It was 2017, and if you were a fan of morning television, the vibe was shifting. Tamron Hall wasn't just another face on the screen; she was the first Black woman to co-anchor the NBC Today show, specifically the third hour known as Today’s Take. She had this effortless chemistry with Al Roker. They were winning. The ratings were up. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, the floor dropped out.
People still talk about it like it was a sudden breakup that no one saw coming. Honestly, it kind of was. One day she’s being congratulated by executives for hitting number one in the time slot, and the next, she’s hearing that her hour is being handed over to Megyn Kelly, the high-profile Fox News transplant.
The Breakup That Shook Morning TV
The story of NBC Today Tamron Hall is basically a masterclass in knowing your worth. When NBC signed Kelly to a massive, multi-million dollar deal (rumors put it at $69 million), they needed a place to put her. They chose 9 a.m. That was Tamron’s territory.
Now, NBC didn’t just kick her to the curb. They actually offered her a mountain of money to stay. We’re talking a multi-million dollar, multi-year contract to continue on MSNBC and do other things for the network. But for Tamron, it wasn't about the check. It was about the respect. Losing that specific anchor chair felt like a demotion, and she wasn’t interested in "sitting on the sidelines," as her friend Mara Brock Akil later put it.
She walked away. No on-air goodbye. No tearful montage. She just finished her contract and vanished from the network after ten years. It was a bold move that had everyone—from the National Association of Black Journalists to the "TamFam" fans—accusing the network of "whitewashing."
💡 You might also like: Are You Lost in the World Like Me: Why Moby’s Dark Masterpiece Hits Harder Today
The Megyn Kelly Experiment vs. The Tamron Legacy
In hindsight, the move was a disaster for the network. While Tamron’s version of the third hour was light, journalistic, and relatable, Megyn Kelly Today struggled to find its footing. It felt stiff. Then came the infamous blackface comments during a Halloween segment in 2018, and just like that, Kelly’s show was cancelled.
Tamron, meanwhile, was playing the long game. She didn't jump into the first job that came her way. She took a beat. She got married to Steven Greener, had her son Moses at 48, and basically rebuilt her life on her own terms.
Wait, was she bitter?
In interviews years later, she admitted the exit was "painful but survivable." She famously told a crowd at the Vulture Festival that she knew she was making the right choice because she knew her value, even if the executives at the time didn't.
💡 You might also like: The Brutal Honesty in lyrics my alcoholic friends: Why This Song Hits So Hard
Why the "Today" Era Still Matters
If you look at the trajectory of daytime TV today, Tamron’s fingerprints are all over it. Her time at NBC Today proved that audiences wanted someone who could pivot from a hard news story about domestic violence (a cause close to her heart due to the tragic murder of her sister, Renate) to a segment on the latest fashion trends without losing a shred of credibility.
She brought a specific energy that NBC has struggled to replicate in that 9 a.m. hour. It was "must-watch" TV because it felt like hanging out with a friend who also happened to be a world-class journalist.
Where is she now? (Hint: She’s winning)
Fast forward to 2026, and the "betting on yourself" strategy has paid off big time. Her syndicated talk show, Tamron Hall, is currently in its seventh season. She’s not just a host; she’s an Executive Producer. She’s won multiple Daytime Emmys for Outstanding Informative Talk Show Host.
✨ Don't miss: Why the Green Goblin in Spidey and His Amazing Friends is Actually a Great Villain
She’s also become a powerhouse in the literary world:
- As The Wicked Watch: Her debut crime novel.
- Watch Where They Hide: The follow-up in her Jordan Manning series.
- Harlem Honey: Her 2025 children’s book that hit the NYT Bestseller list instantly.
- A Confident Cook: A cookbook inspired by her late father.
Lessons from the NBC Exit
The saga of NBC Today Tamron Hall isn't just about a TV show. It's about a career pivot that actually worked. Most people are terrified to walk away from a "dream job," especially when there isn't another one lined up.
Here is what we can actually learn from her move:
- Don't settle for "less than." If a promotion or a lateral move feels like a slap in the face, it probably is.
- The audience follows the person, not the platform. People didn't watch the third hour for the peacock logo; they watched for Tamron.
- Silence is a power move. By not trashing NBC on her way out, she kept her professional reputation spotless, making it easier for Disney to back her solo venture later.
- Diversify your talent. She’s a journalist, an author, a mother, and a cook. When you aren't just one thing, you're harder to replace.
If you’re looking to catch up with her today, her show is cleared in almost every major market. It’s a mix of "human interest" stories and hard-hitting interviews that remind you exactly why she was the first choice for that anchor chair all those years ago.
Next Steps for You
If you want to see the "new" Tamron, check your local listings for the Tamron Hall Show. You can also dive into her Jordan Manning mystery novels if you miss her investigative reporting style; they’re heavily inspired by her real-life experience as a reporter in Chicago and Texas.