Mariska Hargitay Makes a Bold Offer After Hoda Kotb Announces 'Today' Exit

Mariska Hargitay has a great idea for Today after Hoda Kotb leaves the show, proposing that she takes the longtime host's place as a new anchor.

Hargitay appeared on the morning show on Oct. 1 to talk about her long-running TV series, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, which returns with Season 26 on Oct. 3.

While there, she touched on how emotional she got when Kotb announced that she was leaving Today after working with NBC News for 26 years, saying, "When you made your decision, I said, ‘Yes!’ I said, ‘Yes!’ And my gosh, I grieve for all of us in this country who’s gonna miss you."

But she pitched an exciting replacement for Kotb: herself. "[I’m] happy to step in any time," Hargitay told Kotb and Savannah Guthrie, with the latter replying, "We might have to call you up."

Related: Dylan Dreyer Makes Bold Prediction About Future of 'Today' Amid Hoda Kotb Departure News

Hargitay showered Kotb with praise during the interview, telling her, "I love you so much, and I’m so proud and inspired by you and was excited to see you today. And I’m so grateful to be able to say that because we’re 26 years together, baby. And we’re 60 years together, baby.”

The two women shared the sweet moment on Today not long after Kotb shocked the nation by announcing that she would be leaving the show early next year.

On Sept. 26, Kotb said on Today, "I realized that it was time for me to turn the page at 60, and to try something new."

In an emotional letter that addressed all her co-hosts and more, she revealed that she will still be working with the network in some capacity, though she didn't share any details, writing, "Happily and gratefully, I plan to remain a part of the NBC family, the longest work relationship I’ve been lucky enough to hold close to my heart."

Kotb noted that she wants to devote more time to her kids, Haley and Hope, whom she shares with ex, Joel Schiffman.

Next: Al Roker Makes Bold Statement About Hoda Kotb's Exit From Today