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Savannah Guthrie, the replacement for Today show presenter Ann Curry, is already failing to impress audiences with her Olympics coverage. TV network NBC flew fellow presenter Hoda Kotb to London this weekend to help 'bring the show to life' following poor viewing figures on the first day of broadcast last Thursday. The dramatic move comes after Today's Olympics build-up fell short fell in the ratings war with rival network ABC's Good Morning America.
Guthrie, the show's co-hosts, and special prime-time Olympic correspondents, Meredith Vieira and Ryan Seacrest have all had their beats established for months, the source said. But "they're just shoehorning her into the show to help bring it alive," the source added. “They called Hoda on Thursday begging her to go to London because they said it wasn’t working like they thought.”
Kotb was set to start a two-week hiatus from the show for vacation, but she cheerfully joined the NBC gaggle in London. “Packing my bags and heading to London this weekend — thx for all the story suggestions. You know I will do them!” the 47-year-old cheerfully tweeted on Friday after completing her show.
During the Olympics, on average, “Today’s” audience increases approximately 30 percent, reportedly. But when Thursday's pre-Olympics coverage didn't beat out “Good Morning America,” it was Hoda to the rescue - literally. “She didn't hesitate in saying yes,” said the insider.
