Where is Hoda Kotb? Craig Melvin kicks off 'Today' show hosting gig

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

Melvin, a mainstay at the network, will helm the NBC morning show alongside longtime "Today" co-anchor Savannah Guthrie in a shift that kicked off Monday.

Melvin began his new role by telling audiences how grateful and excited he was to sit 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 said to Craig.

"And there's no one I would 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 with "Today" since 2018.

Hoda Kotb makes surprise appearance on 'Today' show, shares letter

Kotb chimed in on social media, posting a screenshot on Instagram of her previous alarms for 3:00, 3:15, and 3:30 am turned off. "No alarm…whaaaaaaaattttt???" she captioned the post.

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

The letter turned out to be a heartfelt poem, "Today" revealed: "Craig! / I'm moving forward, so reach back your hand. / Grab the baton, your world will expand. / The adventures are endless … the people so dear. / Great memories await, year after year. / Day One! You are 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 runway is clear.

"From out on the plaza, to inside 30 Rock, / Your fans are so eager, they’re watching the clock. / The time has arrived to rise like the sun. / I am cheering for you, and a fabulous run!" the poem continued, as she signed, "XOXO Hoda."

Melvin's family also surprised the newly minted host, his wife and parents both 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 are co-anchors on the morning show.

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

When was Craig Melvin chosen as Hoda's replacement?

On Nov. 14, Craig was announced by NBC at 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.

Craig Melvin replacing Hoda Kotb as 'Today' show co-anchor with Savannah Guthrie

"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 announcement episode Nov. 14, Kotb praised her successor.

"Craig, you are made for this job," Hotb said. "You are that kind of good. You have all the things that this job needs. You're the right person for it."Longtime "Today" show weatherman Al Roker also made an appearance via video to congratulate Melvin on the new role. "I knew this day would come. I've watched you grow. I've seen you as a journalist, but more importantly, I've seen you as a dad," he said. "You are so worthy of this. I almost don't have the words."

Craig Melvin previously praised Hoda Kotb ahead of exit

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

In a video tribute to Kotb, "Today" looked back at her tenure on the show, chronicling her interviews, costumed bits and heartfelt surprises for fans.

"If I don't do this interview does that mean she won't leave?" Guthrie joked to cameras, recalling how the two would need a makeup artist to come in for touch-ups after their off-camera chats got emotional.

"She's so special, it's almost beyond description," Guthrie said. The two shared another tear-streaked moment after the video wrapped.

"Hoda doesn't do interviews, she has conversations," said Melvin.

Contributing: Anna Kaufman

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Where is Hoda Kotb? Craig Melvin new job on 'Today' begins