Jerry O’Connellwould love to share a screen withHoda Kotb.
TheTodayshowhas yet to announce who will be taking overKathie Lee Gifford‘s spot as the co-host of the show’s popular fourth hour, but O’Connell wouldn’t mind having his name tossed in the ring.
“I love that format. I love Hoda,” he said, calling the television host “an infectious, beautiful soul.”
“It would be an honor for anyone who gets to be there with her,” he added, before explaining that fans of his shouldn’t get their hopes up. “Is it happening? No.”
Hoda Kotb, Jerry O’Connell and Kathie Lee Gifford.Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images
Although it’s still up in the air about who will take Gifford’s place, a source recently told PEOPLE thatJenna Bush Hager, whojoined the programin September 2009, is the frontrunner.
“Nothing has been determined about her replacement. She’s here until April, anyway. But it’s looking like Jenna,” the source shared, explaining that “she’s in the mix because she’s a favorite among viewers and staffers and she has already filled in for Kathie Lee every time she’s been away.”
Announcing her departurefrom the theTodayshow after 11 years may have been emotional for Gifford, 65, but it was also amassive weight lifted off her shoulders.
“I feel so relieved,” she said on-air the day after announcing the news.
“I’ve known it was coming for a long, long time and you want to get your story out before somebody else tries to tell your story in an inaccurate way,” she told herTodayfamily — includingSavannah Guthrie,Al Rokerand Kotb. “I’ve always tried to be an authentic person, I’ve been honest all along, so when you’re misrepresented, it bothers you because you say, ‘I want everybody to know my truth.’ “
source: people.com
