Savannah Guthrie replaces Ann Curry on Today Show

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Published on June 29, 2012 12:23PM EDT

UPDATED: Several hours after Savannah Guthrie took the spot next to Matt Lauer on Today Show this morning, NBC sent out an official announcement saying she will replace Ann Curry on the morning show team.

In a statement, NBC News President Steve Capus said Guthrie, Matt Lauer, Al Roker and Natalie Morales will officially debut Monday, July 9, even though the entire team was there today. This morning’s show awkwardly began without the traditional introduction of the co-hosts by the announcer; it just cut to the duo sitting at the table, talking about the Colorado wild fires.

This is what Capus repleased about Guthrie: “In just a few short years Savannah, has become a standout member of the news division as well as the ultimate team player. She’s anchored for Brian on NBC Nightly News, moderated for David on Meet the Press, co-hosted the 9 a.m. hour of Today, reported for Rock Center and Dateline, and provided legal insights in our Supreme Court Special Reports – and that was all within the last week! She’s got an undeniable range, and she’s earned the trust of the news community, her colleagues and our viewers alike. I couldn’t be happier for Savannah and the entire Today team.”

The announcement ends a very clumsy chapter in Today’s history that began with last week’s shocking headlines that Curry was on her way out. On Thursday, the 55-year-old reporter tearfully ended her 14-year tenure on the show Thursday, though she’ll remain in the fold as an uber-reporter, of sorts.

Guthrie’s been at NBC since 2008 and joined Today in June 2011. She previously served as co-host of the 9 a.m. hour.

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