Savannah Guthrie to Host NBC 'Wordle' Game Show as Mother's Disappearance Hits 100 Days

NBC announced Monday that Today co-host Savannah Guthrie will host a primetime Wordle game show. The reveal marks the 100-day point since her 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, disappeared from her Tucson, Arizona, home.

Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon, who will produce the show, joined Guthrie on Today to promote it.

"We’ve been developing ‘Wordle’ as a game show for the past two and a half years with The New York Times, and it’s official, we are making ‘Wordle’ game show with our host, Savannah Guthrie!" Fallon told viewers.

"We’ve been holding this secret between us for, like, a long time now," Guthrie said.

Wordle is the puzzle game that went viral in 2021 and was acquired by The New York Times.

Guthrie said NBC picked up the show in February and planned to film in March. Those plans halted after her mother's disappearance. She thanked NBC, Fallon, The New York Times and Universal Television Alternative Studio for the delay.

"When everything happened with me and my family, they just stopped everything and said, ‘We’ll wait for you,’" Savannah said. "And Hollywood is like a really tough business, as you know, and I didn’t expect that. And I just want to say, thank you. It means so much to me."

"We can’t do it without you," Fallon replied. "We need you, bud. You’re so good, and it’s so fun. I can’t wait for everyone to see it. It’s fantastic."

Filming is set for the summer. No air date has been announced.

Guthrie returned to Today in early April after a two-month absence. The search for her mother has drawn national attention.

Authorities believe Nancy Guthrie was taken from her home against her will in the early hours of Feb. 1. She was last seen when her son-in-law dropped her off around 10 p.m. the night before. Home surveillance footage showed a masked man at her doorstep, apparently armed with a handgun.

Unverified ransom notes went to media outlets including TMZ and a local Tucson station. Many suspect a financial motive. No suspects have been named publicly.

Investigators and the family have asked for public tips. A reward of more than $1.2 million is offered, including $1 million from the Guthrie family for her recovery. Those with information should call 1-800-CALL-FBI.