On the morning of February 16, 2024, viewers tuning in to the “Today” show were surprised to find co-host Savannah Guthrie missing from her usual spot. Her absence was briefly mentioned by fellow co-host Hoda Kotb, who explained that Guthrie was “off this morning,” with Craig Melvin filling in for her.
But where was Guthrie? Well, it turns out she was on a book tour for her latest publication titled “Mostly What God Does: Reflections on Seeking and Finding His Love Everywhere.” Just the day before, Guthrie had a scheduled stop in Texas as part of her tour, where she received unexpected support from former President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush. Quite an exciting start to her book tour!
However, amidst the excitement of Guthrie’s book tour, fans of the “Today” show found themselves more concerned about an interview that aired the day before. Prior to embarking on her book tour, Guthrie had interviewed singer and actress Kelly Rowland about her upcoming Netflix film “Mea Cupla.” During the interview, Guthrie veered off-topic and asked Rowland about her long-time friend and fellow musician Beyoncé.
Guthrie brought up footage from 25 years ago when Rowland and Beyoncé were members of the famous girl group Destiny’s Child. She asked, “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, with some viewers expressing disappointment in Guthrie’s approach. One person on X (formerly Twitter) remarked, “Very disrespectful to ask an accomplished entertainer like @KELLYROWLAND about Beyoncé every freaking time she comes on your show.”
Fans were particularly annoyed by Guthrie’s persistence in probing for information about Beyoncé, feeling that it detracted from the purpose of the interview. The incident left many questioning the boundaries of journalistic integrity in celebrity interviews.
In summary, while Guthrie’s absence from the “Today” show can be explained by her book tour, it was her interview with Kelly Rowland and the ensuing controversy that captured the attention of viewers and sparked a debate about interview etiquette in the realm of celebrity journalism.
