Al Roker sparks concern by vanishing from Today in middle of broadcast
Al Roker sparks concern by vanishing from Today in middle of broadcast – what really happened
TODAY Show’s Al Roker left in the middle of the morning show’s broadcast on Monday.
The beloved weatherman suddenly disappeared from Today a little after 8am ET, with meteorologist Dylan Dreyer taking over.
Fans grew concerned Monday morning after Ak Roker suddenly disappeared from the broadcast in the 8am hourCredit: NBC
Al appeared in front of a Manhattan court on Monday, ready for jury dutyCredit: Instagram/alroker
However, Al, 72, took to social media shortly after vanishing from the morning news program to quell fans fears.
On Instagram, standing in front of a New York City courthouse, Al said, “I got out of the Today Show early because I’ve got jury duty.”
He then joked, “It’s everybody’s civic duty to do your duty,” before chuckling and adding, “I said duty twice,” with a nod to a good old dad poop joke.
The weatherman has had some serious bouts with health issues in the past, so it’s no wonder fans grew worried about the icon.
Al has been with NBC’s Today as their official weatherman for over 28 years, and during that time, he has managed prostate cancer, emergency carpal tunnel surgery, and a total hip replacement.
Most recently, in November 2022, he was hospitalized for blood clots.
Following a two-month absence to recover from severe blood clots in his legs and lungs alongside follow-up surgical complications, Al made his return to Today in January of 2023.
Back in November 2020, the TV personality shared his prostate cancer diagnosis with his co-stars and viewers.
Roughly two months later, he had surgery to treat an “aggressive” form of the disease.
Posting photos with his wife, Deborah Roberts, and son Nicholas, Al thanked “everyone at the Josie Robertson Surgery Center” and noted that he received “wonderful care packages from my co-workers.”
Al felt “relieved to let you all know that my prostate cancer surgery is done and back home.” He came back to the show in December 2020 after nearly nine months away.
A year before that, Al underwent total hip replacement surgery at the Hospital for Special Surgery.
He had a one-hour operation on his left hip after dealing with “excruciating pain” brought on by osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease.
Just two weeks later, Al returned to the NBC morning show using a cane, having worked with a physical therapist for three hours to help get himself back on his feet.
Reflecting on how fast it all happened, Al described the frightening rollercoaster ride: “This happened within like within three months.
“All of a sudden, I went from a little twinge to like excruciating pain.”
