Three unique Christmas carolers stunned Al Roker on Monday, leaving him in tears.
They reworked “Jingle Bells” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” to form “Al Be Home for Christmas.” Only hours after virtually appearing on the Today show, where he gave an update on his rehabilitation after spending four weeks in the hospital for treatment for blood clots in his legs and lungs, the well-liked weatherman, 68, opened the door to find all of his Today colleagues there, singing.
Today, a video of the terrible scenario from Wednesday aired. Carols were sung at the event by NBC morning show replacement Dylan Dreyer, as well as anchors Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, Craig Melvin, Jenna Bush Hager, and Sheinelle Jones.
In addition to the TV celebrities, the event drew Today producers, staff members, security personnel, and others. They were all wearing Santa hats.
“It was one of the most joyful moments for all of us,” Guthrie said on Thursday. “Everyone was in tears. And seeing him was simply amazing.”
“Al has a strong attachment to this region. “It was heartbreaking to see us all singing to him outside,” Jones said, “but you could just sense the love throughout the town.” “A dryer was added.
The devotion moved Roker as he stood at his front door with a cane.
“I just want to thank everyone,” Roker said after their opening song.
“It’s been a long, terrible battle, and I’ve missed you all so much. It meant everything to me to see everyone’s expressions. Please accept my heartfelt thanks. I am quite grateful.”
“I’m glad you did that without being asked,” he remarked. “A new America’s Got Talent competitor must be on the way.”
Al also thanked his wife of 62 years, Deborah Roberts, calling her “a rock.”
“We love you, Al,” Kotb told Roker. “Everyone was overjoyed to be able to sing for you and couldn’t wait to get out here.”
Roker has been Today’s primary weather anchor since 1996. Previously, from 1990 until 1995, Roker stood in for the late Willard Scott, who was semi-retiring then.
He hasn’t appeared on Today in a few weeks, last appearing on November 4th. Initially, the weatherman was admitted to the hospital to treat blood clots in his legs and lungs. He was later released but returned just before Thanksgiving a few weeks later. He could not attend Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (his first in 27 years!) or the annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting due to this second visit.
Roker stated on Instagram on December 8 that he had left the hospital once more. On Monday’s Today show, he stated that his rehabilitation has been “a huge fight.”
“I’ve had a few surgeries, but this was the worst,” he remarked. “However, I am feeling strong and optimistic. Every day, I’m growing better.”
“It makes you feel incredible gratitude for all the prayers and thanks,” Roker said. “I’m a fairly fortunate guy,” Al said.
Roker’s Roberts, daughters Courtney (35), Leila (24), and other family members have joined him at home. According to Roker, his son Nick, 20, “is going to return home from college very soon,” and his brother and sister-in-law have visited.
Roker stated that he needed time to rehabilitate and declined to say when he would return to Today full-time.
“Every week you’re 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 slight weakness.” Roker also stated that he receives physical and occupational therapy daily. “I simply need to regain my strength. I had to postpone it since I was scheduled to replace my knee in January. As a result, I have several problems.”
Even if he isn’t physically present, Roker is still a regular contributor to Today. Today featured him in their 2022 digital holiday card, shot at the show’s filming location, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, which has seen many fans clutching “Get Well” banners.
