Hoda Kotb’s Today Show Exit Stuns Al Roker with Unexpected Reaction

Hoda Kotb’s decision to step away from NBC’s Today Show in January 2025 sent shockwaves through the broadcasting world, but it was her longtime friend and colleague Al Roker’s reaction that left everyone stunned. In her memoir, Jump and Find Joy: Embracing Change in Every Season of Life, released in 2025, Kotb recounts the moment she informed Roker of her departure, only to be met with an abrupt hang-up. “He said, ‘OK, bye,’ and hung up on me!” she wrote, describing the jarring response from the beloved weatherman. The reason behind Roker’s sudden move—revealed in a follow-up call—unraveled a deeply emotional moment that underscored their bond and left fans and colleagues reeling.

Kotb, who announced her exit on September 26, 2024, after 26 years at NBC, including 16 years co-anchoring Today’s 10 a.m. hour, chose to leave to prioritize her daughters, Haley Joy, 8, and Hope Catherine, 6. Adopted in her 50s after surviving breast cancer, which rendered her unable to conceive, Kotb’s decision was driven by a desire to savor time with her children. In her memoir, she detailed breaking the news to Roker, her “longtime buddy,” expecting a heartfelt exchange. Instead, his immediate hang-up left her momentarily baffled, thinking, “Well, he sure got over that fast.” Five minutes later, Roker called back, explaining, “I was just so shocked, and I couldn’t process what you were saying.” His raw reaction reflected the depth of their 17-year friendship and the impact of her departure on the Today family.

The announcement came after Kotb’s reflection on turning 60, a milestone that prompted her to reassess her priorities. She first shared her decision with Libby Leist, NBC’s executive vice president, describing her 26-year tenure: 10 years on Dateline, 7 on Today’s 7 a.m. hour, and 16 on the 10 a.m. hour. “I’d been asking myself what I wanted the next decade to look like,” Kotb told Leist, explaining her longing for “more adventure” and to “chase something scary” without a safety net. Her daughters, adopted with former partner Joel Schiffman, were her driving force. “When you wait so long for children—like I did—you don’t want to miss your time with them,” she wrote, a sentiment that resonated with fans on X, who praised her courage. One user wrote, “Hoda’s choosing family over fame—respect!”

Roker’s initial shock, followed by his candid explanation, humanized the moment, highlighting the tight-knit Today crew. Fans on social media were moved, with one commenting, “Al hanging up shows how much Hoda means to him.” Kotb’s memoir details other pivotal moments, from her cancer battle to her adoption journey, inspired by Sandra Bullock’s encouragement. Her departure, announced to viewers with grace, sparked an outpouring of support, with colleagues like Savannah Guthrie and Jenna Bush Hager tearfully bidding her farewell on air. Roker, in a later Today segment, called Kotb “irreplaceable,” reflecting on their shared laughter and on-air chemistry.

The revelation of Roker’s reaction added a poignant layer to Kotb’s exit narrative. Her decision to prioritize Haley and Hope over financial security at NBC struck a chord, especially among parents who admired her vulnerability. “Hoda’s story is about living for what matters,” one X user posted. As she embarks on new ventures, including potential podcasting and writing, Kotb’s legacy at Today—marked by warmth and resilience—endures. Roker’s stunned hang-up, followed by his heartfelt callback, encapsulates the emotional weight of her departure, reminding fans that even TV icons grapple with change, finding strength in friendship and family.