Hoda Kotb exited the 'Today' show on Jan. 10, making way for Melvin to replace her in the co-anchor seat It’s the start of a new era on the Today show. After Hoda Kotb exited the NBC morning show on Friday,

“I was like, ‘Are they forcing you out?’ She’s like, ‘No Craig, I’m OK. I’m leaving,’” he recalled. “I was legit stunned, so much so that after she left, I went back to her dressing room, and I was like, ‘Are you sure you’re OK?’ It takes a certain kind of courage to leave anything when you’re at the height of your game.”