NBC Stars Who Have & Have Not Supported Savannah Guthrie During Nancy's Kidnapping

"Today" show host Savannah Guthrie's life's was forever changed in February 2026. Her mother, Nancy Guthrie's, abduction has continued to dominate headlines, but as of this writing, Nancy has yet to be found. The beloved broadcaster understandably took some time off work to be with her family during the harrowing time, with rumors even swirling that Savannah Guthrie might never return to "Today" after Nancy's kidnapping. What was even more concerning, however, was that some of her colleagues at NBC were reportedly hoping she wouldn't return. 

"It's a viper's nest. Even if you're suffering," an insider confirmed to the Daily Mail. They clarified that, while Savannah's colleagues were obviously concerned about Nancy and hopeful for her safe return, their ambitions at the network far outweighed their sympathy. "These people will steal your chair while you're still sitting in it," one source alleged. Apparently, some of them weren't too thrilled to hear that she planned on returning to "Today," with several apparently preferring her former co-host Hoda Kotb, who came out of retirement to fill in for Savannah. 

In March 2026, she actually sat down for an interview with Kotb on "Today" to discuss her mother's abduction. "Someone needs to do the right thing. We are in agony. We are in agony. It is unbearable," Savannah confessed, adding, "And to think of what she went through. I wake up every night in the middle of the night, every night. And in the darkness, I imagine her terror. And it is unthinkable, but those thoughts demand to be thought. And I will not hide my face. But she needs to come home now." While some people don't want her back at work at all, other colleagues at NBC have been very supportive of Savannah during this incredibly difficult time. 

Hoda Kotb became a regular face on "Today" once again as she filled in for Savannah Guthrie. The TV icon expressed her support for the entire Guthrie family during the first episode where Kotb covered for her colleague. "First of all, I just want to say this whole thing's breaking my heart and I'm happy to be sitting here with you," she intoned, per the Daily Mail. "I think there's this helpless feeling. I mean, we're all so close to her and we all want to help her." The former news anchor attracted some criticism, however, when she went ahead with her planned wellness retreat in March 2026, which took place about 100 miles from Nancy Guthrie's home. It's worth noting that the event had been planned since December 2025. 

And yet, PR expert Eric Schiffer argued that going ahead with the retreat could've been a PR disaster unless Kotb was mindful about how she handled it, suggesting she refrain from bombarding social media with snaps from the event or pretending that Savannah's dire situation didn't exist. The "Today" alum largely managed to pull it off without coming across as insensitive, employing many of the tactics Schiffer suggested. Attendees noted that that there wasn't really any discussion about Savannah, attributing it to Kotb also needing a break from the heartbreak and not wanting the whole retreat to center around Nancy Guthrie's disappearance. 

After interviewing Savannah in March 2026, Kotb told her "Today" colleagues that she admired her strength. "I was sort of marveling that she was able to sit there with an outfit on, have a conversation and also have direct thoughts about what she sees going forward. [...] It's like no one's stealing her joy," she said.

Some of Savannah Guthrie's colleagues got torn to shreds for their "gross" behavior amid Nancy Guthrie's kidnapping, but "Today" show host Dylan Dreyer wasn't one of them. She expressed hope that Savannah would return to the network during an interview with TMZ, alongside acknowledging that her colleague's set visit in March 2026 was therapeutic for both of them. "It was what we all needed," Dreyer said. "It was exactly what we needed, to just hug her, pray for her. I mean, it was amazing." 

During her visit, Savannah informed her colleagues that she was still holding on to hope for her mom's safe return. "I wanted you to know that I'm still standing, and I still have hope, and I'm still me," she said, per the Irish Star. "I'm holding onto my faith. I still believe. And as my mom would say, 'Where else would I go?" Dreyer, who is also a person of faith, gathered her colleagues into a prayer circle during Savannah's visit, telling them, "We're here holding hands as a family, in a place where we don't understand why this is happening. It is not too bold to ask God for the biggest miracles every day." 

Savannah Guthrie's former "Today" show colleague, Sara Haines, might not be rubbing shoulders with her in front of the cameras every day anymore, but she's publicly expressed her heartfelt support towards her and the rest of the Guthrie family, as well as her "Today" colleagues who are weathering the tragedy alongside Savannah. "I have a lot of friends at the 'Today' show," Haines, who is now a host on "The View," proudly confirmed to Page Six in March 2026. "So from the moment it happened, I've been in touch with them and mainly, not for a response, but just saying, I'm sending my love, I'm sending my prayers."  Likewise, she still considers Savannah her family.

"My heart breaks and I have no words for how hard this is to watch," Haines added. And she hasn't lost her sense of humor amid all the tragedy. Haines still managed to make a dirty joke with Joy Behar on a March 2026 episode of "The View." Behar was recounting how her agent told her to give "The View" a pass because of the way her voice sounds, encouraging her to try and change it. "It's so iconic, why would you change it?" Haines wondered, per Entertainment Weekly. "Because I sound like I have Jimmy Hoffa in the back of my throat," Behar replied. Haines quipped, "Well, did you?" prompting co-host Whoopi Goldberg to give Haines a firm slap on the arm with her cue cards.

Tom Llamas' seemingly subtle lack of support for Savannah Guthrie shook up the NBC newsroom. The anchor notably didn't don a yellow ribbon, which most of her colleagues sported on air in support of Savannah's missing mother, Nancy Guthrie. Naturally, the move drew plenty of attention, and thanks to sources who spoke to the Daily Mail, it became apparent that he wasn't all that supportive of Guthrie behind the scenes either. "That didn't go unnoticed," an insider said of Llamas' decision not to wear the ribbon. "When everyone else is wearing one, the absence becomes louder than the symbol." A producer also weighed in, admitting that it was a bad look. "No one is accusing anyone of lacking compassion," they clarified, "But in a high-profile newsroom built on image and unity, even small gestures can carry weight."

It's worth noting that Llamas expressed his support for Savannah and her mother even when he wasn't wearing the ribbon. During a February 2026 segment, he acknowledged that his colleague was "dealing with the unthinkable right now," adding that he and everyone else at the network were keeping Savannah and her family in their prayers and that he looked forward to her return to work. "These nights are not the same without you, but we completely understand what you are going through right now," Llamas added, per The Mirror US. As criticism over his lack of a yellow ribbon mounted, however, Llamas began sporting one in subsequent broadcasts.

Rumor has it that NBC's long-running true crime show, "Dateline," is considering turning the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie into what will likely be a record-smashing episode. "Let's be honest — 'Dateline' wants a hit, and everyone knows this could be the highest-rated episode they've ever had," an insider dished to the Daily Mail. They also added that such an episode will not be made without the family's blessing. "There's a feeling that if Savannah even hints she's okay with it, the green light comes fast," a source noted. "But if she's not comfortable, it's dead — no matter how big the ratings could be." One could argue that even considering profiting off Savannah Guthrie's pain is in bad taste. 

There are also the rumors that "Dateline" host Craig Melvin is upset that he wasn't chosen to interview Savannah in March 2026 as she discussed the harrowing time that she and her family were enduring since her mother's kidnapping. Instead, Hoda Kotb conducted the chat — notably, Savannah's first TV appearance since the abduction. "Dateline" anchor Lester Holt hasn't spoken extensively about her situation publicly, but host Kate Snow expressed her support and sympathy shortly after Nancy's disappearance, taking to Facebook to write, "I am devastated for my friend @savannahguthrie & her family & sending every bit of positivity into the universe that I can." Whether or not "Dateline" will end up covering Nancy's disappearance sometime in the future is anyone's guess.