Yahoo Lifestyle Craig Melvin Wanted His Mom to Know His 'Today' News First
Were you surprised when NBC announced that Craig Melvin would succeed Hoda Kotb as a co-anchor on the Today show? It turns out we weren't the only ones shocked by the news — Craig was, too.
In November 2024, the daytime morning program shared Craig would take over for Hoda after she left Today on January 10. He made his co-anchoring debut alongside Savannah Guthrie on January 13, marking the start of a new era in his career. Well, when speaking to People about how he learned he'd be Hoda's successor, he revealed that he didn't expect it at all. Turns out, his bosses (Today Senior Vice President Libby Leist and executive TV producer Tom Mazzarelli) had been in discussions about who would fill Hoda's place — and they thought he'd be a perfect fit.
"In our line of work, when both of your bosses come in together, it's either really good or it's really bad," he shared in a video posted on YouTube on January 15. "Libby says, 'You know, I think you're probably aware there's some changes happening around here. We've talked to everyone and we'd be excited to offer you the role.' I was like, 'What role?' They're like, "Co-host of the Today show. We would like for you to succeed Hoda."
If you thought that was the last of how Craig reacted to taking over for Hoda on Today — there's more!
Craig also shared how he felt moments after receiving this new job opportunity, which he acknowledged feeling emotional about. As he continued, he, Libby and Tom all exchanged a heartfelt hug, before Libby and Tom said there were only two people he could tell about his big news.
"[Libby and Tom] swore me to secrecy — they were like, 'You can't tell a soul,'" he added. "I was like, 'What do you mean?' and they were like, 'Yeah, [tell wife] Lindsay [Czarniak]. I was like, 'What about my mom [Betty Melvin]?' 'Your mom — but tell your mom not to tell anybody in church.' So, I called Linds and I called mom, and that was it."
Well, that is definitely an encouraging way to find out you're taking over a pivotal role on the Today show. Now, Craig is excited about what's to come — and he's ready to continue the legacy in his own way.
"My hope is very simple: to just not screw it up," he exclusively told Good Housekeeping about his new job in January 2025. "The Today show has been around for more than 70 years now. No one wants to be the guy steering the ship when it runs aground. I basically want to continue the tradition that's been established."
You Might Also Like
