A Morning of Mayhem on NBC

In the high-stakes world of live morning television, chemistry is everything. The hosts of NBC’s Today show are known for their camaraderie, their banter, and their ability to navigate breaking news with a smile. However, every so often, the polished veneer cracks just enough to let a moment of pure, unadulterated chaos shine through. This week, that chaos came courtesy of veteran anchor Savannah Guthrie, who seized a viral moment from the Emmy Awards to launch a hilarious yet shocking verbal assault on her longtime colleague, Carson Daly.

The incident, which has since set social media ablaze, occurred during the show’s popular “POPStart” segment. While the segment is usually Carson Daly’s domain, his absence on Tuesday left the door wide open for Savannah to take the reins—and she did not hold back. What started as a recap of a heartwarming award show moment quickly spiraled into a roast that left the studio crew in stitches and viewers wondering just how deep the rivalry goes.

The Viral Moment That Started It All

To understand the “accusation,” one must look back at the glittering night of the Emmy Awards. The ceremony was packed with stars, but one of the standout winners was Ayo Edebiri, the talented actress from the hit series The Bear. Edebiri took home the statuette for Best Supporting Actress, a monumental achievement in her career. However, as her name was announced and the adrenaline kicked in, she faced a very practical problem: she was holding her purse and other belongings, and she needed her hands free to accept her trophy.

In a moment of relatable panic, Edebiri scanned the crowd for a safe place to stash her gear. Her eyes landed on none other than Carson Daly, who was seated right next to her. The 50-year-old Today host and The Voice emcee became the unexpected guardian of the star’s possessions.

Recounting the story on Tuesday morning, Savannah, 52, painted the picture for the audience. “Carson had his own viral moment last night. He was seated next to The Bear’s Ayo Edebiri,” she explained. As the footage rolled, showing the frantic but funny hand-off, Savannah continued, “When she won for Best Supporting Actress, she turned to Mr. Daly and asked him to hold her purse.”

It was a sweet, human interaction amidst the glitz of Hollywood. Even Ayo Edebiri joked about it in her post-win interviews. She told reporters she “hoped Carson Daly still had all her stuff,” quipping, “If my stuff is gone when I get back to my seat, I know that Carson Daly took it.”

Savannah’s “Scream” Heard ‘Round the World

While Edebiri’s comments were clearly lighthearted, Savannah Guthrie decided to double down on the narrative with a level of shade that no one expected. With Carson absent from the studio and unable to defend his honor, Savannah saw an opportunity to land a comedic punch.

After the clip played and the studio filled with laughter at Ayo’s joke, Savannah leaned into the bit. Rather than moving on to the next story, she yelled out a piece of advice for the actress: “She should count her cash!”

The comment was delivered with such timing and enthusiasm that it sent the Today show crew into a fresh fit of laughter. It was a bold insinuation—jokingly accusing one of America’s most recognizable TV hosts of potentially pilfering cash from an Emmy winner’s purse. The line walked the perfect tightrope between friendly workplace roasting and sensational headline fodder.

“She should count her cash” is the kind of soundbite that instantly goes viral. It highlights the loose, family-like dynamic of the Today cast, where no one is safe from a ribbing, especially when they take a day off. Savannah’s willingness to “yell” the accusation added a layer of theatricality that fans of the show eat up. It was a moment of levity that reminded viewers that behind the teleprompters, these anchors are real friends who love to poke fun at one another.

A Rough Week for Savannah: The Jamie Lee Curtis Incident

Interestingly, this jab at Carson Daly comes during a week where Savannah herself has been in the hot seat. The “count her cash” comment might have been an attempt to deflect some tension after a rather awkward encounter with Hollywood legend Jamie Lee Curtis just days prior.

During a cooking segment featuring the Halloween star, things got a little prickly in the Today kitchen. Jamie Lee Curtis, 65, was on the show to demonstrate a recipe for a glazed lemon cake—a recipe she touted as “outrageously easy” and borrowed from the book The Cake Mix Doctor. The secret ingredient? Jello, which Curtis promised would add a moist consistency to the dessert.

