Today show costumes 2026 brought a fresh round of celebrity transformations to American morning television as NBC celebrated its 100th anniversary with a Halloween special on Friday, October 30. Savannah Guthrie, Jenna Bush Hager, Al Roker, Craig Melvin and their co-hosts honored memorable television characters, entertainers and cultural icons through elaborate outfits, comedy sketches and live performances. The celebration also recognized the TODAY show’s 75th anniversary, giving this year’s Halloween broadcast a strong connection to the network’s history.
The special featured several recognizable transformations. Guthrie became Rachel Green from Friends, while Bush Hager portrayed Phoebe Buffay and performed the character’s famous song, “Smelly Cat.” Roker brought back the comedy associated with Gumby from Saturday Night Live, and Willie Geist paid tribute to Johnny Carson through his Carnac the Magnificent character.
Other appearances added music, sports and live dance to the program. Melvin dressed as Snoop Dogg, Dylan Dreyer recreated Jeannie from I Dream of Jeannie, and Laura Jarrett honored Olympic gymnast Simone Biles. Carson Daly channeled country singer Ella Langley, while Sheinelle Jones joined the Radio City Rockettes for a special performance.
Together, these costumes created a celebration that reached beyond traditional Halloween dressing. The hosts used familiar characters and personalities to revisit different periods of entertainment while giving viewers an opportunity to see their favorite morning-show personalities in unexpected roles.
NBC’s Centennial Shapes the 2026 Halloween Special
NBC’s 100th anniversary served as the organizing theme for the 2026 Halloween celebration. The production explored the network’s entertainment legacy through references to sitcoms, sketch comedy, late-night television, music and sports.
The broadcast opened with a black-and-white recreation inspired by NBC’s early broadcasting era. Guthrie appeared as an NBC page before guiding viewers through 30 Rockefeller Plaza, connecting the celebration with the network’s longtime home in New York City.
The concept allowed the hosts to represent different chapters of television history. Some selected characters from classic sitcoms, while others paid tribute to performers whose work helped shape American entertainment.
The TODAY show’s 75th anniversary added another important milestone to the celebration. Since launching in 1952, the program has become one of the country’s most recognizable morning television shows.
Its annual Halloween special has developed into a signature entertainment event. Elaborate costumes, staged performances and humorous sketches give the broadcast a different atmosphere from its regular news and lifestyle programming.
The 2026 edition continued that tradition while connecting the hosts’ individual choices to a larger anniversary celebration.
Savannah Guthrie Recreates Rachel Green From Friends
Savannah Guthrie’s portrayal of Rachel Green was one of the most recognizable costumes in the 2026 lineup.
Rachel, played by Jennifer Aniston in Friends, became a defining character of 1990s television. Her fashion choices, hairstyle and relationships formed an important part of the sitcom’s appeal.
Guthrie recreated Rachel’s familiar look with a sleeveless denim top, an apron and a black miniskirt. She also debuted a layered hairstyle inspired by the character’s famous haircut.
The transformation went beyond the costume itself. Guthrie participated in a segment inspired by Central Perk, the New York coffee shop where the Friends characters frequently gathered.
Her choice suited the NBC anniversary theme because Friends remains one of the network’s most recognizable sitcoms. The series ran for 10 seasons, from 1994 to 2004, and its characters continue to attract audiences.
Guthrie connected with Rachel’s story as a young woman navigating work, friendships and life in New York. Those themes helped make the character relatable to viewers who followed the show during its original run.
The costume also created an opportunity for a joint appearance with Bush Hager, who selected another member of the same fictional friend group.
Jenna Bush Hager Brings Phoebe Buffay to Life
Jenna Bush Hager portrayed Phoebe Buffay, the unconventional musician played by Lisa Kudrow in Friends.
Phoebe’s offbeat humor, unusual observations and original songs helped establish her as one of the sitcom’s most distinctive characters. Her musical performances often became memorable comedy moments.
Bush Hager embraced the musical side of Phoebe’s personality by performing “Smelly Cat.” The song became one of the show’s best-known recurring jokes and remains closely associated with the character.
