It was a delightful moment when the Today show cast gathered for an off-hours holiday party. Fans couldn't help but notice one key member missing from the group photo—Al Roker. This sparked concern and curiosity among viewers who love the show as much as the cast does.
Lawyer-turned-journalist Laura Jarrett, 41, captioned the Instagram post, “No one loves a 2pm holiday party as much as this crew – thank you @smithandmills for the fun afternoon!” Laura posted this on Monday, December 16, giving fans a glimpse of the festive atmosphere.
A Festive Get-Together Without Al?
At the heart of the celebration, Laura was seen enjoying a glass of wine and a delicious meal at a table surrounded by her costars: Hoda Kotb, Jenna Bush Hager, Savannah Guthrie, Dylan Dreyer, Sheinelle Jones, Carson Daly, Willie Geist, and Craig Melvin. While the attendance rate seemed almost perfect, Al Roker, 70, was noticeably absent from the snapshot. Fans quickly picked up on this and couldn't help but ask questions.
Read also:The Esther Williams Nobody Knew A Life Of Resilience And Stardom
“What?! No @alroker?” one person wrote in the comments section of the post. Another fan chimed in with, “No one invited Al Roker [crying emoji].” Clearly, Al's absence didn't go unnoticed by the Today show's dedicated audience.
Hoda's Farewell Celebration
The holiday party wasn’t just any get-together; it marked Hoda Kotb’s last celebration with the team before her exit on January 10, 2025. In September, Hoda, 60, announced her decision to leave the Today show after more than five years of co-anchoring alongside Savannah Guthrie, 52. Her heartfelt message to the Today staff and viewers reflected her deep connection to the team and her fans.
“As I write this, my heart is all over the map. I know I’m making the right decision, but it’s a painful one,” Hoda wrote. “And you all are the reason why. They say two things can be right at the same time, and I’m feeling that so deeply right now. I love you and it’s time for me to leave the show.”
The Next Chapter: Craig Melvin Steps Up
Craig Melvin, 45, will step into Hoda's iconic role starting January 13, 2025. With Hoda stepping down, fans naturally turned their attention to Al, speculating about when the beloved meteorologist might retire.
Al addressed retirement in a candid interview with People on September 30, saying, “You know when you know.” Reflecting on his career, Al added, “That was the kind of beautiful thing for Hoda. You even look at … Joe Biden. It’s like, everybody has a reason that they decide it’s time to go.”
Al, who celebrated his 70th birthday in August, further explained his perspective on retirement. “I don’t feel like that’s my time yet, but who knows. Maybe a year or two. Maybe not, but I’m enjoying it. I love this. You don’t get off the train until the last stop,” he said, expressing his continued passion for his work.
Read also:What Fiona Rene Hopes For Reenie Greene In Tracker Season 3
Al's Journey: Health and Habits
Al Roker made his weatherman debut on the Today show in 1996. Over the years, he's taken breaks to focus on his health, including undergoing gastric bypass surgery in 2002. More recently, he was hospitalized twice after suffering blood clots in his leg and lungs. To avoid further complications, Al adopted a healthier lifestyle, embracing moderation in his eating habits.
“I think if you exclude everything, then you’re eventually setting yourself up to crash and burn,” Al explained in the first digital issue of Allrecipes Allstar Summer Bash in June. “You try to eat healthy and realize sometimes you’re not going to, and it’s OK. You did that, now let’s get back on track. But I don’t think there’s anything that’s forbidden.”
