Are you a TODAY superfan?
Do you think you know everything there is to know about the morning show, its beloved hosts and all things Studio 1A, which, by the way, is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2024?
Let's find out with this fun game of TODAY trivia questions and answers that covers everything from what year Studio 1A debuted on the corner of 49th Street and Rockefeller Plaza, to which TODAY host flew above the Plaza dressed as Peter Pan in 1999.
But first things first. NBC pioneered morning television more than 70 years ago when the network debuted its new show, TODAY, in 1952.
Since then, the live TODAY broadcast has become a cornerstone of American television, drawing millions of viewers each day who tune in for breaking news, celebrity interviews, live concerts and the all latest happenings in pop culture.
Not to mention, the show is home to the friendly faces of favorite TODAY hosts including veterans Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Al Roker. In fact, there are 11 co-hosts in total. Can you name them all?
If so, well done. Let's try another: What legendary band played at the first-ever TODAY summer concert series? Or how about: Which popular British boy band gave a memorable performance on the Plaza back in 2012?
If you answered those without having to look them up, go to the head of the class because, clearly, you're a TODAY fan.
You'll find TODAY trivia questions and answers below, along with plenty of other memorable moments from the last seven decades of the TODAY show.
Some are easy, while others are sure to stump even the biggest TODAY aficionados. Test your friends with a TODAY trivia challenge, or quiz yourself to see just how much you really know.
TODAY Trivia Questions and Answers
- What band performed at the first-ever TODAY summer concert series? Answer: Earth, Wind & Fire.
- Which former TODAY anchor famously flew over the Plaza dressed as Peter Pan on Halloween in 1999? Answer: Katie Couric
- In what year was the very first Christmas tree erected at Rockefeller Center? Answer: 1931
- What TODAY co-host notably appeared in Martina McBride’s music video for the song “I’m Gonna Love You Through It”? Answer: Hoda Kotb
- What year did the first TODAY show air on NBC? Answer: 1952
- Prior to joining TODAY, was what Jenna Bush Hager’s occupation? Answer: A school teacher
- In 2008, this performer made headlines after doing cartwheels on the Plaza while singing “Barracuda”? Answer: Fergie
- Which TODAY co-host authored the children’s best-selling book “Misty the Cloud: A Very Stormy Day”? Answer: Dylan Dreyer
- What legendary musician visited TODAY to send off Bryant Gumbel on his last day of the show in 1997? Answer: Prince
- On the Rockefeller Center Plaza, what marks the spot of the famed Rockefeller Christmas Tree during the off-season months? Answer: A coin embedded in the concrete
- “Sisters First,” is a best-selling book written by which TODAY host? Answer: Jenna Bush Hager
- In what month and year did the TODAY show begin broadcasting from Studio 1A? Answer: June, 1994
- In addition to co-hosting TODAY, which NBC reality music TV competition does Carson Daly host? Answer: “The Voice”
- What Rockefeller Center landmark was built in 1936 to attract shoppers during the Great Depression? Answer: The ice rink.
