In a stunning and light-hearted revelation, Savannah Guthrie, the esteemed co-anchor of NBC's Today show, has confessed to once spanking a male colleague at a network holiday party.
The Wild Admission on Air
The 53-year-old broadcaster shared the unexpected anecdote during Tuesday's episode of Jenna & Friends. Guthrie and host Jenna Bush Hager, 44, were tackling viewer dilemmas in the 'Girl Code' segment when the topic of office party faux pas arose.
A viewer wrote in concerned about a work friend who tends to become overly flirtatious after being 'over-served' at company events. After reading the submission, Guthrie was prompted to recall her own memorable moment of office party debauchery.
'An Air Spanking' for a Network Correspondent
'I just have to say, as someone who has spanked a network correspondent at a holiday party…' Guthrie began, sending her co-host into fits of surprise. She was quick to clarify the nature of the act, insisting 'it was an air spanking, so I don't think I actually - it wasn't hand [contact].'
A curious Bush Hager immediately probed: 'Was it a man or a woman?' 'Obviously it was a guy!' Guthrie exclaimed, though she refused to identify the colleague. Bush Hager then joked that Guthrie had spanked her before, to which Guthrie agreed, noting that with Bush Hager, she had 'made contact' and they were 'at that point' in their friendship.
Guthrie's Advice on Office Party Etiquette
Turning back to the viewer's original problem, Guthrie, a mother-of-two, offered some pragmatic advice. She suggested avoiding telling the co-worker how to behave ahead of the party. 'It won't be well received,' she cautioned. 'She doesn't remember it. I don't think any good can come of it.'
Guthrie, who has co-hosted the Today show since 2012 and been with NBC News for 18 years, shares two children with her husband, Mike Feldman. The confession came shortly after she announced a sudden break from the show for surgery earlier this month.
A New Era for 'Jenna & Friends'
The episode also touched on news about the show's future. Bush Hager recently revealed that Sheinelle Jones will join her as a permanent co-host starting in January, officially replacing Hoda Kotb. This follows an 11-month period where Bush Hager presented with rotating guest stars.
Expressing her excitement, Bush Hager said of Jones: 'I think everything you said about what we are going to build together that can bring hope, that can share friendship. There is nobody I'd rather sit next to.'
