On 11 May, Savannah Guthrie, co-anchor of NBC’s ‘Today’ show, revealed she will be hosting a new game show based on the popular word puzzle, Wordle. The announcement came during the morning segment of the broadcast, where she shared the spotlight with Jimmy Fallon, who has taken on the role of executive producer for the forthcoming show. This development marks an exciting new chapter for Guthrie, who described her latest venture as a source of joy amidst challenging personal circumstances.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/savannah-guthrie-jimmy-fallon-announces-wordle-show-051126-1508d692dc2f4f929c9b38464ce2b48e.jpg)
During the broadcast, Fallon enthusiastically detailed the process behind the creation of the show, stating, “We’ve been developing Wordle as a game show for the past two-and-a-half years with The New York Times.” He went on to confirm, “it’s official — we are making Wordle Game Show with our hosts, Savannah Guthrie!” This revelation amplified the anticipation surrounding the project, as fans of both Guthrie and the Wordle phenomenon eagerly await the show’s debut.
Guthrie expressed her excitement about the role, indicating how long the duo had kept the news under wraps. “We’ve been holding this secret between us for a long time now,” she noted with a sense of relief that it was finally out in the open. Fallon was quick to praise Guthrie as the ideal host, stating, “We need to have someone that looks like they play Wordle, someone that knows how to run a show and host it.” After witnessing her performance during the pilot episode, he confirmed, “you are amazing.”
The new game show is set to be “fast-paced and fun”, appealing to families looking for engaging content. Guthrie highlighted the educational aspect of the show, saying, “I love a game and a show that you can watch with kids and you feel like they’re learning some things during the process.” In a moment of levity, she even joked about her outfit choice, suggesting Fallon had selected her as the host because she owns a skirt that resembled a Wordle.
Despite the excitement of the announcement, Guthrie reflected on the emotional challenges she has faced recently, sharing that it felt “strange to do everything right now.” Her family has been enduring a painful situation since the abduction of her mother, Nancy Guthrie, who went missing on 1 February from her Tucson, Arizona home. In light of this turmoil, Guthrie thanked the entire team behind the Wordle show for their support during her family’s crisis.
“We were supposed to shoot in March, and I just want to say a quick thank you to NBC and to Jimmy and his production company and The New York Times and the studio and Universal because, when everything happened with me and my family, they just stopped everything and said, ‘We’ll wait for you,’” she expressed, revealing her gratitude for the understanding shown by her colleagues. This admirable display of compassion is notable in an industry often seen as cutthroat.
Guthrie had taken a temporary leave from her duties at ‘Today’ due to her mother’s abduction, a situation that remains unresolved, with the FBI having offered a reward of $100,000 for any information leading to Nancy’s whereabouts. In her absence, the support from her family has been evident. On Mother’s Day, she shared an emotional tribute to her mother on social media, stating, “We will never stop looking for you. We will never be at peace until we find you.”
Guthrie’s husband, Mike Feldman, also paid tribute, acknowledging her resilience as both a partner and a mother. Posting a heartfelt message on Instagram, he referred to her as “the strongest person I know” and conveyed his love and support, demonstrating the tight-knit bond within their family.
As filming for the Wordle game show is set to commence this summer, Savannah Guthrie’s return to the spotlight brings not only the thrill of new television content but also serves as a reminder of the importance of resilience in the face of personal adversity. Contestants are currently being sought for the show, adding to the anticipation that surrounds this exciting new venture. The combination of Guthrie’s commitment to her family and her professional aspirations reflects her unwavering strength during these testing times.