Carson Daly is just as curious as Today show viewers about who will permanently join Jenna Bush Hager as cohost of the morning show’s fourth hour — but he’s certain one Hollywood star is out of the running.
“Scarlett Johansson is everybody’s favorite, but she happens to be Hollywood’s most expensive actor. We can’t afford her, but she loves doing it,” Daly, 52, told Us Weekly exclusively while attending the Broadway debut of Jeff Ross: Take a Banana for the Ride in New York City on Monday, August 18.
A Rotating Cast of Cohosts
Since Hoda Kotb stepped down in January after 17 years on the program, NBC has introduced Today With Jenna & Friends, a revamped version of the former Today With Hoda & Jenna. Bush Hager, 43, now sits alongside a rotating slate of celebrity cohosts.
“I ask all the time,” Daly said of any inside scoop on the future of the seat. “I think they want to keep this rotating thing going. Jenna’s had a lot of really good people. I kind of like the rotating cast. It keeps things fresh.”
Over the past several months, stars including Dwyane Wade, Erin Andrews, Taraji P. Henson, Keke Palmer, and Amy Poehler have joined Bush Hager on the couch. Andrews and Wade, in particular, impressed Daly. “I loved Dwayne Wade. I thought he was awesome. Every time Erin Andrews is on, I’m like, ‘She’s amazing,’” he said.
Kotb’s Heartfelt Farewell
When Kotb, 61, announced her exit in September 2024, she offered Bush Hager an emotional send-off. “Whoever sits in this seat is going to have the easiest job in the world ‘cause they’re sitting next to you,” Kotb told her cohost at the time. “The only thing they have to do is not laugh so hard they pee their pants. That’s it. You are this bright light, you always have been, and it’s your turn.”
Scarlett Johansson: A Fan Favorite
While Scarlett Johansson, 40, may be too costly for the network, her brief stints have left an impression. Johansson — the highest-grossing film actor of all time, according to Variety — has made guest appearances that delighted audiences. Still, Daly’s quip underscores the reality: Johansson’s A-list status puts her beyond the show’s budget.
Comedy and Broadway Connection
Daly’s comments came during opening night of comedian Jeff Ross’ one-man show, Take a Banana for the Ride, which blends audacious humor with poignant reflections on loss, resilience, and his own battle with cancer.
“I keep a lot of funny people around to take the wind out of the sadness and cheer me up,” Ross, 59, said ahead of the premiere. “That’s the role comedians have in the world, and it’s very important, especially these days.”
Ross noted he wanted to be open with audiences about his journey: “My good friend Norm Macdonald kept his health battles a secret, and we didn’t get to give him a proper sendoff, so I wanted to let my friends know what’s happening with me and that I’m doing OK. Better than OK. I’m on Broadway!”
What’s Next for Today?
As speculation continues over whether NBC will eventually appoint a permanent replacement or keep the rotating format, Daly leans toward the latter. “It keeps things fresh,” he reiterated, noting how the variety of voices has brought new energy to the long-running franchise.
One thing seems certain: unless Johansson takes a dramatic pay cut, she won’t be making the jump from the big screen to morning TV full time.
Would you like me to frame this piece more as a light entertainment news story — playful, breezy, and focused on Daly’s quip — or as a media industry piece, exploring NBC’s strategy for keeping the fourth hour fresh?
