Savannah Guthrie Leaves ‘Today’ Midway Through Episode: What Happened to the NBC Host?

Savannah Guthrie stepped away from the news desk in the middle of a Today episode. But the broadcaster had a good reason for her early exit.

“Somebody has to leave a little early,” Hoda Kotb said while turning to Savannah, 52, during the Tuesday, December 9, episode. “This is one of your favorite assignments you do every year.”

“Yes, we’re going to go to the Dole Foundation Heroes Gala tonight, it celebrates Military Caregivers, the people who care for our veterans, and heroes,” Savannah explained during the broadcast.

“Tom Hanks and I are doing our thing again tonight and we’ll see you tomorrow morning on Today with all of it,” she said.

Craig Melvin, who was sitting with Savannah and Hoda, 60, at the news desk, said, “Safe travels down there.”

According to the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s official website, “The Hidden Heroes Campaign is the flagship public awareness campaign of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation bringing vital attention to the untold stories of military and veteran caregivers and seeking solutions for the tremendous challenges and long-term needs they face.”

The event, which was cohosted by Savannah and Tom, 68, was held on Tuesday night, at The Anthem in Washington, D.C.

“The event will bring together national leaders and cultural icons for a night paying tribute to the service of America’s military and veteran caregivers,” the website said ahead of the event. “The top honor of the evening, the Tom Hanks Caregiver Champion Award, will be presented posthumously to entertainment icon and legendary entertainer of the troops, Bob Hope. Linda Hope, daughter of Bob & Dolores Hope, will accept the award on his behalf.”

It is not uncommon for Today anchors to leave the show mid-broadcast to head out on assignment or attend events. On April 26, Savannah disappeared during an episode of the show, with Hoda explaining, “Savannah left a little early to get her weekend started.” She shared photos on Instagram spending time with her husband, Mike Feldman, and her kids, Vale and Charley, at the time.

Just recently, Savannah announced a new project — her children’s book, Mostly What God Does Is Love You, will be released on February 25.

“I am really excited, you guys. You may remember earlier this year I released a book, it was called Mostly What God Does, there were essays about the power of faith in our lives,” the mom of two explained during an episode of Today on December 2. “Well now we’re going to have a picture book for the little ones.”

“It’s filled with illustrations that showcase the wonders of nature and how God adores us,” Savannah revealed, also sharing an audio clip of her reading the book out loud.

“Mostly what God does is love you,” Savannah said while reading the book in the clip. “He hangs the stars every evening, and everyday summons the dawn, but mostly what God does is love you. He blows the clouds into being, and whispers to the wind, ‘Go here, go there.’ But mostly what God does is love you.”