On Monday, Al Roker was surprised by three very special Christmas carolers, who left him in tears.
They rewrote Jingle Bells and the particularly heartfelt “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” to become “Al Be Home for Christmas.” The well-liked weatherman, 68, opened the doors of the Roker residence to find all of his Today colleagues outside, singing, hours after virtually appearing on the Today show, where he gave an update on how he is recovering after spending four weeks in the hospital receiving treatment for blood clots in his legs and lungs.
Today, a video of the emotional moment from Wednesday was aired. The NBC morning show replacement for Roker, meteorologist Dylan Dreyer, as well as anchors Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, Craig Melvin, Jenna Bush Hager, and Sheinelle Jones, all sang carols at the gathering.
Along with the TV celebs, the party included Today producers, crew members, security personnel, and others. They were all wearing Santa hats.
“It was one of the most lovely moments, for all of us,” Guthrie said on Thursday. “Everyone was in tears. And seeing him was simply breathtaking.”
“Al has a strong attachment to this place. It was heartbreaking to see us all just sing to him outside,” Jones continued, “you could just sense the love all throughout the neighborhood,” Dryer added.
Roker was visibly moved by the devotion as he stood at his front door with a cane.
After their introductory song, Roker said, “I simply want to thank you all. “
“It’s been a long, tough struggle, and I’ve missed you all terribly. Seeing all of these people’s faces meant everything to me . Please accept my heartfelt thanks. I am extremely grateful.”
“I’m glad you did that without prompting,” he joked. “I guess there’s a new America’s Got Talent contestant. “
Al also thanked his wife of 62 years, Deborah Roberts, calling her “a rock.”
“We love you so much, Al” said Kotb to Roker. ” Every single person was excited to sing to you and couldn’t wait to get out here.”
Roker has been Today’s primary weather anchor since 1996. Prior to that, from 1990 to 1995, Roker stood in as a replacement weathercaster for the late Willard Scott, who was semiretiring at the time.
He has been absent from Today for several weeks, having last appeared on November 4th. Initially, the weatherman was admitted to the hospital for treatment of blood clots in his leg and lungs. He was later released, but returned a few weeks later, shortly after Thanksgiving. As a result of this second visit, he was unable to attend the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (his first in 27 years!) or the annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting.
Roker stated on Instagram on December 8 that he has left the hospital once again. On Monday’s Today show, he stated that his recovery has been “a tremendous fight.”
“I’ve had a lot of surgery, but this was the worst one yet, he continued. “However, I feel strong and good. Every day, I feel a little better.”
“It makes you feel incredible thankfulness for this outpouring of prayers and thanks,” Roker added. “I’m a pretty lucky person,” Al remarked.
Roker has been joined at home by his Roberts, daughters Courtney (35), and Leila (24), as well as other family members. Son Nick, 20, “is going to come home from college very soon,” according to Roker, who also claimed that his brother and sister-in-law have visited.
Roker stated that he needed some time to recover and would not specify when he would return to Today full-time.
“Every week you are in the hospital, you lose a certain amount of muscle mass, and I was there for four weeks. As a result, there is just a minor degree of weakness.” Roker added that he receives daily physical and occupational treatment. “I simply need to regain my strength. I had to postpone it since I was planning to replace my knee in January. As a result, I have a variety of issues.”
Even if he isn’t physically present, Roker remains a frequent contributor to Today in the meantime. Today offered him a wonderful shout-out in their 2022 digital holiday card, which was shot at the show’s filming venue, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, which has seen lots of spectators carrying “Get Well” placards.
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