Later this week, Al Roker will make his triumphant return to “Today.”
During Tuesday’s broadcast, Hoda Kotb, Savannah Guthrie, and Craig Melvin announced the passing of the popular 68-year-old meteorologist.
Al is returning to the show, Guthrie, 51, said to viewers this morning.
The 58-year-old Kotb then added, “People were like, ‘When?’” Friday is our lucky day: he will be here. He will be present in Studio 1A.
She went on to say, “This is his spot. He will be seated, exactly where he belongs. We simply cannot wait.”
Melvin, 43, remarked that the group would finally “get back together,” whereas Guthrie stated that the long-running NBC programme was “not the same” without Roker.
“The sun will return on Friday morning,” she continued.
Since November 2022, when he was hospitalized for blood clots in his leg and lungs, Roker has been missing from work.
The TV icon captioned an Instagram image showing roses and an NBC News mug at the time, “So many of you have been thoughtfully inquiring where I’ve been.”
“I was admitted to the hospital last week with a blood clot in my leg that traveled to my lungs,” he added. After some medical whack-a-mole, I am fortunate to be receiving excellent medical care and on the mend.
Even the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City was missed by Roker for the first time in 27 years.
Roker missed the Thanksgiving parade for the first time in nearly three decades
He went home just in time for Thanksgiving dinner, but the following day he was rushed back to the hospital.
Roker made a virtual appearance on “Today” at the beginning of December after being released from prison.
He informed his co-anchors, “I’m not going to deny that it’s been a struggle.” It’s been the most difficult surgery I’ve ever had, and I’ve had several.
Since early December, the weatherman has been at home with his family.
After losing muscular mass in the hospital, Roker claimed that he had a “certain amount of frailty.”
“Every day I engage in physical treatment and occupational therapy. I must simply regain my strength,” he added. “I feel good. I feel strong. Each day I feel slightly better.”
»Hoda Kotb discloses Al Roker’s comeback date to ‘Today’ following hospitalizations«