Craig Melvin Cries as He Reads Encouraging Letter from Hoda Kotb During First Broadcast asTodayCo-Anchor

Mar. 15, 2025

It’sCraig Melvin’s first day on the job!

The anchor made his debut as co-anchor of theTodayshow alongsideSavannah Guthrieon Monday, Jan. 13. Hetook over the rolefromHoda Kotb, who made her final appearance after her 17-year-run on Jan. 10.

“You’ve sat there so many times but this morning is special,” Guthrie told Melvin of the co-anchor desk. “Let’s go, this is going to be a beautiful ride.”

Melvin agreed, telling Guthrie, “Let’s go. And there’s no one I would rather ride with than you. So let’s do this.”

Roughly 38 minutes into the broadcast, before the pre-recorded interview with sports commentator Mike Tirico, Guthrie told Melvin: “You’re crushing it!”

The “Melvinators” were out in full force to cheer Melvin on for his first day. As the 8 a.m. began, the broadcast showed the many fans who traveled from across the country to be onTodayPlaza for the occasion.

Craig Melvin and Hoda Kotb on July 7, 2022 on NBC’s Today Show.Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty

Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty

The morning show then aired a video segment featuring Melvin’s many career highlights, even some from his early days in broadcast journalism. Guthrie lent her voice to the segment’s voiceover, raving about Melvin’s ability to “light up the anchor desk” as he “brightens every corner of our studio.”

Afterward, a teary-eyed Melvin learned that Kotb made an encouraging, pre-recorded message for his first day and revealed that she wrote a letter for Melvin, which Guthrie then handed to him live on air to read aloud.

(L-R) Savannah Guthrie and Craig Melvin on NBC’s Today on January 13, 2025.NBC

NBC

(L-R) Carson Daly, Craig Melvin, Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Al Roker on Today on January 13, 2025.Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty

Kotb first announced her departure in September 2024 and Melvin was named as her replacement two months later. On the Nov. 14 episode, Kotb praised Melvin and expressed excitement to see him in the role.

“You are made for this job,” she told Melvin. “You are literally made for this job. You are that kind of good. You have all the things that this job needs. You’re the right person for it.”

Returning the appreciation, Melvin told Kotb: “It means a lot to inherit this from you. You helped save the show and to be able to sit next to someone who I knew was smart for years and all of a sudden you start working with her and you’re like, ‘Wait a minute, she’s funny too!'”

In 2018, Melvinwas promoted to aTodayweekday news anchor and host of the third hour ofTodayalongsideAl Roker,Sheinelle JonesandDylan Dreyer. Now, he will be taking on three hours in a row.

During the Nov. 14 announcement, Melvin took time to reflect on everything and everyone who helped get him to this place.

Craig Melvin, Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Al Roker.Kristy Sparow/Getty

Kristy Sparow/Getty

He then thanked his father, who was born in prison and overcame addiciton, and his mother, who worked a second job and “sacrificed” to provide for his family. He also acknowledged his kids and wife for being there for him during the “long days and short nights” throughout his career.

Before cutting to commercial break, he joked, “I’ll try not to screw it up!”

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TheTodayshow airs weekdays on NBC beginning at 7 a.m. ET.

source: people.com