ABC’s Good Morning America and NBC’s Today Show are the two most-watched morning news programs. Millions of people tune in the mornings as they’re getting ready for work or enjoying a relaxing cup of coffee. However, both networks, along with CBS, are in the middle of major shakeups in a battle for ratings.
A Today fan favorite host was MIA again amid the shakeup that has put jobs on the line at news desks and behind the scenes. Keep reading to find out why the host was missing.
Al Roker Nears 30 Years On Morning Show
The first hour of the Today Show is primarily hosted by Savannah Guthrie and Craig Melvin. Carson Daly often joins the hosts for various segments. And of course, who can forget the show’s beloved weatherman, Al Roker? He’s been with the show the longest, joining in 1996.
He replaced Willard Scott, who was the weatherman at NBC for decades. He semi-retired in 1996, leaving the spot open for Al Roker to take over. The weatherman also co-hosts the show’s third hour. The show may be planning a huge tribute to Al Roker in 2026 to celebrate his 30th anniversary with the show.
Today Show Fan Favorite Host MIA Again Amid Network Shakeup
Al Roker was missing from the morning show earlier this month, but he’s back now. Another co-host went MIA amid network shakeups that left their job in question. Craig Melvin wasn’t on the Today Show on Wednesday. Weekend news host Willie Geist joined Savannah Guthrie as co-host.
Craig Melvin gave fans a huge scare earlier this month when he shared a heartfelt goodbye to the show. However, he wasn’t saying goodbye to the Today Show. He was saying goodbye to his co-workers at MSNBC. Craig Melvin was part of the MSNBC family from 2011 until 2022, when he left to focus on the Today Show. The news channel split from NBC this year and was rebranded as MS NOW earlier this month amid a shakeup at the network.
“Craig!!!! Don’t you panic America with a post like this,” his former colleague, Stephanie Ruhle, wrote on the Instagram post from November 15. A fan added, “At first glance, this gave me a heart attack!”
Savannah Guthrie addressed Craig Melvin’s absence at the beginning of the show. She revealed that he wasn’t there because he had left early to start celebrating Thanksgiving. She didn’t share any details about his holiday plans. However, he’s not involved in this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. He should be back on the air next week after the holiday.
Al Roker and Savannah Guthrie reunite with former co-anchor Hoda Kotb for the famous parade that takes over Manhattan, New York, on Thanksgiving Day. If you miss the parade at its 8:30 AM start time, an encore airs at 2 PM Eastern.
Jennifer Havener grew up in a small town in Upstate New York. She earned her B.A in Writing & Literature from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. She always knew watching reality TV shows and soap operas, particularly ‘Days of Our Lives’, would come in handy someday. When she’s not writing, she’s playing with her dogs, Lola and Ruger
