Craig Melvin Cries Reading Letter from Hoda Kotb During First Broadcast as Today Co-Anchor ArticlePure

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

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

Guthrie kicked off the broadcast by having the show announcer repeat Melvin’s name multiple times to mark the occasion.

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

Melvin agreed, telling Guthrie, “Let’s go. And there’s no one I would rather ride with than you. So let’s do this.”

Roughly 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. As the 8 a.m. began, the broadcast showed the many fans who traveled from across the country to be on Today Plaza for the occasion.

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

Afterward, a teary-eyed Melvin learned that Kotb made an encouraging, pre-recorded message for his first day and revealed that she wrote a letter for Melvin, which Guthrie then handed to him live on air to read aloud.

“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,” the letter began as Melvin read it aloud. “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!”

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 onscreen to celebrate his exciting new chapter. Melvin’s former Columbia High School principal, joined by Rick Henry and current students and staff, flooded the gymnasium to wish him a cheery “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’d “always have a home” there.

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

Kotb first announced her departure in September 2024 and Melvin was named as her replacement two months later. On the Nov. 14 episode, Kotb praised Melvin and expressed excitement to see him in the role.

“You are made for this job,” she told Melvin. “You are literally made for this job. You are that kind of good. You have all the things that this job needs. You’re the right person for it.”

Returning the 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’re like, ‘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 alongside Al Roker, Sheinelle Jones and Dylan Dreyer. Now, he will be taking on 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 folks here who deemed me worthy. And I have to start by thanking the man upstairs, thank you my Lord above and his son Jesus. I enjoyed just a lifetime of blessings and this is the latest in a long line of blessings. I talked to mom and dad yesterday and I’m grateful they’re 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 addiciton, and his mother, who worked a second job and “sacrificed” to provide for his family. He also acknowledged his kids and wife for being there for him during the “long days and short nights” throughout his career. 

“[Lindsay’s] been there for me from the beginning,” Melvin gushed, adding: “People see us on TV every morning, what they don’t see are the folks behind these cameras and downstairs. We have the best team in television news and it’s an honor to be a part of that.”

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

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The Today show airs weekdays on NBC beginning at 7 a.m. ET.