Hoda Kotb Sends Blood to Craig Melvin’s New Today Show

Hoda Kotb is celebrating her new chapter after her final Today show appearance.

The 60-year-old broadcaster took to social media on Monday, January 13, with a positive message about starting over. “And suddenly, you know… it’s time to start something new and trust in the magic of new beginnings,” read a quote she shared through Instagram food.

In the caption, Kotb added, “Here’s to all the newbies— @craigmelvinnbc and @savannahguthrie ….. @jennabushhager and friends.. and me! Let’s do this!”

The shouting came out as Craig Melvin ready to stepped in as Kotb’s successor on the NBC morning show. Kotb announced in September 2024 that he would be leaving the series after almost 30 years working at the network. Melvin’s new role was confirmed two months later.

“I obviously want to thank NBC and the people here who thought I was worthy,” Melvin, 45, said at the time, noting that he felt “beyond excited and grateful” for the new opportunity. “I have enjoyed only a lifetime of blessings, and this is the latest in a long series of blessings.”

Kotb assured her colleague that he was “made for this job,” adding, “You’re that good. You have all the things this job needs. You’re the right person for it.”

Following months of buildup, Kotb officially said goodbye to the Today show on Friday, January 10, end of a A week-long “Hoda-bration”. in her honor. She became emotional while praising her fellow guests, incl Savannah Guthrieand wished Melvin well on his new journey.

“Savanna, oh, my God. You are my person, you are my person. You know who appears to everyone? This girl. … She’s in the room, she’s always in the room, and I love you,” he said. “Craig, I’m so happy for you. You’ve earned this, you own this, and come Monday at 7 o’clock in the morning, I’ll be dying in my sleep. But you’ll be great. You’re going to bring it home. Craig, you will be so good. You and Savannah are going to be magic.”

Related: Inside Craig Melvin’s ‘Today’ Show Gig: Salary, Staff Response

Craig Melvin is following in the legendary footsteps of Hoda Kotb and the Today show staff couldn’t be more thrilled about it. “Craig is so great, people were cheering when they got the staff email,” a source tells Us Weekly exclusively. “He’s the best – everyone is so excited for him.” Adds a second source: “He (…)

During Monday’s episode, Kotb sent Melvin a video message to celebrate his new role. He wrote him a letter, which was read on air after Guthrie found him hiding in the studio. Melvin was overcome with emotion as his family supported him in the broadcast.

Kotb explained previously that her departure from the Today The show was inspired by her daughters, Haley, 7, and Hope, 5. She detailed her decision further in a letter shared via Today.com last fall.

“I’ve been weighing up this decision for quite some time – am I really ready?” she wrote. “But, my sixtieth birthday celebration on the Plaza felt like a shift. Like a huge, joyful YES, you are! I saw it all so clearly: my broadcasting career has been beyond meaningful, a new decade of my life is ahead of me, and now my daughters and my mother need and deserve a bigger piece of my time pie. I will miss you all very much, but I am ready and excited.”

Kotb added at the time that she plans to remain “part of the NBC family,” calling her time at the network “the longest working relationship I’ve been fortunate enough to hold close to my heart.”

With Melvin filling her shoes on the morning show and a rotating list of invited guests join Jenna Bush Hager forward Today With Jenna and Her FriendsKotb is ready to sit back and relax – even turn off his early morning alarms.

“No alarm…whaaaaaaaattttt???” teasing her through Instagram on Sunday, January 12, before her first day off the air.