Morning programs and daytime TV are quite the scream as Halloween approaches.
While not all television hosts lean into the festivities of the holiday, those at the “Today” show, “Live with Kelly and Mark” and “The Jennifer Hudson Show” got into the spirit for their programs on Friday, Oct. 30.
The "Today" show went all out, opting to celebrate NBC's 100th anniversary with a full skit that saw the cohosts and correspondents dressing as some of the network's most iconic show characters and hosts through the years. Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos also leaned into the pop culture theme, choosing to dress up as some of the most memorable moments from film, TV and music this year. Meanwhile, daytime host Jennifer Hudson went for a more magical, enchanted
costume for this year's Halloween.
See all the festive costumes below.
'Today' show
NBC’s morning news show usually keeps its Halloween plans under tighter wraps than a mummy. In years past, they've tackled themes from classic films of the 80s, 90s and aughts, to the NFL and even an Americana Road Trip.
This year, the hosts unveiled their theme, NBC Halloween, in honor of the network's upcoming 100th anniversary on Nov. 15, during the second hour of "Today."
The group kicked off the festive reveal with a skit, showing anchor Savannah Guthrie dressed as an NBC page giving a building tour with anchor Craig Melvin, weatherman Al Roker, feature anchor Carson Daly and "3rd Hour of Today" cohost Jenna Bush Hager as the tourists on her tour.
As Guthrie escorted them through NBC's building and showed them show sets, iconic props and other NBC memorabilia, they ran into several memorable characters and hosts.
Willie Geist, host of "Sunday Today," dressed as Johnny Carson during one of his most iconic late-night show bits, "Carnac the Magnificent." This included a black cape and a feathered turban as he recreated the question segment.
Next, Dylan Dreyer, meteorologist and host of the "3rd Hour of Today," arrived dressed as Jeannie (Barbara Eden) in "I Dream of Jeannie."
This was followed by a "Friends" skit in Central Perk coffeehouse, with Guthrie dressed as Rachel Green (Jennifer Aniston) and Bush Hager dressed as Phoebe Buffay (Lisa Kudrow), complete with a short rendition of her iconic tune, "Smelly Cat."
The tour continued with Guthrie showing off the "Saturday Night Live" studio, which led to Roker showing up as angry Gumby, portrayed by Eddie Murphy when he hosted "SNL" in 1982.
When they made it to the "Today" show desk, Daly went all out, dressed as Ella Langley in her "Choosin' Texas" music video.
Senior legal correspondent Laura Jarrett got in on the "Today" show fun, dressing up as Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles, with an apperance from sportscaster Mike Tirico. Afterwards, Melvin appeared as Snoop Dogg at the Olympics, with a surprise cameo from Martha Stewart!
Finally, Sheinelle Jones, who cohosts the fourth hour "Today with Jenna & Sheinelle," made her costume reveal as a Radio City Rockettes, even performing part of their iconic Christmas dance with fellow rockettes.
And at the end of the tour, another surprise cameo was made as Guthrie met up with other real NBC pages, only to reveal Jack McBrayer, a.k.a. Kenneth Parcell, from "30 Rock," on camera.
'Live with Kelly and Mark'
Once again, spouses Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos prepared to parody the buzziest pop culture moments for “Live’s Halloween Shockin’ Eve.” The “All My Children” alums put their own spin on viral moments and trends, including Taylor Swift making her way to the Eras’ stage via a cleaning cart, Spider-Man, “Toy Story,” “Heated Rivalry,” “Obsession” and squishy toys.
The show began with them in a pre-recorded skit as Spider-Man (Tom Holland) and Michelle Jones-Watson a.k.a "MJ" (Zendaya) with a cameo from Ryan Seacrest. When they came out to greet their guests at Friday's show, the cohosts were dressed as Bad Bunny and Lady Gaga at the 2026 Super Bowl − dancing grass backup dancers included!
Later, Ripa and Consuelos channeled "Obsession," dressing as the movie's main two characters, Nikki and Bear. They also did a "Traitors" skit with guest cameos from Andy Cohen, Jackie Tohn, Dax Shephard, Alan Cumming and more.
It was then that Ripa impersonated Elizabeth Holmes, subject of Nathan Fielder’s buzzy documentary, “You Can See Everything." Ripa inhaled sulfur hexafluoride to emulate Holmes’ deep voice for the 2021 Halloween show. But Holmes’ tone now is “not as deep as it once was,” Ripa observes, lowering her timbre. “There's a clipped nature to her voice. But it's not as deep as it was when I was Elizabeth Holmes the first time many years ago.”
The show continued with Ripa and Consuelos dressed as a Savannah Banana and butter stick.
‘The Jennifer Hudson Show’
Jennifer Hudson embraced Halloween on her daytime talk show. For the 2026 episode, she transformed her set into an enchanted forest, while she dressed up as a blue and purple butterfly, celebrating her love of nature.
The EGOT winner made her grand entrance on stage, showing off her massive wings and sparkly purple-blue makeup before explaining the reasoning behind her costume decision.
"I love being outdoors with nature; it relaxes me," she said. "The butterfly is the most beautiful creature to me and I love it so much. It brings me so much joy. When I see one, it's a sign to me that the day is gonna be OK, it's gonna be a good day. That's what it represents."
"What I love most about the butterfly is what it represents: transformation. Transformation is good! That transformation doesn't happen overnight though, but I think that's the most beautiful reminder," she added. "Just because we can't see the growth, doesn't mean it's not happening... you gotta trust the process."
The Grammy-winning artist has previously sung with a choir while wearing a sequined nun’s tunic, dressed Sister Mary Clarence from “Sister Act”. She also recreated a memorable look of Whitney Houston’s from “The Bodyguard” and went all out for her portrayal of Missy Elliott.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: See the 'Today' show, Kelly and Mark and more TV hosts' 2026 Halloween costumes
