Family Week on ‘Today With Jenna & Friends’ to Feature Husband, Sister, and Cousins
Today With Jenna & Friends will dedicate next week to family members as guest co-hosts, promising a unique and intimate viewing experience for audiences.
Jenna Bush Hager, alongside recent guest co-anchor Brooke Shields, unveiled the upcoming week’s lineup of guest hosts, including familiar faces and some new to the program.
Family Week Lineup
“Next week is family week!” Hager announced on air, expressing lighthearted excitement. She confirmed her sister, Barbara Bush, would return as a guest host, adding, “which we’ve done that before that will be very comfortable and fun.” She then revealed that her cousins Wendy Stapleton and Sam Bush Leblond are scheduled to co-host on Wednesday, adding fresh perspectives to the show. The week will culminate with a surprising and highly anticipated guest: her husband, Henry Hager.
“I’m already blushing,” Hager quipped, laughing at the prospect of sharing the hosting desk with her husband.
Henry Hager’s Co-Hosting Debut
Shields inquired about Henry Hager’s prior hosting experience, asking, “Has he done this before? That’s so sweet! Wait, how is he dealing with it? Is he excited?”
Bush Hager admitted her husband felt “a little overwhelmed” by the upcoming appearance, indicating the novelty of the situation for him.
“He’s prepping,” Hager shared, “He’s been texting with all of the producers. He has ideas, I don’t know any of them. I think it’s gonna be slightly wild.” This anticipation suggests a departure from the usual dynamic, injecting an element of spontaneity into the program.
This marks Henry Hager’s first foray into co-hosting the show. This raises the question: as Bush Hager continues her search for a permanent co-host, could a partnership with her husband become a potential option, reminiscent of the on-screen chemistry of Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos?
Shields jokingly cautioned Hager about her husband’s upcoming appearance, saying, “You’re gonna create a monster. He’s gonna be like I got some notes for you!” suggesting a humorous power dynamic might emerge.
Precedent for Spousal Co-Hosting
This instance of a spouse co-hosting is not unprecedented on the program. Willie Geist previously recounted co-hosting the show’s fourth hour with his wife, Christina Geist, during Bush Hager’s maternity leave. “[Christina Geist] and I hosted the show and she was great at it. Just like a civilian just pulled up and did a great job,” Geist remarked on a recent Today episode, highlighting the ease with which non-professional hosts can integrate into the show.
Bush Hager frequently discusses aspects of her marriage on the show, and viewers will now have the opportunity to witness their interpersonal dynamic firsthand in a hosting context.
Sisterly Co-hosting and Banter
Her twin sister, Barbara Bush, has also previously co-hosted the program. Barbara’s prior appearance alongside Bush Hager and Hoda Kotb in November 2023 showcased her natural on-air presence, although the sisters engaged in lighthearted banter regarding a shared childhood experience, adding a relatable sibling dynamic to the broadcast.
The on-air chemistry between Jenna and Henry Hager may present engaging content for viewers and potentially offer friendly competition to ABC’s Live With Kelly And Mark, should Today With Jenna & Friends, for this special week, unofficially become Today With Jenna & Henry.
Tune In
Today with Jenna & Friends airs weekdays at 10 a.m. ET/9 a.m. CT on NBC.