Craig Melvin cries reading letter from Hoda Kotb during first broadcast as Today co-anchor

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

The anchor made his debut as a co-anchor in Today show with Savannah Guthrie on Monday, January 13th. He took over the role from Hoda Kotb, who made her final appearance after her 17-year run on January 10.

Guthrie started the broadcast by having the show announcer repeat Melvin’s name several times to mark the occasion.

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

Melvin agreed and told Guthrie, “Let’s go. And there’s nobody I’d rather ride with than you. So let’s do this.”

About 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. Then at 8 began, the broadcast showed the many fans who traveled from all over the country to be there Today Plaza for the apartment.

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

Afterwards, a tearful Melvin learned that Kotb made an encouraging, pre-recorded message for his first day, revealing that she wrote a letter to Melvin, which Guthrie then gave him live on air to read aloud.

“I’m moving forward, so reach back. Grab the baton, your world will expand. The adventures are endless, the people so dear. Great memories await, year after year,” the letter began as Melvin read it aloud. “Day one! You’re ready surrounded by love. Your team is the kind you can only dream of. Savannah, Al and Carson are here! With partners like these, your path is clear. From out on the field to inside 30 Rock , your fans are so eager they look at the clock the time has come to rise like the sun i’m cheering for you and a great run.

More surprises were in store for Melvin as his wife Lindsay Czarniak, their two children Delano and Sybil, plus his mother Betty Jo, father Lawrence and brother Ryan all appeared on screen to celebrate his exciting new chapter. Melvin’s former Columbia High School principal, along with Rick Henry and current students and staff, flooded the gymnasium to wish him a cheerful “good luck.” He then got a warm hello from his colleagues at NBC4 Washington, where he met Czarniak. His former NBC family told him he would “always have a home” there.

Melvin was then greeted by members of his Wofford College community who informed him that January 13th would officially be declared Craig Melvin Day. The Woffords then sang their collegiate song.

Kotb did not announce her departure until September 2024, and Melvin was named as her replacement two months later. On the November 14 episode, Kotb praised Melvin and expressed excitement to see him in the role.

“You were made for this job,” she told Melvin. “You are literally made for this job. You are such a good one. You have all the things that this job needs. You are the right person for it.”

Returning 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 say, ‘Wait a minute, she’s funny too!’

In 2018, Melvin was promoted to a Today weekday news anchor and host of the third hour of Today along with Al Roker, Sheinelle Jones and Dylan Dreyer. Now he has to undertake 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.

“I am beyond excited and grateful,” he said. “I want to thank NBC and the people here who deemed me worthy. And I have to start by thanking the man above, thank my Lord above and his son Jesus. I just enjoyed a lifetime of blessings and this is the latest in a long line of blessings I spoke with Mom and Dad yesterday and I am thankful that they are still young enough to see this and enjoy the fruits of their labor.”

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

“(Lindsay) has been there for me from the beginning,” gushed Melvin, adding, “People watch us on TV every morning, what they don’t see are the people behind those cameras and underneath. We have the best team in TV news , and it’s an honor to be a part of it.”

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

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The Today the show airs weekdays on NBC from 7:00 AM ET.