Her cat, Maisie, also appeared in a playful reference to the song, adding a personal touch to the performance.
The pairing of Bush Hager as Phoebe and Guthrie as Rachel created a recognizable connection between the two costumes. Rather than presenting separate disguises, the hosts brought elements of the sitcom’s world into the Halloween broadcast.
For longtime fans, the segment offered a nostalgic reminder of the show’s humor and its enduring place in popular culture. The familiar characters also made the performance accessible to viewers who have watched the series more recently.
The appearance demonstrated how the Halloween special uses character acting and music to make its costumes more engaging than simple outfit changes.
Al Roker Channels Gumby From Saturday Night Live
Al Roker chose a memorable sketch-comedy character for his Halloween appearance: Gumby, famously associated with Eddie Murphy’s performances on Saturday Night Live.
Murphy’s interpretation turned the green character into an exaggerated comic personality known for his attitude and insistence on his own stardom.
Roker’s costume brought a different era of NBC programming into the anniversary celebration. While Guthrie and Bush Hager represented sitcom history, Roker’s choice highlighted the network’s sketch-comedy tradition.
Saturday Night Live has been a major part of NBC’s entertainment identity since its debut in 1975. The series has introduced generations of performers and created characters that remain familiar to television audiences.
Gumby became particularly memorable through Murphy’s portrayal, which gave the character a distinctive personality beyond its original animated form.
Roker’s appearance used that recognition to bring comedy into the Halloween special. The costume also demonstrated the range of references available under the NBC anniversary theme.
Willie Geist Honors Johnny Carson’s Late-Night Legacy
Willie Geist paid tribute to Johnny Carson by recreating Carnac the Magnificent, one of the legendary television host’s best-known comedy characters.
Carson hosted The Tonight Show for nearly 30 years and helped define modern American late-night television. His monologues, interviews and recurring sketches influenced the format for decades.
Carnac the Magnificent appeared as a fortune-teller who delivered humorous answers to questions concealed in sealed envelopes. The routine relied on wordplay, timing and Carson’s theatrical delivery.
Geist selected the character rather than simply copying Carson’s usual talk-show appearance. That decision gave the costume a clear comedic identity and connected it with a specific part of late-night history.
The tribute also broadened the broadcast’s range. The Halloween special moved between sitcoms, sketch comedy, classic fantasy television and late-night entertainment, illustrating the diversity of NBC’s programming legacy.
Geist’s appearance brought a recognizable piece of television history into the celebration without taking attention away from the event’s playful atmosphere.
Dylan Dreyer Revisits I Dream of Jeannie
Dylan Dreyer transformed into Jeannie from the classic sitcom I Dream of Jeannie.
The series originally aired from 1965 to 1970 and starred Barbara Eden as a magical genie whose life becomes intertwined with that of an astronaut. Its fantasy premise and comedic misunderstandings helped make the program a recognizable part of television history.
Dreyer’s pink costume referenced Jeannie’s distinctive appearance. The selection offered a different visual style from the modern celebrity tributes and comedy characters featured elsewhere in the broadcast.
Jeannie remains familiar to viewers who enjoy classic television, making the character a natural fit for a celebration of NBC’s entertainment history.
The costume also added variety to the lineup. Instead of focusing exclusively on recent celebrities or contemporary sitcoms, the special reached back to an earlier era of television.
Dreyer’s appearance reinforced the anniversary theme by recognizing a character from the broader landscape of classic American entertainment.
Craig Melvin Pays Tribute to Snoop Dogg
Craig Melvin brought music and celebrity culture into the Halloween special by dressing as Snoop Dogg.
The rapper has built a career that extends beyond music into television, film appearances and major cultural events. His recognizable style and public personality have made him familiar to audiences across different entertainment genres.
Melvin’s costume incorporated a Team USA-inspired look, reflecting Snoop Dogg’s broader connection with sports and popular culture.
The segment also featured a surprise appearance by Martha Stewart. Their public partnership has become a recognizable part of modern entertainment, including television appearances and cooking collaborations.
