Savannah Guthrie Recalls Her Biggest 'Today' Show Interview Regret

Longtime 'Today' host Savannah Guthrie recently got real about a 2012 interview with Khloe Kardashian that still makes her cringe, involving a very personal and "dishy" question.

TL;DR

• Savannah Guthrie shared her biggest on-air regret during a recent 'Today' show segment with Andy Cohen.
• The moment involved a "dishy" question about Khloe Kardashian's paternity, asked just seconds before a commercial break in 2012.
• Guthrie admitted to feeling immense pressure from producers but praised Khloe for handling the awkward situation with "class" and humor.

When Keeping Up With The Kardashians Got A Little Too Real On Live TV

We've all had those moments we wish we could rewind and redo, right? Well, it turns out even seasoned TV anchors like Savannah Guthrie have them, and she just spilled the beans on her absolute biggest on-air blooper. During a recent Monday (October 20, 2025) episode of the 'Today' show, while chatting with the one and only Andy Cohen, the 53-year-old co-host opened up about a particularly uncomfortable interview from back in 2012.

The subject? None other than reality TV icon Khloe Kardashian. Savannah confessed that she's still "completely mortified" about a question she felt pressured to ask Khloe that day. And trust us, it was a doozy.

The Awkward Question That Still Haunts Savannah Guthrie

Imagine being on live television, relatively new to your big gig, and feeling the weight of producer expectations. That's exactly where Savannah Guthrie was in 2012, just a year after joining the 'Today' show. She revealed to Andy Cohen and her co-hosts that the pressure was on to ask a "dishy question" to her guest, Khloe Kardashian, about the swirling rumors surrounding her paternity. But here's the kicker: Savannah really didn't want to ask it.

In what she describes as a "clunky attempt," Guthrie waited until the absolute last second – literally 10 seconds before a commercial break – to spring the question. She recounted asking, "And Khloe, like, what about this rumor that Robert Kardashian's not really your father?"

Oof. Andy Cohen's immediate reaction summed it up perfectly: "Oh, that was so bad." Savannah echoed the sentiment, admitting, "I was so embarrassed because I felt like all this pressure. I had just started and I felt like the producers wanted me to ask this dishy question, but I didn't want to."

"I was so embarrassed because I felt like all this pressure, I'd just started and I felt like the producers wanted me to ask this dishy question, but I didn't want to."

— Savannah Guthrie on her Khloe Kardashian interview

Khloe Kardashian's Class Act Response Under Pressure

Despite the incredibly awkward timing and deeply personal nature of the question, Khloe Kardashian, then 41 (in 2025, when Guthrie recalled the event), handled it like a pro. Savannah praised her, saying, "And she was such a class act. She was like, 'Ah, nothing to it.' We made the break. I asked the question, Khloe was a total class act."

Khloe even managed to inject some humor into the situation, reportedly joking during that 2012 interview, "I don't know who my daddy is," before the segment cut to break. Savannah later recalled that Khloe's cool demeanor "saved my butt." It's a testament to Khloe's composure that she could defuse such a tense moment with grace and a laugh.

Diving Into The Long-Standing Paternity Rumors

For those who might not recall the specifics, the rumors about Khloe Kardashian's biological father have been a topic of public discussion for years, long before this infamous 2012 interview. Speculation suggested that the late Robert Kardashian Sr., famous for being O.J. Simpson's defense attorney, might not be Khloe's biological dad. These rumors were fueled by a few factors:

• Physical Differences: Some noticed Khloe's physical appearance differed slightly from her sisters, Kim and Kourtney, and brother, Rob.
• Kris Jenner's Affair: Khloe's mother, Kris Jenner, publicly admitted to having an affair during her marriage to Robert Kardashian Sr. This admission, while unrelated to Khloe's paternity, added fuel to the gossip mill.
• Family Members' Claims: In early 2012, shortly before Khloe's 'Today' interview, Star magazine quoted Robert Kardashian Sr.'s second ex-wife, Jan Ashley, who claimed Robert had told her, "Khloe's not really a Kardashian." His third wife, Ellen Pearson Kardashian, reportedly echoed similar sentiments, stating Robert "did question the fact that Khloe was his."

