“Today” show co-host Hoda Kotb was treated to an hour-long farewell — dubbed “Hoda-bration” — on Friday to mark her final episode as host of NBC’s flagship morning show.

Of course, the network had plenty to say goodbye to the veteran broadcaster as she ended her 17-year stint at “Today.”

Kotb’s former third hour co-host Kathie Lee Gifford surprised her colleague with an in-studio appearance after she claimed in a video tribute that she couldn’t make it because she was busy with other commitments in Tennessee. “Tonight Show” star Jimmy Fallon stopped by “Hoda & Jenna” to give Kotb a framed piece of carpet from Rockefeller Center’s 30 elevators. And journalists Maria Shriver and Gayle King — the “CBS Mornings” anchor often confused with Kotb — stopped by to celebrate the outgoing anchor.

Her mother also stopped by the studio, as did Kotb’s daughters Hope and Haley. Her daughters were joined by Kermit the Frog, who sang “Rainbow Connection” for Kotb. And country singer Walker Hayes sang a soulful version of “Wednesdays,” which Kotb co-wrote, closing the episode. After the entire “Today” show crew joined the stage, Kotb drove off in her minivan with her children.

The 60-year-old NBC star announced her exit in September, saying she was leaving to spend more time with her young children, whom she welcomed “late in life.” She joined “Today” with Gifford in 2008 to co-host the light-hearted fourth hour. She and Savannah Guthrie stepped in as co-hosts of the main show in 2018 after Matt Lauer was fired for what the network described as inappropriate sexual behavior. In the late 1980s and before joining “Today,” she was a correspondent for “Dateline NBC” and NBC News.

The Emmy winner also co-hosted the program’s fourth hour with Jenna Bush Hager, who will solo host that hour starting Monday. Craig Melvin, who was one of the show’s co-hosts, will now host the 7 a.m. hour starting Monday’s broadcast.

Kotb confirmed Friday that she will remain as NBC’s “Today” anchor despite her resignation. She told NBC News that she will contribute stories to “Today,” continue her podcast “Making Space With Hoda Kotb” and rejoin the morning program to cover the Olympics.

Guthrie, Hager, Melvin and co-hosts Al Roker and Carson Daly were also on set for Friday’s farewell, and tears were shed in nearly every segment. A star-studded video tribute featured NBA star Dwyane Wade, Oscar winner Jamie Lee Curtis, “Wicked” star Kristin Chenoweth, gymnast Simone Biles and Oprah Winfrey, who wished Kotb well in her next chapter.

“Hoda is everyone’s sister and she’s like a sister to me… She’s so special. It’s almost indescribable,” Guthrie said in a pre-recorded interview. “She’s had challenges (like battling breast cancer) and these have made her stronger, increased her empathy, and made her 10,000 times stronger.” People see someone who stands up to them. She loves people. She’s the ultimate people person.”

After the episode, Melvin took to Instagram to once again pay tribute to his former colleague: “Hoda is the definition of compassion, love and was the heartbeat of @todayshow. I am so grateful to have you as a colleague and close friend. Cheers to you. It’s not goodbye. See you later. I love you. Thank you very much.” On the show, Kotb told him that he would be “fantastic” and that he “deserved” this post, but that she planned to miss his first episode hosting at 7 a.m. because she ” “would sleep dead”.

“This is not a suicide note. This is a love letter, a love letter to you,” Kotb said in her final segment of “Hoda & Jenna,” reading a pre-recorded message she wrote for the show.

“It’s actually a kind of thank you letter. So how should I say it? “How do I say thank you for more hugs and more love than one person deserves?” she continued. “Sixteen years ago I sat next to Kathie Lee and she changed my life. She chose me. And to be honest, I was scared. I had never done anything like that before. I was a hard news person, a “Dateline” person, and then one day she called me “Hoda Woman.” I tore off the news corset. We poured ourselves a glass of wine. And that’s how it started.”

“When Haley was born, it went from ‘Hoda Woman’ to ‘Hoda Mama.’ I held Haley and you held me. You supported me, the cards, the comments, the letters. I read them all and then Hopey came along.”

Kotb said “a new era began” when she and Hager teamed up in 2019. Their run together spanned “six unforgettable years of uncontrollable laughter and pure friendship,” during which she fell in love with Hager’s tears and her “vulnerable, lovable self.”

“Along the way, you invited me into your life, your triumphs, your special moments and your celebrations. Having a front row seat to all of this has really helped make me who I am. Thank you for letting me be a part of your journey,” she continued as a video of unforgettable moments was played for viewers.

“I became who I am in this hour of this show and you are by my side every step of the way. As I sit here today in my final moments, on this final day in this chapter of my career, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the ride of my life. I love you.”