What, like having the perfect Halloween costume is hard?
It wasn’t, at least, for Today’s Savannah Guthrie as she sported a spot-on recreation of Reese Witherspoon’s Elle Woods from Legally Blonde. The iconic costume was complete with a realistic blonde wig, a leather pink skirt and jacket set, a stuffed pooch Bruiser and—best of all—an appearance from Luke Wilson.
Luke, of course, played Elle’s love interest Emmett Richmond in the film—the dedicated teaching assistant Elle ultimately marries in the sequel Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde.
For the special Today appearance, Luke was seen walking arm-in-arm with Savannah as Elle. And he even dressed the part wearing a classic Emmett-inspired navy suit with a red and gray tie. The duo exchanged a friendly hug and high five after sporting their show-stopping look for the audience in the Today plaza.
Meanwhile, the other Today cohosts didn’t hold back on their festive outfits. Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager rocked a joint costume as well, dressing up as Titanic’s Jack and Rose. Carson Daly and Sheinelle Jones also teamed up—dressing as Austin Powers and Foxxy Cleopatra from the 1997 film.
And while this year’s costumes were so good it’s scary, the NBC morning show is known to pull out all the stops for the annual celebration.
After all, last year Savannah donned a look inspired by another powerful blonde, wearing a very realistic imitation of one of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour costumes—even complete with a bedazzled microphone. Meanwhile, Savannah’s today colleague Willie Geist—who dressed as Anchorman’s Ron Burgundy this year—went as another pop star, and one of Taylor’s ex lovers, Harry Styles.
Given she recently announced her upcoming retirement, Hoda’s Jack costume will be the last one for the iconic journalist, but she has plenty of costumes to look back on from over the years. Last year, she dressed as Sonny and Cher with Jenna—with Jenna even sporting the late singer’s iconic mustache. The year prior, Hoda teamed up with Savannah to dress as Cirque du Soleil performers. The same duo were also ahead of their time in 2020, when they went as Elphaba and Glinda from Wicked.
Of course, Hoda also had a go-to costume partner in former Today co-anchor Kathie Lee Gifford, who retired from the show in 2019. During their tenure as fourth-hour cohosts, the pair went as Wilma Flinstone and Betty Rubble from The Flintstones, The Big Bad Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood, and a rather unsettling Snoopy and Woodstock—the latter Hoda recently admitted she would never repeat.
“That was literally,” Hoda admitted on a July episode of Watch What Happens Live of the 2015 costumes, covering her face with her hands at the sight of it. “The worst we’ve ever done—ever.”
Savannah—who went as Sally Brown to go along with Today’s Peanuts theme—agreed, adding, “Terrible.”
Naturally, Hoda and the rest of the Today co-anchors learned their lesson—and they’ve been rocking great costumes ever since.
Keep reading to see more Halloween looks from all your favorite talk-show hosts.
Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager
Near, far, wherever they are, this pair’s heart will go on as Rose and Jack in Titanic.
Savannah Guthrie and Luke Wilson
What? Like picking a Halloween costume is hard? Not for Today anchor who went as Elle Woods and recruited the Legally Bonde star to channel his character Emmett Richmond.
Kelly Clarkson
Call out Beetlejuice three times and the Grammy winner might just show up after looking this accurate.
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos
This couple knows that Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce never go out of style. After all, it’s their second year paying homage to the power couple. This time in their iconic U.S. Open date looks.
Carson Daly and Sheinelle Jones
These two looked so groovy as Austin Powers and Foxxy Cleopatra, baby.
Laura Jarrett
Brr, it’s cold in here. There must be some Clovers in Studio 1A’s atmosphere! After all, this Today host was ready to form a pyramid in her Bring It On cheerleading costume.
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos
The couple brought Winter River to life in their Beetlejuice look.
Amanda Kloots
Oops, this talk show co-host did it again by dazzling the audience with her look as Britney Spears on The Talk.
Jerry O’Connell
The co-host proved that he believes in life after love in his costume as Cher.
Sherri Shepherd
The daytime host paid homage to the biggest night in fashion, pulling her favorite looks from Met Gala over the years, like Kim Kardashian’s all-black ensemble in 2021 and Rihanna’s 2023 Valentino outfit.
Natalie Morales
The actress looked unrecognizable as Mr. Worldwide. Dalé!
Akbar Gbajabiamila
This former NFL player proved he can still hit the Running Man dressed as MC Hammer.
Mario Lopez
The Access Daily cohost and his family kept the party alive while booging in their Saturday Night Fever ensemble.