Scarlett Johansson guns for permanent ‘Today With Jenna & Friends’ post on second day as guest host: ‘I love this job’

Is the hunt for Jenna Bush Hager’s new co-host already over? Scarlett Johansson seems to hope so.

The actress is killing it as a co-host on Today with Jenna and friends this week. Johansson returned to the daily broadcast on Wednesday in good spirits, announcing that she had “the best time” on her first day as the morning talk show host on Tuesday (January 21).

“I went to bed last night and I was buzzing,” she told Bush Hager. “I was so excited, I like to prepare everything for today… I love this job!”

Bush Hager said she was “delighted” to have Johansson on the show. She spent most of the broadcast gushing over her new co-host, especially when they brought back some of the most popular segments that Bush Hager used to do with Hoda Kotb when she was still on the show.

At one point in the episode, Bush Hager even announced that they should just change the show’s name to Today with Jenna and Scarlett.

“Now that you’re a morning TV host, I mean, Jenna and Scarlett sounds good. We can just change it,” she said.

“I agree, let’s make it happen!” Johansson replied giddily.

It’s only Johansson’s second day on the job, but it looks like she’s made a good impression on Bush Hager and NBC. At the end of Wednesday’s episode, Bush Hager announced that she needed a sharpie to scrape “& Friends” out of the show’s title.

Johansson will be a guest host for the rest of the week. In fact, Thursday’s broadcast will be a family affair as Johansson and Bush Hager will be joined on the show by both of their twin siblings. Today has yet to announce who will be the next guest host to join Bush Hager when Johansson leaves.

While it’s been fun to see Bush Hager co-host with the likes of Keke Palmer and Eva Longoria, Today host is still searching for a regular co-host to replace Kotb, her partner in crime, who recently retired from daytime television. But Johansson certainly brings a sunny attitude and quick wit that matches Bush Hager’s hosting style. Could she be the one?

It may come down to a matter of money. At one point in today’s show, Johansson’s husband, Saturday Night Live cast member Colin Jost, joined the duo for a playful debate in which Bush Hager had to rule in favor of Jost. “Scarlett, please do the show with me if we can raise a lot of money,” she pleaded with Johansson after choosing her husband over her.

Today with Jenna and Scarlett definitely has a nice ring to it. Fingers crossed for Bush Hager!

Today with Jenna & Friends sent on weekdays at 10/9c on NBC.