Savannah Guthrie to host new ‘Wordle’ game show: ‘Something that’s full of joy’

Guthrie noted she had mixed feelings on sharing the news given her mother's kidnapping

Published May 11, 2026  •  Last updated 10 minutes ago  •  3 minute read

U.S. journalist Savannah Guthrie arrives for the White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) dinner at the Washington Hilton, in Washington, DC, on April 27, 2024. Photo by DREW ANGERER /AFP via Getty Images

“Today” show co-host Savannah Guthrie is adding another gig to her broadcasting resume as she awaits news on her missing mother.

During the 8 a.m. hour of “Today” on Monday, Guthrie, 54, announced she will be the host of a new Wordle game show airing on NBC.

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“This is very exciting, I have a big announcement to make,” Jimmy Fallon, who is an executive producer of the show, said as a guest on Today. “We’ve been developing Wordle as a game show for the past two-and-a-half years with The New York Times, and it’s official — we are making Wordle Game Show with our host Savannah Guthrie!”

Guthrie said, per People, she and Fallon have “been holding this secret between us for a long time now.”

Fallon said he’s happy for Guthrie, noting the show needed a host who “looks like they play Wordle” and someone who “knows how to run a show and host it, and we did the pilot, and you are amazing, by the way.”

“I thought you picked me because I have a skirt that looks like a Wordle,” Guthrie replied.

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‘Great family game’

Guthrie described her new show as “super fast-paced and fun” and a “great family game.”

“I love a game and a show that you can watch with kids and you feel like they’re learning some things,” said Guthrie.

The “Today” co-host said she and Fallon found out in February the show had been picked up and it was originally supposed to begin filming in March. News initially broke in October 2025 that “Wordle” was in development, with Guthrie set to host, per The Hollywood Reporter.

Shooting will begin this summer, with the host noting the show is currently looking for contestants.

An image of Savannah Guthrie and her mother Nancy posted to the Today show host’s Instagram.

Nancy Guthrie missing since Feb. 1

Guthrie noted she had mixed feelings on sharing the news given everything that’s “happened with me and my family.”

“It kind of feels strange to do everything right now, but this is something that’s full of joy,” she said.

The “Today” co-host has been in the headlines as her family deals with the ongoing disappearance of her mother, Nancy.

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It’s been more than a month since Guthrie returned to anchor “Today” after taking a leave of absence following Nancy’s abduction from her Tucson, Ariz., home on Feb. 1.

“Everything is strange right now,” she said, per New York Post’s Page Six. “It’s strange to get up and do the ‘Today’ show every day, and it’s strange to say that I’m going to do a game show when your heart is broken.

“Nothing about that has changed, and it’s not easy, but I’m determined to put one foot in front of the other.”

Emotional Mother’s Day plea

On Sunday, Guthrie marked Mother’s Day with a post on social media featuring several videos of Nancy.

“Mother, daughter, sister, Nonie — we miss you with our every breath,” Savannah captioned the Instagram post. “We will never stop looking for you. We will never be at peace until we find you.

“We need help. Someone knows something that can make the difference. Call 1800CALLFBI. You can be anonymous, and the reward remains available. Please keep praying. Bring her home.”

So far, no suspects have been named in Nancy’s abduction. The FBI has offered a US$100,000 reward for any information leading to Nancy’s recovery or arrest.

Read More

1. 

   Bitter war of words erupts between FBI and local cops over Nancy Guthrie case

2. 

   Abduction of Savannah Guthrie’s mother Nancy passes three-month mark
3. 

   Was Nancy Guthrie’s body dumped because kidnappers ‘underestimated’ her?

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