Why Did Mikey Day Walk Off the ‘Today’ Set? ‘SNL’ Star Was Shocked By Jenna Bush Hager’s Statement

Mikey Day made his presence known on Today when he shockingly walked off the set of the show during a live taping. What happened?

Why Did Mikey Day Walk Off the ‘Today’ Set?

On December 3, 2024, Mikey appeared on the talk show’s fourth hour to promote his game show, Is It Cake?, and talk about his experiences as a cast member on Saturday Night Live. But he was beyond shocked to learn that Hoda Kotb would officially be leaving the show in January 2025.

“[Hoda’s] leaving — did you read that?” Jenna Bush Hager asked Mikey during a chat on stage. He looked at her with disbelief, screaming “No! No! When did this come out?”

Hoda first made the announcement that she would be leaving Today during an episode of the show on September 26. But it appears Mikey hadn’t heard the news before going onto the show.

“She’s leaving January 13,” Jenna said. But Hoda pointed out that’s actually not true, because she is actually leaving on January 10, leaving Jenna in disbelief. “Oh god — earlier than I thought!” the former first daughter quipped.

Just then, Mikey stood up out of his chair and walked off the set and out of the frame. Hoda and Jenna laughed and called after him to come back. “We need you, Mikey,” Hoda said.

He said, “I’m leaving too, then.” But he ended up walking back onto the set and sitting back down in his chair, still shocked by news of Hoda’s departure from Today.

Jenna Bush Hager Offered Mikey Day ‘Today’ Job

With Hoda set to leave the show, Jenna is now searching for a replacement cohost. She half-jokingly offered the spot to Mikey.

“Mikey, there’s a chair open,” she said. “Would you ever host a morning show?”

The comedian played right into it, as he began singing a theme song about him and Jenna.

“Are you kidding? Let’s do it! Jenna and Mikey!” he sang. “Immediately thinking about my own personal interest. I’m so sorry.”

He then asked, “Are you going to have guest hosts?”

It was confirmed by NBC that Jenna will have rotating guest cohosts on the show until she finds a permanent replacement for Hoda. A time frame was not given as to how long the period of guest cohosts will last. Today’s fourth hour will be renamed Today With Jenna & Friends to reflect Hoda’s departure.

“Well, I’m throwing my hat in the ring, producers,” Mikey said confidently about the position.

Jenna wondered if Mikey sings a lot and if he would do so while potentially guest cohosting the show. “Oh yeah, you’ll be over it in 20 seconds,” he joked. “You’ll go, ‘Not this guy.’”

Later on in the segment, Mikey once again referenced Hoda’s shocking Today exit with a genuine remark.

“I’m mad you’re leaving for real,” the Unfrosted actor said.

Why Is Hoda Kotb Leaving ‘Today’?

Mikey’s surprised reaction mimics most of the world when we all found out that Hoda would be leaving Today after more than a decade on the beloved program. But the reason behind her departure from the show is pretty sweet, as she wants to spend more time with her family.

“Obviously I had my kiddos late in life, and I was thinking that they deserve a bigger piece of my time pie that I have,” Hoda, who shares kids Haley and Hope with ex Joel Schiffman, revealed. “I feel like we only have a finite amount of time.”