The search continues for a new face to join Jenna Bush Hager on the fourth hour of NBC’s TODAY, but according to longtime TODAY personality Carson Daly, fans shouldn’t expect one particular A-list actress to land the job — no matter how much viewers may love her.

Since Hoda Kotb stepped away from her hosting duties earlier this year, Bush Hager has welcomed an ever-changing lineup of celebrity co-hosts on Today With Jenna & Friends. The rotation has given fans a fresh perspective each morning as famous figures bring their own energy to the beloved hour. But many are wondering if the show is anywhere closer to naming a permanent partner.

Daly, who has been part of the TODAY family for years, offered his own insight during a recent interview with Us Weekly. When asked whether NBC is nearing a final decision on who will replace Kotb full-time, he admitted, “I ask all the time. I think they want to keep this rotating thing going.”

Throughout the past months, Bush Hager has been joined by a range of stars from across entertainment and sports. Scarlett Johansson, Dwyane Wade, Erin Andrews, Taraji P. Henson, Keke Palmer and Amy Poehler have all stepped into the co-host seat, delighting viewers with lighthearted banter and personal stories. Each guest brought something a little different — and Daly says he’s enjoyed seeing the mix.

“I’ve loved a lot of the cohosts,” he said. “I loved Dwyane Wade. I thought he was awesome. Every time Erin Andrews is on, I’m like, ‘She’s amazing.’”

But while Scarlett Johansson became a fan favorite during her turn on the show, Daly was quick to shut down the idea that she could commit to the morning-show lifestyle. As he jokingly explained, even though she fits perfectly with the TODAY team, she’s simply too in-demand.

Johansson — currently starring in Jurassic World Rebirth and a headliner of the Marvel Cinematic Universe thanks to her blockbuster role as Black Widow — is far from affordable for daytime TV, Daly suggested.

“She happens to be Hollywood’s most expensive actor,” he revealed. “We can’t afford her, but she loves doing it.”

It was reported earlier this year that Johansson is, in fact, the highest-grossing film actor of all time, with her Marvel tenure making her one of the most recognizable stars in the world. While she has enjoyed her visits to Studio 1A, her schedule and earnings place her far outside the typical budget for a morning-show co-host.

With the continued rotation of personalities, some viewers have become fond of the unpredictable nature of Bush Hager’s hour. Daly admitted he sees the appeal as well: “It keeps things fresh,” he said when asked whether he would keep the format as-is.

The show’s shifting lineup began in January after Kotb decided to step back from her role. Her departure marked the end of a 17-year run on TODAY, during which she became a central part of the morning show’s chemistry and drew a devoted audience. Following her exit, Craig Melvin was tapped to take over as Savannah Guthrie’s news co-anchor — a change that also shook up the TODAY structure.

Even though Bush Hager has handled the transition with humor and warmth, she has said publicly that she hopes the fourth hour will eventually return to a permanent two-host structure. Speaking to People magazine in June, she reiterated that the TODAY cast is like a family, and settling the seat beside her is something she expects will happen when the timing is right.

“We definitely want somebody permanent at some point just because that’s our show, and I think the TODAY show is such a family,” she explained. “So to have somebody sit in that seat means a lot to all of us. So it will happen. I think we’ve all just been kind of living day by day, and we don’t have any developments yet, but we will.”

The transition has also been emotional for Kotb, who publicly praised Bush Hager when she confirmed her departure in fall 2024. In a heartfelt tribute, she expressed complete confidence that her former co-host would shine with whoever joins her.

“Whoever sits in this seat is going to have the easiest job in the world ‘cause they’re sitting next to you,” Kotb told Bush Hager during her final show. “The only thing they have to do is not laugh so hard they pee their pants. That’s it. They just have to hang on. You are this bright light, you always have been, and it’s your turn.”

For now, the mystery continues — and so does the parade of celebrity guests. Some fans enjoy the unpredictability of each week’s pairing, while others are hoping a standout will soon emerge as the permanent co-host. In the meantime, Daly appears comfortable with the excitement the rotating cast brings.

Although one of Hollywood’s biggest stars may officially be out of the running, the fourth hour of TODAY has no shortage of strong contenders — and viewers tuning in each morning are eager to see who might join Bush Hager next.