Craig Melvin has large footwear to fill.
And, following Hoda’s departure, he is aware of it.
In November, NBC named Craig Melvin to exchange Hoda Kotb on The At this time Present.
He’s freely admitting how intimidating it’s to step in for such an iconic tv host.
Craig Melvin attends the 2025 Nationwide Board of Assessment Gala at Cipriani forty second Avenue on January 07, 2025. (Photograph Credit score: Mike Coppola/Getty Pictures)
Co-hosting ‘Today’ will likely be big for Craig Melvin
“I’m excited. I’m anxious,” he admitted. He then affirmed: “I’m nervous but I’m honored.”
NBC anchors Craig Melvin and Hoda Kotb pose throughout the 2022 Rockefeller Heart Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Rockefeller Heart on November 30, 2022. (Photograph Credit score: John Lamparski/Getty Pictures)
“It would be nice if I didn’t have to follow Hoda Kotb,” Melvin went on to confess. In different phrases, she’s set a really excessive bar when it comes to viewers rapport — and when it comes to rankings.
“It would be nice if the show weren’t doing as well as it’s doing,” he added. “But I made peace with that.”
Melvin emphasised: “We’re going to give it our all. … You just don’t want to be the man or the woman that screws it up.”
Craig Melvin attends the Annual Night time of Alternative Gala hosted by The Alternative Community at Cipriani Wall Avenue on Might 08, 2024. (Photograph Credit score: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Pictures for Alternative Community)
Everybody has recommendation for Craig Melvin in his new position
Through the Leisure Tonight interview, he acquired the recommendation: “Don’t eat on TV.” Although he was not but Savannah Guthrie’s co-host, he has loved some At this time snacks on air earlier than.
“By the way, you know that’s one of my mother’s biggest pet peeves,” Melvin shared. “She’s like, ‘Why are you always on TV eating like you haven’t eaten anything all day?’”
He continued, explaining: “And I’m like, ‘Some days I haven’t, like, I’ve been up for five hours. It’s my lunch.’”
It’s going to take greater than dietary restraint (and maybe busting out some dance strikes, as ET additionally instructed) to safe Craig Melvin’s place within the minds of viewers.
Hoda Kotb has been the face of the present for 17 years. She has established rapports with celeb visitors and with viewers who watch at dwelling.
When Melvin makes his formal debut on January 13, it might be a shock to the viewers. (Change is tough!)
Craig Melvin on stage throughout the OMEGA panel dialogue with Olympic ambassadors at The Planet OMEGA exhibition launch on the Chelsea Manufacturing facility on November 10, 2023. (Photograph Credit score: Roy Rochlin/Getty Pictures for OMEGA)
Finally, his success will likely be measured in rankings
A couple of weeks in the past, an inside supply spoke to Nearer in regards to the stakes of Craig Melvin’s new gig.
“Nobody’s questioning whether he’s worth it, he’s a very talented guy who’s worked very hard for this opportunity,” the insider affirmed.“The entire team is on board with him taking on this role.”
The supply acknowledged: “But of course, the pressure is really on because he’s got huge shoes to fill. Hoda is a total legend. The audience loved her and so did the network.”
