A chilling scenario is playing out on our TV screens, and it's leaving a bad taste in many viewers' mouths.
The headline from Variety on Wednesday was straightforward, yet it sent shivers down my spine. "'Today' Viewership Surges 23% as Savannah Guthrie's Missing Mom, Winter Olympics Drive Interest." A simple statement, but it raises so many questions and concerns.
According to the article (https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/today-viewership-savannah-guthrie-nancy-kidnapping-1236659585/), this surge equates to an additional 624,000 viewers compared to the same week last year. That's a significant jump, and it's all thanks to the unfortunate circumstances surrounding Savannah Guthrie's personal life and the ongoing Winter Olympics coverage.
Variety's data shows that during the first week of February, an average of 3.32 million people tuned into 'Today' each morning, compared to 2.91 million for 'Good Morning America' on ABC.
But here's where it gets controversial: Should we celebrate these ratings, or should we be questioning the ethics of exploiting personal tragedies for viewership?
And this is the part most people miss: It's not just about the numbers. It's about the impact on the individuals involved. Savannah Guthrie's personal life is being turned into a public spectacle, and that's a fine line to tread.
So, what do you think? Is this a necessary evil in the world of television, or is it a step too far? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. Let's discuss!
