Al Roker knows he’ll be leaving the “Today” show one day, like his colleague Hoda Kotb — but don’t expect him to be gone any time soon.
America’s beloved meteorologist, 70, who has been on the NBC show since 1996, spoke out about his inevitable retirement just days after Kotb, 60. announced his departure After 26 years.
“When you know, you know,” Roker said. People First of all Food and Wine Classic in Charleston.
“That was kind of a beautiful thing for Hoda. You also see…Joe Biden. It’s like, everybody has some reason why they decide it’s time to go.”
While he knows “the time will come” for him to hang up his hat it’s not happening yet.
“I don’t feel like it’s my time right now, but who knows. Maybe a year or two. Probably not, but I’m enjoying it. I love it,” Roker shared. “You don’t get off the train until the last stop.”
crying kotb Announced his departure “today” While last week she was surrounded by her colleagues Roker, Savannah Guthrie, Craig Melvin, Jenna Bush Hager and Sheinelle Jones.
“Later in my life I had kids and I was thinking they deserve a bigger portion of my time than I have. I feel like we only have a limited amount of time. And so, all that being said, it’s the hardest thing in the world,” she said, crying.
“I’ll be here until the first day of the year – even after the first day of the year – and I’ll be in the NBC family, but this is a huge deal to me.”
Roker shared his excitement for Kotb’s next chapter with his kids, Hope, 7, and Haley, 5, and told People he’s “so thrilled for her that I can’t possibly feel any sadness.”
“I would be very upset if she were to leave, but she’s doing something else within our NBC News family,” he said.
“And look, I am very fortunate in that I have seen my children grow up. Especially when Kourtney was little, I was in local news, so I was home with my kids in the morning. But she has two young daughters, Haley and Hope…those moments, those kids grow up. I mean, it’s cliché, but because it’s true. It’s like you blink,” Roker said. “So I understand exactly why he did it.”
While Roker is very happy for his colleague, Guthrie, 52, who co-anchors the first two hours of the news show with Kotb, is having the hardest time accepting the news.
,No one is taking this news bad Compared to Savannah Guthrie, Melvin, 45, said in a clip on x Posted by “Today” Show.
“I love her so much,” Guthrie said, crying during one segment. “And like I always say, Hoda, hold my hand and I’ll go anywhere with you. And I will always be with her, whether we are sitting there or sitting on the veranda in old age with lazy boys.
Kotb told his colleagues about his exit in an emotional letter,
“As I write this, my heart is all over the map,” she wrote. “I know I’m making the right decision, but it’s sad. And you all are the reason for this. They say two things can be right at the same time, and I’m feeling this very deeply right now. I love you and now it’s time for me to leave the show.
Kotb added, “My time at NBC has been the longest professional love affair of my life.” “But only because you have been with me on this adventurous journey of twenty-six years. In retrospect, the math is messed up. 26 years on NBC News – ten years on ‘Dateline’, seven at seven, sixteen years at ten.
“I’m imagining your faces and your families and all the ways you lift me up and inspire me. He is making my heart sing. “Many of my professional relationships have become some of my most cherished friendships.”
“Savannah: My rock. Jenna: My ride or die. Al: My oldest friend from 30 Rock. Craig, Carson, Sheinelle and Dylan: My family. Libby, Madge and Talia: My fearless leaders. I will miss each of you so much today.”
Kotb joined the show in 2008. She will report for her on-camera duties until January 2025 and will continue to work within the network thereafter.
