Craig Melvin Panics Over Hoda Kotb Run-In After 'Today' Exit: 'I Thought She Wanted It All Back'
The 46-year-old journalist took over Hoda Kotb's news desk seat in January after Kotb made the decision to leave the Today show in favor of getting in more time with her daughters Haley, 8, and Hope, 6.
"I saw Hoda yesterday and she was up on the fifth floor and she was getting ready to tape one of her podcasts and she came through the door,' Melvin shared on Today on June 11. 'And I was like, 'Uh-oh.''
Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Why was Melvin worried? The father of two admitted of Kotb, 'I thought she wanted it all back."
Melvin's co-anchors Carson Daly, Savannah Guthrie, Jenna Bush Hager and Al Roker quickly reassured him that Kotb wasn't going to come back and take his new job.
'I think somebody needs a hug,' Roker quipped, standing up and embracing Melvin. 'You're good enough, and dog gone it, you're likable.'
Guthrie, who shares the news desk with Melvin, added, 'You're the one we want. It's yours now, whether you like it or not.'
'No, I love it,' Melvin said, before jokingly adding, 'most days.'
Daly had a bold suggestion, telling Melvin, 'You should put it in your next contract that you get to keep all your clothes and that Hoda's not allowed in the building anymore.'
But Melvin quickly replied, 'No, no!'
Ahead of taking over the role in January, Melvin admitted to PEOPLE that he was nervous yet excited.
'I'm anxious but at the same time, it's the first time I've been this excited about anything outside the day I got married and the birth of my two children,' Melvin previously told PEOPLE. 'I am beyond stoked.'
Kotb told PEOPLE of Melvin, 'He is the natural perfect person. I told him, 'There's nothing to be worried about. You have all the things that you need.' '
Last month, Kotb opened up to PEOPLE about her difficult decision to leave the NBC morning show after 17 years.
'It's really cool to just realize that there's so much more to life,' she said. 'I wasn't able to bear witness to my kids' daily lives because of what I was doing. I got to see Haley sing 'What a Wonderful World' at 9:15 a.m. — I would have missed that. I used to think life was the big things, but it really is all the stuff that happens in between.'
Kotb has also been grappling with her daughter Hope's type 1 diabetes diagnosis, an autoimmune disease that prevents the pancreas from making its own insulin, requiring vigilant blood sugar monitoring and frequent insulin injections.
'It's kind of constant care for Hope. We're monitoring her 24/7,' she said, calling her daughter a 'trooper' for having had to deal with the unpleasant realities of treatment.
Read the original article on People
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
28 minutes ago
- Yahoo
‘Today' Star Dylan Dreyer's Birthday Instagram Post Causes a Frenzy Amongst Fans
Today star Dylan Dreyer marked her 44th birthday on August 2. The NBC host celebrated her birthday with her ex-husband Brian Fichera and their sons Calvin, Oliver and Rusty. Fans also saw Dylan reunite with former Today co-host Hoda Kotb, who brought daughters Haley and Hope along for the occasion. Dylan Dreyer just marked a special occasion! The Today show star, who recently announced her split from husband Brian Fichera, shared photos on her Instagram revealing how she rang in her 44th birthday on August 2. In the photos, we see Dylan had a classic pool party at home, and Brian and their three sons Calvin, Oliver and Rusty joined her for the festivities. But they weren't the only ones there to celebrate: Former Today host stopped by with her daughters Haley and Hope as well. "Thank you all for the birthday wishes!!" Dylan wrote as her caption. "I was spoiled by the best surprises ever and felt like a princess!" Soon after Dylan shared highlights from her intimate birthday party on social media, it didn't take long before Hoda popped into the comments to send her own happy wishes. "Bday girl!!! ❤️❤️," Hoda replied. After folks realized Dylan and Hoda reunited for the big day, they immediately flooded the post with comments about how excited they were to see the two together. "AND Hoda with precious girls?!! So great!," one person said. "You are a gem. Love your friendship with @hodakotb and your great parenting with @fishlense," another wrote. "Love that Hoda & her girls shared in on the celebration with you & your boys," someone else commented. We so love this for Dylan and Hoda! And even though the two aren't working together anymore (Hoda exited the Today show back in January), Dylan has spoken out about what their off-screen friendship has meant to her. "Hoda's like your favorite aunt, who you loved when she showed up," she told Us Weekly at the time of Hod leaving the NBC morning series. "I mean, she was the heart and soul of the Today show and really brought that to the people. Everybody's like, 'What's Hoda like in person?' She's exactly what you see on TV." You Might Also Like 67 Best Gifts for Women That'll Make Her Smile The Best Pillows for Every Type of Sleeper Solve the daily Crossword
