On the morning of February 16, 2024, viewers tuning in to the “Today” show were met with an unexpected absence: co-host Savannah Guthrie was notably missing from her usual spot. Instead, fellow co-host Hoda Kotb briefly mentioned that Guthrie was “off this morning,” with Craig Melvin stepping in to fill her place.
So, where was Guthrie? It turns out she was embarking on a book tour for her latest publication titled “Mostly What God Does: Reflections on Seeking and Finding His Love Everywhere.” The previous day, Guthrie had a scheduled stop in Texas as part of her tour, where she received surprise support from none other than former President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush, who showed up to show their encouragement. Quite the auspicious start to her book tour!
However, amidst the excitement of Guthrie’s book tour, fans of the “Today” show found themselves more preoccupied with an interview that had aired the day before. Prior to setting off on her book tour, Guthrie had conducted an interview with singer and actress Kelly Rowland regarding her upcoming Netflix film “Mea Cupla.” While discussing the film, described as an “erotic thriller,” Guthrie veered off-topic and asked Rowland about her long-time friend and fellow musician Beyoncé.
Guthrie referenced footage from 25 years earlier when Rowland and Beyoncé were members of the renowned girl group Destiny’s Child. During the interview, Guthrie inquired, “What do you think about your friend Beyoncé? She’s like your sister, you guys literally grew up together – she’s stepping into country.”
This line of questioning sparked controversy among viewers and fans of the show. Many felt it was inappropriate to bring up another celebrity during an interview, especially when the focus should have been on Rowland and her work. Criticism flooded social media platforms, with some viewers expressing disappointment in Guthrie’s approach. One individual on X (formerly Twitter) remarked, “Very disrespectful to ask as accomplished entertainer as @KELLYROWLAND about Beyoncé every freaking time she comes on your show.”
Moreover, fans were particularly irked by Guthrie’s persistence in probing for information about Beyoncé, feeling it detracted from the purpose of the interview. The incident left many questioning the boundaries of journalistic integrity and celebrity interviews.
In summary, while Guthrie’s absence from the “Today” show may have been explained by her book tour, it was her interview with Kelly Rowland and the subsequent controversy that truly captured the attention of viewers and ignited a debate about interview etiquette in the realm of celebrity journalism.