Today‘s Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager were sharing a laugh on today’s show when Bush Hager suddenly remembered a hilarious memory from Kotb’s former co-host, Kathie Lee Gifford.
According to Bush Hager, who is often the victim of Gifford’s tough love, Gifford once gave her a present that appeared to be meant for Kotb. “It’s kind of like the time that Kathie Lee gave me that bracelet that said, um, ‘Choose your joy,’ or ‘Joy is not negotiable,'” Bush Hager tried to recall.
“Our joy is non-negotiable,” Kotb reminded her. “She gave it to Jenna.”
“And then it said Haley Joy on the back,” Bush Hager added with a laugh, referring to Kotb’s daughter. “Because that was for Hoda and then she regifted it to me.”
Gifford is known for her dry sense of humor, but her teasing can sometimes land her in hot water. She always seems to leave Kotb and Bush Hager in stitches when she visits the show, however.
She once told the Today viewers to “back off” after revealing she received “nasty mail” for how she ribs Bush Hager on the show.
This came after Gifford, Bush Hager and Kotb were playing a game where they had to name several celebrities. When Bush Hager was the only one to successfully guess Megan Thee Stallion, Gifford gave her a confused look and said, “Where do you learn this stuff? Are you fun at cocktail parties? I bet you aren’t.”
Kotb and Bush Hager could not hold back their laughter. “Y’all, she likes me, this is her love language. I promise she likes me,” Bush Hager told viewers through her laughter.
Gifford immediately brightened up and gave Bush Hager a hug. “I adore her. I know! I got some nasty mail last time,” she said. “I adore Jenna! Back off, Barbies.”
Gifford, who was Bush Hager’s predecessor on Today, even celebrated the fact that her appearance on the show was officially over once they finished the game. “I’m exhausted. Thank God I don’t have to come back here tomorrow,” she said.
But that’s just Kathie Lee being Kathie Lee. “She loves us, I promise,” Bush Hager said in her defense.
Today with Hoda and Jenna airs on weekdays at 10/9c on NBC.