Stewart’s appearance added another celebrity connection to the performance and complemented the broadcast’s emphasis on familiar personalities.
Melvin’s selection differed from the fictional television characters chosen by several of his colleagues. Instead, he portrayed a real entertainer whose influence spans music and television.
The costume helped broaden the celebration beyond traditional sitcom and sketch-comedy references while maintaining its focus on recognizable figures.
Sheinelle Jones Joins the Radio City Rockettes
Sheinelle Jones delivered one of the broadcast’s most performance-focused moments by appearing as a Radio City Rockette.
Her sparkling red, green and silver costume reflected the dance troupe’s distinctive stage style. Jones joined the professional dancers on Rockefeller Plaza for a routine that included a coordinated kickline.
The performance featured a festive rendition of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” bringing a holiday-inspired element into the Halloween broadcast.
Jones did more than wear a costume. She participated in the choreography alongside experienced dancers known for synchronized movement and precise high kicks.
The Rockettes have a longstanding association with Radio City Music Hall and New York City’s holiday entertainment season. Their appearance therefore connected the special with one of Rockefeller Center’s most recognizable performance traditions.
Jones’s participation added a different kind of entertainment to the program. While some hosts relied on impersonation and character acting, she demonstrated the physical preparation required for a coordinated dance routine.
Her segment helped make the Halloween special a mix of costumes, comedy and live performance.
Carson Daly Channels Country Singer Ella Langley
Carson Daly selected a contemporary music reference by channeling country singer Ella Langley.
Daly wore a red, cowboy-inspired outfit based on Langley’s recognizable style. His segment also featured a performance of her song “Choosin’ Texas.”
The choice introduced a modern country music connection into a broadcast filled with references to classic television and entertainment history.
Langley has attracted attention in country music, making her a recognizable figure for audiences who follow the genre. Daly’s background in music programming also made the tribute a natural fit.
His appearance demonstrated that the anniversary theme did not require every host to portray an older television character. Contemporary artists could also represent the wider entertainment culture familiar to American audiences.
The performance added musical variety to a program that already included Phoebe Buffay’s song and the Rockettes’ dance routine.
Laura Jarrett Celebrates Simone Biles
Laura Jarrett represented American sports by portraying Olympic gymnast Simone Biles.
Biles has achieved international recognition for her performances in artistic gymnastics and her success at the Olympic Games. She is widely regarded as one of the leading athletes in the sport.
Jarrett’s costume referenced Biles’s gymnastics career and her association with Team USA.
The selection expanded the special beyond television characters and musicians. It recognized an athlete whose achievements have made her a familiar public figure through sports coverage and international competition.
Including Biles also demonstrated the flexibility of the anniversary theme. The broadcast could celebrate personalities from different areas of public life while maintaining a connection to entertainment and popular culture.
Jarrett’s appearance offered a sports-focused contrast to the sitcom costumes, creating a more varied lineup.
Jack McBrayer Returns as Kenneth From 30 Rock
Actor Jack McBrayer appeared as Kenneth Parcell, the enthusiastic NBC page he portrayed in the comedy series 30 Rock.
The sitcom focused on the fictional behind-the-scenes world of a television program and frequently made jokes about NBC and the entertainment industry.
McBrayer’s appearance connected that fictional world with the real setting of Rockefeller Plaza. During the segment, he presented Guthrie with an NBC page pin, bringing her network-themed tour to a fitting conclusion.
The 30 Rock reference was particularly appropriate for a celebration of NBC’s history. The series made the network’s culture part of its comedy and remains recognizable among fans of workplace sitcoms.
McBrayer’s return as Kenneth also created a bridge between the broadcast’s opening and closing moments.
The appearance reinforced the special’s central idea: NBC’s history can be revisited through characters and programs that audiences remember.
Why the TODAY Show Halloween Special Remains Popular
The annual Halloween broadcast has become one of the TODAY show’s signature entertainment traditions. Its appeal comes from the combination of recognizable costumes, group themes, comedy and live performances.
