Craig Melvin made a notable entrance into the cohosting seat of Today With Jenna & Friends alongside Jenna Bush Hager on November 3, capturing attention with both humor and candidness. Melvin, despite admitting he had never watched the show before, praised Bush Hager’s adaptability in managing a show filled with various celebrity guests since Hoda Kotb’s departure earlier this year.
During the show, Melvin expressed his awe at Bush Hager’s skills, stating, “What you have managed to do over the last few months on this show… real recognizes real,” underscoring the challenge of working beside a different cohost almost daily. Bush Hager humorously pointed out their many “first dates,” to which Melvin quipped he felt honored to be the 58th.
Melvin is part of a lineup of guest cohosts making their debuts on Jenna & Friends this week, with upcoming appearances scheduled for Dylan Dreyer and Carson Daly. Behind-the-scenes content shared on the show’s Instagram page reflected Melvin’s playful nature, joking about feeling like the last option for cohosting. His experience, however, turned out to be pleasantly surprising, leading him to comment that it was “a lot more fun than I thought it would be.”
Fans took to social media to express their enthusiasm for Melvin’s performance, with many calling for his return as a cohost. Comments such as “Craig Melvin!! A breath of fresh air! Please ask him to host again!!!” and “Maybe he needs to be co-host!!” showcased the audience’s positive reception.
With the viewer appreciation and Melvin’s good-natured approach to the role, it seems likely that opportunities for more collaborations in the future will be well-received. Today With Jenna & Friends airs weekdays at 10 a.m. ET on NBC.