Al Roker Stepping Up in a Big Way
On a recent Friday, December 6, Al Roker found himself at the helm of the TODAY show, holding down the fort with his usual charm and professionalism. As it turned out, some of his regular co-stars were missing from the studio during the show's third hour. Dylan Dreyer, Sheinelle Jones, and Craig Melvin were all absent, leaving Al to fill the gap alongside two fill-in co-hosts, Peter Alexander and Laura Jarrett.
“This is a Very Special Friyay”
Al, ever the upbeat personality, kicked things off with a cheerful greeting: "This is a very special Friyay," the 70-year-old meteorologist said during the broadcast. Joining him at the news desk were Peter Alexander, 48, and Laura Jarrett, 41, who are typically seen on the Saturday edition of TODAY. But on this occasion, they stepped in to help out their weekday colleagues.
Al addressed the audience, saying, "I am joined by Peter Alexander and Laura Jarrett, two of our talented friends from Saturday Today. We really appreciate you guys wrapping up our week with us. I think this is the first time we’ve all three done this together."
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“It is!” Laura confirmed, with Peter jokingly adding, “Saturday morning breakfast sandwich right here, we just put you in the middle, and it’s all good.” Laura continued, “The weekend started early for us, didn’t it?”
Where Were the Regular Co-Hosts?
So, what happened to Dylan Dreyer, Sheinelle Jones, and Craig Melvin? Al informed the audience that Dylan and Sheinelle were both taking a day off. Meanwhile, Craig had traveled to Paris on assignment, appearing virtually during the show’s early morning hours. He was there to give viewers a firsthand look at the reopening of the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral after a devastating fire.
Craig captioned a video from his segment on Instagram, saying, "After years of restoration following a tragic fire, the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris is set to open its doors Saturday. Parisians and visitors are filled with excitement as the reopening marks more than just the revival of a landmark — it’s a powerful symbol of the heart of the city."
Craig Melvin’s New Role
In another post on Instagram, Craig expressed his admiration for the work done to rebuild the Notre Dame Cathedral, calling it "remarkable." Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie were present in the studio at the top of the hour in their usual roles.
Craig will soon replace Hoda as Savannah’s co-anchor when she departs the show in January. "Nobody’s questioning whether he’s worth it, he’s a very talented guy who’s worked very hard for this opportunity," an insider told Closer. "The entire team is on board with him taking on this role, but of course, the pressure is really on because he’s got huge shoes to fill."
Craig has already proven himself to be an excellent choice for the position, with years of experience as an NBC anchor and a wealth of celebrity interviews under his belt. His wife, Lindsay Czarniak, expressed her pride and support after the announcement of his promotion.
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"I’m proud because the man so many Americans ‘wake up with’ in the mornings truly is the same person we see at home. Warm, caring, curious, smart, funny, snacking on all the food being prepared," Lindsay wrote on Instagram on November 14. "I know this job is equal parts rewarding and demanding, but you always put your best foot forward even when you’re tired. Coaching hoops, reading books, tackling kids during tickle wars ... just hanging."
"I’m excited for America to get to ‘hang’ with you more each morning and to see how your God-given gifts can continue to help others," she added.
Craig will officially take over Hoda’s position on the early morning hours of TODAY on January 13. "Everyone seems to be confident that he’s up for the challenge and he and Savannah have a natural chemistry. If they start to tune out his job will be on the line, there’s just no getting around that," the insider told Closer. "He’s definitely going to be in the hot seat for a while."
