NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: In a recent episode, ‘Today’ host Hoda Kotb snapped at fill-in host Willie Geist on-air during a cooking segment for showing off his natural skills as he took co-host Savannah Guthrie's place on the show.
On the Wednesday, July 19 broadcast, hosts Hoda Kotb, Al Roker, Sheinelle Jones, and Willie Geist welcomed Martha Stewart for a cooking segment. Although it is usually Savannah Guthrie who joins the rest of the hosts, this time she was replaced by Willie Geist, a fill-in anchor for the ‘Today’ show. However, it seemingly wasn’t his lucky day as he was called out by Hoda Kotb on air for showing off his lobster-cracking skills.
Who is Willie Geist?
Born on May 3, 1975, in Evanston, Illinois, Willie Geist is an American television personality, journalist, and author. Apart from being a fill-in host for ‘Today’, he is also the co-host of MSNBC's ‘Morning Joe’ and the host of ‘Sunday Today with Willie Geist’. Throughout his career, Geist has covered a wide range of news and events, interviewing various prominent figures in politics, entertainment, and sports. His father, Bill Geist, is also a well-known television journalist and author who worked for CBS News for many years. Bill Geist is known for his humorous and engaging reporting style, and he has written several books based on his experiences as a journalist. Geist’s mother, Jody Lewis Geist, is also a published author and has written children's books. She has been actively involved in philanthropy and charitable work throughout her life. Geist is married to Christina Sharkey, and the couple has two children together, a daughter named Lucie Joy Geist and a son named George William Geist. He often shares sweet and heartwarming moments with his family on social media, showing his love and dedication as a husband and father.
Why did Hoda Kotb snap at Willie Geist?
During a recent ‘Today’ episode, Kotb, Roker, Jones, and Geist welcomed Martha Stewart, who showed everyone how to make a lobster linguine. As the hosts worked on preparing the delicious summer meal, Martha Stewart demonstrated how to crack lobsters. Willie showed impressive skill in cracking the lobsters, outshining the others. Hoda playfully called him out for his proficiency as she said, “Willie, stop showing off, I just got it!” while Roker’s cracking technique appeared less refined. Jones teased Roker, “Al is manhandling his lobster down there.” Martha praised Willie for his excellent lobster-cracking skills, acknowledging him as the best in that aspect as she said, “Willie is the best, he has the best lobster,” to which Willie replied, “I have a great teacher.”
