Today’s Craig Melvin holds back tears as he reveals reason for unexpected morning show absence
Today’s Craig Melvin holds back tears as he reveals reason for unexpected morning show absence
TODAY’S Craig Melvin gets emotional while explaining his unexpected absence from the morning show earlier this week.
The journalist, who usually sits beside Savannah Guthrie at the news desk, wasn’t present for Thursday’s broadcast.
Craig Melvin got emotional while explaining his unexpected absence from Today during Friday’s broadcastCredit: NBC
Craig was honored with the Ripples of Impact award in his hometown of Columbia, South CarolinaCredit: WISTV
Willie Geist filled in for Craig, though neither he nor Savannah explained the abrupt co-host switch-up.
He returned to the studio for Friday’s show, where his third-hour co-host, Dylan Dreyer, finally addressed the sweet reason he took the day off.
“We do wanna give a shout-out to our buddy Craig this morning. You know he always represents his hometown of where? Columbia, South Carolina. Well, it doesn’t go unnoticed,” Dylan told viewers.
“Craig was just recognized with the Ripples of Impact medal. It is the first year Columbia’s mayor has given out the award honoring people who have elevated the community through their leadership and commitment to making a difference,” she added.
Dylan commended her colleague for receiving the city’s first-ever award and called the honor a “big deal.”
“You are making a difference, and you have an impact, and you talk about South Carolina all the time,” she said.
Craig appeared to get choked up by the on-air recognition, and gushed over the other award recipients.
“It was nice being back. Being honored, of course, it’s nice, but it was the group I was honored with,” the TV star boasted.
He mentioned that Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson was also among the recipients, though she couldn’t make the ceremony because she’s currently competing in the playoffs.
“But A’ja Wilson was honored, and some of the folks that, growing up in Columbia, South Carolina, that I sort of idolized, they were among those being honored, [including] one of the first Jewish businessmen in our community,” Craig continued.
Another bonus for the TV personality was being back in his hometown and spending time with family.
“The people who sort of shaped me and molded me, they were all there, and it was nice,” he said, and again thanked the city of Columbia for the recognition.
Craig was missing from Thursday’s broadcast to be at the ceremony the day beforeCredit: Getty
Craig joined the Today franchise in 2015 and now sits at the main news desk alongside Savannah GuthrieCredit: Getty
Other honorees recognized by Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann at Wednesday’s ceremony included Isadore Lourie, Charity Adams Earley, The Darnall W. and Susan F. Boyd Foundation, Rev. Dr. Simon P. Bouie, William Tobin “Bill” Cassels, Jr., and South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster.
“I am honored. You know, I’m missing work tomorrow. I don’t get to miss work a whole lot. So, you know, I wanted to come down and accept it in person to thank Columbia,” Craig told local news outlet WIS News 10, which he previously worked at before joining Today.
“I know it’s an award. I’m honored to receive it. But, you know, I also wanted to come and thank some of the folks who helped me along the way.”
He added, “Folks like you. Folks like my first news director are here. Folks like Mayor Rickenmann, who I’ve known for 20 years.”
Craig echoed the statement in an Instagram post on Friday, alongside multiple photos from the celebration.
“I’ve always been proud to call Columbia home, and this week was a reminder of just how much this community means to me,” he wrote, before adding how “grateful” he was for the honor.
Craig first joined the Today franchise in 2015 as a co-anchor on Weekend Today, then became a weekday news anchor for the main show and co-host for the third hour.
He was promoted to the official co-anchor of the first and second hours of Today alongside Savannah in January 2025, following Hoda Kotb’s departure.
