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    Hoda Kotb on ‘list’ to take over Kelly Clarkson’s talk show after ‘Today’ exit

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    Hoda Kotb is being considered as a potential candidate to replace Kelly Clarkson amid rumors that the singer is exiting her eponymous NBC talk show.

    Kotb, who exited the “Today” show in January, is on the network’s list of names being thrown around as Clarkson’s successor, an NBC insider exclusively told The Post Thursday.

    “There’s a long list of names and Hoda is part of that list,” the source said, adding, “NBC never wanted Hoda to leave. The question is, would Hoda want to do it?”

    Hoda Kotb (seen here in 2024) is on a list of people being considered to take over Kelly Clarkson’s eponymous talk show, an NBC insider told The Post. Ron Smits/London Entertainment/Shutterstock
    The news comes amid rumors that Clarkson (seen here in February) wants to quit her show when her contract expires. Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via Getty Images
    “There’s a long list of names and Hoda is part of that list,” the source said of Hoda (pictured here on the “Today” show with Savannah Guthrie and Jenna Bush Hager in 2024). Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images

    The insider claimed that NBC executives ideally want to replace Clarkson with someone who already has a fanbase and has a diverse background.

    “Hoda ticks a lot of boxes. She’s an Egyptian, older Kelly Clarkson,” the source said.

    The Post reported that 60-year-old Kotb, who had been with the network for more than two decades, is well-liked by the higher-ups and already has close relationships with executives.

    Meanwhile, Clarkson’s contract expires next year — paving the way for a new host to take over if the “Since You’ve Been Gone” singer resigns.

    The Post is told that execs at NBC never wanted Kotb to leave the network. NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
    “Hoda ticks a lot of boxes. She’s an Egyptian, older Kelly Clarkson,” the source added. Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images

    It’s unclear whether Clarkson will depart from her hosting gig, but her decision may fall on the success of her forthcoming ninth studio album, as well as her Las Vegas residency, both debuting this summer.

    “If the album doesn’t do well, she might want to keep her talk show,” the source explained. “But she has a lot going on and the timing may be right for the next chapter.”

    While the insider did not share all the names being discussed as a replacement option, another source told The Post that Maria Shriver could also be in the running.

    It’s unclear if Kotb is interested in the option after stepping away from NBC after 26 years. Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images
    Page Six reported last month that Clarkson was looking to end her NBC reign. TheKellyClarksonShow/YouTube

    Last month, Page Six exclusively reported that the “American Idol” winner was looking to give up the anchor chair, leaving executives scrambling for a replacement.

    Rumors of Clarkson’s plans to quit began swirling after she was absent from her show for nearly two weeks due to a “personal matter.”

    Multiple sources told us at the time that Clarkson, 43, was ready to step away from her talk show, which debuted in 2019, to spend more time with her two kids: River Rose, 10, and son Remy, 8.

    Clarkson’s decision to potentially leave her show may rely on how her next album does. Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via Getty Images
    We’re told she also wants to spend more time with her two kids. Jorge Estrellado/TheNews2/INSTARimages

    “Kelly’s number one priority is her children, and they always will be,” an industry insider told us. “The show is grueling. It’s a whole lot of work, and I hear that Kelly would like to spend more time down South.”

    Clarkson, who hails from Texas and moved from Los Angeles to New York, returned to her show for her 1,000th episode, only to admit to viewers that she has felt “alone.”

    The pop star’s TV program has earned 22 Daytime Emmys and an average of 1.2 million viewers per day in the 2024-2025 season.



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