After taking a two-month leave from Today due to her mother’s mysterious disappearance, Savannah Guthrie made a heartfelt return to the show on April 6, 2026. However, NBC’s grand expectations for a show-stopping homecoming didn’t quite play out as anticipated.
According to entertainment insider Rob Shuter, who appeared on The Megyn Kelly Show, NBC had huge plans for Savannah’s return, expecting it to be a monumental moment for the network. Shuter reveals:
“They thought it was going to be massive—like a pop concert. NBC expected thousands of people crowding The Plaza, with extra security hired as if Justin Bieber were performing. But while there was a decent turnout, the crowd wasn’t overwhelming, and the ratings, though up, didn’t reach the heights they’d hoped for.”
Instead of the sky-high ratings NBC had envisioned, the viewership for Savannah’s comeback only saw a modest rise—6% among viewers aged 55 and older, and just 2% in the 25-54 demo. Hardly the splash NBC was aiming for, and far less than they had predicted.
Shuter explains that the disappointing turnout was due to the complexity of Guthrie’s return. “The Savannah moment didn’t turn out as they expected, because the story is incredibly complicated and frustrating,” he says. “There are too many pieces of this puzzle that just don’t make sense.”
Indeed, the ongoing investigation into her mother Nancy’s disappearance still remains unresolved. With no clear answers, and no closure in sight, it seems the audience wasn’t as emotionally invested as NBC had hoped. If Nancy had been found safe, it might have been a different story—a family reunion on live TV could have sparked the emotional fanfare that NBC expected.
As of now, the investigation into Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance has entered its 84th day, with no suspects named. Meanwhile, Derrick Callella, the man accused of sending Savannah a fake ransom text after her mother’s disappearance, has a trial date set, but still no answers.
Shuter also points out a shift in the celebrity status of morning show hosts. “I remember dining with Katie Couric and Matt Lauer, and the restaurant was buzzing. But when I walked down the street with Savannah, heads didn’t turn quite as much,” he reflects.
While her return to Today might not have been the spectacle NBC envisioned, it was still a touching moment for fans when Savannah reunited with Hoda Kotb, filling the space left by Craig Melvin’s vacation. Despite the ratings letdown, the reunion on the talk show offered a heartfelt moment viewers appreciated.
As Savannah continues to navigate this difficult personal journey, we send our support to the Guthrie family, hoping they can find peace amidst the ongoing tragedy.
