Al Roker recently made a sudden exit from the Today show’s 3rd Hour, surprising his co-hosts Sheinelle Jones and Craig Melvin.
Just 22 minutes into the show, Roker said his goodbyes and departed early, prompting curiosity from his colleagues.
Craig Melvin, transitioning from a segment on money management, turned to Roker and inquired, “You’ve got to take off early?
Catch a flight?” confirming that the veteran weatherman had urgent plans.
Roker then explained his early departure, sharing that he was heading to Charleston for the Charleston Wine and Food Festival, referring to the destination as “God’s country.”
Sheinelle Jones and Craig Melvin expressed envy over his plans, with Sheinelle commenting on how “nice” the trip sounded,
while Craig sent him off with well wishes, telling Charleston to “treat him nice.” Before he left, his co-hosts made sure to request that he bring back some wine from the festival.
Roker’s connection to Charleston runs deep, despite being a native New Yorker. In fact, his fondness for the city was honored in a major way in 2024. The city’s mayor, William Cogswell, proclaimed August 20 as “Al Roker Day.” The announcement was made on News 2 Today, with the mayor expressing gratitude for Roker’s love and appreciation of Charleston. “We appreciate his love for who and what we are, and so we felt that it was fitting on his 70th birthday to give him a proclamation honoring his 70th,” Cogswell stated.
While Roker traveled to South Carolina, he was not the only member of the Today show absent from the 3rd Hour. Dylan Dreyer was reporting from Nashville, covering the People’s Choice Country Awards. The 43-year-old journalist surprised fans with a new look for the event, sporting a long ponytail in place of her signature short hairstyle. Dressed in a white gown featuring a silk bustier and fringe skirt, Dreyer completed the look with metallic, sandal-style heels.
As she checked in with her colleagues during the broadcast, Roker playfully remarked that she looked like a country star herself. Dreyer jokingly responded by suggesting that she might continue the look by wearing her clip-in ponytail when she returned to the studio, hinting at a more permanent transformation.
Dreyer’s absence meant that she missed an emotional moment on the Today show. During the broadcast, longtime anchor Hoda Kotb announced her departure after 17 years on the morning show. Sheinelle Jones and Jenna Bush Hager joined the rest of the Today team for the heartfelt moment, as Kotb shared her decision to move on from the program. The announcement was met with an outpouring of emotions from her colleagues and viewers alike.
As Roker enjoyed his time in Charleston, celebrating food and wine, and Dreyer covered the country music world in Nashville, the Today show continued to experience significant moments—both celebratory and bittersweet. With changes ahead, viewers remain eager to see how the show continues to evolve while maintaining its familiar charm.
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