Guthrie is back at work for first time after mother went missing

Return to NBC’s ‘Today’ could help keep spotlight on unsolved case

- BY STEPHEN BATTAGLIO

SAVANNAH GUTHRIE is flanked by “Today” colleagues Carson Daly and Al Roker on Monday in New York.

(JOSE PEREZ Bauer-Griffin / GC Images)

Savannah Guthrie went back to work behind the “Today” show anchor desk Monday for the first time since the stunning and still unsolved disappearance of her mother eight weeks ago.

The co-host's return to the job was seamless. Guthrie, 54, read the tease of news stories at the top of the NBC morning program and made only a brief reference to her absence before heading into the day's stories.

“We are so glad you started your week with us and it is good to be home,” Guthrie told viewers.

“Yes, it is good to have you back home,” said her co-anchor, Craig Melvin.

“Well, here we go ready or not — let’s do the news,” she said.

Guthrie handled the first interview on the program, talking to military analyst Col. Steve Warren about the weekend rescue of the aviator who was shot down over Iran.