In a development that has taken many viewers by surprise, Willie Geist has officially confirmed his departure from his role as anchor of the Sunday TODAY program. For over a decade, Geist has been one of NBC and MSNBC’s most recognizable and consistent faces, co-hosting Morning Joe, frequently filling in on the main TODAY show hours, and anchoring the critically acclaimed Sunday TODAY with Willie Geist. The news marks the official closing of a significant chapter in his extensive tenure at the network.
While Geist remains the co-host of MSNBC’s Morning Joe and is expected to continue his contributions across NBC News platforms, stepping away from the Sunday anchor chair carries a quiet significance. The announcement, though not a full departure from the network, represents a strategic shedding of major duties that Geist himself has previously acknowledged were stretching him thin. Back in 2016, Geist stepped away from the third hour of the TODAY show, citing the need to “take one of the hats off,” as he juggled his responsibilities across the morning programs, Sunday TODAY, and his role as a contributing host for major events like the Olympics. This latest move signals a further, crucial re-balancing of his high-profile workload.
The details surrounding his final day as the official Sunday TODAY anchor began to surface shortly after the announcement, painting an emotional picture of a farewell filled with reflection and gratitude. The Sunday broadcast, known for its long-form interviews and relaxed pace, was the perfect platform for Geist’s thoughtful and affable style. His signature segment, the “Sunday Sitdown,” featured in-depth, insightful conversations with some of the biggest names in Hollywood, politics, and culture, and defined the program for nearly a decade.
Sources report that the atmosphere on his final broadcast was a poignant mix of celebration and nostalgia. Tributes poured in from colleagues across the network—from the Morning Joe desk to his friends on the main TODAY set—recognizing not just his talent as a journalist, but his unwavering kindness and professionalism. The segment dedicated to his departure reportedly featured a retrospective montage of some of his most memorable “Sunday Sitdown” moments, underscoring the trust and comfort he was able to establish with his interview subjects.
Geist is known for his humility and dry wit, and his farewell speech was rumored to be characteristically low-key, focusing heavily on his gratitude to the viewers who followed him from the earliest hours of Way Too Early to his Sunday success. His words emphasized the unique connection he felt with the weekend audience, who relied on him for a thoughtful start to their Sunday mornings.
While fans are naturally reacting to what feels like the closing of a familiar chapter, this is not a final goodbye to the screen. Geist is confirmed to be continuing his roles on Morning Joe and other major NBC platforms, including his continued contributions to NBC News specials. However, the emotional significance of relinquishing the Sunday TODAY mantle, a show he built and anchored for many years, marks a shift toward a more focused schedule. Colleagues and longtime fans alike are sending their best wishes as one of the network’s most recognizable faces prepares to step into this new, adjusted phase of his enduring career.
