NEED TO KNOW
The holidays can bring out a wild side of people — even Savannah Guthrie!
The 53-year-old journalist joined Jenna Bush Hager as guest co-host for the Today’s Dec. 23rd episode of Jenna & Friends, where the two answered viewer questions for the “Girl Code” segment. One fan’s dilemma particularly caught their attention, as it seemingly unlocked one of Guthrie’s memories from the past.
The submission read: “My office holiday party is in a few days… My work bestie Jackie is usually ‘over-served’ and becomes inappropriately flirty at these events. Last year she was hanging all over our boss and she doesn’t remember it at all. Should I say something ahead of time or roll the dice?”
“Did y’all put this in?” Bush Hager, 44, teased the producers behind the camera, before Guthrie began to confess: “I just have to say, as someone who has spanked a network correspondent at a holiday party…”
NBC
While she refused to say who she spanked, Guthrie clarified that “it was an air spanking, so I don’t think I actually — it wasn’t hand [contact].”
“Was it a man or a woman?” Bush Hager asked, to which Guthrie quipped, “Obviously it was a guy!”
“You’ve spanked me before,” Bush Hager chimed in.
“Well, yes, and I made contact with you,” Guthrie noted. “But we’re at that point, our friendship.”
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
As for the fan’s predicament, Guthrie advised that they stay out of it and not tell their co-worker how to behave. “It won’t be well received,” she added. “She doesn’t remember it. I don’t think any good can come of it.”
“But what if you’re worried about her spanking somebody and getting called into HR?” Bush Hager laughed, poking fun at Guthrie, who maintained that a “work bestie” wasn’t in the same position as a personal friend would be in.
“I wouldn’t touch it myself — but I’m wimpy,” Guthrie joked.
Michael Loccisano/Getty
Guthrie has stepped in to guest co-host Today’s fourth hour with Bush Hager several times in the past year after Hoda Kotb left in January and it was renamed Jenna & Friends. Kotb also co-anchored the main show with Guthrie until her departure and was later replaced with Craig Melvin.
Earlier this month, it was announced that Sheinelle Jones will officially become Bush Hager’s permanent co-host in the new year. Jones currently co-hosts the 3rd Hour of Today with Dylan Dreyer, Al Roker and Melvin, 46, and has been part of the Today family since 2014.
During a December broadcast, Bush Hager cried while thanking the viewers for supporting her as she welcomed a variety of different A-list stars and colleagues to the anchor desk. “We have got a very special show today,” she gushed. “Over the last year, you guys, I have had the privilege of co-hosting this show with 60 incredible friends, who’ve all opened up to me, who inspired me, I’ve laughed, I’ve cried, I’ve made some incredible friends and I’ve learned so much about myself. And you, the audience, have been with me for the entire time, so thank you so much.”
She then shared the news of Jones’ new role: “Today I’m so thrilled to announce that I’ve found my forever friend and we’re gonna start a brand new journey in January. I couldn’t be more excited to share this person with you all. You all know her, she’s an extraordinary broadcaster. But more importantly, she exemplifies exactly what this show is all about.”
