Savannah Guthrie has made a triumphant return to television with what she describes as her 'new voice' following major vocal cord surgery. The beloved NBC Today Show anchor, 54, has been absent from the morning programme since mid-December after undergoing a procedure to remove nodules and a polyp from her vocal cords.
Emotional On-Air Return
During Tuesday's broadcast, Guthrie made a surprise appearance via video chat, marking her first time speaking on air since the operation. Co-host Jenna Bush Hager had initially explained to viewers that Guthrie was still on vocal rest, but the anchor surprised everyone by deciding to speak rather than use her wipe-off board.
'You know what? I think it would be easier for me to just talk,' Guthrie announced, prompting an alarmed response from Bush Hager who cautioned her colleague.
The Recovery Process
Guthrie explained her current recovery protocol: 'So I am still on vocal rest but I'm allowed to talk for about five to ten minutes every hour. This is my new voice, or my old voice, but my new voice.'
The television personality emphasised that recovery is a gradual process, noting: 'It's a slow recovery, you're allowed to talk but if you talk too much - which is a real risk for me - you start to feel it. You have to really take it easy.'
Co-Host Reactions
Immediately after hearing Guthrie speak, her colleagues shared their enthusiastic responses. Sheinelle Jones gushed: 'Savannah you sound so good!' while Bush Hager agreed: 'It's beautiful.'
Al Roker offered a humorous perspective, quipping: 'It sounds the same,' though Craig Melvin disagreed: 'No it sounds... you sound markedly better.'
Personal Life and Testing
When Carson Daly asked if she had tested her new voice by 'yelling at her kids' yet, Guthrie joked: 'Actually, yes. A long weekend will bring that out. It finally got there.' The mother-of-two shares daughter Vale, 11, and son Charley, nine, with husband Michael Feldman.
Return Date Confirmed
Bush Hager inquired about Guthrie's official return date, to which the anchor revealed she would be back on Monday, January 26. This represents a slight delay from her originally planned January 19 return.
'I'm gonna come back to the show next Monday but Friday I'm gonna come in and we're going to do a little story about what this whole thing has been like - the surgery,' Guthrie shared.
Public Support and Commonality
Guthrie expressed gratitude for the overwhelming public support she has received throughout her recovery. 'So many people have been so sweet, I've read the comments,' she said. 'It's very common, like teachers for example, a lot of people have told me that they had the same thing.'
Jones, who has undergone similar surgery herself, added: 'It's a teachable moment because we take our voices for granted, until they don't work. But you sound fantastic.'
Background and Diagnosis
Guthrie first disclosed her vocal issues in late December, explaining on the show: 'Some of you have noticed that my voice has been very scratchy and started to crack a little bit. Well, I have found out what it is. I have vocal nodules and I also have a polyp.'
She expressed relief at finally receiving a diagnosis after years of struggling with the condition: 'This has been going on for years, honestly, so to have a solution.'
Behind-the-Scenes Pressure
The emotional return comes amid reports that Guthrie has been concerned about her absence affecting the show's dynamics. According to sources, the anchor has been pushing her doctors to accelerate her recovery timeline to return to work as soon as possible.
Guthrie's journey highlights the challenges faced by television personalities who rely on their voices professionally, and her successful surgery offers hope to others experiencing similar vocal issues.
