If you’ve clicked on this, you're probably sitting there with your morning coffee, looking at the screen and thinking, Wait, where’s Al? It’s a fair question. Honestly, after nearly thirty years of watching Al Roker tell us what’s happening in our neck of the woods, any morning without him feels... well, a little bit wrong.
Let's get the big answer out of the way immediately. Yes, Al Roker is still a core member of the Today show in 2026. He hasn't quit. He hasn't been fired. He isn't "gone" in the way the internet rumors sometimes suggest.
But there’s a reason people keep asking. Between his health scares over the last few years and the massive shakeup involving Hoda Kotb’s departure in early 2025, the vibe at Studio 1A has changed. Al is 71 now. He's a legend. Naturally, every time he takes a week off for vacation or to work on a side project, people panic.
The State of the 3rd Hour in 2026
If you tune in during the 9:00 AM hour, things look a little different than they did a couple of years ago. We’ve seen a bit of a "musical chairs" situation. With Sheinelle Jones moving over to the 10:00 AM hour to join Jenna Bush Hager—filling the massive void left by Hoda—the 3rd Hour has leaned heavily on the trio of Al, Dylan Dreyer, and Craig Melvin.
They’re basically the "Three Musketeers" of morning TV at this point.
Kinda recently, Al was even spotted crashing the set on his day off just to mess with his co-hosts. It was November 2025, and he literally popped up in the window of Studio 1A while they were interviewing a Broadway star. Craig Melvin joked that Al was practicing "early retirement," but Al just waved and kept it moving. He’s still very much a part of the family.
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Why the Retirement Rumors Won't Die
Look, we have to talk about the "R" word. Retirement.
Every time a major anchor leaves—like Hoda did—the spotlight turns to Al. He’s been there since 1996. That’s a long time to wake up at 3:00 AM. In late 2024, Al gave an interview where he was pretty blunt about it. He said, "You don't get off the train until the last stop."
He’s also mentioned that as long as he’s having fun, he’s staying. And by all accounts, he’s still having a blast. He told TV Insider not long ago that he’s even more passionate about the job now than when he started. That doesn't sound like a man with one foot out the door.
But he isn't delusional. He’s acknowledged that "the time will come" eventually. For now, though? He’s still the king of the plaza.
Recent Absences and "The Summer of Al"
You might notice he vanishes for a week here and there. In August 2025, he was MIA for a while, leading to a flurry of "Where is Al Roker?" Google searches. Turns out, he was just in Europe with his wife, Deborah Roberts, living his best life.
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The show has become much more flexible with its veteran stars. They get more vacation time. They get to go on "mystery adventures." If you don't see Al on a Tuesday, don't assume the worst. He’s probably just sleeping in or filming a segment for Weather Hunters.
Health Check: How Is Al Really Doing?
We can't talk about Al without mentioning his resilience. The man is basically made of iron. After the 2022 blood clot scare that kept him in the hospital for weeks and caused him to miss his first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 27 years, fans are protective.
Fortunately, 2025 and the start of 2026 have been relatively smooth sailing. He’s been very open about his journey with prostate cancer (he’s now a major advocate for testing) and his ongoing recovery from various surgeries.
- Mobility: He’s back to his walking routines. He often posts his "Start TODAY" walks on Instagram.
- Energy: On air, his timing is as sharp as ever. Just yesterday, he was roasting Craig Melvin on air for being inducted into the South Carolina Entertainment & Music Hall of Fame.
- Outlook: He seems genuinely happy.
What to Expect Next
So, what should you actually look for? Al is approaching his 30th anniversary as a regular on the show. That’s a milestone very few people in television ever reach. Expect NBC to throw a massive celebration for that.
The network knows that Al is the "connective tissue" of the show. With so many faces changing, his presence provides a sense of stability that viewers crave.
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If you're worried about his status, keep an eye on his social media. Al is a chronic poster. If he’s not on the show, he’s usually posting a video of his breakfast or a time-lapse of the fall foliage in his backyard.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Check the 3rd Hour: If you only watch the first hour of Today, you might miss him. He’s most active during the 9:00 AM block.
- Follow the "Start TODAY" Group: Al is heavily involved in this fitness community. It’s the best place to see his "real life" updates outside of the studio.
- Don't Believe the Clickbait: Many sites use Al’s name in "sad goodbye" headlines to get clicks. Unless it comes from NBC News or Al’s own Instagram, he’s likely just taking a well-deserved nap.
Al Roker isn't just a weatherman; he's a morning fixture. While the "wheels will fall off" eventually, as he likes to say, those wheels seem to be spinning just fine for now. You can expect to see him under the umbrella on the plaza for the foreseeable future.
To stay updated on Al's daily status, the most reliable method is to check the official Today Show social media feeds at 7:00 AM ET, where they typically announce the morning's lineup.