Beloved “Today” co-host Savannah Guthrie is scheduled to return to her morning show gig on Monday, April 6, after more than two months away.
As previously reported, Guthrie took an extended leave of absence after her mother, Nancy Guthrie, was reported missing on February 1.
While the 84-year-old Tucson, Arizona, resident remains missing, NBC has put in place a series of security protocols to ensure the staff’s safety, according to a new report.
NBC Makes Changes Amid Savannah Guthrie’s Return
On Thursday, April 2, just days ahead of Guthrie’s scheduled return to 30 Rock, The U.S. Sun reported on a series of changes made by the studio.
“The show has been on heightened security for a month,” a source told the outlet.
According to the insider, the security measures in place on April 6 will be the same as in recent weeks, which are “already very, very tight.”
“Everyone has been complaining about how difficult it is to get into the studios right now,” the source added.
Savannah Guthrie Wants Business as Usual
As the Guthrie family is still reeling from the disappearance of their beloved mother, the longtime co-host is hoping to get back into the swing of things at work with as little commotion as possible, the outlet claimed.
“Production had planned to make a big deal about her comeback, including lots of yellow balloons and flowers, and even a religious choir to greet her on her first day,” The U.S. Sun reported. “But Savannah said no to all of it. She immediately shut it down. No big gestures, no production. She wants it to feel normal, and that includes how the show begins.”
Savannah Guthrie’s Big Return
During a heart-wrenching sit-down interview with former co-host Hoda Kotb, which aired in multiple parts in late March, Guthrie announced her plans to return to work.
“Itâs hard to imagine doing it because itâs such a place of joy and lightness, and I canât come back and try to be something that Iâm not,” Savannah said through tears. “But I canât not come back, because itâs my family. I think itâs part of my purpose right now.”
“I want to smile. And when I do, it will be real,” she continued. “I will have joy. And my joy will be my protest. My joy will be my answer. And being there is joyful. And when itâs not, Iâll say so. And I have been so grateful to have this family. I consider this my family, my greater family.”
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