The Today show showcased a segment on “90s nostalgia posts go viral” on March 12, and all the co-hosts got sentimental as they recalled their golden years, way before they became big time hosts.
Jenna Bush Hager comically shared: “We know what Craig [Melvin] was like in the ’90s.” Craig admitted: “I was a late bloomer.”
A picture of Craig wearing a white turtleneck, black blazer and clear glasses while playing the violin was shown, as the host blurted out: “There we go.”
Carson Daly joked: “We only have one photo of you,” as Craig sarcastically responded: “That’s the only photo from the ’90s.”
Carson comically added: “That’s you when you looked like Bell, Biv, and Devoe,” as everyone laughed along. Craig mentioned that the throwback picture was “probably from ’94.”
© TodayThe hosts recall their earlier years
Al Roker recalled what he was like back then and he joked: “I was here [at NBC]. I was fat. I was still bald. I obviously married up.” Jenna commented: “90s Al was classic.”
Jenna emphasized how romance has changed as well over the decades. The TV host noted that she “misses that longing.” She explained, stating: “When you would just show up at the mall, and a boy you have a crush on would be there.”
Craig quickly inquired: “Who’s the boy?” Jenna responded: “Well, there were a few,” while giggling.
© Getty ImagesCarson got candid about earlier career obstacles
Carson on the other hand recalled his difficult early career and the obstacles that he faced before his career blew up.
He shared: “TRL happened later in the ’90s. For me, I graduated high school. Dropped out of college, worked in four cities in four years – struggling in radio in the first half of the decade, and towards the tail end, caught my footing at MTV here in New York, and TRL really exploded in ’99.”
Jenna expressed: “The ’90s don’t seem that long ago,” as Carson responded: “Not for us mentally.” Craig quickly emphasized that although they may not feel that it was a lifetime ago, their kids most certainly do.
© WireImageThe TV host shared: “My son did remind me last week – ‘dad, you were born in the last century,'” and he responded, “no I wasn’t,” before he quickly realized that it was in fact true.
Carson and Jenna agreed that the younger generation is now watching shows that were hits while they were growing up such as The O.C., Dawson’s Creek, and Gilmore Girls. Craig concluded: “All that’s old is new again.”
NBC legacy
Al has been with NBC for the longest, being that he joined in 1996 as a weekday weather anchor. He celebrated his 30th anniversary in January 2026. Prior to then, he worked at one of NBC’s affiliate stations WKYC, which is located in Cleveland.
Out of all the hosts, Craig was the one to begin working at NBC last in 2018.
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