Just who will be Ann Curry's replacement on the "Today Show" remains the No. 1 topic, even as the veteran co-host said her official on-air good-bye Wednesday morning. Although several names have been thrown into the mix, most bets are on Savannah Guthrie.
Guthrie, who currently works on the show, is being placed at the top of the list of replacements, alongside another "Today" show co-host Hoda Kotb.
Following a commercial break after Curry's tearful goodbye, appeared a bright faced Guthrie in the same spot Curry had just been sobbing in.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Guthrie will be named Matt Lauer's new partner on Friday, but NBC refuses to make any mention of the replacement.
Curry's official exit comes after a week of increased speculation about whether she was in fact leaving the 60-year-old morning show. Even as rumors spurred, Curry continued to put on a brave face in front of America as the days to her official exit wound down.
During an interview with USA Today on Wednesday, Curry confessed that the leak about her leaving the show "hurt deeply."
Whoever will take Curry's former position is expected to do so far before the Opening Ceremony of the London Olympics on July 27.
Guthrie anchors the 9 a.m. hour alongside Natalie Morales and Al Roker and oftentimes filled in for Curry on "Today."
NBC News executives are reportedly eager to get the new "Today" team settled in, as to take advantage of the increased ratings they are expected to get with the Olympic Games.
