Hoda Kotb thought she was steering into a lighter, freer phase of her career.
Instead, her post-Today passion project is reportedly being met with raised eyebrows — and outright irritation — from the very colleagues she once shared Studio 1A with.
NBC insiders tell Daily Mail that Kotb’s new YouTube interview series, Joy Rides, has become a quiet punchline behind the scenes, with staff growing weary of what they describe as repeated requests for help from their former co-anchor.
From Morning TV Royalty to YouTube Hustle
Kotb, 61, stepped away from her high-profile Today co-host role last year, leaving behind the early alarms and live-TV pressure.
Her new venture, Joy Rides, is meant to feel relaxed and intimate: celebrity conversations filmed inside moving cars, stripped of studio gloss. Think less scripted morning show, more casual heart-to-heart — a Carpool Karaoke-style setup, minus the sing-alongs.
The show promises weekly episodes, and Kotb kicked things off on January 21 with a familiar face: Savannah Guthrie.
An Awkward Launch Before Sunrise
The premiere episode was filmed in the dark hours of the morning, before Guthrie left for surgery to address vocal cord nodules.
While the timing was practical, NBC staff reportedly saw it as symbolic — and not in a flattering way.
According to insiders, the barely-lit, crack-of-dawn interview immediately drew mockery.
One source claimed even Kotb herself seemed unsure what the series was supposed to be.
Another described her as a “perpetual pest,” saying that after quitting NBC, she continues to ask former coworkers for favors to support her independent platform.
Growing Frustration Behind the Scenes
Producers and staff are said to be burned out and increasingly blunt about their annoyance.
Several insiders insisted it’s not their responsibility to supply guests or content for Kotb’s personal brand, especially after years of demanding schedules at NBC News.
One producer described the concept as “cute on paper” but awkward in execution, adding that the forced cheer and emotional tone feel exhausting rather than uplifting.
Kotb’s trademark warmth, they suggested, may not be enough to carry the idea when people are already stretched thin.
Savannah’s Cameo Sparks More Gossip
Guthrie’s participation only fueled the chatter.
Insiders noted that she appeared to give Kotb a very limited window — roughly 15 minutes at 4 a.m. — which they interpreted as telling in itself.
One source claimed that if anyone else with such a small subscriber base had asked for a similar favor, Guthrie wouldn’t have agreed.
To them, the appearance looked less like enthusiasm and more like obligation — a former colleague doing a kindness, not endorsing a new media powerhouse.
Inside the “Joy Ride” Conversation
On camera, however, the mood was affectionate and earnest.
Kotb opened by explaining that the interview existed simply because she loves Guthrie.
Guthrie, half-joking, replied that joy is usually in short supply at that hour of the morning.
Asked where she is in life right now, Guthrie described a moment of peace, joy, and transition — referencing her ongoing voice issues and the emotional toll they’ve taken.
When the conversation turned more personal, Guthrie reflected on her divorce from her first husband in her 30s, a period marked by heartbreak and the pressure of starting her NBC career at the same time.
She spoke openly about feeling like a failure, and how her faith deepened when everything else felt unstable.
Kotb responded with visible emotion, praising Guthrie’s writing and referencing her book Mostly What God Does.
Motherhood, Faith, and the Search for Real Joy
When asked about her happiest moments, Guthrie rejected the idea of forced positivity, saying she prefers something deeper than “toxic fake joy.”
She described the overwhelming happiness she felt when her children were born, calling it all-encompassing and life-defining.
Those moments, she said, fulfilled dreams she once thought might never come true — especially after years of fertility struggles and IVF.
Quiet Numbers, Loud Criticism
So far, the numbers haven’t silenced the skeptics.
The Guthrie episode has drawn under 10,000 views, with Kotb’s Joy 101 channel sitting at just under 2,000 subscribers.
A representative for Kotb declined to comment on the insider criticism.
Meanwhile, Back at Today…
The scrutiny around Joy Rides comes as Daily Mail previously revealed that Guthrie herself has been privately unsettled during her medical absence from Today.
Despite publicly downplaying concerns, sources say she’s been closely monitoring ratings — and didn’t like what she saw.
During her time away, Today reportedly saw a 12 per cent year-on-year bump in viewers, averaging 2.86 million and beating Good Morning America.
Sheinelle Jones filled in alongside Craig Melvin, and insiders described a noticeable shift in tone.
A Softer Vibe Without the Anchor
According to sources close to the show, the atmosphere became more relaxed and collaborative without Guthrie on set.
They described less tension, fewer corrections mid-conversation, and a warmer dynamic overall — more like equals sharing space than a classroom led by an authority figure.
Privately, Guthrie is said to be shaken by the possibility that NBC might reassess her leverage.
One insider claimed she’s obsessively refreshing ratings reports and second-guessing every on-air decision ahead of her return on January 26.
NBC Pushes Back
NBC strongly disputes the narrative, emphasizing that Today is enjoying its strongest season-to-date performance in 14 years.
The network stressed that Guthrie has been central to that success for more than a decade.
The Life Savannah Built Beyond the Studio
Guthrie has co-hosted Today since 2012, joining Matt Lauer before his 2017 dismissal.
She reportedly earns around $8 million annually and lives in Brooklyn Heights with her husband, former political aide Michael Feldman.
The couple share two children, Vale and Charley, both born after years of fertility challenges.
She has spoken openly about the miracle of becoming a mother in her 40s, saying she never expected to have even one child — let alone two.
What’s Next?
Kotb is betting that Joy Rides will find its audience with time.
Guthrie is counting down to her return to the anchor desk, hoping to reclaim her footing.
For now, both women are navigating uncertain terrain — one chasing reinvention, the other confronting how quickly the spotlight can shift when you step away.
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