Al Roker, who has made appearances for Today along the iconic parade routefor 27 years, is not at this year’s event because he’s recovering from bloodclots in his leg and lungs that sent him to the hospital earlier this month.
During NBC’s broadcast of the 96th annual parade on Thursday, his fellowmorning show co-hosts sent Roker well wishes.
“For the past 27 parades, at this moment, Savannah, we would turn to Al Roker,who is our Today show colleague and our best pal,” Hoda Kotb said. “But as alot of you have heard, Al’s recovering — he’s recovering very well from arecent medical issue. And we just want to say, we love you Al. Wondering ifyou’re watching, but we wish you a full recovery.”
Savannah Guthrie also shared a heartfelt message with the Today show weatheranchor, before announcing that Today co-host Dylan Dreyer will take hisplace this year.
“We love you, Al. We’ll see you next year,” Guthrie said. “And now, standingin for Al, Ms. Dylan Dreyer from the Today show. She’s positioned uptown atthe parade’s start line. Hi Dylan, good morning!”
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Al Roker attends the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Sachyn Mital/Shutterstock
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Dreyer had some sweet words for her the weather expert. “Good morning guys,and Happy Thanksgiving. Al, we love you, we miss you and we’re thinking aboutyou!”
During the broadcast, Dreyer spoke by phone with President Joe Biden and FirstLady Dr. Jill Biden. Along with wishing first responders and troops a HappyThanksgiving, the president also acknowledged Roker.
“We’re going to give Al a call, too, see how he’s doing,” the President toldDreyer, to which she responded, “Al is doing great.”
On Thursday, Roker shared on his Instagram that he left the hospital. “This ismy version of the Thanksgiving Day Parade — getting ready to leave thehospital!” he said as he walked through the hall. “Time to blow this tacostand. Woohoo!”
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He also captioned the post: “So much to be #thankful for on the #thanksgivingday. Leaving the hospital and home for #thanksgivingdinner.”
Once he got home, Roker even tuned into the parade to watch his colleaguesfacilitate the show, posting a selfie in front of the TV. “Back home in timeto catch a little bit of the #macysthanksgivingdayparade,” he wrote. “Missingbeing next to @savannahguthrie and @hodakotb.”
Roker, who has been absent from the NBC morning show for three weeks now, gavean update on his whereabouts on Nov. 18, revealing in an Instagram post thathe’s been receiving medical treatment for blood clots.
“So many of you have been thoughtfully asking where I’ve been,” wrote Roker,68, captioning a photo of a bouquet of flowers. “Last week I was admitted tothe hospital with a blood clot in my leg which sent some clots into my lungs.”
“After some medical whack-a-mole, I am so fortunate to be getting terrificmedical care and on the way to recovery,” he added.
“Thanks for all the well wishes and prayers and hope to see you soon. Have agreat weekend, everyone,” he concluded.
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Smoker has been a staple on Today as the program’s premiere weather anchorsince 1996. For years before that, he made appearances as a substitute for thelate Willard Scott.
He was last absent from the show in late September, after testing positive forCOVID-19.
While Roker has been dealing with his health issues, Dreyer has been fillingin for him on Today. She and co-hosts Guthrie, Kotb, Craig Melvin and CarsonDaly spoke about their colleague on Friday’s show.
“He’s in good spirits, we’ve all talked to him,” said Guthrie, 50, with co-anchor Kotb, 58, stressing, “He’s in great spirits.”