The former co-hosts joined forces to surprise Sheinelle Jones and Jenna Bush Hager.

Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford make surprise Today with Jenna & Sheinelle cameo: ‘Lift up your wine’

The former co-hosts joined forces to surprise Sheinelle Jones and Jenna Bush Hager.

By Shania Russell

Shania Russell

Shania Russell is a news writer at *, *with five years of experience. Her work has previously appeared in SlashFilm and Paste Magazine.

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January 12, 2026 2:51 p.m. ET

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Jenna Bush Hager, Sheinelle Jones, Hoda Kotb, and Kathie Lee Gifford on 'Today with Jenna and Sheinelle'. Credit:

The premiere of *Today with Jenna & Sheinelle* kicked off with a (very literal) passing of the torch.

Sheinelle Jones began her first day as Jenna Bush Hager's permanent co-host with an emotional conversation about her late husband — and then the tears just kept on flowing. After the tearful intro, the show's producers surprised Hager and Jones by having them introduce an appearance from not one but *two* of the show's former hosts: Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford.

"It is our first official day together, and right now Sheinelle and I have no idea what's going to happen," Hager admitted to the audience.

"They said just read the prompter, so here we go," Jones chimed in, before reading: "Our producers wanted to celebrate the premiere of the new fourth hour… by passing the torch?"

As she spoke, epic music began playing, as did video of a certain someone running in front of the building while carrying a wine glass-shaped torch. That figure was joined by another, with both of the former hosts eventually emerging from backstage to show off the "wine torch" and greet that latest *Today* duo.

Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford on 'TODAY with Jenna and Sheinelle'.

Stepping onstage, Kotb and Gifford each gave Jones big hugs, wishing her luck as she wiped tears away. "Don't ruin your makeup," Gifford quipped, helping her dab.

"Can we just say how awesome you two look together, how amazing this day already is?” Kotb gushed once they were all seated at the *Today* table. "You all look so sweet together.”

Jones, still wiping away tears, then reflected on watching Gifford on television, noting that she "invented the genre."

Looking around, Gifford joked, "Is Kelly Ripa here"

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Jones continued, "Let me tell you a Kathie Lee story: I used to watch, and I used to say I was a news girl, and I’m like, ‘I don’t know if I can do that.' When I got the job, I [said to you]., ‘Just so you know, I can see you, you’re a trailblazer in this genre.’ And you’re like, 'I know.'"

As the bater continued, Kotb pointed out that Sheinelle is the latest in a line of Today hosts going from student to master.

"This is how it works. I learned from this girl," Kotb said, pointing to Gifford. "And the I was scared to go off on my own. And then I met this girl," she continued, taking Hager's hand. "And I was so proud the day you walked out, I'll never forget it. And now you are welcoming this girl!"

Jenna Bush Hager, Sheinelle Jones, Hoda Kotb, and Kathie Lee Gifford on 'TODAY with Jenna and Sheinelle'.

As the crowd applauded for Jones, Hager praised Kotb and Gifford for their own Today tenures.

"Y'all built the institution and we love you, both of you," Hager said. "You've been so generous."

Kotb co-hosted *Today with Hoda & Jenna* from 2019 through her exit in Jan. 2025, when the mother of two chose to step down from her role to spend more time with her daughters. Prior to hosting alongside Hager, Kotb and Gifford co-hosted *Today with Kathie Lee & Hoda.* They were well known for their banter and bits, in addition to plenty of wine drinking.

In a nod to their wine connection, Kotb proposed a toast adding, "Weirdly, there's no wine." Her words then triggered a propr with four wine glasses to descend from the ceiling, just as a crew member dropped off a bottle of rose from Gifford's own brand, GIFFT.

"How did this get here?" Gifford joked.

Kotb then proposed a toast to "fun" and "sisterhood" before Gifford told viewers "lift up your wine at home."

Kotbh quipped, "I know you have it!"

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.***

Following Kotb's departure, the fourth hour was retitled *Today With Jenna & Friends*, and saw Hager joined by a rotating cast of A-listers and colleagues to help her anchor the program. Jones, a longtime co-host of *3rd Hour of Today* with Dylan Dreyer, Al Roker, and Craig Melvin, joined Jenna in September — and months later was announced as the permanent cohost of the fourth hour.

Watch a clip from the *Today with Jenna & Sheinelle* debut above.**

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Source: “EW TV”