The Truth About Hoda Kotb And Katie Couric
Hoda Kotb has been the host of the "Hoda and Jenna" on "The Today Show" alongside co-host Jenna Bush Hager since 2019, according to USA Today. Previously, the fourth hour of the talk show was dedicated to Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford for over a decade. Even earlier, journalist Katie Couric had started her job at NBC News in 1989 — hosting "Today" as well — but left in 2006. However, while Kotb became a household name in relaxing daytime television, Couric eventually covered NBC's (and CBS') heavier subjects, from politics to nightly news anchor appearances.
Now, Couric is making waves with her new memoir "Going There," which reportedly tackles controversial subjects during her tenure at NBC and CBS Evening News. According to The Hill, Couric's book is so controversial that media channels have denied interview requests, with Kotb being one of the few presently willing to chat with the former anchor. Although it's unclear if the two will delve into some of the book's negative portrayals, there appears to be some tension with its upcoming release, and questions about Kotb's portrayal in it. Keep reading.
Hoda Kotb wasn't mentioned in Katie Couric's memoir
While at a Turn 2 Foundation event, Hoda Kotb spoke to Page Six about her and the network's decision to allow Katie Couric to appear in honor of her upcoming memoir. Couric, who formerly worked on the show years ago, had already been banned from appearing on her other former network, CBS, over the content of the book. However, Kotb and NBC apparently were less offended at the content, at least agreed to interview her about it.
However, Kotb hinted that her decision was partially determined by her presence in Couric's memoir — or lack thereof. The "Today" host wasn't in the book named at all. "I haven't read Katie's book yet, but I've only heard about some of the excerpts," Kotb said. "But I do know someone who read the book, and they said overall that that [shady] tone is not really the vibe of it — but I was not mentioned, so I guess that was a good thing. So, she's going to be on the show."
Katie Couric respects how Hoda Kotb handles controversial situations
When Katie Couric worked at "Today," she frequently hosted alongside the network's longtime employee, Matt Lauer. However, in 2017 and the rise of #MeToo, several sexual assault allegations were brought forth against Lauer, to his permanent firing and ban from appearing on future news programming. When the news broke, "Today" co-hosts Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb had to reckon with what to do about the person they had worked with for years.
It was certainly a complicated situation and in January of 2018, Couric told People that she respected the way Kotb handled it. "The accounts I've read and heard have been disturbing, distressing and disorienting and it's completely unacceptable that any woman at "The Today Show" experienced this kind of treatment," Couric said. "It's still very upsetting. I really admire the way Savannah [Guthrie] and Hoda [Kotb] and the entire "Today Show" staff have handled a very difficult situation." Clearly, that respect was fairly mutual, as Couric has been allowed back on NBC when other networks shunned her.