NBC Olympic Broadcasters Express Support for Colleague Savannah Guthrie During Family Emergency
In a poignant moment during the live broadcast of the Winter Olympics opening ceremony from Milan's iconic San Siro Stadium, NBC commentators Terry Gannon and Mary Carillo took time to acknowledge their missing colleague, Savannah Guthrie. The veteran "Today" show host was notably absent from the network's coverage team due to a distressing family situation involving her mother's disappearance.
Emotional On-Air Tributes to an Absent Friend
As millions of viewers tuned in for the spectacle of the Olympic opening festivities, Gannon and Carillo paused to send their heartfelt regards to Guthrie, who has covered numerous Olympic Games throughout her distinguished broadcasting career. "We're certainly without a very important, beloved member of our team tonight," Gannon stated solemnly during the pre-ceremony broadcast. "Our friend and colleague, Savannah Guthrie... She is dearly missed by everybody here."
Carillo added her own emotional tribute, noting Guthrie's deep connection to the Olympic tradition. "She sure is, she's covered so many Olympics... and she loves them," Carillo reflected. "Right now, of course, Savannah and her family are in unspeakable, unfathomable pain. We know in the U.S. that her extended family is legion. Savannah, my friend, it's the same way here."
A Community of Support During Difficult Times
The broadcast team concluded their message with words of solidarity and encouragement. "We send our love and our prayers and all of our positive energy to Savannah tonight," Gannon affirmed, capturing the sentiment of the entire NBC Olympic coverage team. This public display of support occurred against the backdrop of an ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Guthrie's mother, Nancy Guthrie, who has not been seen since Saturday night. Authorities have indicated they believe she may have been kidnapped, adding urgency to the search efforts.
The unexpected personal moment during what is typically a celebratory global broadcast highlighted the human connections that exist behind the scenes of major television events. Gannon and Carillo, who stepped in to cover Guthrie's Olympic hosting duties, demonstrated how professional colleagues can become extended family during times of crisis.
