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Savannah Guthrie co-hosts ‘Today’ in Curry’s absence

Posted at 11:55 AM, Jun 29, 2012
and last updated 2012-06-29 12:37:25-04

By Tomika Anderson, Special to CNN

(CNN) - While it's not yet clear who will officially take over Ann Curry's co-hosting duties on "Today," now that she has a new role with NBC News, Savannah Guthrie was the first to fill in for the departed co-host on Friday morning.

Guthrie's temporary - or soon-to-be permanent, if you're one of the many speculating - fill-in comes one day after a tearful Curry vacated her chair.

The morning show has experienced sinking ratings and ramped-up pressure to compete with ABC's "Good Morning America," reports the New York Daily News.

Guthrie and Matt Lauer tackled a wide slate of topics during the Friday broadcast, but not the Curry shake-up.

So far NBC has remained mum as well, not officially announcing a replacement for Curry, who will now be reporting for the network and contributing to several of its shows.

Meanwhile, some of her fans are upset over Curry's sudden departure after 15 years. The NYDN reports that online petitions have been launched to reinstate her, while others have taken to Twitter to express their dismay over how she was treated.

Many celebrities tweeted their encouragement to Curry on Thursday as she apologized to her supporters for not being able to "carry the ball over the finish line."

"Sending love to @AnnCurry on her last day at The Today Show. It's been a great 15 years," Ellen DeGeneres posted. "I can't wait to see the great things you do next."

Added fashion and media personality Nina Garcia, "Have to say that @AnnCurry is a ‪#classact‬. Can't wait to see what she does next."

"So sorry to see you go, @AnnCurry, we will all miss you," Bravo's "Millionaire Matchmaker," Patti Stanger, tweeted Friday. "Every time I did the today show, I wished you'd be the one to interview me."

We do know a bit about what Curry will do next, as she explained in her farewell on Thursday that her new role will include working on stories from around the globe that will air on all NBC News platforms, including "Today."