Why Isn’t Today with Jenna & Friends Live This Week? All About Jenna Bush Hager’s Summer Break

Jenna Bush Hager is taking a well-deserved break.

The talk show host has been a staple of morning television ever since she joined Today as a correspondent in 2009. A decade later, she began co-anchoring the fourth hour with Hoda Kotb, where the duo quickly became fan favorites and a beloved part of viewers’ mornings. They co-hosted Today with Hoda & Jenna together until January 2025, when Kotb stepped away to focus on her daughters.

In the wake of her departure, the program evolved into Today with Jenna & Friends, with Bush Hager helming the series alongside a rotating lineup of co-hosts. While Today with Jenna & Friends is typically pre-recorded on Fridays, eagle-eyed fans noticed that pre-recorded episodes have been airing since Aug. 18.

Even though Bush Hager is out of the studio, you can still get your fix of the morning talk show host. The series is still airing, including some fresh conversations with co-hosts and never-before-seen interview moments.

So, where is Jenna Bush Hager? Here’s what to know about why Today with Jenna & Friends isn’t live this week.

Why isn’t Today with Jenna & Friends live this week?

Even talk show hosts take breaks sometimes! Bush Hager is on a brief summer vacation, which is common for morning shows.

Last August, Bush Hager shared a carousel of images on Instagram that showed she was spending time with her family and friends.

“Summer loving!!!” she captioned the pictures.

Is anyone replacing Jenna Bush Hager in her absence?

Nobody is replacing Bush Hager during her vacation. Instead, Today with Jenna & Friends is airing pre-recorded episodes, which are comprised of new conversations with co-hosts, previously-aired interviews and never-before-seen clips.

As for who has joined Bush Hager at the table, Savannah Guthrie stepped in as co-host on Aug. 18 and 19.

Which segments are re-airing during Jenna Bush Hager’s absence?

Some Today moments are worth a second watch. Even with Bush Hager out of the studio, there’s still plenty of celebrity chatter and memorable segments to keep you entertained on your morning commute.

Aug. 18’s episode, co-hosted by Bush Hager and Guthrie, was a “highlight show” about “amazing women,” as Bush Hager explained in the opening segment. The episode re-aired old interviews from celebrities including Sarah Jessica Parker, Winnie Harlow, Martha Stewart, Sofía Vergara and Mel B.

During Harlow’s episode, which originally aired in June 2025, she opened up about growing up with vertigo. Meanwhile, Parker shared stories about her children, an interview that was originally broadcast in April 2025.

On Tuesday, Aug. 19, Halle Berry and Van Hunt’s first joint interview from June 2025 re-aired, as well as Olivia Munn’s April 2025 discussion about her breast cancer diagnosis. In the new opening segment, Bush Hager and Guthrie discussed teen dating, including the experiences of the co-hosts themselves.

The lineup for the remainder of Bush Hager’s break hasn’t been released, so fans will need to tune in to know what’s in store for the rest of the week.

When will Today with Jenna & Friends return with live episodes?

Bush Hager hasn’t yet revealed when she will be returning to the studio for live episodes.