However, Robert Kardashian Sr. himself had legally declared in a 1999 petition to annul his marriage to Jan Ashley that he had "four biological children." Khloe, for her part, has consistently dismissed the rumors, famously tweeting in 2012, "The audacity you have to mention my father's name like this! Should be ashamed of urself! I let a lot of things slide but this one is really low... YOU ARE DISGUSTING!"

Even O.J. Simpson Weighed In On The Khloe Kardashian Paternity Speculation

Perhaps one of the most unexpected twists in the paternity saga was when O.J. Simpson, a close friend and former client of Robert Kardashian Sr., publicly addressed the rumors. Given his history with the Kardashian family and the wild speculation connecting him to Khloe's paternity, his statement in 2019 was notable.

In a tweet, almost five years before his death, Simpson stated, "Khloe, like all the girls, I'm very proud of, just like I know Bob would be if he was here. The simple facts of the matter is she is not mine." This direct denial from such a central, albeit indirectly involved, figure further highlighted how persistent and widespread these rumors had become.

The Unspoken Pressures On Live Television Hosts And Celebrities

Savannah Guthrie's candid confession offers a rare glimpse into the intense pressures faced by morning show hosts, especially when they're relatively new to the job. The expectation to deliver "dishy" or sensational content can sometimes clash with a journalist's personal ethics or comfort level. It underscores the fine line between satisfying audience curiosity and respecting a guest's privacy.

Similarly, Khloe Kardashian's response highlights the immense poise and resilience required of public figures who often have to navigate deeply personal questions in a public forum. Her ability to remain "a class act" and even joke about the situation speaks volumes about her media savvy and strength under fire. It's a powerful reminder that while we see the polished end product on our screens, there are often uncomfortable, human moments happening just out of sight, or in this case, seconds before a commercial break.

Savannah Guthrie, who has now been with 'Today' for well over a decade, has clearly learned from this experience. Her willingness to share this embarrassing moment years later shows a vulnerability that resonates with many, demonstrating that even the most composed professionals have their moments of regret and learning.

FAQ: Your Burning Questions About This Interview Moment Answered When did Savannah Guthrie reveal her regret about the Khloe Kardashian interview? Savannah Guthrie discussed her biggest 'Today' show regret on Monday, October 20, 2025, during a segment with Andy Cohen. When did the original Khloe Kardashian interview take place? The interview where Savannah Guthrie asked Khloe Kardashian about her paternity rumors happened in 2012. What were the paternity rumors surrounding Khloe Kardashian? The rumors suggested that Khloe Kardashian's biological father was not the late Robert Kardashian Sr., with some speculation even linking O.J. Simpson to the paternity. These rumors were fueled by physical comparisons and claims from Robert Kardashian's ex-wives. How did Khloe Kardashian react to the "dishy question" in 2012? According to Savannah Guthrie, Khloe Kardashian handled the question with "class" and humor, reportedly saying, "Ah, nothing to it," and joking, "I don't know who my daddy is," before the commercial break.

Sources

• HuffPost. (October 21, 2025). Ron Dicker. "Savannah Guthrie Reveals Her Biggest 'Today' Show Regret Involving Khloe Kardashian."
• Just Jared. (October 20, 2025). JJ Staff. "Savannah Guthrie's Biggest 'Today' Show Regret Involves Khloé Kardashian."
• GameRevolution. (October 20, 2025). Nicholas Tan. "Today’s Savannah Guthrie Feels Guilt Asking Khloé Kardashian This ‘Dishy Question’."
• E! Online. (October 20, 2025). "Watch: Savannah Guthrie Reveals What She Regrets Asking Khloe Kardashian."
• InTouch Weekly. (Undated). "Savannah Guthrie Regrets Asking Khloe Kardashian This 'Dishy Question'."