Jones, and Carson Daly during the show’s run.
“It’s good to be home,” Guthrie said at the beginning of the show. “Break the news whether you’re ready or not.”
There was something more emotional going on behind the scenes.
Another source said, “There were a lot of hugs…It’s a relief to get back to normal. If there are any major developments in the case, I’m ready to go back to Arizona, or wherever I need to be.”
Nancy was taken from her home in Tucson, Arizona in the early morning hours of February 1, 2026.
Another source praised Guthrie’s courage.
“Savannah is the heart of the show and a sure hand guiding everyone in the right direction,” a source said. “We all needed her home, the staff and the crew. It was emotional for everyone. Her grief and pain are not gone, but so is her courage and strength. And her faith is unparalleled. Just as she needed to go home to her children and husband, she also needed to go home to her family ‘today.'”
The “Today” star became emotional while greeting fans holding placards outside NBC headquarters.
One source said there were no additional guarantees for her return.
Page Six exclusively reported that Guthrie will return to the show in April, after his children are on spring break from school.
Sources told Us at the time that the journalist wanted to spend as much time as possible with her husband Michael Feldman, daughter Vale, 11, and son Charlie, 9, before returning to the spotlight.