Fox News
an hour ago
- Fox News
'The Hunting Wives' pushes envelope for Netflix with Malin Akerman as steamy seductress
Malin Akerman's latest role in "The Hunting Wives" was a dramatic turn from roles the actress typically takes on. The Netflix series follows housewives in East Texas who welcome in a newcomer from Boston. The show is full of deception, raunchy scenes, secrets and murder. Akerman stars as Margo Banks and is married to oil tycoon-turned-politician hopeful Jed Banks (Dermot Mulroney). The star-studded cast also includes Brittany Snow, Chrissy Metz, Jaime Ray Newman and Katie Lowes. Prior to "The Hunting Wives," Akerman was best known for her role as the wife of a hedge fund manager in "Billions." The seven-season series centered around "power politics in the world of New York high finance," per IMDb. She was also typically cast in rom-com movies, such as "27 Dresses," "Couples Retreat," and "The Proposal." Taking on the role of Margo, a seductive housewife that's full of secrets, was easy for Akerman. She told People that she "fell in love" with the character immediately and read all eight episodes right when she was sent the script. "I got to see her whole arc and see where she begins and where she came from and where she ends up, and it's just such a meaty role. "She's a master manipulator, she's vibrant, she's all these things that are fun to play. There was just so much to work with there. There was no way I could say no to it," Akerman told the outlet. "She's a master manipulator, she's vibrant, she's all these things that are fun to play. There was just so much to work with there. There was no way I could say no to it." Akerman also discussed her on-screen husband, Jed Banks. "I love Dermot so much. He's one of the loveliest humans. I mean, it's one of those things you go into it, and it's Dermot Mulroney, the heartthrob from 'My Best Friend's Wedding.' He is just an incredible human being," she told People. Throughout the seasons, viewers learn that Jed and Margo have an interesting marriage. Both parties are allowed to sleep with other women, but Margo is not allowed to sleep with other men. "Margo and Jed are really interesting because at first you just think she's this trophy wife, and she's living the life. But then, there are some scenes that get pretty complex where we see who is boss. "She needs to make sure that she doesn't step on his toes because if she's out, then she's got nothing. It's life or death for her, this relationship with Jed," Akerman said. Akerman's character Margo also changed after Jed announced his plans to run for governor of Texas. "You see her kind of shift and go, 'All right, I've overstepped my boundaries.' So, she does have boundaries, which is interesting. As long as she's playful and sexy, though, she can stay. So, she's become a master manipulator, and that was really fun to play with Dermot. He's just such a great acting partner. We had a really good time," Akerman said. She also mentioned her relationship with Sophie (Brittany Snow), the new girl from Boston. Their friendship sees them drinking and hunting, but it also turns romantic in the series. "We ended up just loving each other so much. I was so thankful to have her as my partner in crime. We just felt really comfortable with each other," Akerman said. Even during their intimate scenes, Snow and Akerman were able to keep their friendship lighthearted. "They'd call cut, and we'd giggle and we'd be silly together after because you're just like, 'Oh my God, this is crazy.' It was just two girlfriends just doing the craziest things and having a blast together," she told People. Akerman discussed her role with Elle and explained that although Margo is calculating and manipulative, she's hard to not watch. "Whether it's controlling, hypocritical or whatever, there's a freedom to her that I loved. I'm such a people pleaser, and sometimes I just want to go, 'F--- it, stop. Just be free. Be wild.' Margo's on another level. That really stuck with me," she told the outlet. Akerman is optimistic that Netflix will renew the series for a second season, especially with the show's shocking finale that "got everyone gasping," according to the star. "She's just too fun," she said of Margo. "It's just fun to be taken on a ride—and that's what this show is for."