As Curtis mixed the batter and prepared the glaze, Savannah, trying to be a diligent student, asked a procedural question. “Do you have to wait for it to cool before you glaze?” Savannah inquired.

The reaction from Curtis was immediate and confusing. “No…yes,” the actress replied, seemingly tripping over her own instructions.

Sensing the awkwardness, a somewhat shy Savannah asked, “Is that a dumb question?”

After a pause that felt like an eternity on live TV, Curtis replied with a blunt “No,” before pivoting to a sarcastic joke. “Way to show me up on national television! Interesting! I see how it is around here,” Curtis quipped while drizzling vanilla glaze over the cake.

While the room eventually cracked up laughing, the interaction highlighted the perils of live TV interviews. Savannah was left looking slightly flustered, jokingly scolded by a movie star in her own studio. Perhaps the loud, boisterous joke at Carson Daly’s expense was Savannah’s way of reclaiming her alpha status on the show after the lemon cake debacle.

Lifestyle Changes and Scrutiny

Beyond the on-air pranks and awkward cooking segments, Savannah Guthrie has been opening up about her personal life, specifically regarding her health and habits for the new year. In a behind-the-scenes video shared on the Today Instagram account, the anchors discussed what they were “keeping” and “cutting” for 2024.

Al Roker, Craig Melvin, and Sheinelle Jones all chimed in, but it was Savannah’s admission that caught the most attention. She revealed that “authenticity and hair bows” were on her “in” list for the year. However, her “out” list was a bit more challenging.

Savannah disclosed that she hoped to cut out “weekday drinking, at least for January,” though she candidly admitted she was unsure if she could stick to it. This moment of honesty resonated with many fans, but also drew mixed reactions in the comments section.

“There is absolutely no shame in weekday drinking!! It’s staying in!” one supportive fan asserted. However, others were more critical, with one asking, “Oh dear God, really Savannah?”

The “Fake Beer” Conspiracy Resurfaces

The conversation around Savannah’s drinking habits is not new. In fact, it reignited a conspiracy theory that has been circulating among eagle-eyed fans since November 2022. The controversy stems from a segment featuring Savannah and actor Ashton Kutcher, where the two appeared to chug beers on live television.

While the stunt was meant to be fun, internet sleuths quickly dissected the footage. Fans claimed that Savannah faked the chug. Their evidence? The physics of the beer itself.

“No way that was a beer that Savannah was drinking. It had no bubbles or foam,” one skeptic wrote on Instagram. Another agreed, noting the discrepancy between her glass and Kutcher’s: “I don’t think Savannah was drinking beer… doesn’t look like it (compared to Ashton’s).”

Others pointed out temperature differences. “It was also room temperature which makes it easier to drink. Ashton’s glass had condensation but Savannah’s did not,” a third observer noted. The consensus among the skeptics was that her glass likely contained apple cider or flat liquid, leading to cries that “Savannah’s was fake!”

The Queen of Morning TV

Whether she is being accused of faking a beer chug, getting scolded by Jamie Lee Curtis over lemon cake, or screaming accusations of theft at Carson Daly, one thing remains clear: Savannah Guthrie is the beating heart of the Today show.

Her ability to pivot from serious news to “pop culture” hilarity is what keeps the show dynamic. The “count her cash” comment regarding Carson Daly will surely go down as one of her memorable zingers. It reminds us that even when the cameras are rolling, the Today show hosts are just like a dysfunctional family—constantly teasing, occasionally bickering, but always entertaining.

As for Carson Daly, he has yet to respond to the allegations that he might run off with Ayo Edebiri’s purse. But when he returns to the desk, viewers can bet that he will have a retort ready for Savannah. Until then, we can only hope that Ayo—and the rest of the guests—keep a close eye on their valuables.