Hollywood Week: Savannah Guthrie’s Mom Abducted, Disney Names New CEO, Spielberg Achieves EGOT, Superbowl

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Category: Entertainment News

Published on Saturday, 07 February 2026 10:59

Written by Janet Walker

It is now day six in the abduction of the "Today" show host Savannah Guthrie's mother, Nancy, who was taken against her will from her Tucson, Arizona home in the early morning hours of Sunday, February 1, 2026.  

NBC Host Savannah Guthrie's Mom Abducted

NBC "Today" show host Savannah Guthrie's mother, Nancy Guthrie, 84, has been the subject of a massive manhunt, as local, state and federal officials are attempting to secure her safe return, in what is a suspected kidnapping and ransom scheme.

Although limited contact has been made with officials, and some days have passed since the original ransom note arrived to local television news stations, that indicated the octogenarian is "safe but scared." A second note dated February 6, 2026 has allegedly been received Tucson TV13.

The mother of three, Savannah, Annie, and Camron, was originally reported missing, on Sunday, February 2, 2026, after worried friends telephoned family after she failed to show up for Sunday church service, which was part of her routine behavior. When her two local children arrived for a wellness check, the scene in the home alarmed them, and the local police were called.

Authorities quickly assessed Mrs. Guthrie was taken against her will. A doorbell camera had been removed, at approximately 1:45 AM, and blood stains on the entry way have been typed and match the elder Guthrie. Her car, cell phone, and Apple watch remained at the home.

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Nancy Guthrie was last seen Saturday, January 31, 2026, by her daughter, Annie, and her son-in-law, Tommasco Cioni, who brought her home after spending the evening together.

Mrs. Guthrie has no cognitive issues, although does suffer from mobility issues and is taking daily medication that is vital to her health and could be fatal if missed. Her pacemaker stopped alerts to her cellphone at around 2:30 AM, February 2, as she was out of cellphone range.

Tucson KOLD News 13 provided a timeline of key developments, "Around 11:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 6, 13 News received a message from people claiming to be the kidnappers. We immediately turned the letter over to law enforcement. We are not sharing the contents of the letter out of respect for the family. Around 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, 13 News was at Nancy Guthrie's home when they towed a blue SUV from the driveway. Around 10 p.m., Friday, Feb. 6, 13 News was at the home of Nancy Guthrie's daughter and son-in-law, and at least three deputies were there."

Journalist Ashleigh Banfield indicated Annie Guthrie's husband, Tommasco Cioni, is a suspect in his mother-in-law's disappearance. The Guthrie family has publicly stated they are debating legal action against the wartime correspondent. Pima County Arizona Sheriff has slammed the journalist for her reckless reporting.

No suspects have been identified. A tip line has been established. If you have seen Nancy Guthrie or have any information telephone 520-351-4900.

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Disney Names New CEO

The wait is over. The Walt Disney Company named Parks Chief Josh D'Amaro to succeed outgoing CEO Bob Iger. While Elvis has not yet left the building, Iger has announced his intent to step back from his contractual obligations earlier than year's end.

The decision to promote D'Amaro, whose Parks and Experiences division had continually performed above expectations, has been questioned by outsider Nelson Peltz, who fought unsuccessfully to gain two seats on the Walt Disney Board.

Peltz, the co-founder and CEO of Trian Fund Management, explained in a recent Wall Street Journal article, "Iger needs a reason to stay on," Peltz said. "And if he put the person in charge of entertainment as the CEO, he wouldn't have an excuse to stay on."

With that Dana Walden, who had also emerged as a front runner for the CEO position, and who has spent the majority of her career in the film sector, was promoted to President and Chief Creative Officer reporting directly to D'Amaro.

The two other internal candidates that had once been considered, Alan Bergman, Disney Entertainment Co-Chair, and had shared the title with Walden, will now be her direct report. It has not been announced if Bergman will once again split the Entertainment division or will be promoted to head the division alone. ESPN's Jimmy Pitaro, who had also interviewed, will now report to D'Amaro.

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Spielberg Achieves EGOT

Director Steven Spielberg achieved EGOT status this week with his win at the 2026 Grammy Awards for producing Music of John Williams, which entered the awards ceremony in the Best Film Music category.

Spielberg, who joins only 21 other artists in the history of awards show to achieve the EGOT level, meaning earning an Oscar, for achievement in film, a Tony, the top award in theater, an Emmy, for television excellence, and a Grammy. He has three Oscars, a Tony, and four Emmys.

Spielberg joins Rita Moreno, Audrey Hepburn, Mel Brooks, Elton John, Whoopi Goldberg, John Legend, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Jennifer Hudson, Viola Davis, composers Richard Rodgers and Alan Menken, and Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, in this elite artist category.

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Superbowl LX

Superbowl LX, a battle between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots in the year's biggest game of the season, will take place at Santa Clara Stadium, home of the San Francisco 49s in a match up the is expected to be a high scoring, scrappy, rumble for the Vince Lombardi trophy.

Football fans can expect warm, pleasant, and mostly sunny conditions. Highs will reach the mid-to-upper 60s°F, with light winds, and minimal to no chance of rain, ideal for an outdoor game. Although reports of earthquake activity this week caused a few concerns.

Grammy winner Bad Bunny will headline the National Football League Apple Music Halftime Show. Other performers slated to appear at  Super Bowl LX in 2026,  Green Day, Charlie Puth, Brandi Carlile, and Coco Jones performing during the pre-game opening ceremonies, featuring songs like the National Anthem and "America the Beautiful."

On the other side of the aisle, Turning Point USA is hosting "The All-American Halftime Show" as a conservative alternative to the official Super Bowl LX halftime show, featuring Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett. Airing opposite Bad Bunny's performance, it focuses on themes of faith, family, and freedom. 

The Superbowl will air live on NBC at 6:30 EST/3:30 PM PST and its affiliates can be streamed on Peacock.

Janet Walker is the publisher, founder, and sole owner of Haute-Lifestyle.com. A graduate of New York University, she has been covering international news through the Beltway Insider, a weekly review of the nation's top stories, for more than a decade.  A general beat writer/reporter and entertainment/film critic, she is also an accomplished news/investigative news/crime reporter and submitted for Pulitzer Prize consideration "Cops Conspire to Deep Six Sex Assaults" in the Breaking News Category and was persuaded to withdraw the submission. Ms. Walker has completed five award-winning screenplays "The Six Sides of Truth," "The Assassins of Fifth Avenue," "The Wednesday Killer," "The Manhattan Project," and the sci-fi thriller "Project 13: The Last Day." She has also published "Unholy Alliances: A True Crime Story," a non-fiction narrative, "Days, Times, Seasons, and Events: A Collection of Poetry & Prose," and "Songs of Freedom: A Collection of Biblical Teachings," which can be purchased here. She is a member of the Authors Guild, the Los Angeles Press Club, the National Writers Union, and a member of the International Federation of Journalists.