Craig Melvin is stepping up to the co-anchor desk on NBC’s *Today* show, and he’s not doing it alone.
Although Savannah Guthrie was absent from the broadcast on January 16, her temporary absence was due to an understandable reason: she was feeling a little under the weather.
Craig kicked off the show with his usual warmth, addressing viewers with a welcoming message.
He began by explaining the situation with Savannah, letting the audience know that she had taken a sick day.
“Welcome to Today, so glad you’re with us on this busy Thursday morning,” Melvin said. “Laura Jarrett is in, Savannah’s a little under the weather.”
Despite Guthrie’s absence, Melvin kept the mood light and jovial, joking about the timing of her illness. “I know what you’re thinking,” he quipped.
“That after three days of Craig, she decided to bail.” His playful comment elicited a chuckle from Laura Jarrett, who responded with a humorous, “I wasn’t going to say it… But it’s nice to be with you.”
This marks Melvin’s fourth day as co-host of *Today*, a new role he’s taking on after being chosen to temporarily replace Hoda Kotb at the news desk. Savannah Guthrie’s absence on this day was not a result of any controversy, but rather because of a need for rest as she dealt with an undisclosed illness. However, this wasn’t the only instance of personal matters affecting the *Today* team in recent days.
Just the day before, Sheinelle Jones also announced that she would be taking some time off for personal reasons. In a heartfelt message shared on Instagram, Sheinelle explained that she was dealing with a family health matter. “Hi everybody… I sincerely appreciate all of you who have reached out while I’ve been absent from the show,” she wrote. “I want to share with you that I’m taking time to deal with a family health matter.” She went on to express her gratitude for the support of her *Today* family and fans. “It’s not lost on [me] how lucky I am to have not only the support of my Today Show family, but to also have all of you. Your kindness means so much to me. I’ll see you soon.”
As Melvin settles into his new co-anchor role, his first days have been marked by the love and support of his colleagues. On his first day, January 13, Savannah Guthrie was there to warmly welcome him to his expanded role, adding a personal touch to his debut. “You’ve sat there so many times, but this morning is special,” she told him. “Let’s go, this is going to be a beautiful ride.” Her words of encouragement clearly made an impact on Melvin, setting a positive tone for the start of his tenure.
Additionally, Hoda Kotb, who stepped away from *Today* on January 10 after nearly 17 years on the show, left a personal message for Melvin. She pre-recorded a note to be aired during his first day in the co-anchor role, offering him words of pride and encouragement. “It’s your first day. How does it feel?” Kotb’s message began. “First of all, I’m so proud of you, and I wanted to let you know just how proud of you I am, because, first of all, you’re going to be fantastic.” This heartfelt gesture from Kotb, who had worked closely with Melvin, was a meaningful part of his first days on the show.
Craig Melvin’s transition into the role of co-anchor has been marked by the warmth and camaraderie of the *Today* family. With the support of his colleagues like Guthrie and Kotb, as well as the audience, Melvin is ready to take on the responsibility of filling Hoda Kotb’s shoes in the temporary absence. Viewers have already seen his engaging and friendly style, which seems to fit right in with the beloved morning show. While it’s clear that Guthrie’s absence was only temporary, Melvin’s ability to maintain the energy of the show, even with his colleagues taking time off, speaks to his versatility as a journalist and anchor.
It remains to be seen how long Melvin will stay in the co-anchor seat, but his early days have been met with positive reactions from both viewers and *Today* staff. As the show continues to navigate personnel changes, one thing is clear: Craig Melvin is quickly making his mark on *Today*, keeping the show lively, engaging, and in good hands during a time of transition.
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