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With Hoda Kotb preparing to bid farewell to her role on Today, Craig Melvin is set to step in as the show’s new co-anchor. Following Kotb’s departure, Melvin will co-host alongside Savannah Guthrie.
When Will Craig Melvin Debut on Today?
Craig Melvin’s first episode as co-anchor will air on Monday, January 13. Until that time, he will continue to serve as co-anchor for the show’s third hour, sharing the screen with Al Roker, Sheinelle Jones, and Dylan Dreyer.
The announcement of Melvin’s promotion was made public in November 2024. Guthrie herself revealed the news while anchoring the show, praising Melvin as “talented, wonderful, hard-working, and the most worthy of this,” which prompted applause from the staff present. Melvin expressed his gratitude during the announcement, stating, “I’m beyond excited and grateful,” acknowledging NBC and his colleagues for the opportunity he feels he has worked hard for throughout his career. He joined the network in 2011.
When Will Hoda Kotb Say Goodbye to Today?
Hoda Kotb is set to host her final episodes of Today and Today With Hoda & Jenna on Friday, January 10. The latter will feature a live audience and has been named a “HODA-bration” in honor of her departure.
Jenna Bush Hager hinted at a memorable send-off, saying, “There will be big surprises,” with the show’s official Instagram post indicating it will include numerous stars and surprises. Following Kotb’s exit, the fourth hour will be rebranded as Today With Jenna & Friends, featuring a rotating lineup of celebrity co-hosts such as Keke Palmer, Scarlett Johansson, Eva Longoria, and Taraji P. Henson, among others yet to be announced.
What Prompted Hoda Kotb’s Departure from Today?
Kotb revealed in September that she decided to leave Today to spend more quality time with her family. As a devoted mother of two adopted daughters, Haley and Hope, whom she shares with ex-fiancé Joel Schiffman, she expressed a desire to prioritize family time during this stage of her life.
“I had my kiddos late in life, and I was thinking that they deserve a bigger piece of the time pie that I have,” Kotb noted, reflecting on the finite nature of time. She also described her recent milestone of turning 60 as a pivotal moment that influenced her decision to embark on new ventures. “I started thinking about that decade like, what does that decade mean? What does it hold? What’s it going to have for me?” she shared.
During a later appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Kotb recounted the emotional experience of her 60th birthday celebration at the Today show, stating, “I knew in my heart like, ‘This is it, man.’ This is what the mountaintop must feel like.” This profound realization contributed to her choice to change direction at this stage of her life.
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