NEWSNBC Staffers Ordered to Give Savannah Guthrie 'Space' After 'Today' Return as Search for Missing Mom Nancy Continues: 'Don't Overwhelm Her'
Savannah Guthrie resumed her regular hosting duties upon returning to 'Today' on April 6.
April 9 2026, Published 1:03 p.m. ET
Employees at 30 Rock have been instructed to give Savannah Guthrie "space" as she resumed her role at Today this week amid the ongoing search for her mom.
Though one insider revealed "everyone wants to stop her in the hallway or give her a hug in the elevator" since "there’s a real outpouring of love," management at the network has told NBC staff to "keep it professional," as it's "still a workplace."
'This Isn't Savannah Demanding Anything'
The co-anchor took a two-month hiatus amid her mother's disappearance.
"As heartbreaking as this situation is, this is still a newsroom," the source said, per reporter Rob Shuter's Substack post, published on Wednesday, April 8. "Work has to continue."
They explained, "You can say hello, you can ride the elevator with her, but don’t overwhelm her."
The insider made sure to emphasize "this isn’t Savannah demanding anything,” but an effort on the network's part to "protect" the popular morning show host.
'She Needs Space to Function'
'It's good to be home,' she expressed on air.
Shuter's source added that "people care about her a lot, but she's also trying to do her job."
"She needs support, but she also needs space to function," they concluded.
The co-anchor, 54, returned to Today on Monday, April 6, following a two-month hiatus after her mom, Nancy, was reported missing on February 1.
- 'It's Good to Be Home': Savannah Guthrie Makes Emotional Return to 'Today' 2 Months After Mom Nancy's Disappearance
- 'Everyone Is Shaken': 'Devastated' Savannah Guthrie's Security Is Ramped Up After Her Mom Goes Missing in Arizona, Insider Reveals
- Nancy Guthrie Kidnappers Likely 'Underestimated' Matriarch's Health Before 'Disposing' Her Body Because 'She Was No Longer of Value': Expert
Want OK! each day? Sign up here!
'It's Good to Be Home'
Staff have been instructed to not 'overwhelm' the host.
Savannah kicked off the show by declaring, "It's good to be home," to which her co-anchor Craig Melvin agreed, saying, "Yes, it's good to have you back at home."
"Well, here we go, ready or not. Let's do the news," she said.
The host later greeted fans outside, where she broke down in tears as she thanked viewers for their support.
"You guys have been so beautiful," she gushed. "I’ve received so many letters, so much kindness to me and my whole family. We feel it and we feel your prayers. So thank you so much."
Savannah Guthrie Acknowledged Mom Nancy May No Longer Be Alive
Savannah Guthrie's mom, Nancy, was last seen on Saturday, January 31.
Savannah's return to Studio 1A came after she quickly jetted off to her hometown of Tucson, Ariz., when her mom mysteriously vanished.
Investigators believe the 84-year-old was abducted from her secluded desert home in the middle of the night. She was last seen by family members on January 31.
Savannah admitted in an emotional Instagram video last month that her mom may be dead but said the family is still praying for her safety, announcing the reward for information leading to the matriarch's "recovery" had been raised to $1 million.
