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,

They will have to come in with boxes and security and say, you're done,' Melvin joked while exclusively chatting with Parade for the Jan. 17 cover story.

“I was like, ‘Are they forcing you out?’ She’s like, ‘No Craig, I’m OK. I’m leaving,’” he recalled. “I was legit stunned, so much so that after she left, I went back to her dressing room, and I was like, ‘Are you sure you’re OK?’ It takes a certain kind of courage to leave anything when you’re at the height of your game.”

Dressed in a navy suit and yellow tie that his wife and kids picked out for the occasion, Craig stands at the TODAY desk reading over copy when music begins playing. He looks up, surprised, as the first verse of Hootie & the Blowfish’s “Let Her Cry” comes through the studio speakers.

The NBC newsman is taking over the position from longtime 'Today' anchor Hoda Kotb Craig Melvin admits he’s generally not an anxious person. He doesn’t “really do excited” either. But reality was setting in as he welcomed PEOPLE into his Westport,

Savannah Guthrie made her return to Today after missing an episode of the show during Craig Melvin’s first week as her official coanchor. Savannah, 53, was absent from the talk show on Thursday6. At the time of her absence,

Craig Melvin made his debut co-anchoring the 'Today' show with Savannah Guthrie on Monday, Jan. 13, after taking over the role from Hoda Kotb.

Today's new co-anchor Craig Melvin opens up in this week's PEOPLE cover story about the new hobby that he can't stop gushing about.

It’s a familiar routine for Craig, who joined the TODAY team in 2018 and is well-accustomed to early mornings. But since taking over as co-anchor of the show after Hoda Kotb's exit on Jan. 10, his wakeup time has gotten considerably earlier.

Craig Melvin has officially taken the helm of his new role as a co-anchor of NBC’s “Today” show. But not before thanking his mom and dad. The 45-year-old TV anchor closed his sentimental first broadcast on Monday, Jan. 13, with a dedication to his parents, Betty Jo and Lawrence, who were on set for his big first day.

Craig Melvin's debut as co-anchor of Today proved to be an emotional one. On Monday, January 13, the 45-year-old broadcast journalist — who began his first day in his new gig — received a video message and a handwritten letter from his predecessor, Hoda Kotb, whose last day was Friday, January 10.

Craig Melvin revealed he questioned Hoda Kotb about whether she chose to leave 'Today' when he learned of her exit from the NBC morning show