Valentine’s Day is typically a time for love, romance, and grand gestures,
and Today show hosts Savannah Guthrie and Jenna Bush Hager certainly aimed to deliver on that sentiment.
However, their well-intentioned surprise proposal for a guest didn’t land quite as they had hoped with viewers at home.
While the studio moment was meant to be heartwarming, many fans watching from their screens found the entire exchange to be unexpectedly awkward.
A Valentine’s Day Surprise on Today
To mark the occasion of Valentine’s Day, Guthrie and Bush Hager welcomed a special guest, Anna, to the show.
Anna was there to discuss her long-distance relationship with her boyfriend, Austin, who had been stationed overseas in the military. The couple had endured 18 months apart, making their love story one of patience and devotion.
Austin, initially appearing via video call, seemed to be joining remotely to speak about their relationship. However, in a dramatic twist, he made a surprise in-person entrance into the studio. As he walked toward Anna, he got down on one knee and proposed.
The moment was clearly emotional for the Today hosts, with Savannah and Jenna visibly moved as Anna responded with a “yes.” The proposal was meant to be a touching reunion and a celebration of love against the odds, but some viewers watching from home had a very different reaction.
Fans React: “Why Was This So Awkward?”
Despite the intention to create a heartwarming television moment, viewers weren’t entirely sold on the surprise proposal. After Today shared the clip of the engagement on Instagram, reactions poured in from fans who felt the exchange didn’t quite live up to the romantic buildup.
“Like, was this awkward for anyone else?” one viewer commented.
Another questioned Anna’s initial reaction, saying, “Am I the only one that thinks this was a little awkward? It didn’t seem like she was excited to see him. I would have jumped up and hugged him immediately!”
A third unimpressed fan bluntly described the moment as “anti-climactic,” while another echoed the sentiment, saying, “Why was this so awkward to watch?”
Some viewers even focused on Anna’s body language during the moment, with one remarking, “She hasn’t seen him in 18 months and the first thing she does is stick out her hand for the ring? Weird.”
Many also pointed out that Savannah and Jenna seemed to have been more emotionally invested in the moment than Anna herself, with one person commenting, “I watched this while it aired and I don’t know… it lacked emotion. I think Savannah had teary eyes and felt it more.”
Jenna Bush Hager’s History of Playing Matchmaker
While this particular surprise may not have been a hit with Today viewers, Jenna Bush Hager has been known for her enthusiasm when it comes to love stories. She recently took it upon herself to play matchmaker for Saturday Night Live star Ego Nwodim during a segment of Today with Jenna & Friends.
During the episode, Jenna promised Ego that she would find her a suitable date, encouraging the audience to submit potential matches. “Okay, I hope it happens,” Ego responded excitedly. “Off camera, you’re gonna find someone for me?”
Jenna confidently reassured her, saying, “I’m gonna find someone for you. And you guys, viewers, if you have somebody, send it in!” She even promised to personally vet the potential suitors before introducing them to Ego.
A Valentine’s Day Surprise Gone Wrong?
While public proposals and romantic surprises often go viral for their touching moments, they can also backfire if they feel staged or fail to capture genuine emotion. In the case of Anna and Austin’s engagement, it seems that what was meant to be a beautiful reunion didn’t resonate with all viewers in the way the Today hosts had hoped.
Though the couple may cherish the moment for the rest of their lives, the internet had its own opinions on whether it truly delivered the romantic impact it was meant to.
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