Savannah Guthrie Joins Debate on How to Pronounce Los Angeles, Reveals If She Sides with Jamie Lee Curtis or Mariska Hargitay

In a recent broadcast of the Today show, co-host Savannah Guthrie weighed in on a spirited debate that has erupted on social media regarding the correct pronunciation of the name of California’s largest city, Los Angeles. The discussion gained traction after actors Jamie Lee Curtis and Mariska Hargitay deliberated the city’s name during an interview for Variety and CNN. This conversation, which took place on June 15, has since sparked widespread interest and differing opinions online.

The exchange between Curtis and Hargitay captured public attention when they articulated their respective pronunciations. Curtis, 67, asserted that the correct pronunciation is “LOWS Angeles,” whereas Hargitay, 62, opted for “LOSS Angeles.” This disagreement led to a lively debate that found its way to social media platforms, where followers began to weigh in on the debate.

During the June 16 episode of Today, Guthrie expressed her thoughts on the disagreement among the actresses. She began by addressing the intricacies of the argument put forth by Curtis, pointing out a noteworthy distinction. “Well, here’s the problem with Jamie Lee’s argument,” she stated, clarifying that while Curtis’s pronunciation is correct in the context of Spanish, the full enunciation should ideally be “LOWS AHN-GELES” or “LOSS Angeles.”

Guthrie’s colleagues—Willie Geist, Jenna Bush Hager, and Sheinelle Jones—interjected with playful commentary, dubbing Guthrie “Judge Guthrie” for her analytical approach to the topic. She continued to elaborate by comparing the pronunciation of Los Angeles to similar cases in her home state of Arizona. “There are a lot of towns where there’s the correct pronunciation and then there’s the way everybody says it,” she noted, suggesting that language can evolve based on local usages.

Bush Hager playfully added that mispronunciations can provide a sense of comfort for some, prompting Guthrie to joke, “I know you feel seen,” acknowledging the shared experience of those who might struggle with linguistic nuances.

Curtis and Hargitay’s chat was more than just a playful argument over phonetics, as they also engaged their audience by asking individuals around them how they pronounce the city’s name. Hargitay, trying to lighten the mood, told Curtis to carry on with her thoughts, suggesting that they should move past the topic. The camaraderie between the two was evident, as they laughed off the differing perspectives.

In addition to the amusing back-and-forth about pronunciation, Hargitay shared exciting news regarding her recent theatrical debut in a six-week run of Every Brilliant Thing. This opportunity has been described by her as a fulfilling milestone and a “dream come true.” Reflecting on her career, she acknowledged how different the stage is from her long-standing role as Olivia Benson on the popular show SVU.

Hargitay expressed her delight in finally having the opportunity to perform live on stage. “I am very unlike [SVU’s] Olivia Benson, but nobody knows that except for my friends. Being onstage has been my lifelong goal,” she recounted. This passion for theatre seemed to resonate with her as she shared her journey toward achieving this ambition, revealing a notable anecdote about a former mentor who cautioned her against “selling out” by sticking solely to television roles.

The actress admitted that while it can be daunting to step outside her comfort zone, she welcomes the challenge of performing live. “It definitely feels like you’re going out without a net, but that’s also the thrill of it,” she said, highlighting how the unpredictability of stage performance brings excitement and a renewed sense of purpose to her craft.

Hargitay’s enthusiastic embrace of her Broadway role demonstrates how actors often strive for growth and take significant risks to expand their artistic horizons. As she aptly put it, “Bring it on, baby, let’s do this,” showcasing her enthusiasm for tackling new challenges in her career.

As the playful debate over the pronunciation of Los Angeles continues to elicit reactions, it serves as a reminder of the varied, sometimes humorous, intricacies of language, and the passion of entertainers who strive to connect with their audiences—whether through captivating performances or light-hearted banter.