‘Today’ Fans Are ‘So Happy’ About Al Roker’s Upcoming Return After His Hospitalization

• The Today show recently announced that Al Roker will be returning after a two-month–long absence.

• The 68-year-old weatherman has been absent from the NBC morning show after being hospitalized due to blood clots in his legs and lungs.

• Today fans, as well as co-anchors Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and Craig Melvin, are showing their excitement and support over the news of Roker’s return.

Good news for Today Show fans in the new year: After a lengthy absence, it looks like Al Roker is finally returning to the NBC morning show very soon!

Today anchors Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and Craig Melvin recently announced the news on Tuesday’s broadcast, revealing the date of the 68-year-old weatherman’s first in-studio appearance in two months since he was hospitalized for blood clots.

“We have some great news to share this morning: Al is coming back to the show,” Guthrie said on Today.

Kotb then shared that Roker would officially return on Friday, January 6. “He’ll be here Friday. He’ll be right here in Studio 1A,” she said. “This is his place. He’ll be in his seat, right where he belongs. I cannot wait for that.”

Guthrie and Melvin also made sure to express their excitement over their colleague’s upcoming return. “Not the same without Al. Our sunshine is coming back Friday morning,” said Guthrie, while Melvin noted the group would finally “be back together again.”

Roker last appeared on Today on November 8, before he was admitted to the hospital due to blood clots in his legs and lungs. He was then released near the end of November in time to celebrate Thanksgiving with his family—only to return to the hospital for a second stay within 24 hours of his initial release. “We all wish that Al could have been with us but due to some complications, he is back in the hospital and he’s in very good care,” Today co-anchor Kotb said at the time.

Unfortunately, Roker’s ongoing health issues caused him to miss covering the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for the first time in 27 years—as well as the lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. Thankfully, though, the Today weather anchor was able to return home on December 8 in time to gear up for Christmas with his family, taking to Instagram at the time to share the good news.

“Home! So incredibly grateful to family, friends, medical folks, @todayshow family, and all your thoughts and prayers,” Roker wrote, alongside photos of himself smiling alongside his wife and daughter in his family’s kitchen.

Of course, the Today family made sure to show no shortage of support for Roker on his road to recovery—even gathering outside his New York City home to sing Christmas carols last month in an emotional surprise that brought the weatherman to tears.

Later, in a virtual appearance on Today on December 12, Roker expressed his gratitude for all the support he’s received from fans and colleagues. “Listen, it’s been a tough slog. I’m not going to deny this,” he said. “It’s been the hardest one yet, and you know I’ve had my share of surgeries. It gives you a profound sense of gratitude for this outpouring of prayers and thanks. I’m a very fortunate person.”

At the time, Roker shared that he didn’t feel like he could return to Today quite yet, as he was still focused on regaining his strength.

“You lose a certain amount of muscle mass for every week you’re in the hospital, and I was in the hospital for four weeks,” he explained. “It’s just a certain amount of weakness. I’m doing physical therapy every day, occupational therapy. I’ve got to just get my strength back.”

Needless to say, Today viewers were ecstatic to hear the news of Roker’s return, flooding the comments of Today’s Instagram with messages of support for the weatherman.

“Best news I’ve heard in a long time! So happy to hear you’re almost back, Al! We’ve missed you probably more than you can even know ❤️❤️❤️,” wrote one fan. “So excited to see Al again every morning. Such great news that he’s healthy and back on Today!” another commented.

Like all Today fans, we can’t wait to see Roker back and healthy on Friday!

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