Hoda Kotb has strong reaction to her ‘Today’ Show replacement

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Hoda Kotb had a bold response to the news for a long time Today the talented Craig Melvin steps in as her replacement in 2025.

The 60-year-old Today show icon, who announced his upcoming retirement on September 26, celebrated the news with the rest of his co-stars when Melvin’s promotion was announced on Wednesday, November 14 by the morning show.

After the news was announced, Kotb hugged Melvin, 45, and congratulated him on his new role.

“You were literally made for this job,” she told him. “You are such a good one. You have all the things that this job needs. You are the right person for it.”

Melvin also had some kind words for his predecessor. “Inheriting this from you – You’ve been the heart of this place for a long time,” he hissed. “You helped save this show. You helped save this show, and to be able to sit next to someone that 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.” He jokingly added, “I’ll try not to screw it up.”

Savannah Guthrie had been the one to share the big news, announcing: “Our dear friend, and talented, wonderful, hard-working, most deserving of this: Craig Melvin is the new anchor of Today show.” She added, “This is one of the most popular decisions NBC News has ever made.”

“I am beyond excited and grateful. I have enjoyed a lifetime of nothing but blessings, and this is the latest in a long line of blessings,” said Melvin, who will take over for Kotb starting Jan. 13, 2025.

Al Roker may not have been in the studio for the announcement, but he still is participated via a video call to congratulate Melvin. “I knew this day would come. I’m so proud and so happy for you right now because you’re so worthy of this. I’m at a loss for words,” he said.

Melvin appeared to get emotional as he thanked Roker, leading Guthrie to pull out a celebratory box of tissues with the newly announced anchor’s face on it. Sitting down with Guthrie, Kotb, Jenna Bush Hager and Sheinelle Jones, Melvin shared, “I want people to know – I didn’t have sisters, but you guys are the sisters I never knew I needed for,” and Guthrie chimed in jokingly. i, “Or desired!”

Soon after the broadcast, clips from the emotional episode were added to Instagram, which showed Melvin receives a hug from Kotbcongratulations from Al Roker and celebration with the rest of his co-anchors. In a clip, Melvin can be seen wiping tears from his eyes when he joins Carson Daly, Kotb and Guthrie on Today Plaza while surrounded by fans cheering his name.

Kotb’s last day as co-anchor in it Today the show will be Friday, January 10. She first shared the news of her departure back in September, citing that she wanted more time with her children, the start of a new business venture, and that she felt she had reached the pinnacle of her career at Today.

“I realized it was time for me to turn the page at 60 and try something new,” Kotb had said. She also talked about spending more time with her children, Haley, 7, and Hope, 5, who she adopted with ex-fiancé Joel Schiffman.

“Obviously, I had my kids late in life and I thought they deserve a bigger slice of my time pie that I have. I feel like we only have a limited amount of time,” she explained.