Savannah Guthrie Once Interrupted Craig Melvin's Date Night: Here's The Funny Story

Let me tell you a funny little story about how Savannah Guthrie once unintentionally ruined a date night for Craig Melvin and his future wife, Lindsay Czarniak. Believe it or not, this happened back in 2010, and it's just one of those moments that makes you appreciate the quirks of life. Now, if you're wondering how exactly a TV show could derail someone's romantic evening, let me explain. It's actually kind of adorable.

How It All Began: Craig and Lindsay’s Early Days

Back in the day, Craig Melvin, now 45, was dating Lindsay Czarniak, who is 47. They were both working at Washington D.C.’s NBC affiliate, WRC-TV. Craig started there as a weekend anchor in 2008, and Lindsay was a sports reporter. They were both climbing the ladder in their careers while building a connection that would eventually lead to marriage. Who knew their professional lives would intersect with their personal moments in such a funny way?

The Night That Didn’t End With a Nightcap

In an interview with Parade, published on Friday, January 17, Craig shared a funny memory about a date night with Lindsay. They had gone out to dinner, and Craig was all set for a cozy nightcap afterward. But Lindsay surprised him by saying no, explaining that she had to get up early the next morning for an appearance on Savannah Guthrie and Chuck Todd’s MSNBC show, The Daily Rundown. Now, if you're anything like Craig, you might have been a little skeptical about whether this was a real excuse or just a clever way to end the evening. But Craig took it in stride, joking with Parade that he thought, "Screw Chuck and Savannah for taking you away early." Classic Craig!

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Checking the Story: Was It True?

Craig wasn’t about to let Lindsay off the hook without some verification. He decided to tune in the next morning to see if she was really on the show or if it was all a clever ruse. As it turns out, Lindsay was indeed there, looking as sharp as ever in her favorite color, yellow. "I remember the first time that I saw her on the show," Craig recalled. "She was wearing this yellow dress. Yellow is her favorite color." He had to confirm that she wasn’t blowing him off, so he made sure to wake up early and watch. And there she was, proving that sometimes work really does get in the way of romance.

How Savannah Fits Into the Picture

At the time, Savannah was based in Washington D.C., just like Craig and Lindsay. As fate would have it, they all became fast friends. Savannah even had a front-row seat to watch Craig’s skills at the anchor desk on WRC-TV. "I immediately was like: That guy is good. He’s different. He’s an original," Savannah said of Craig. And as for Lindsay? Well, Savannah knew her long before she even met Craig. "I’ve known Lindsay for longer," Savannah shared. "I thought she was amazing. We love her. And then I’m like, ‘Oh, my gosh, they’re dating.’" It’s clear that Savannah was thrilled to see the two of them together.

The Rest of the Story: Marriage and Career Moves

Craig proposed to Lindsay on April 1, 2011, during a trip to Miami, Florida. Six months later, on October 15, 2011, they tied the knot. That same year, both Craig and Lindsay made significant career moves. Craig joined MSNBC Live as a weekend anchor and was promoted to NBC News correspondent in 2012. Meanwhile, Lindsay left WRC to join ESPN’s SportsCenter, eventually working for both ESPN and Fox Sports, covering a range of sports from NASCAR to the NFL.

A New Chapter: Craig Joins ‘Today’

In 2018, Craig joined the third hour of Today, and on January 13, 2023, he took over the primary cohosting duties alongside Savannah Guthrie. Replacing longtime host Hoda Kotb, who stepped back to focus on her family life, Craig marked his first day with a heartwarming surprise. Lindsay and their two children, Delano and Sybil, showed up on set to celebrate. In a video posted on Today’s official Instagram, Craig sat with his cohosts when Lindsay, Delano, Sybil, and other family members walked onto the stage. "When I left this morning, you were all in bed!" Craig exclaimed, to which Lindsay playfully replied, "We faked it." Even Delano dressed up like his dad, complete with a suit and microphone, declaring, "I’m professional!"

Putting Things Into Perspective

Even though Craig’s career has taken off, nothing compares to the life he’s built with Lindsay. "The best thing that’s ever happened to me personally and professionally is marrying Lindsay Czarniak," he told People in an interview published on Thursday, January 15. "She doesn’t just get me as a person, as a husband—she understands the business." It’s clear that for Craig, family and love remain the cornerstones of his life, no matter how many exciting opportunities come his way.