What To Know
- Craig Melvin missed recent episodes of Today to participate in a “once in a lifetime” assignment.
- Melvin shared that the segment will air during Today‘s Fourth of July episode.
- Melvin’s adventure received enthusiastic reactions from fans and colleagues, adding to his recent memorable experiences both on and off the show.
Craig Melvin has a fun reason for missing recent episodes of Today.
Melvin has been absent from the NBC morning show since Thursday, June 25, with the likes of Willie Geist and Garrett Haake filling in for him at the anchor desk. Melvin took to Instagram on Thursday to share the exciting reason for his Today break.
“This was a once-in-a-lifetime assignment,” he wrote. “I traveled to Norfolk to climb into a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet and join a formation flyover above the National Mall ahead of America’s 250th birthday celebration.”
Melvin noted that the segment will air during Today‘s Fourth of July broadcast on Saturday, July 4. “It was an honor to highlight the men and women who fly to protect America,” he added. “NBC News is the official media partner of Sail4th, providing exclusive live coverage from land, sea, and sky starting at 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.”
Melvin looked straight out of Top Gun in the photos while suited up for flight. The post also included snaps of Melvin’s views from his ride inside the Navy jet.
Melvin’s fans and Today colleagues gushed over his exciting opportunity in the post’s comments. “And how many Gs did you pull??” asked Today contributor Kaylee Hartung. NBC News’ Vicky Nguyen wrote, “The most fun. What a thrill!” Al Roker stated, “This is so awesome.”
One fan wrote, “It was a pretty good day ‘at the office’ Craig Melvin!” Another quipped, “So what’s your call sign now?” Someone else shared, “Wow!!! What an incredible experience for you.”
A different person posted, “Wow! Of the many things you get to experience with Today, I can only imagine this being in the top few best! What an honor and privilege.” A separate commenter stated, “My dad flew the F8-U! He was a proud Marine Corps Fighter Pilot. As his daughter in Westport, and as a fan of Today, he would have loved this!!”
Melvin’s Navy jet flight marks the latest fun experience the host has had. Earlier this month, Melvin stayed up late with his son, Delano, to cheer on the New York Knicks at Game 4 of the NBA Finals. “A game for the ages and a core memory too,” he captioned Instagram pics of the pair at the game on June 11.
On the June 19 episode of Today, Melvin fulfilled his dream of being fake-slapped by Days of Our Lives star Deidre Hall. “It would be one of the greatest professional honors of my life if you would slap me,” he told the actress, who replied. “I’d be privileged.”
Today, Weekdays, 7 am/6c, NBC