The show’s elaborate approach developed during the 1990s, when the hosts increasingly began dressing as famous characters and performers. Over time, the event grew into a production featuring musical numbers, choreography and themed sketches.
Several elements contribute to its continued popularity:
- Recognizable characters: Familiar television roles allow viewers to identify the inspiration behind each costume.
- Group themes: Related costumes create connections between hosts and help the broadcast feel like a unified production.
- Nostalgia: Classic sitcoms and legendary entertainers appeal to viewers across generations.
- Contemporary references: Modern musicians and public figures keep the celebration connected to current popular culture.
- Live performances: Singing, dancing and comedy add energy beyond the costumes themselves.
The production also requires extensive planning. Producers and hosts coordinate costume ideas, clothing, hair, makeup, music and rehearsals well before the broadcast.
That preparation allows the special to move between different entertainment styles while maintaining a consistent theme. The 2026 edition used NBC’s anniversary as the foundation for its collection of performances and transformations.
How to Find the TODAY Show Costumes After the Broadcast
Viewers who missed the live Halloween special can look for available highlights, photographs and individual performances through the show’s official digital platforms.
Searching by host name and character can make it easier to locate a specific moment. Those interested in the Friends tribute can search for Guthrie as Rachel Green and Bush Hager as Phoebe Buffay.
Other useful searches include Roker as Gumby, Geist as Carnac the Magnificent and Jones performing with the Rockettes.
Some segments may be available as separate clips rather than a single complete recording. Availability can vary by platform, so viewers should check official video listings for the content they want to revisit.
The individual highlights offer different reasons to watch again, from classic television nostalgia to music performances and celebrity impersonations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the theme of the TODAY Show costumes in 2026?
The Halloween special celebrated NBC’s 100th anniversary and the TODAY show’s 75th anniversary. Hosts portrayed recognizable television characters, entertainers and public figures.
When did the TODAY Show Halloween special air in 2026?
The special aired on Friday, October 30, 2026, ahead of Halloween Day on October 31.
Who did Savannah Guthrie portray?
Savannah Guthrie dressed as Rachel Green from Friends, including a look inspired by the character’s familiar style.
Who was Jenna Bush Hager for Halloween 2026?
Jenna Bush Hager portrayed Phoebe Buffay from Friends and performed the character’s recognizable song, “Smelly Cat.”
What was Al Roker’s costume?
Al Roker dressed as Gumby, the character associated with Eddie Murphy’s memorable Saturday Night Live performances.
Who did Willie Geist dress up as?
Willie Geist portrayed Johnny Carson’s Carnac the Magnificent, a famous comedy character from The Tonight Show.
What character did Dylan Dreyer choose?
Dylan Dreyer dressed as Jeannie from I Dream of Jeannie, the classic sitcom starring Barbara Eden.
Did Craig Melvin dress as a musician?
Yes. Craig Melvin portrayed Snoop Dogg in a music-inspired costume. Martha Stewart also appeared during the segment.
Did Sheinelle Jones perform with the Rockettes?
Yes. Jones dressed as a Radio City Rockette and joined the dance troupe for a choreographed performance on Rockefeller Plaza.
Who did Carson Daly portray?
Carson Daly channeled country singer Ella Langley and performed “Choosin’ Texas.”
Which athlete was represented in the 2026 special?
Laura Jarrett portrayed Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, bringing a sports tribute into the celebration.
Where can viewers find the 2026 Halloween highlights?
Viewers can look for available costume photographs and performance clips on the TODAY show’s official digital platforms and video channels.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 Halloween special combined familiar television characters, celebrated entertainers, contemporary music and live dance in a tribute to NBC’s history. From Guthrie and Bush Hager’s Friends costumes to Roker’s Gumby appearance and Jones’s Rockettes performance, each segment brought a different kind of entertainment to the broadcast.
The anniversary theme gave the costumes a shared purpose while allowing every host to bring an individual personality to the celebration.
Which costume stood out most to you this year? Share your favorite moment in the comments and keep following the latest updates on the TODAY show’s Halloween celebrations.