Savannah Guthrie, a prominent co-host of TODAY, is currently on vocal rest following recent surgery on her vocal cords. Despite her inability to speak, she found creative ways to engage with her colleagues on the January 12, 2024, broadcast while recovering at home. During the segment, she shared humorous insights from her children about her temporary silence.
Jenna Bush Hager lightened the mood with a playful anecdote about a recent phone call, saying, “Savannah, I was telling them how I called you the other week for you not to answer, so your voicemail would play, but you answered and just clapped over and over again like a seal.” While Savannah could not respond verbally, her expressions of joy were evident. She communicated through gestures, smiling, nodding, and clapping, employing a whiteboard to express her thoughts.
In response to inquiries about her well-being, Savannah wrote, “good, boring, quiet” on her whiteboard. Carson Daly humorously remarked on the situation, likening it to a new game show format. Savannah has been using her time to journal, paint, and read, focusing on personal growth during her recovery. She mentioned titles such as Theo of Golden by Allen Levi and Yes and … Daily Meditations by Richard Rohr, emphasizing her aim to “grow as a human.”
Her coworkers praised her artistic endeavors, with Savannah displaying several of her watercolor paintings. These included a sunset, the TODAY logo, and a black cat that she created with Jenna in mind. Al Roker suggested that her artwork could be auctioned off, reflecting the light-hearted camaraderie among the team.
Savannah’s children, Vale, aged 11, and Charley, aged 9, also contributed humor to the situation. She showcased a message from them that read, “The kids said, ‘Mom, even when you’re quiet, you’re still loud.’” In a further playful note, she prepared a message referencing the classic movie Jaws: “We’re gonna need a bigger white board.”
As her colleagues continued to engage with her through the whiteboard, there was a palpable sense of anticipation for her return. Craig Melvin expressed the collective sentiment, saying, “Can’t wait to get you back, SG!” Savannah is expected to resume her role in Studio 1A next week, bringing her vibrant personality back to the screen.
This experience highlights not only the challenges of vocal rest but also the strong support system surrounding Savannah, as her coworkers and family continue to uplift her during this recovery period.
