Craig Melvin will take an extended break from the Today Show, with a beloved NBC sportscaster stepping in to replace him.
The 45-year-old TV host will be spending spring break with his wife, Lindsay Czarniak, and their two children, 11-year-old Delano and eight-year-old Sybil next week – and Mike Tirico, 58, will be stepping into his co-hosting spot. Savannah Guthrie, 53, made the shake-up announcement during an episode of the show on Thursday, April 10.
She said, “And by the way, we’ve got some special news! After Mike gets his fill of golf, all next week he’s going to join us right here in studio 1A. Craig’s going on Easter break with his kids. Tirico, you are going to fill in and co-host!”
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Savannah then asked Mike, “Are you ready?” The presenter, who appeared virtually while reporting from a golf course, replied, “I was so excited about it and then I just watched Jon Hamm’s live audition and now I’m out. I can’t do this,” referring to an earlier segment where guest Jon read lines off of the teleprompter while sitting down for an interview with Savannah.
Mike Tirico will step in to replace Craig next week (Image: NBC via Getty Images)
Mike then said about his colleague, “But no, Melvin showed he could host the Olympics when I was traveling back and forth so figure if we can try to go for an even trade here, I’m looking forward to being with y’all next week.” Savannah said, “It’s awesome. It’s all in the family. We love it.”
Craig then chimed in, “This is also, by the way, literally the only job in television Mike Tirico has not done,” prompting his colleagues to laugh. The announcement was shared on the official Today Instagram page, with fans taking to the comment section to express their excitement.
“Have a great vacation Craig but having Mike fill in will be fun to watch,” said a person, while another wrote, “This should be great as Mike is so fun!” A third said, “Omg this is actually iconic!!!!” And someone else added, “Mike is awesome!” One more person said, “Welcome Mike, I’ll be watching!”
Savannah Guthrie announced the presenter shake-up on Thursday (Image: Getty Images for Michael Kors)
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Earlier this year, Craig said it was an “honor” to be asked to step in and replace Hoda Kotb on Today. The presenter stepped down in January after almost 18 years on the program, having made the decision to leave when she turned 60 last summer. Craig had been working as a news anchor for Today and co-hosted the show’s third hour.
He now appears alongside Savannah Guthrie in the mornings and in February, he opened up about how it’s going so far. “There are so few truly venerable institutions left in television, and being part of one isn’t something I take lightly. It’s the professional honor of a lifetime,” he gushed.
Craig said he never thought he would make it to the popular morning segment. “But then one day, I got the call that Hoda Kotb was leaving, and I just thought, ‘Wow, this might actually be happening,'” he revealed. Speaking to Westport Magazine, Craig admitted he had underestimated the popularity of the show. He explained, “You don’t fully grasp the magnitude of the show’s reach until you experience it first hand, you know?”
He joked, “It hits you when a random person in Ohio or an airport in Florida stops you and says, I remember your first show. Seeing your mom on was such a beautiful moment. And that’s when it really sinks in — Oh my god. People watch. Millions of people are watching and listening every morning.”
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