Savannah Guthrie Reveals Hilarious Holiday Party Mishap and Upcoming Vocal Surgery

Savannah Guthrie has offered fans a surprising glimpse into her more playful side with a memorable holiday party anecdote.

Guthrie, 53, appeared as Jenna Bush Hager’s guest cohost on the Tuesday, December 23, episode of Today With Jenna & Friends. During the show’s “Girl Code” segment, the hosts responded to a fan question concerning an upcoming office holiday celebration, which prompted Guthrie to recall a past experience from one of her own workplace parties.

The fan’s inquiry read, “My office holiday party is happening soon… My work bestie Jackie tends to overindulge and become inappropriately flirtatious at these events. Last year she was quite affectionate with our boss and doesn’t remember any of it. Should I say something beforehand or just hope for the best?”

In response to the question, Bush Hager, 44, playfully asked the show’s producers, “Did you plan this segment?”

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Meanwhile, Guthrie shared, “I have to mention, as someone who has playfully struck a network correspondent at a holiday party…

Though the Today coanchor didn’t disclose the identity of the person she playfully struck, she clarified that “it was a mock spanking, so I don’t believe I actually – it wasn’t physical contact.” Additionally, when asked by Bush Hager if the colleague was a “man or a woman,” Guthrie replied, “It was definitely a man!”

“You’ve playfully struck me before,” Bush Hager pointed out.

“Well, yes, and I did make contact with you,” Guthrie said. “But we’ve reached that point in our friendship.”

Guthrie then advised the fan to refrain from telling her coworker how to behave.

“It likely won’t be well-received,” she continued. “She doesn’t remember it. I don’t think anything positive will come of it.”

Bush Hager quipped, “But what if you’re worried about her causing a scene and facing consequences from HR?”

Guthrie has frequently appeared as a guest cohost on Today With Jenna & Friends since Hoda Kotb’s departure in January. She also continues as a main coanchor on Today. However, on December 19, Guthrie announced that she would be taking time off from the talk show to undergo vocal surgery early in the new year.

“Some of you may have noticed that my voice has been unusually raspy and has started to crack a bit,” she explained. “Well, I’ve discovered the reason. I have vocal nodules, and now I also have a polyp. It’s not a serious issue, but I am scheduled for surgery early in the new year and will be off for a couple of weeks. So this is my last day for a while. I wanted to let everyone know, and if you’ve been wondering, do I have a prolonged head cold? No, I don’t.”

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Guthrie added that she is “really looking forward” to getting the surgery.

“This has been happening for years, honestly,” she continued. “It’s quite amusing. I used to be able to sing, then I couldn’t sing anymore, and then I couldn’t speak anymore, so who knows?”

Her colleagues, Craig Melvin, Al Roker and Sheinelle Jones, wished her well before the procedure.

“It will be wonderful. You’ll be just fine,” Jones, 47, who also had surgery on one of her vocal cords, told Guthrie.

“Sending prayers for healing and a speedy recovery,” Melvin, 46, added.