Savannah Guthrie, co-host of NBC’s TODAY, has found a creative way to communicate with her colleagues while recovering from vocal cord surgery. During the broadcast on January 12, 2024, she shared her children’s amusing take on her current silence, indicating that her family remains supportive and light-hearted about her recovery.
Despite being unable to speak, Guthrie used a whiteboard to interact with her co-hosts, who were eager to hear from her. Jenna Bush Hager humorously recounted an experience where Guthrie answered her phone call without being able to talk, instead clapping repeatedly as a form of communication. “Savannah, I was telling them how I called you the other week for you not to answer, so your voicemail would play, but you answered and just clapped over and over again like a seal,” Hager joked.
Guthrie is currently in the second week of her complete vocal rest. Although she could not respond verbally, she expressed her feelings through writing and gestures. When asked about her well-being, she wrote, “good, boring, quiet,” capturing the essence of her situation.
Carson Daly compared the scene to a game show, remarking, “This feels like a new prime time Jimmy Fallon game show.” Guthrie has been utilizing her recovery time for personal growth, engaging in activities such as journaling, painting, and reading. Among her reading list are titles like “Theo of Golden” by Allen Levi and “Yes and … Daily Meditations” by Richard Rohr. She noted that she is “trying to grow as a human,” prompting co-host Craig Melvin to compliment her by stating, “You were already a pretty great human before!”
In addition to her reading, Guthrie has taken up watercolor painting, displaying some of her artwork during the broadcast. Among her creations were a sunset, the TODAY logo, and a black cat she specifically painted for Hager. Al Roker quipped, “I think you’re going to have to auction these off!”
While her colleagues have adapted to this new form of communication, Guthrie’s children, Vale, 11, and Charley, 9, provided their own humorous perspective on their mother’s condition. She held up a whiteboard that read, “The kids said, ‘Mom, even when you’re quiet, you’re still loud.'” In a playful nod to the classic film “Jaws,” she prepared another message stating, “We’re gonna need a bigger whiteboard.”
Guthrie is expected to return to Studio 1A next week, with Craig Melvin expressing enthusiasm for her comeback: “Can’t wait to get you back, SG!” The support from her family and colleagues highlights the positive atmosphere surrounding her recovery process. As she continues to heal, Guthrie’s light-hearted approach to her situation has resonated with her audience and colleagues alike.
