Jenna Bush Hager Sings Parody for Sheinelle Jones
The TODAY show hosts celebrate Halloween with a themed musical tribute and a classic dance routine.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Cats
During the TODAY show Halloween broadcast, Jenna Bush Hager performed a parody of the classic Friends song Smelly Cat titled Sheinelle-y Cat. The segment also featured Sheinelle Jones performing a dance routine alongside four members of the Rockettes.
Why it matters
The musical performance served as a lighthearted tribute to a colleague as part of the show's annual Halloween extravaganza. It highlighted the show's tradition of incorporating pop culture references into its holiday programming.
The performance featured four members of the Rockettes dancing with Sheinelle Jones in Studio 1A. The segment also recognized the 100th anniversary of NBC.
The players
Jenna Bush Hager
She is a co-host on the TODAY show who performed the parody musical number.
Sheinelle Jones
She is a broadcast journalist and co-host on the TODAY show who was the subject of the tribute and participated in the dance routine.
The Rockettes
They are a precision dance company famous for their high-kick lines and annual holiday stage performances.
The details
Jenna Bush Hager modified the lyrics of the 1995 Friends track to create her song. Meanwhile, Sheinelle Jones participated in a kick line routine to mark the Halloween costume reveal.
Timeline
1995: Smelly Cat originally debuted on the television show Friends.
October 30, 2026: Jenna Bush Hager performed the parody song on the TODAY show.
Culture Shift
This performance reflects how morning television leverages nostalgia cycles to engage modern audiences during holiday programming. By tapping into the enduring cultural footprint of the 1995 Friends episode, the show aligns itself with long-standing pop culture trends.
The segment offers viewers a look at how large-scale morning shows produce complex holiday content within a studio environment. Fans of the program can observe the integration of professional dance choreography into their standard daily morning routine.
The takeaway
Nostalgic song parodies remain a staple of lighthearted morning entertainment and holiday-themed television specials. Viewers looking to replicate the energy of the show may find inspiration in the creative ways popular culture references can be adapted for seasonal events.
Further reading
Explore more feline-themed media trends in our Cats section.
