Jenna Bush Hager, Hoda Kotb Cry on Air Ahead of Kotb’s ‘Today’ Show Exit

The countdown to Hoda Kotb’s final days on the Today show has begun.

Kotb, 60, will bid farewell to the gig she’s held for 17 years on Jan. 10, and on the Dec. 10 episode of Today with Hoda & Jenna, she and co-host Jenna Bush Hager joked that they’re in “the depression stage” of the mother of two’s departure.

The two burst into tears while discussing their upcoming holiday plans, which began with Bush Hager, 43, saying she wanted to pay extra attention to Kotb at an upcoming holiday party they’ll both be attending because of Kotb’s imminent exit.

“I’m in the phase of losing Hoda called studying,” Bush Hager. “I’m studying Hoda at this point, and I’d like to study your behaviors tonight and see how you’ve changed.”

Kotb, found the sentiment sweet and hold Bush Hager, “I love you. I just love you.”

Bush Hager joked that she’d been going through the stages of grief since Kotb announced her plans to leave the Today show in September. “Denial lasted a good month. Anger was last week when I tried to make you jealous with Gayle [King],” she said. “I’ve bargained with God basically every night for the last couple months. And now, I’ve hit depression, where she says one thing and [I cry].”

NBC announced on Nov. 14 that Craig Melvin will be replacing Kotb after she steps away next month. Melvin, 45, currently hosts the third hour of Today alongside Al Roker, Sheinelle Jones and Dylan Dreyer and will move to hosting three hours in a row starting on Monday, Jan. 13.

Bush Hager admitted on the Tuesday, Dec. 3, episode of Today with Hoda & Jenna that she’d teased Kotb about having journalist Gayle King, who co-anchors the NBC morning show’s competitor CBS Mornings, take her spot. The Sisters First author referred to King, 69, as her “bestie,” and Bush Hager, said to King, “There’s a seat open.”

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“My seat isn’t even cold yet!” Kotb responded.

Bush Hager kept pushing it, though. “Gayle & Jenna has a beautiful ring to it,” she continued. “I’m just kidding.”

In recent weeks, Kotb experienced her final Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting with the Today show.

On Thanksgiving, Cynthia Erivo gave Kotb a bouquet of white flowers to honor her years of work.

“Before you even begin, yes, these flowers are for you because I know that this is the last Thanksgiving parade you’re doing,” Erivo, 37, told her as Kotb got emotional. “I wanted to celebrate that and I wanted to say we love you. Thank you for all of the hard work you’ve done all of these years.”

Kotb shared a sweet moment with co-host Savannah Guthrie at the tree lighting when they stood arm in arm as they watched snowflakes fall as Guthrie, 52, leaned her head against Kotb’s shoulder.

The Hope Is a Rainbow author said at the time of her announcement that she would like to stay involved with NBC even after leaving Today.

“I plan to remain a part of the NBC family, the longest work relationship I’ve been lucky enough to hold close to my heart,” she wrote in a letter to staff. “I’ll be around. How could I not? Family is family and you all will always be a part of mine.”

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Today airs weekday mornings on NBC (check local listings).