Hoda Kotb can't leave television for two seconds without rumors and reports trying to bring her back. She left NBC's Today show back in January this year, buying her a little under five months before people started begging for her back. In an interview with PEOPLE, Kotb reveals that she left her longtime gig to care for her daughter.
Videos by Wide Open Country
"I really wanted to and needed to be here to watch over her. So, whenever she needs anything, and it can happen at night, multiple times, I'm up — I'm up up up," Hoda explains. "But I would never, ever want Hope to one day grow up and say, 'Oh, my mom left her job because [of me].' It wasn't that alone. But if you look at it cumulatively, it was a part of that decision."
However, turbulence with Kelly Clarkson and her eponymous show has the staff begging for someone they love in the room. "Everyone loves Kelly. She's a wonderful person. But maybe Hoda [Kotb] would be a better boss. I know she's universally beloved and respected by her former coworkers. Maybe she would be good. She sure would be a lot more stable than what we've been going through," one producer reportedly said.
One problem though: she doesn't want it!
Hoda Kotb Denies Wanting to Take Over for Kelly Clarkson's Show
Recently, Kotb sat down as a guest for the Today Show, as captured by Page Six. There, she tells hosts Savannah Guthrie and Craig Melvin straight up that she doesn't want to take on full time hosting duties on The Kelly Clarkson Show. Why? There's only one place that truly has her heart.
"Delete. Delete. That's not true. I want to ask you all a real question," Hoda prompts. "Do you think that if I ever came back to TV... do you know the only place I would ever come back is? Right here, this is the spot. There's no place like home."
In fairness, Hoda is appearing on The Kelly Clarkson Show. However, it's in the same capacity she appeared on the Today show, as a guest. She's promoting her wellness brand, which is why she's doing the media cycle. So there's no real fire to all the smoke suggesting she's making a comeback. Kelly Clarkson's staffers might need to conjure up a new name if they want a replacement so bad.
