Fellow NBC host Andy Cohen could not hide his jealousy during a recent visit to Today when Jenna Bush Hager announced yet another major movie star will be co-hosting Jenna & Friends with her when it premieres next week.
The first week of Jenna & Friends will kick off with Taraji P. Henson, Keke Palmer and Eva Longoria co-hosting with Bush Hager, before Scarlett Johansson later visits the studio to host almost an entire week of the show, from Jan. 21 to the 24.
Cohen wasted no time at all during his interview before demanding to know who Bush Hager’s talent “booker” is, since they’ve been booking celebs who reportedly “refuse” to go on Cohen’s Watch What Happens Live.
“By the way, with all due [respect] to you, Hoda [Kotb], sounds like Jenna’s got quite a lineup coming up,” he pointed out, causing Kotb and Bush Hager to erupt with laughter. “Um, many of the people of Jenna’s ‘friends’ are people who refuse to do my show! I’m like watching, I was like wow!”
“Who’s your booker?” he then asked. “Mazel tov to you.”
Bush Hager could barely answer him through her laughter, though she did admit, “Our bookers are amazing.”
Cohen may have been shading Johansson, who appears to be the only celeb from the lineup who hasn’t appeared on WWHL (though she has appeared on Hoda & Jenna multiple times).
Photo: NBC
He then noted, “Never realized who your friends were. Not only that, Scarlett Johansson’s on multiple days. Wow.”
With Kotb set to retire Friday, Jan. 10, we are finally getting some news regarding Bush Hager’s new solo endeavor on NBC, Today With Jenna & Friends. And this new iteration looks very promising, to say the least!
The rebranded fourth hour of The Today Show will kick off Monday, Jan. 13. NBC has not yet named a permanent co-host for Bush Hager, so this new format will give her the chance to “date” and try out several possibilities.
Bush Hager has already clarified that she is “involved” in the search for Kotb’s replacement but there is no expected deadline. For now, viewers will be able to enjoy a star-studded slate of guest hosts.
Craig Melvin has already been named as Kotb’s successor on the first three hours of The Today Show.
Today with Hoda & Jenna airs on weekdays at 10/9c on NBC.
