'It's good to be back home.'
Those are the words that Savannah Guthrie shared in her first moments back co-hosting NBC's The Today Show on Monday, after spending nearly two months off air following the disappearance of her mother Nancy in February.
Speaking to the Daily Mail in the wake of Guthrie's return, an insider at Today said that the anchor was 'welcomed with open arms, lots of hugs, some tears, some smiles' on her first day back.
'Everyone is very supportive,' the source said. 'No drama.'
Well, not on the surface at least. Though Guthrie, 54, put on a brave face for her first day back at work, that same day two new ransom notes were sent to TMZ, including one that claimed Nancy was dead. A cruel move, the Daily Mail understands, that law enforcement does not believe to present any sort of credible lead.
Ultimately, the new notes are a grim reminder for Guthrie that the horror of the last few months is far from over.
In fact, the Daily Mail has learned that execs at NBC have a strategy for what will happen if Guthrie's return turns out to be temporary, as well as what will take place in the event that a major development happens in her mother's case while Guthrie is live on-air.
If that happens, we have been told, Guthrie will be alerted with a specific phrase, pulled from the broadcast and briefed.
Savannah Guthrie returned to the Today Show on April 6
An insider at Today said that the anchor was 'welcomed with open arms, lots of hugs, some tears, some smiles' on her first day back.
'We would pull her immediately, mid-segment if we had to,' an insider told the Daily Mail. 'She would understand that there was news about her mom and we'd take into an office and tell her, at the same time that another anchor would report it as a breaking story.
'We would never in a million years have her report on the developments unless she wanted to. She knows if one of the producers tells her she's "needed off set" that there's a development.'
Guthrie, the source said, 'trusts us to tell the story respectfully… we would never want to hurt her.'
But the harsh reality is that, if there is news to report, the network will not hold it out of sensitivity for their anchor – something which, we are told, Guthrie has accepted.
'Savannah understands that she has a public who is very invested in Nancy's story, and understands that we wouldn't necessarily wait for her to find out before reporting it,' the source said. 'She has a couple of people here who are close with her and they will be there to support her.'
Clad in a sunny yellow dress and a yellow heart necklace in the same bright hue as the flowers and ribbons that neighbors have left outside of her mother's Arizona home, Guthrie gave little indication of any stress or uncertainty behind-the-scenes on Monday.
She smiled bravely and maintained her composure during the broadcast, save for a teary interaction with fans who were wearing yellow ribbons and carrying signs showing their support for Guthrie during a segment filmed outside Rockefeller Center.
'These signs are so beautiful,' Guthrie said. 'You guys have been so beautiful. I received so many letters - so much kindness to me and my family. We feel it. We feel your prayers, so thank you so much.'
Nancy (right) went missing on February 1, which saw Guthrie temporarily leave her post as a Today Show anchor
The 84-year-old went missing from her Arizona home (pictured)
In March, Guthrie sat down with Hoda Kotb for a two-part interview following her mother's disappearance
But beyond her loyal viewership, the Daily Mail is told that Guthrie also has the full support of the network, including top leadership who 'have had her back the entire time whether she wanted to come back or not.'
According to the source, when Guthrie returned in March for her first interview about her mother's disappearance with former Today co-host Hoda Kotb, who filled in for Guthrie during her absence, Guthrie told NBC that she was interested in returning to her co-hosting duties 'around now.'
That, the source added, would 'give her enough family time and to see if there was anything promising to happen with her mom's search.'
Kotb's revealing interview with Guthrie was reportedly the source of some behind-the-scenes ire at Today, with Guthrie's co-host Craig Melvin allegedly feeling 'devastated' that he was 'passed over' for the interview. An insider told the Daily Mail at the time that, in fact, 'he wasn't even asked.'
Nancy's disappearance came mere weeks after Guthrie underwent vocal cord surgery that forced her to take time off, a temporary departure that at the time elicited cruel comments from colleagues. A source previously told the Daily Mail that, without the anchor on set, there was 'less tension' and felt 'more collaborative.'
Peers, however, were left riddled with guilt after the news of Guthrie's family tragedy broke, with one insider telling the Daily Mail that it was 'a wakeup call.'
Guthrie's co-host Craig Melvin (right) allegedly felt 'devastated' that he was 'passed over' for the interview that ultimately went to Kotb
The network has developed a contingency plan for Guthrie (pictured visiting the Today Show on March 5) should there be an update about her mother
In the wake of the presenter's return, however, 'everyone is happy that she is back and welcomed her with open arms,' a source said.
'Not one person has openly stated that she shouldn't be back. It was her decision and everyone was for whatever her decision would be,' the source said. 'They all love her. It is a family, and that is what she needs right now.'
But although Guthrie appears to be back for good, if the Today host needs to take time off again, NBC will accommodate her needs.
'If she isn't feeling it, or needs more time off, she will be given it,' the source added. 'Whether Hoda would be the one to replace her is another conversation. They would love to have Savannah back full time, but if she has to leave, they will allow her, but they anticipate she is back for good.'
The Daily Mail has contacted NBC for comment.
After her 84-year-old mother was reported missing, from her home in Tucson, Arizona on February 1, Guthrie flew to the state to be with her family, as authorities searched in what remains an ongoing investigation involving both the Pima County Sheriff's Department and the FBI.
Now, ten weeks into the search, Nancy is still missing and no suspects have been identified - despite a $1 million reward from the Guthrie family for anyone who can provide information that leads to the return of their mother and an additional $100,000 reward offered by the FBI.
The source is clear that reporting on Nancy would be in full support of Guthrie, who remains hopeful that her mother will be found.
'To talk about her mom is only a good thing, to keep her memory alive, to keep the story out there,' the source said.
'Nobody was told to not talk about her mom. Her mom is on her sleeve and in her heart and coming back is what her mom would want. So everyone is championing answers and will talk about her mom any time Savannah would like to talk about her.'
