Full Breakdown
Savannah Guthrie Takes Leave from “Today” to Film NBC’s “Wordle” Game Show
7/17/2026, 12:33:09 AM
Core Announcement and Immediate Plans
On the July 16 broadcast of NBC’s *Today*, co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, 54, announced she will be absent from the program for “a few weeks” to film the entire first season of a new primetime game show based on the New York Times puzzle *Wordle*. The show, produced for NBC, will be executive-produced by “Tonight Show” host Jimmy Fallon and is slated to air in the new year, with a full-season rollout expected in 2027. Production is set to take place in Manchester, England.
Background: Mother’s Disappearance and Ongoing Investigation
Guthrie’s leave follows a prolonged personal crisis. Her mother, Nancy Guthrie, 84, was last seen on January 31 in her Catalina Foothills neighborhood north of Tucson, Arizona, and was reported missing on February 1. The FBI released security-camera footage showing an armed, masked individual tampering with the front-door camera the night of the disappearance. As of July 2026, no suspect has been identified, and the case remains classified as a kidnapping for ransom. The family has offered a reward of up to $1 million for information leading to Nancy’s recovery.
Official Statements & Responses
- NBC producers instructed staff to treat Guthrie’s return as “business as usual,” urging a “move forward” vibe.
- The FBI, in a July 1 statement, confirmed “several ransom notes” have been received during the investigation and reiterated that the case “continues to be investigated as a kidnapping for ransom.”
- The Pima County Sheriff’s Office echoed the FBI’s call for tips, providing its own contact number.
- Jimmy Fallon praised Guthrie’s selection, saying the network was “looking for the perfect host…someone who knows how to run a show.”
Data & Timeline
- Jan 31, 2026 – Nancy Guthrie last seen.
- Feb 1, 2026 – Missing-person report filed.
- May 11, 2026 – NBC announces Guthrie as host of *Wordle* game show; pilot originally slated for March but delayed.
- July 16, 2026 – Guthrie announces temporary leave to film the series.
- 2027 – Planned premiere of the *Wordle* game show.
Criticism & Opposition
No public criticism or opposition to Guthrie’s leave or the *Wordle* project was reported in the available sources.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I’m headed over to shoot ‘Wordle’ over the next few weeks,” — Savannah Guthrie, *Today* anchor
- “We were looking for the perfect host for this. We needed someone who looks like they play Wordle, someone who knows how to run a show,” — Jimmy Fallon, executive producer
- “When everything happened with me and my family, they just stopped everything and said we'll wait for you,” — Savannah Guthrie, interview on *Today*
- “It is five months of agony and unending trauma for our family,” — Savannah Guthrie, statement to KOLD-TV (CBS Tucson)
- “Everything is strange right now,” — Savannah Guthrie, interview with *The New York Times*
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact nature of the kidnapping evidence: some emphasize the armed individual captured on camera, while others focus on the “several ransom notes” mentioned by the FBI. No arrest has been made, and the identity of the masked suspect remains unknown.
What’s Next
Filming of the *Wordle* season will proceed in Manchester, England, with the series expected to debut on NBC in early 2027. The FBI and Pima County Sheriff continue to solicit public tips, maintaining the $1 million reward for information that leads to Nancy Guthrie’s recovery.
