Live television is a high-wire act where anything can happen, but usually, the furniture stays put. That wasn’t the case this past Monday on NBC’s Today with Jenna & Friends, when Hollywood icon Brooke Shields experienced a sinking feeling—literally—moments after the cameras started rolling.

In what is already being hailed as one of the funniest unscripted moments of the 2025 morning show season, Shields, 60, sat down to begin her week-long stint as guest co-host, only to find herself staring up at Jenna Bush Hager from a comically low vantage point. The mishap, which instantly turned the glamorous supermodel into the victim of a visual gag fit for a sitcom, has sparked viral laughter and renewed calls from fans to make Shields a permanent fixture on the show.

The “Incredible Shrinking Woman” Moment

The broadcast began with the usual high energy. Shields, looking radiant and ready to tackle the “Jenna & Friends” duties, walked onto the Studio 1A set in Rockefeller Center. The chemistry was palpable as she and Hager, 44, waved to the audience. But as the music faded and the two women took their seats at the iconic round table, the dynamic shifted drastically.

While Hager settled comfortably into her seat, Shields sat down and kept going down. Her white studio chair was set significantly lower than her co-host’s, leaving the six-foot-tall actress looking like a student called into the principal’s office.

The realization hit both women simultaneously. Hager glanced over, her eyes widening in genuine shock as she realized she was suddenly towering over her statuesque guest.

“You guys, something’s wrong. Something is very wrong,” Hager announced, pointing frantically at Shields’ chair while trying to suppress a giggle.

Shields, proving she possesses the quick wit of a seasoned comedian, didn’t miss a beat. Instead of acting embarrassed, she leaned into the absurdity of the situation. “Why am I at the kids’ table?” she deadpanned, peering over the desk with a bewildered expression that sent the studio audience into hysterics.

“I Get It, It’s Your Show!”

The moment quickly devolved into chaotic joy. As stagehands scrambled off-camera to assess the furniture failure, Shields launched into a playful tirade, jokingly accusing Hager of orchestrating the stunt to assert dominance on her home turf.

“I get it. It’s your show. I get it!” Shields quipped, throwing her hands up in mock surrender. The implication—that Hager needed to physically lower her guest to maintain authority—was the perfect icebreaker for the week.

Hager, still laughing, fired back with a question that highlighted the rarity of the situation for someone of Shields’ stature. “Is this the first time in your whole life you’ve ever felt not tall?” she asked.

“Wow, we’ve never had a chair issue! Let’s just see how this feels,” Hager added, clearly enjoying the role reversal. Meanwhile, Shields attempted to compensate for the altitude deficit by tucking her leg under her and hoisting herself up, creating an even more comical visual of the elegant star contorting herself to reach eye level.

“I’m being really difficult, I know. I’m so sorry. I was like, ‘Things have changed since I’ve been here,’” Shields joked, referencing her previous guest-hosting stints in March and July.

Eventually, the production team—the unsung heroes of morning TV—swapped out the defective stool for a proper chair, restoring Shields to her natural, statuesque glory. “That was hilarious. I was like, ‘Why am I so much taller?’” Hager admitted once the dust had settled. “That moment when I looked over, I was like, ‘Something is not right.’”

The “Jenna & Friends” Era Continues

This hilarious blooper comes at a pivotal time for the Today show’s fourth hour. Following the emotional departure of long-time host Hoda Kotb in January 2025 to focus on her family and wellness brand, the hour was rebranded Today with Jenna & Friends. Since then, Hager has been joined by a revolving door of over 60 celebrity guest hosts, ranging from actors to comedians.

NBC has stated that this rotation allows for a “total representation” of the viewership, keeping the format fresh and unpredictable. “It really does feel like we’re pulling up chairs for all different types of people,” Hager told People magazine earlier this year.

However, Monday’s chair debacle highlighted something that rotating hosts often lack: genuine, effortless chemistry. The ease with which Shields and Hager turned a technical failure into a comedy routine speaks to a rapport that fans are desperate to see solidified.

Fans Clamor for a Permanent Fix

Social media lit up immediately following the segment, with clips of the “shrinking Brooke” circulating on TikTok and X (formerly Twitter). The overwhelming sentiment wasn’t just amusement; it was endorsement.

“Hilarious… ‘I get it, it’s your show!!’” one user commented on the show’s Instagram page. Another observer noted the physical comedy, writing, “Nobody put baby in the small chair 😂.”

But beyond the jokes, a serious campaign is brewing in the comments section. Viewers seem weary of the “Guest of the Week” format and are zeroing in on Shields as the successor to Hoda Kotb. “Brooke would be a perfect permanent cohost! 🤞🏼,” one fan pleaded, while another declared them a “great hosting duo.”

Shields brings a unique energy to the table—a blend of old-school Hollywood glamour and relatable, self-deprecating humor. As a mother of two daughters who has grown up in the public eye, she mirrors Hager’s life stage, yet offers a different perspective. Her ability to handle a live TV disaster with grace and humor suggests she has the “live chops” necessary for the job.

The Show Must Go On

While no official announcement regarding a permanent co-host has been made, moments like these are often the best auditions. The “Chair Incident of 2025” will likely go down in Today show history alongside other famous bloopers, but it also served a functional purpose: it broke the ice and endeared Brooke Shields to the audience in a way a scripted monologue never could.

For the rest of the week, viewers will be tuning in not just to see the interviews, but to see if Brooke checks her chair before sitting down. As for Jenna Bush Hager, she may have joked about it being “her show,” but on Monday morning, Brooke Shields stole it—from the kids’ table.