Where is Hoda Kotb? Craig Melvin’s new job at ‘Today’ begins

On January 13, 2025By Littum

Hoda Kotb has left the 30 Rock building, and NBC anchor Craig Melvin is her replacement.

Melvin, a mainstay at the network, will co-host the NBC morning show with longtime “Today” co-anchor Savannah Guthrie in a shift that started Monday.

Melvin began his new role by telling the audience how grateful and excited he was to be in the host seat.

“You’ve sat there so many times, but this morning is special. Let’s go, this is going to be a beautiful ride,” Guthrie told Craig.

“And there’s no one I’d rather ride with than you, so let’s do this,” Melvin said.

In a tribute video narrated by Guthrie, the network chronicled Melvin’s rise to the role.

“Craig’s best stories remind us that life’s best moments often come with a side of laughter,” Guthrie said over footage of Melvin’s years of reporting.

Melvin has worked at NBC and MSNBC since 2011, joining as an MSNBC Live anchor through 2022 and an NBC News correspondent since 2012. The Emmy-winning journalist is also a “Dateline” anchor and has been on “Today” since 2018.

Hoda Kotb makes a surprise appearance on the ‘Today’ show

Kotb chimed in on social media and posted a screenshot on Instagram of her previous alarms at 3.00, 3.15 and 03.30 switched off. “No alarm…whaaaaaaaattttt???” she captioned the post.

She also joined the show via video message, wishing Melvin a good first day and revealing that she had left him a letter hidden in the office.

Melvin’s family also surprised the newly minted host, his wife and parents offering words of encouragement that brought him to tears.

“He’s a great dad and he deserves to be here,” Melvin’s son Delando said.

Who are the hosts of the ‘Today’ show?

Craig Melvin and Savannah Guthrie co-anchor the morning show.

Jenna Bush Hager, who since 2019 has co-hosted the “Today” show’s fourth-hour broadcast (aka “Hoda & Jenna”) with Kotb, announced Tuesday that actress Scarlett Johansson will take a turn at the anchor desk, according to Hager’s interview with People magazine. As part of a new approach in the wake of Kotb’s exit, Johansson is just one in one carousel of celebrities who will host the show.

When was Craig Melvin chosen as Hoda’s replacement?

On November 14, Craig was announced by NBC as Kotb’s replacement. During an on-air message, Melvin thanked his parents, who he said have overcome many obstacles, the “Today” crew, his wife and children. He has been married to sports anchor and reporter Lindsay Czarniak since 2011, and they share two children, Sybil and Delano.

“I’m just so thankful for her,” Melvin said of his wife. “It’s a lot of long days and short nights, and she’s been there for me from the beginning.” During the November 14 announcement segment, Kotb praised his successor.

“Craig, you were made for this job,” Hotb said. “You are such a good one. You have all the things that this job needs. You are the right person for it.” Longtime “Today” show weatherman Al Roker also appeared via video to congratulate Melvin on the new role. “I knew this day would come. I’ve seen you grow. I’ve seen you as a journalist, but more importantly, I’ve seen you as a father,” he said. “You are so worthy of this. I am almost at a loss for words.”

Craig Melvin previously praised Hoda Kotb prior to the exit

Melvin and Guthrie both praised Kotb ahead of her exit from the beloved morning show on Friday.

In a video tribute to Kotb, “Today” looked back at her tenure on the show, chronicling her interviews, costume pieces and heartfelt surprises for fans.

“If I don’t do this interview, does that mean she won’t go?” Guthrie joked to cameras, recalling how the two would need a makeup artist to come in for touch-ups after their off-camera chat turned emotional.

“She’s so special it’s almost indescribable,” Guthrie said. The two shared another tearful moment after the video ended.

“Hoda doesn’t do interviews, she has conversations,” Melvin said.

Starring: Anna Kaufman