Fox News
2 hours ago
- Fox News
CBS staffers speculate on Gayle King's future as network bosses push 'editorial shift' on struggling AM show
CBS staffers are speculating whether their longtime morning show star Gayle King will have a long future ahead of her as network bosses implement changes to her program. King, the liberal co-host of "CBS Mornings," has struggled to give CBS a ratings lift despite having a roster of A-list pals like Oprah Winfrey and her mega salary ranging from $10-15 million per year, according to reports. During the month of July, CBS' marquee morning program averaged 1.8 million total viewers, trailing behind ABC's "Good Morning America" with 2.6 million and NBC's "Today" with 2.4 million. "A lot of people like how she says off-the-wall things. But also there's people that don't like it," one CBS staffer told Fox News Digital about how King's colleagues feel about her. "Anytime you have a big name, they are going to be a target." King is "generally liked" within the network and "still has a lot of power in the morning when it comes to things she wants." "She is insulated by her team and ["CBS Mornings" executive producer Shawna Thomas] a good bit. But so are [co-hosts Nate Burleson and Tony Dokoupil] to an extent," the staffer said. Perhaps puncturing a hole in King's bubble is the "editorial shift" being pushed by CBS News president and executive editor Tom Cibrowski and his No. 2 Wendy Fisher, the network's senior vice president of editorial. "They're changing story selection and tweaking the show some," the CBS staffer said. "I know Tom has been involved in the show heavily though… He wants us to focus on stories outside of major cities and in the middle of the country. Stories that affect real people and that they're talking about at home. Lots of economic stories." "You can see Tom's work in the show- they've added [former "Good Morning America" meteorologist Rob Marciano] full-time, tweaked teases, and you even see more camera movement and dramatics similar to 'GMA,'" they continued. "I don't know that Shawna has pushed back on Tom, but I do know he has had his hand in tweaks on the show especially recently." Cibrowski joined CBS News in March after a 30-year stint at ABC News, following in the footsteps of Fisher, who similarly joined the network in April 2024 after a three-decade stint at the Disney-owned rival. "Everyone I've talked to is super happy with him," the CBS staffer said of Cibrowski. "He's a steady hand and has a proven track record. He's extremely respected internally. So is Wendy." The staffer is convinced that the changes Cibrowski has implemented over the past couple of months are him "putting his mark on the division" and have nothing to do with the parent company Paramount's settlement to President Donald Trump or the forthcoming Paramount-Skydance merger set to close Thursday. "The editorial changes I've seen feel more focused on growing the shows and stories that resonate better than making changes based on pressure from up top," they said. "He just got here in the spring so he's just getting to a point now where he knows everyone and everything and is changing things based on his vision is the impression I get." Expect more editorial changes in the coming weeks, the staffer says, before "CBS Mornings" packs up and leaves its studio in Times Square and returns to CBS Broadcast Center on 57th Street in New York City in September. There has been a lot of chatter about Skydance CEO David Ellison and how he envisions the future of CBS News, including whether it includes King. The CBS staffer suggests the current network leadership has a contingency plan, as they "started to groom" Adrianna Diaz as the "heir" to the 70-year-old host when she was tapped to co-host the third hour of the program, dubbed "CBS Mornings Plus." "People are talking about it because Gayle is our biggest star, but also I don't think anyone cares that much," the staffer said. "I think everyone just wants stability, so from that standpoint, people want her to stay." CBS News did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
