Toxic behind-the-scenes truth of Savannah Guthrie's teary Today interview: Why star host has been left utterly 'devastated'... and the brutal network insult that says it all
Craig Melvin was left 'absolutely devastated' after being passed over to interview his Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie about her missing mother, show insiders tell the Daily Mail.
The longtime NBC anchor thought it was almost guaranteed that he would be the one to speak to Savannah in her first interview about her 84-year-old mother, Nancy, who was snatched from her home in Tucson, Arizona, on February 1.
Melvin believed the moment would mark a major step forward in his career, but was completely blindsided when executives chose Hoda Kotb.
'Craig is absolutely devastated he didn't get that interview,' an insider told the Daily Mail. 'He thought it was his moment with Savannah — and it never even came his way.
'He wasn't just passed over — he wasn't even asked. That's what really stings.'
Loyal NBC star Melvin, who has been on the Today show since 2018, felt that he had earned the opportunity to take the reins of the show after replacing Kotb when she decided to step back in 2025 to spend more time with her family.
'Craig believed he'd earned that spot. He is the official co-host,' the source continued. 'So to be left out entirely feels like a major setback.'
'There's a real sense of confusion,' another insider said. 'He doesn't understand why he wasn't given the opportunity. Hoda walked away from the seat. It's not fair.'
Craig Melvin was 'absolutely devastated' he was 'passed over' for Savannah Guthrie's interview, sources tell the Daily Mail
In her first televised interview since her mother's tragic disappearance, Savannah Guthrie told friend and co-star Hoda Kotb distressing new details of the moment she realized 84-year-old Nancy had been abducted
But sources tell the Daily Mail the snub has undermined Melvin, who has been a constant on screens since starting the job - leaving colleagues concerned for his future on the show.
'He thought this was proof he was being taken seriously as a co-host,' the source explained. 'Now he's questioning that.'
'The rug was pulled out from under him. He went from confident to uncertain overnight.'
'It's not just disappointment — it's doubt,' one added. 'About his role, his standing, all of it.'
An excerpt of the interview was shared Tuesday, and part one of the full interview aired on Thursday.
But what was meant to be a show of support for Savannah and her family, has left Melvin with a bitter taste in his mouth after his co-host expressed her intentions of returning to the screen.
'This has shaken him,' the insider continued. 'There's growing concern behind the scenes. If he's not getting interviews like this, where does he really stand?'
A Today source insists: 'Craig was looped in and fully supportive of Savannah's interview with Hoda.'
Savannah, who was last on air two days before her mother's disappearance, appeared on the show she once anchored daily
'Right now, Craig's future feels very much up in the air,' the insider added. 'And that's a tough place to be.'
When Hoda announced that she would be stepping away from the show in 2025, Melvin was so shocked he asked her if she was being 'forced out'.
The pair have been publicly supportive of each other since her departure, but her desire to return to the Today show has reportedly put a wedge between them - and Savannah.
Despite the complications behind the scenes, Hoda and Savannah wept during the interview as Savannah said she is haunted by thoughts of her mother's 'terror' every night.
Nancy disappeared from her Tucson, Arizona home on February 1, sparking a huge search that has so far resulted in no arrests and no sign of the grandmother.
Nancy, 84, disappeared from her Tucson, Arizona home on February 1, sparking a huge search that has so far resulted in no arrests and no signs of life
Guthrie burst into tears as she publicly apologized to her missing mother amid fears that her fame and fortune may have triggered the abduction
Savannah said she and her family are still holding onto hope that the case may be solved, saying: 'Someone needs to do the right thing.'
'We are in agony. It is unbearable. And to think of what she went through,' she said.
'I wake up every night in the middle of the night, every night. And in the darkness, I imagine her terror. And it is unthinkable, but those thoughts demand to be thought. And I will not hide my face. But she needs to come home now.'
Savannah said she is 'holding onto faith' that her mother will be found, and said despite no sign of her in over eight weeks, she 'still believes'.
The star's colleagues wept on the air as they shared an excerpt of the conversation, as host Carson Daly said it was 'gut-wrenching' to see Savannah suffering 'while we are no closer to solving this - it's been so long.'
Savannah was last on the air two days before her mother's disappearance, and has primarily stayed in Arizona to assist the search and be with her family.
She made a return to the Today show studio in New York City earlier this month, and she told Kotb this week that she wanted to return to show and that 'I'm still me.'
'I wanted you to know that I'm still standing, and I still have hope,' she said. 'And I don't know what version of me that will be, but it will be.'
Hoda and Craig Melvin (seen on the Today set on February 12) had stepped in to anchor the show amid Savannah's absence
With no suspects identified or signs of the 84-year-old found safe, scrutiny has fallen on the investigation for the missing grandmother, led by Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos.
In an interview this week, Nanos was unapologetic as he said he has 'no regrets' over his handling of the case despite failing to solve it.
His comment comes after the Guthrie family announced a $1 million reward to anyone who provides information that leads to the return of their mother.
The FBI has also offered $100,000 for information that leads to Nancy's rescue.
