Today co-host Savannah Guthrie is currently living through an unimaginably horrific and stressful family situation. Her mother, Nancy, has been reported missing. Pima County, Arizona officials believe she was taken from her home against her will on Saturday night, Jan. 31, 2026.
BREAKING OVERNIGHT: The mother of "TODAY" show host Savannah Guthrie has been reported missing. Homicide detectives have been called to a scene and police say they've found "concerning" evidence. Here's what we know: https://t.co/BxQW4q0x7s pic.twitter.com/ebkJ6C7gp2
— News10NBC (@news10nbc) February 2, 2026
The gravity of that situation is incomprehensible. Guthrie has understandably sought time and space to navigate this tragedy that hopefully has a positive ending.
In the meantime, NBC has a pressing problem that unfortunately cannot be ignored. The Milano Cortina Olympics begin this week, and Guthrie is slated to co-host the Opening Ceremony with Terry Gannon, Olympic champion Shaun White, and Mike Tirico on Friday night, February 6.
It is unclear when Guthrie planned to travel to Italy to prepare for the broadcast. Given her current situation, NBC has to be wondering who can fill in for her at the last minute. This is not a simple assignment which a person can show up and do on the fly. Plenty of study and preparation is required for narration and commentary of the approximately three-hour-long parade of nations and its athletes.
Including Guthrie, NBC has 82 correspondents on assignment in Italy.
The work could likely fall on one of these people who already has press credentials and travel plans.
Who Could Step In For Guthrie At Olympics?
Two of Guthrie’s Today compatriots, Craig Melvin and Peter Alexander, are also working in Italy for the Olympics and could potentially do the job.
Mike Tirico would be an obvious choice since he is already contributing; however, NBC is trying to pull off a comprehensive weekend of sports coverage which includes Super Bowl LX.
Tirico is going to be an opening ceremony contributor from California where he will be calling the Super Bowl alongside Cris Collinsworth on Sunday night. He is then expected to travel to Italy following the game and begin daily primetime coverage on Feb. 10.