- Pat Weaver, NBC President and creator of the TODAY show, is father to what well-known actor? Answer: Sigourney Weaver
- This notable journalist and interviewer became the first woman to co-host TODAY in 1974? Answer: Barbara Walters
- Which co-host dressed up as Harry Styles for TODAY’s 2023 Halloween extravaganza? Answer: Willie Geist
- Vale and Charley are the names of which TODAY host’s children? Answer: Savannah Guthrie
- Prior to Al Roker, what meteorologist routinely delivered the weather on the TODAY show? Answer: Willard Scott
- Approximately how many viewers tune into TODAY each day? Answer: 2.7 million
- Who are the current hosts on the TODAY team? Answer: Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, Al Roker, Craig Melvin, Carson Daly, Jenna Bush Hager, Sheinelle Jones, Dylan Dreyer, Peter Alexander, Laura Jarrett and Willie Geist
- What white-hot British group gave a “beautiful” performance on the Plaza in November of 2012? Answer: One Direction
- Who was the first host and anchor of the TODAY show in 1952? Answer: David Garroway
- After graduating from Harvard Law School, which TODAY co-host worked as an attorney before transitioning to journalism at the age of 30? Answer: Laura Jarrett
- Overlooking the Rockefeller Center ice rink is an 18-foot, gilded bronze sculpture of what Greek Titan? Answer: Prometheus
- Before joining TODAY, this co-host worked as a NBC News White House Correspondent from 2009 to 2011. Answer: Savannah Guthrie
- In 2018, co-host Sheinelle Jones dressed up as what legendary “Proud Mary” singer for Halloween? Answer: Tina Turner
- What high-kicking dance troupe makes regular appearances on the Plaza to show off their world renowned skills? Answer: The Radio City Rockettes
- Who was the first guest to appear on the newly-christened Studio 1A in 1994? Answer: President Bill Clinton (via satellite)
- In 2023, what Colombian singer performed “Tus Gafitas” on the TODAY plaza drawing record-breaking crowds? Answer: Karol G
- What co-host originally hails from South Carolina and worked as a daytime anchor on MSNBC before joining TODAY in 2018? Answer: Craig Melvin
- In 2008, this former co-host memorably dressed up as Pinocchio for TODAY’s Halloween extravaganza? Answer: Meredith Vieira
- K-pop star Psy performed his hit song and dance on the Plaza in May of 2013. What is it called? Answer: “Gangnam Style”
- In 1952, TODAY’s expansive studio windows were given what nickname? Answer: “Window on the World”
- In 2000, TODAY covered the Summer Olympic Games which were held in what city and country? Answer: Sydney, Australia
- In 2013, which two TODAY co-hosts dressed up as TV’s Laverne and Shirley for Halloween? Answer: Natalie Morales and Savannah Guthrie
- In June of 1999, this Latin performer sent fans into a frenzy after performing “Livin’ La Vida Loca” on the TODAY Plaza? Answer: Ricky Martin
- In 2018, Katie Couric co hosted the opening ceremony for the Winter Olympic Games held in what South Korean location? Answer: PyeongChang
- This TODAY 3rd Hour co-host anchored the morning show “Good Day Philadelphia” before joining TODAY? Answer: Sheinelle Jones
- On Halloween, 2016, Carson Daly drove a motorcycle onto the Plaza dressed as what memorable movie character? Answer: The Terminator
- After released her “Speak Now” album, this artist notably performed on the TODAY Plaza in October of 2010? Answer: Taylor Swift
- This co-host joined NBC News in 1998 as a correspondent for Dateline before becoming an anchor on TODAY? Answer: Hoda Kotb
- This TODAY co-host notably interviewed then-Cuban president Fidel Castro during Hurricane Ivan in 2005? Answer: Peter Alexander
- J. Fred Muggs was a popular and frequent guest on TODAY back in the 1950s. Who was he? Answer: A chimpanzee
- In 2017, which TODAY host dressed as Willie Nelson for a country-western-themed Halloween show? Answer: Al Roker
- During the construction of Rockefeller Center in 1932, what famous photograph was snapped of workers sitting atop a steel beam? Answer: “Lunch Atop a Skyscraper”
- In 2010, more than 20,000 “little monsters” lined up in the pouring rain to watch this iconic performer sing her chart-topping hits. Who is it? Answer: Lady Gaga
- In 1994, who was the first cooking guest to appear on the newly-christened Studio 1A? Answer: Giada De Laurentiis
- Perched atop the Rockefeller Christmas Tree, how much does the Swarovski star weigh? Answer: 900 pounds
- This Oscar-winning actor was the first regular female contributor on the TODAY show in 1952? Answer: Estelle Parsons
- In June of 2003, this pop music legend memorably performed “Crazy in Love” on the Plaza? Answer: Beyoncé
- In 1952, TODAY’s theme music was what nostalgic Les Brown song? Answer: “Sentimental Journey”
- On Halloween, 2023, Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager dressed up as what ‘70s variety show duo? Answer: Sonny and Cher
- In 2021, the TODAY team socially-distanced together on the Plaza for what groundbreaking event? Answer: To receive their first COVID-19 vaccine
- After going their own way, this history-making rock group reunited on the Plaza to perform their hits in October of 2014? Answer: Fleetwood Mac
