Weather anchor Al Roker unexpectedly departed the live Sept. 28 broadcast of NBC's Today show in New York City to report for jury duty, leaving meteorologist Dylan Dreyer to step in for the rest of the morning program.
Anchor Savannah Guthrie informed viewers of the mid-show departure during the broadcast, explaining that Dreyer was taking over for Roker because he had to leave early. Dreyer added, "Yeah, a little switcheroo again this morning."
When the third hour of Today commenced, cohost Craig Melvin addressed Roker's absence at the top of the broadcast alongside Dreyer. Melvin noted that Roker had to step out for a short time and confirmed he would return the following day.
Jury Duty Explanation
The sudden exit initially left viewers in confusion, but the 71-year-old broadcaster soon revealed his whereabouts in a video posted to Instagram. Standing outside an impressive building featuring columns rather than NBC's Rockefeller Center studio, Roker explained that he had left the set for civic duties.
"Got out of The Today Show early," Roker said in the clip, "because I've got jury duty."
The weather presenter added a lighthearted joke about his courthouse assignment, remarking, "It's everybody's civic duty to do your duty," before quipping, "he said 'dooty' twice!"
Life as Empty Nesters
When he is not delivering weather reports on television or answering a jury summons in New York City, Roker and his wife of 31 years, Deborah Roberts, are adjusting to life as empty nesters. The couple dropped off their son, Nick Roker, at college in early September.
In a joint interview with E! News on Sept. 19, Roker reflected on his son entering higher education. "I feel good," Roker said. "I remember I was the first to go to college in my family, and I was the oldest of six. And I know my parents were just kind of thrilled to have one free bed. So, you know, I'm looking forward to his next chapter."
In addition to Nick, Roker is father to 27-year-old Leila with Roberts, as well as 39-year-old Courtney Roker with his former wife, Alice Bell.
Roberts admitted to mixed emotions regarding both children officially leaving home. "I feel excited," Roberts said. "It's always hard for me because at my core, I am a mom and a mama bear, and I miss the kids terribly. But you know what? I love seeing them spread their wings and start to fly a little bit."
Roberts noted that the transition allows the couple to enter a new stage together. "We're holding up pretty well," she added. "We're having date night."
Today Show Cohosts and Families
Roker is part of a broad on-air team at Today whose cohosts have frequently spoken about their lives off camera.
Sheinelle Jones, cohost of the fourth hour of Today, shares her son Kayin and twins Uche and Clara with her late husband, Uche Ojeh, who died in May 2025 following a battle with brain cancer.
Writing in a 2015 essay for Today, Jones shared her perspective on raising her three children. "With all three of my children, I try to show them that they're ALL a team, and they have to take care of each other," Jones wrote. "At the same time, I'm learning that they each like to know they're special on their own."
Craig Melvin, who cohosts the third hour alongside Roker and Dreyer, married fellow broadcaster Lindsay Czarniak in 2011. Three years after their wedding, Melvin became a father, and the couple now share son Delano and daughter Sybil.
During a May 2024 broadcast of Today, Melvin shared a direct message to his son on air. "When I wake up in the morning," Melvin said to his son, "part of the reason I work so hard is for you and your sister."
Parenting on the Anchor Desk
Jenna Bush Hager, cohost of Today with Jenna & Sheinelle, shares three children, Mila, Poppy, and Hal, with her husband Henry Hager. Speaking during a March 2025 episode of the morning show, Bush Hager stated, "I'm pretty sure I've come to terms that three, even though it's an imperfect number, it's the perfect number for our household."
Former host Hoda Kotb is mother to daughters Haley Joy and Hope Catherine. Kotb previously marked Halloween on social media with her daughter Haley Joy, writing, "Another Halloween in the books."
Kotb's former cohost Kathie Lee Gifford is mother to two children, Cassidy Gifford and Cody Gifford, with her late husband Frank Gifford.
Today personality Savannah Guthrie and her husband Mike Feldman share two children, Vale Guthrie Feldman and Charles "Charley" Max Feldman.
Sunday Today anchor Willie Geist has been married to his wife Christina Geist since 2003, and they are parents to George William Geist and Lucie Joy Geist.
News Personalities Off Camera
Former NBC Nightly News anchor Lester Holt shares sons Stefan Holt and Cameron Holt with his wife Carol Hagen. Holt became a grandfather to three grandchildren: Henry, Samuel, and James.
Appearing on The Kelly Clarkson Show in 2021, Holt explained how he chose his grandfather title when his daughter-in-law was pregnant with her first child. "When my daughter-in-law was pregnant with her first baby.. she said, 'Well, what do you guys want to be called?'" Holt recalled. "I said, 'I think I want to be 'Granddude' because 'grand,' it bows to the fact that I'm older. But 'dude' says, 'I still got a little bit. I still got a little,' you know?"
Anchor Carson Daly and his wife Siri Pinter welcomed their fourth child, Goldie, in 2020. Goldie joined the couple's older children, Jackson, Etta, and London.
As Roker fulfilled his civic duty at the New York courthouse, his colleagues continued to anchor NBC's morning programming, balancing their public broadcasting roles with their family lives.
