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Todaydidnt just send off its longtime host with any old celebration Hoda Kotbs final episodewas a Hoda-bration.
Brought to you by Kleenex, co-host Jenna Bush Hager joked at the beginning of the tearful hour.
Kotb signed offTodayby joining fans in the shows iconic plaza.
Can I just say thank you to every person who came out here?
I read your cards.
I got your bracelets.
I got the scarves you crocheted.
I read the texts.
Later, onToday With Hoda & Jenna, she read a love letter to fans in a pretaped segment.
How do I say thank you for more hugs and more love than one person deserves?
NBC colleagues, old friends, and even Kermit the Frog showed up forTodays Hoda-bration.
Below, all the tributes to Kotb from the broadcast.
The hilarity of answering Social Ds for Joe, and Tom, and Sally.
You have taught me that a Polar Plunge doesnt actually mean plunging.
That delight can come in the form of a minivan with electronic doors.
How to create a hit Christmas song.
(It charted, if only for a day.)
You taught me that an apple is a perfectly good baby present.
I was thinking to myself,I sure hope Kath comes, Kotb said.
The pair danced to their theme song and shared a final morning-wine toast together.
The Muppet honored Kotb with a performance of Rainbow Connection, which she sings to her daughters every night.
So gold medalist Simone Biles surprised her Olympic mom in person at her final episode.
So I appreciate all youve done for us to allow us to tell our stories.
We needed celebration, we needed somebody to celebrate, of course it has to be you.
Sameha Kotb
Between the famous faces, Kotbs own mother, Sameha, shared a video message.
Sameha remembered encouraging her daughter throughout her career, from her beginnings working at the Virginia Tech radio station.
Jamie Lee Curtis
The Oscar winner couldnt honor Kotb in person due to the Los Angeles wildfires.
HerTodayco-anchors
Guthrie said all theTodayco-anchors tributes to Kotb came back to the word love.
Hoda, I love you deeply, Guthrie said.
Whether youre sitting next to me or not.
Al Roker said he would miss seeing his dressing-room neighbor every morning.
But you know what?
You, Hope, and Haley get to come out of your rooms and see each other every morning.
And so, how can I be sad?
Carson Daly and Craig Melvin both complimented Kotbs interviews, with Melvin saying, Hoda doesnt do interviews.
Kotb reflected on the conversation that inspired the song.
I said, Most days are just Wednesdays, regular days, she remembered.
If you love your Wednesdays, youll love your life.
Theyve just been like, Wednesdays every day has been a good Wednesday.
I feel a little bit like Ive been there while you grew up, Shriversaid.
She applauded Kotb for finding a voice onToday.
Very few people will do that, and its so brave.
Todaystaff
Kotb went out to theTodayplaza through a tunnel of love made up ofTodaystaffers.
Later, she signed offToday With Hoda & Jennajoined by the shows entire staff onstage.
You are loved, Bush Hager told her.
