When Al Roker joined Today back in 1996, he brought with him a warmth and charm that quickly endeared him to millions of viewers. Over the years, he’s become a household name and a beloved fixture in the lives of many. So, when Al disappeared from the show in November 2022, fans naturally grew worried. Let’s dive into what happened and why he was absent from the program for a while.
What Led to Al Roker's Absence from 'Today'?
On November 14, the Today show kicked off with a familiar sight—Craig Melvin and Dylan Dreyer at the news desk. But something was different. Instead of being joined by their regular cohosts, Sheinelle Jones and Al Roker, NBC brought in Jacob Soboroff to fill in. Craig mentioned that both Sheinelle and Al were off for the day but didn’t offer any further details. The last time Al anchored live on the show was November 4, and in the following weeks, he only appeared in pre-recorded segments.
It’s not unusual for anchors to step in for one another when someone’s on vacation, but when Al missed several episodes in a row, fans began to grow concerned. On November 18, Al finally addressed the situation on Instagram. In a heartfelt message, he revealed, “So many of you have been thoughtfully asking where I’ve been. Last week I was admitted to the hospital with a blood clot in my leg which sent some clots into my lungs.” He went on to express his gratitude for the medical care he was receiving and assured fans he was on the road to recovery.
Read also:Why Fans Love Willie Geist And Jenna Bush Hager Together
While Al didn’t immediately disclose when he’d return, his fans and co-stars were quick to send their well-wishes. Jenna Bush Hager commented on his post, saying, “Love you, Al! Hurry home. You are missed and loved beyond measure!” Al’s wife, Deborah Ann Roberts, also shared a touching message on Instagram, writing, “You are the shining sun and star in our family @alroker. Love you so much. Can’t wait till you’re back home and feeling like your old self again.”
Al's Return and Subsequent Hospitalization
Just a day after announcing he was home for Thanksgiving, Al was rushed back to the hospital, according to Page Six. An ambulance transported the weatherman to a hospital in upper Manhattan. During this health scare, Deborah had to break into her own car to retrieve personal items, as her Tesla was experiencing a malfunction. Eventually, she and one of their daughters caught a taxi to join Al at the hospital. An insider reported that Al’s condition was improving after his second hospitalization.
On December 8, Al shared an update with his Instagram followers, letting them know he was back home. In his post, he expressed gratitude to his family, friends, the medical team, and the Today family for their support.
Is Al Roker Leaving the 'Today' Show?
Despite taking time off to recover, Al has not announced plans to leave the long-running program. Dylan Dreyer stepped in to host the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which Al was originally set to co-host with Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie. Dylan did an excellent job and even gave a sweet shout-out to Al, saying, “Good morning guys, and Happy Thanksgiving. Al, we love you, we miss you and we’re thinking about you!”
After his second hospitalization, Hoda updated Today fans on Al’s condition. Unfortunately, he missed the Christmas tree lighting at Rockefeller Center on November 30 due to his health battle. Hoda informed viewers, “We all wish that Al could have been with us but due to some complications, he is back in the hospital and he’s in very good care. He’s resting and his doctors are keeping a close eye on him.”
On December 5, the Today team debuted a new commercial to spread holiday cheer. Although Al wasn’t present for the shoot, his co-stars honored him by holding up panels with his face on them as they wished viewers a happy holiday season.
Read also:Weekly Horoscopes What The Stars Have In Store For You February 9ndash15
