When Roker opened his door to the NBC team singing “Jingle Bells,” an enormous smile and laughter spread across his face. As the team continued to serenade the TV personality, cameras captured Roker’s emotions overwhelming him in response to the sweet gesture from his colleagues. After the first song concluded, Roker showcased his humorous side, directing a playful comment at Kotb, saying, “It’s impressive you did that without a prompter,” accompanied by a smile.
Expressing his gratitude, Roker said, “I’ve missed you all so, so very much, all these faces. It just means the world to me and to our family and my Deborah, who’s just been my rock. I thank you so much. I really appreciated it.”
Guthrie later mentioned that it wasn’t just Roker who became emotional during the surprise visit. “It was one of the most heartwarming moments, I think, for all of us,” Guthrie shared, adding, “Everybody was in tears, and it was just beautiful and so wonderful to see him.”
Anchor Sheinelle Jones was moved by the gesture, describing it as “special” and “powerful,” with a palpable sense of love. Dylan Dreyer echoed the sentiment, stating, “This place means so much to Al. To have us all just go out there and serenade him was — it was emotional, and he appreciated it.”
The NBC carolers had another surprise in store for Roker, breaking into another traditional Christmas song with a twist: “Al Be Home for Christmas.” The touching tribute uplifted Roker’s spirits, prompting him to express his deep appreciation for his NBC family, saying, “I love you more than you’ll ever know.”