TODAY viewers have pointed out multiple seemingly tense moments between Jenna Bush Hager and her co-host, Sheinelle Jones, on air.
Sheinelle, 48, became a permanent co-host of Today‘s fourth hour alongside Jenna, 44, in January.
While many fans were previously excited about Sheinelle joining the show following Hoda Kotb’s departure, she and Jenna didn’t appear to be on the same page during Wednesday’s episode.
Viewers noticed the pair appeared to have numerous tense exchanges throughout the live broadcast.
One appeared to occur at the beginning of the show while they discussed the upcoming release of the Practical Magic sequel starring Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock.
Jenna first gushed about how much she loved the original 1998 film and the 1995 novel of the same name by Alice Hoffman.
Sheinelle then asked her to explain why she adored the projects, to which Jenna said it was partly because she could relate to the main characters, who are sisters.
“It’s a lot about sister empowerment. I have a sister,” Jenna stated.
Sheinelle then cut her off, saying, “I’ve got like four of them.”
“Well, I know, but I have one, and this is about two sisters,” Jenna snapped back, seemingly looking irritated by Sheinelle’s interjection.
They later appeared to have another uncomfortable exchange while speaking with Victoria Beckham about her fashion empire and legacy as a Spice Girl.
Victoria noted in the interview that she was in a female pop group for four years before building her fashion and beauty brands.
Sheinelle reiterated her statement in a follow-up question, but misspoke when referencing the singer’s tenure in the Spice Girls.
“You really put it into perspective when you talk about Spice Girls for 40 and then the longevity of your fashion career,” Sheinelle said.
Jenna quickly jumped in to correct her, saying that Victoria was in the girl group “for four” years and not “40.”
Sheinelle appeared to gloss over Jenna’s correction and carry on with her question.
However, fans couldn’t ignore the apparent tension on camera and suggested that they might not be the best pairing.
“I’m convinced Jenna hates Sheinelle,” one Reddit user wrote, starting the thread.
“I have always loved JBH and I feel like her personality fits well with the chatty nature of this format.
“She had great chemistry with Hoda, as well as many of the guest hosts. I liked Sheinelle in the third hour, but man, this format is not for her.
“She’s all over the place. I used to love watching and now it’s painful,” the fan added.
“There was a segment earlier in the season when Sheinelle had just joined, where she said she hated being called Sheinelly.
“Since that day Jenna has called her Sheinelly at least once per show. That’s when I started thinking their relationship was not great,” said another.
“I like them both individually, but I think they have a weird dynamic going on.
“Jenna already has a strong and loud personality, and it feels like Sheinelle is compensating for that by trying to emulate the same persona,” a third theorized.
“I love the guest host idea!! Just keep having guest fill in!!” a fourth proposed, mentioning Jenna’s rotation of celebrity guest co-hosts before Sheinelle landed the gig.
“Sheinelle was good on the old third hour with Craig, Dylan, and Al, but this format is not for her,” chimed in a fifth.
Sheinelle previously co-hosted the third hour of Today with Craig Melvin, Dylan Dreyer, and Al Roker.
She took a months-long break from the show last year following the death of her husband, Uche Ojeh, who died in May after battling brain cancer.
The mom of three returned in September and was announced as Jenna’s co-host of the fourth hour in December.
