Several prominent faces from NBC’s Today show were missing from their usual spots on the morning episode. Notably, Hoda Kotb and Al Roker were among the absentees.
“Sheinelle [Jones] and Jacob [Soboroff] are present today. Hoda and Craig [Melvin] have taken off early for the weekend,” shared Savannah Guthrie at the start of the Friday, May 3, broadcast, according to Us Weekly.
Both Carson Daly and Roker were not present for the first two hours, with their segments being handled by Soboroff, age 41, and Dylan Dreyer.
The absence seems to be a recurring pattern with the cast, as just the prior week, Savannah Guthrie left mid-show on April 26 and did not appear on Monday of the same week either.
Guthrie’s early Friday exit on that day was due to her gearing up for the White House Correspondents dinner, as relayed by Kotb to viewers.
Those not seen on the May 3 show had other engagements which social media provided a glimpse into.
At 59, Kotb was not in New York but at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, capturing videos of Mick Jagger and posting them on Instagram with captions such as “Happening now!”
For the weekend, Roker was getting active, sharing a video encouraging others to join in on the exercise, with the upbeat caption related to the impending weekend.
Craig Melvin talked about his children’s book tour plans in New Jersey for May 6 on an Instagram video.
As for Daly, his weekend plans were not disclosed, but it’s hoped that they were equally exciting.
Looking forward: Support for Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager’s outspoken views on a current birthday party trend.
FAQs about ‘The Today Show’ Anchors’ Absence
Q: Why were Hoda Kotb and Al Roker missing from ‘The Today Show’?
A: Kotb and Roker, along with other anchors, were absent due to personal engagements and getting an early start to their weekend.
Q: Were Hoda Kotb and Al Roker the only anchors who did not appear on the show?
A: No, Sheinelle Jones, Jacob Soboroff, and Craig Melvin were present. Carson Daly was also missing from the show.
Q: Has this sort of absence happened before with the ‘Today’ show anchors?
A: Yes, such absences are becoming a pattern among the anchors, with some leaving the set early or taking days off in the previous week.
Conclusion
The occasional absence of popular ‘Today’ show anchors like Hoda Kotb and Al Roker is not uncommon as they balance their rigorous television schedules with personal time off. Their transparency and the ability of the remaining anchors, such as Savannah Guthrie, to hold the fort, ensure that the show maintains its usual stride despite any temporary changes in the lineup.