Life is pretty good for Today's Savannah Guthrie right now. Her first wedding anniversary is right around the corner, she has a 5-month-old daughter at home to keep her on her toes and then there is that morning show gig. Guthrie returned to her co-anchor seat last November and NBC's powers-that-be think she is doing a great job because not only has she inked a new, three-year contract, but they have assigned her to interview President Obama during the Super Bowl pre-game show.
In an interview with the the Los Angeles Times, Guthrie confirmed that she will be staying with Today for at least three more years and they have made some changes to her contract to sweeten the deal. She has also been handed the huge assignment of interviewing President Barack Obama Sunday, Feb. 1, live from the White House as part of NBC's Super Bowl pre-game coverage. It is a job that has been handled for the last two years by Guthrie's Today co-anchor Matt Lauer. It will, no doubt introduce the bubbly morning television star to a wider audience than she is used to having. It is also a bit of a slap to Lauer, who likes to believe he pulls a lot of NBC's strings.
Why is the network so determined to hang on to Guthrie? Probably because she has a friendly style that instantly puts viewers at ease. No matter what chaos is going on behind the scenes at the network, she is always calm, cool, collected and fun.
Plus, you have to remember the mess that she found herself smack in the middle of when she first landed her co-hosting job. Lauer had successfully pushed out Ann Curry, causing all sorts of negativity in the press and hostility from viewers. Guthrie carried herself well through the mess until she made the job her own. That in and of itself might be worthy of a perk-filled extended contract.
Readers: Are you a fan of the new mom already or will the Super Bowl pre-game be the first time you will likely catch Guthrie doing her thing? Comment below.
