Hoda Kotb ‘on record’ to replace Kelly Clarkson as – Business News
Former “Today” co-host Hoda Kotb is on the “list” of candidates to replace NBC daytime discuss show host Kelly Clarkson – paving the best way for a doable comeback simply months after her shock exit, The Post has realized.
Kotb, who surprised followers when she stepped down in January, is firmly on the community’s radar as rumors swirl that Clarkson desires to depart her eponymous show, in accordance to an NBC insider.
“There’s a long list of names and Hoda is part of that list,” stated the source. “NBC never wanted Hoda to leave. The question is would Hoda want to do it?”
Former “Today” co-host Hoda Kotb’s title is being bandied about by NBC brass to doubtlessly replace Kelly Clarkson. Nathan Congleton/NBC by way of Getty Images
Clarkson’s contract is up subsequent yr. It will not be clear when Kotb or one other alternative would take over the show ought to the pop singer resolve to stroll away.
Meanwhile, the unique “American Idol” winner is embarking on a huge yr for her music profession.
She is releasing a ninth album in June beneath her own label earlier than launching a new Las Vegas residency from July 4 to Aug. 16, with extra reveals from Nov. 7-15.
“If the album doesn’t do well, she might want to keep her talk show,” the source stated. “But she has a lot going on and the timing may be right for the next chapter.”
NBC, Clarkson and Kotb didn’t return requests for remark.
The source stated NBC bosses are on the lookout for a recognizable host who already has a following — and being a various candidate wouldn’t harm Kotb’s possibilities, both.
Kelly Clarkson has been rumored to be mulling an exit from her namesake show so as to spend more time together with her household. Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal by way of Getty Images
“Hoda ticks a lot of boxes. She’s an Egyptian, older Kelly Clarkson,” the primary source stated.
Aside from Kotb, a slew of personalities who stuffed in as host through the years — like Wanda Sykes, Willie Geist, Molly Sims, Roy Wood Jr. and Josh Groban — are additionally on the record, the insider added.
Another source urged that former “Today” weekend anchor Maria Shriver may very well be within the working. The Kennedy scion has been publicizing her new ebook: “I am Maria.”
Sources stated taking on for Clarkson is perhaps enticing to Kotb, who has had to share the limelight with “Today” co-host Savannah Guthrie (left). Nathan Congleton/NBC by way of Getty Images
But Kotb may very well be tempted to return to the anchor chair as a result of she wouldn’t have to jockey for the limelight with a co-host.
The affable anchor, who joined NBC in 1998, is well liked by higher-ups on the community and has many of the highest execs on pace dial, the primary source stated.
Kotb left “Today,” which she co-hosted with Savannah Guthrie for seven years, so as to spend more time with her ailing younger daughter and to work on her own wellness model.
Clarkson is embarking on a huge yr in her music profession with a new album beneath her own label and a Las Vegas residency. Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal by way of Getty Images
The loopy hours required to host a morning show had worn on Kotb and her household, the individual stated, noting that she can be up at 3 a.m. each morning to host the show.
Compared to “Today,” a daytime discuss show can be a “cakewalk,” the source added.
“A talk show is good for a mom,” the source stated, explaining that the taping schedule for the show is more condensed. The show tapes two reveals a day, one at 11 am and one at 3 pm. It’s airtime differs relying on the market. In New York and Chicago, it airs at 3 pm, whereas in Los Angeles, it airs at 2 pm.
Still, Clarkson has reportedly drained of her schedule. mulled stepping away to spend more time together with her youngsters, The Post beforehand reported.
Kotb helped bolster the scores of each “Today” alongside Guthrie (left) and “Hoda & Jenna,” which she co-hosted with Jenna Bush Hager. (proper) Nathan Congleton/NBC by way of Getty Images
“Kelly’s No. 1 priority is her children, and they always will be,” one industry insider stated on the time. “The show is grueling. It’s a whole lot of work and I hear that Kelly would like to spend more time down South.”
Ratings for the “Kelly Clarkson Show” have steadily declined since its launch in 2019. The show drew an average of 1.2 million viewers this season, in contrast to 1.9 million when it debuted.
The program has received 22 Daytime Emmys and nonetheless holds its own towards different prime daytime discuss reveals, together with “The View,” “Today with Jenna and Friends” and “NBC News Daily.”
Execs at NBC are mulling a slew of potential hosts for Clarkson’s
show ought to she depart, sources stated. Bumble Dee – stock.adobe.com
Since Kotb left “Today” and was changed by Craig Melvin, the show has slipped within the scores. Before her exit, the show had an average of just below 2.8 million whole viewers. In the months since she left, scores averaged round 2.7 million whole viewers, with viewership in March and April dipping to the two.5 million to 2.6 million-range.
Meanwhile, Kotb’s different NBC show, “Today with Hoda & Jenna,” which aired at 10 a.m., had averaged round 1.3 million whole viewers. Renamed “Jenna & Friends,” this system — which is hosted by Jenna Bush Hager together with a rotation of visitor hosts — is bringing in between 1.1 and 1.2 million viewers.
