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There’s a well-known face lacking at this yr’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Al Roker, who has made appearances for Today alongside the long-lasting parade route for 27 years, just isn’t at this yr’s occasion as a result of he is recovering from blood clots in his leg and lungs that despatched him to the hospital earlier this month.
During NBC’s broadcast of the 96th annual parade on Thursday, his fellow morning present co-hosts despatched Roker effectively needs.
“For the past 27 parades, at this moment, Savannah, we would turn to Al Roker, who is our Today show colleague and our best pal,” Hoda Kotb mentioned. “But as a lot of you have heard, Al’s recovering — he’s recovering very well from a recent medical issue. And we just want to say, we love you Al. Wondering if you’re watching, but we wish you a full recovery.”
Savannah Guthrie additionally shared a heartfelt message with the Today present climate anchor, earlier than asserting that Today co-host Dylan Dreyer will take his place this yr.
“We love you, Al. We’ll see you next year,” Guthrie mentioned. “And now, standing in for Al, Ms. Dylan Dreyer from the Today show. She’s positioned uptown at the parade’s start line. Hi Dylan, good morning!”
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Dreyer had some candy phrases for her the climate professional. “Good morning guys, and Happy Thanksgiving. Al, we love you, we miss you and we’re thinking about you!”
During the published, Dreyer spoke by telephone with President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden. Along with wishing first responders and troops a Happy Thanksgiving, the president additionally acknowledged Roker.
“We’re going to give Al a call, too, see how he’s doing,” the President advised Dreyer, to which she responded, “Al is doing great.”
On Thursday, Roker shared on his Instagram that he left the hospital. “This is my version of the Thanksgiving Day Parade — getting ready to leave the hospital!” he mentioned as he walked by way of the corridor. “Time to blow this taco stand. Woohoo!”
He additionally captioned the publish: “So much to be #thankful for on the #thanksgiving day. Leaving the hospital and home for #thanksgivingdinner.”
Once he obtained house, Roker even tuned into the parade to observe his colleagues facilitate the present, posting a selfie in entrance of the TV. “Back home in time to catch a little bit of the #macysthanksgivingdayparade,” he wrote. “Missing being next to @savannahguthrie and @hodakotb.”
Roker, who has been absent from the NBC morning present for 3 weeks now, gave an replace on his whereabouts on Nov. 18, revealing in an Instagram publish that he is been receiving medical remedy for blood clots.
(*27*) wrote Roker, 68, captioning a photograph of a bouquet of flowers. “Last week I was admitted to the hospital with a blood clot in my leg which sent some clots into my lungs.”
“After some medical whack-a-mole, I am so fortunate to be getting terrific medical care and on the way to recovery,” he added.
“Thanks for all the well wishes and prayers and hope to see you soon. Have a great weekend, everyone,” he concluded.
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Roker has been a staple on Today as this system’s premiere climate anchor since 1996. For years earlier than that, he made appearances as an alternative choice to the late Willard Scott.
He was final absent from the present in late September, after testing optimistic for COVID-19.
While Roker has been coping with his well being points, Dreyer has been filling in for him on Today. She and co-hosts Guthrie, Kotb, Craig Melvin and Carson Daly spoke about their colleague on Friday’s present.
“He’s in good spirits, we’ve all talked to him,” mentioned Guthrie, 50, with co-anchor Kotb, 58, stressing, “He’s in great spirits.”
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