“Welcome to the Craig era!” Savannah Guthrie spoke to staffers about her new “Today” co-anchor Craig Melvin after he was unveiled Thursday as Hoda Kotb’s replacement.
An insider told Page Six that the morning show’s internal staff meeting was “downright joyous” after the news broke.
We’re told the “Today” staff was “clapping and chanting ‘Craig, Craig, Craig!’ » » when Melvin entered the room.
Guthrie added during a speech: “The future is so bright and we are so grateful to have Craigers,” Guthrie’s nickname for Melvin.
Choking back tears, Melvin spoke and said, “This is more special to me and my family than you will probably ever know,” we hear.
Melvin, 45, vowed to his colleagues to “keep doing the work and hopefully stand on your shoulders and represent you all like Hoda did,” we’re told.
“Today” bosses Libby Leist and Tommy Mazzarelli also spoke, spies told Page Six.
Kotb was there with her fourth-hour “Today” host, Jenna Bush Hager, and “everyone was hugging and clapping,” the source said.
Melvin taking over for Kotb — who said in September she would leave the show on Jan. 10 — was a no-brainer to industry insiders and the “Today” staff.
An insider pointed out that Melvin had paid his dues after working at the network for over a decade.
“It’s a moment where one of the good guys finally got what he was owed…They did it right.” If they had ignored it, it would have been offensive,” the source said.
“It remains to be seen if they will keep this ‘magic dust of Hoda’. He could be the male version of her. It will depend on TV chemistry,” the insider added.
Multiple sources described Melvin as “the nicest guy ever.” “People love him. They are extremely delighted. Everyone is happy,” the second source said.
It also has Kotb’s seal of approval.
“You are made for this job… You have everything this job needs.” You are the right person for this,” she told him after the announcement.
An “excited and grateful” Melvin said it meant “a lot to inherit” Kotb’s position, and called her the “heart” of the show.
“This is the latest in a long line of blessings. I talked to mom and dad yesterday, and I’m grateful that they’re still young enough and healthy enough to be able to see this,” he said on Thursday’s show.
Starting Jan. 13, “Today with Hoda & Jenna” will be renamed “Today with Jenna & Friends,” with a “rotating cast of alternate co-hosts” joining Bush Hager until they find a permanent replacement.
