Carson Daly stepped in for Sheinelle Jones on the May 18 episode of Today With Jenna & Sheinelle, with no reason given for Jones’ absence. Jenna Bush Hager said Jones will be back in Studio 1A on May 19. Daly then got emotional sharing updates on his life with
Carson Daly didn’t just walk onto the set to cover for Sheinelle Jones—he walked into the week with his family life turned all the way on.
On Monday, May 18, Daly filled in for Jones on Today With Jenna & Sheinelle. The show did not explain why Jones was missing, but Jenna Bush Hager made one thing clear on air: Jones will be back in Studio 1A on Tuesday, May 19.
It looked like Jones may have taken the day off after speaking at the 2026 Momference conference in Washington, D.C. She reposted a fan’s video about their experience at the event via her Instagram Story on Sunday, May 17, adding, “I had such a beautiful time! Thank you for having me!”
While Daly opened his segment with a light, easy exchange with Bush Hager, the conversation quickly turned personal. He offered viewers a look at life in the Daly household—four kids, constant motion, and the small adjustments that come with raising them.
“There’s never a dull moment in the Daly household. We have four children, as you know,” Daly told Bush Hager, referring to his and his wife Siri Daly’s kids.
The first update was about his eldest child, Jackson, who turned 17 earlier this year. Daly said. “He’s all grown up. looking for colleges now.” Bush Hager asked whether he expected an emotional moment when his child leaves for school. Daly joked that he’s already acting like a future neighbor—“looking for real estate around the university.”.
Every time we drive by LIU Post out in Long Island, I’m like, ‘Buddy, we’re gonna get a sick apartment here. I’m gonna hang out. It’s gonna be great.’ In my mind, I’m going with him to college. The reality hasn’t hit yet that I’m not.
Then came a different kind of parenting challenge—communication. Turning to his eldest daughter, Etta, Daly said the two “never speak” because he doesn’t “speak 13-year-old.” His solution was an unlikely one: a phone app. He told Bush Hager that he downloaded Snapchat a few months ago.
“I have literally communicated with my daughter, in particular, more via Snapchat than I have in real life,” he said. “I can say, ‘Are you okay?’ And then, I’ll put some stupid emoji. And she’ll write back, ‘LOL,’ and all these little things are flying all over the screen. As silly as it is, I am connected, a little bit.”.
Daly also described his 11-year-old daughter, London, as “doing awesome,” and joked about his 6-year-old daughter, Goldie, calling her a “riot.”
Bush Hager tied the family timeline together by pointing out that their “youngest three [kids] are the same ages.” She shared that she has daughters Mila and Poppy. and a son. Hal. with her husband Henry Hager. and added. “Our kids think they’re cousins. even though they haven’t hung [out] in a while.”.
“Our kids think they’re cousins, even though they haven’t hung [out] in a while,” she said. “They were like, ‘When are the cousins coming?’ I’m like, ‘Which cousins?’ They were like, ‘You know, London.’ I’m like, ‘She’s not your cousin.’”
Monday’s episode was also a milestone for Daly in the schedule. It marked his first time on the fourth hour of Today since he co-hosted Today With Jenna & Friends with Bush Hager in November 2025. The show was relaunched as Jenna & Sheinelle in January after Jones became Bush Hager’s permanent co-host.
When Daly joined the conversation during the rebranding era, he had said, “We’re like brother and sister. … I love you to death. so. yeah. I’m psyched to be here with you.” Bush Hager responded with her own version of that family chemistry. saying that her kids once believed Carson’s children were their cousins.
Now, as Jones gets ready to return on May 19, Daly leaves the audience with a familiar feeling on a Monday morning: not just a co-host filling in, but a father openly tracking the days as his children grow—one update at a time.
Carson Daly Sheinelle Jones Jenna Bush Hager Today With Jenna & Sheinelle LIU Post Momference Jackson Etta London Goldie Snapchat
So he cried because someone had to cover? okay.
I didn’t realize Sheinelle was gonna be gone and they just swapped Carson in like that. Jenna saying she’ll be back tomorrow sounds like they’re hiding something though?? Also Daly getting “emotional” is probably just him talking normal lol.
Carson Daly didn’t walk in to cover, he walked in to take over the show. that’s what it feels like. And the part about the kid looking for colleges… like isn’t that just every parent ever? Momference conference though? i saw someone mention it’s a big political thing? not saying it is, just weird.
This is honestly kinda nice, like family talk on TV is better than drama. But “no reason given” for Sheinelle missing makes me think either she got sick or got in trouble and they’re not saying. Also Carson saying his 17 year old is already looking at colleges like he’s suddenly 40… time is fast. I swear these shows always tease “emotional updates” and then it’s just normal parenting stuff.