‘Today’ Show Faces Personal Crisis as Savannah Guthrie’s Mother Is Kidnapped

As NBC prepared to bring Winter Olympics coverage to viewers in Italy, the hosts of Today found themselves confronting a deeply personal crisis instead.

Co-anchor Savannah Guthrie has stepped away from the broadcast and is in Arizona following the reported abduction of her mother, Nancy Guthrie, on Jan. 31. Authorities say an unknown suspect is involved, and the case has quickly drawn national attention. On Thursday, the Federal Bureau of Investigation released surveillance photos of a person of interest seen at Nancy Guthrie’s door, a development that investigators hope could generate new leads.

Since the alleged kidnapping, “Today” has regularly opened its broadcast with updates on the search. Co-anchor Craig Melvin addressed viewers directly during Monday’s telecast.

“We know things are far from normal right now, so folks, we are asking for your grace as we continue to do this,” Melvin said.

Industry observers say the situation presents unique challenges for the morning show. Programs like “Today,” Good Morning America and CBS Mornings often cultivate a family-like atmosphere with audiences. When a personal tragedy strikes one of their own, maintaining journalistic objectivity while showing compassion becomes a delicate balancing act.

Veteran “Today” host Hoda Kotb has stepped in to help anchor the program during Guthrie’s absence. Kotb had already been scheduled to work during the Olympics period. Behind the scenes, producers are said to be navigating day-to-day decisions as the investigation continues and Guthrie remains off air.

The show has weathered significant challenges in recent years, including the 2017 departure of former anchor Matt Lauer following allegations of sexual misconduct, which he has denied. The team has also supported colleagues through serious illnesses and personal losses, reinforcing the close-knit nature of the broadcast.

Journalism experts note that covering a story involving a colleague adds another layer of complexity. Ben Bogardus, chair of the journalism department at Quinnipiac University, said anchors who are close to Guthrie may be too emotionally connected to report objectively. As a result, NBC News correspondents have been leading much of the factual reporting, allowing the anchors to provide context and express support.

Jane Hall, an associate professor at American University’s School of Communication, said the emotional strain on the team is likely significant. “It has got to be very difficult for people on ‘Today’ to be covering this and covering it in a way that feels appropriate,” she said.

Others argue that acknowledging emotion on air can resonate with viewers. Kate West, a journalism professor at the University of Texas, said moments of vulnerability from anchors can be powerful and authentic, particularly during traumatic events.

Still, experts caution that the network must avoid appearing to exploit the tragedy. Mark Feldstein, chair of broadcast journalism at the Philip Merrill College of Journalism, said NBC faces a “difficult needle to thread” — supporting its colleague while meeting audience expectations for coverage.

As the investigation continues, the “Today” team remains focused on updates in the case while balancing empathy with professionalism. For now, viewers are seeing a morning show grappling in real time with a crisis that has struck close to home.