When Savannah Guthrie returned to the NBC studios on Thursday after a month searching for her missing mother, she was publicly embraced by her sympathetic-looking Today show colleagues.
They shared in her anguish, cried tears of despair and told her how happy they were to see her.
The cruel truth?
Many of them hoped she’d never come back.
That is the brutal reality of life behind-the-scenes on America’s most-watched morning TV show, according to multiple sources who have spoken to the Daily Mail.
‘It’s a viper’s nest. Even if you’re suffering,’ one said.
Guthrie, 54, rushed to Tucson, Arizona, in early February when the disturbing news emerged that her 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, had been snatched from her home in the middle of the night.
There have been no arrests despite wall-to-wall media coverage, and police are yet to announce any serious leads.

A tearful Savannah Guthrie was embrace by colleagues at the TODAY show studio in New York on Thursday. The behind-the-scenes truth is less kind
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A tearful Savannah Guthrie was embrace by colleagues at the TODAY show studio in New York on Thursday. The behind-the-scenes truth is less kind

Guthrie's on-air replacement and long-time friend, Hoda Kotb, is preferred by some staffers, who fear Guthrie's high standards
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Guthrie’s on-air replacement and long-time friend, Hoda Kotb, is preferred by some staffers, who fear Guthrie’s high standards

But the unimaginable tragedy has captivated America.
Guthrie and her siblings have released video pleas directed to their mother’s abductor, begging for answers or proof of life.
There have been resounding messages of support from Guthrie’s peers in the TV industry. And even President Trump joined calls for Nancy to be brought home safely.
But inside Rockefeller Plaza, the support has been less free-flowing.
All the sources we spoke to made it clear that Guthrie’s Today show colleagues hope for Nancy’s safe return.
But the tragedy hasn’t wiped out their self-interest.
Sources say production staffers – who fear Savannah’s high standards and high profile – were more relaxed in her absence.
They prefer her friendlier, fluffier replacement, Hoda Kotb.
On-air talent started thinking about how they could buy themselves more screen time.
‘You think The Morning Show is bad? That’s nothing. These people will steal your chair while you’re still sitting in it,’ one source said.
‘From the hair and makeup people to the producers, you can’t trust anyone, they all talk.’
Four days before Guthrie’s brief visit to the studio, NBC bosses held a production meeting.
Ambitious up-and-comers hoped it would yield answers about their future.

When bosses held an all hands meeting on Monday, junior staff hoped it may yield them more screentime
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When bosses held an all hands meeting on Monday, junior staff hoped it may yield them more screentime

After Guthrie's visit to the studio, NBC released a statement confirming she would be returning. The message was clear: She's going nowhere, vipers be damned
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After Guthrie’s visit to the studio, NBC released a statement confirming she would be returning. The message was clear: She’s going nowhere, vipers be damned

Savannah Guthrie's mother Nancy was taken from her home on February 1
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Savannah Guthrie’s mother Nancy was taken from her home on February 1

They were frustrated when top brass announced that Guthrie would be coming back at a later date, and to keep her in their thoughts.
After her visit to New York on Thursday, NBC released a statement to confirm her return.
‘Savannah Guthrie stopped by the studio this morning to be with and thank her TODAY colleagues.
‘While she plans to return to the show on air, she remains focused right now supporting her family and working to help bring Nancy home,’ a network spokesman said.
The message was loud and clear: she’s going nowhere. Vipers be damned.