DYLAN TO THE RESCUE: Dylan Dreyer jumps in for TODAY co-star amid surprise SHAKE-UP

Meteorologist Dylan Dreyer stepped in for her colleague Al Roker on Tuesday, as he was absent from the Today show, and she shared the screen with Craig Melvin and Savannah Guthrie

Fans watching the Today show on Tuesday will have noticed a different line-up as Dylan Dreyer stepped in for her colleague Al Roker which comes amid an MSNBC anchor’s shock exit.

The 43-year-old meteorologist, who is an anchor on the 3rd Hour, shared the screen with hosts Craig Melvin and Savannah Guthrie as Al was absent from the show. Hoda also used to host this segment but tearfully said goodbye to the morning program in January after 17 years. Dylan usually pops up later on in the program alongside Al, Craig and Sheinelle Jones, but this time she appeared on Today earlier than usual.

Al’s absence came just a day after he, Dylan and Craig announced that the NBC network morning show will be hitting the road later this month, hosting a special live show in celebration of Mardi Gras, which falls on March 4 this year. Hosts will broadcast the 3rd Hour live from New Orleans, Louisiana, they announced on Monday.

Sharing the news from Studio 1A, Al told viewers, “Now we’ve got some exciting news to share. We are taking the show on the road to New Orleans. On the 3rd Hour of Today on Friday, February 28 we’re going to head down to celebrate Mardi Gras in the Big Easy. We’re going to take in the parades, festivities, sights, sounds and tastes of the city.”

Al Roker was absent from the show ( 
Image:
Getty Images for Hudson River Park Friends)
Dylan explained that fans can take part in the live audience during the special show, saying, “We want you guys to join in on our fun.” Craig also told viewers that Today is launching its ever food event, called Taste of New Orleans, which will see some of the city’s best chefs cook up their favourite dishes. Tickets for the live audience are sold out but you can register for Taste of New Orleans here, at the price of $249.

Today has been going through several changes recently, with Hoda Kotb stepping down in January. The legendary TV host ended her last day on the show wearing a white blazer and matching pants. She was joined by her colleagues, including Al and Carson Daly, as she said her goodbyes.

With tears running down her face, the anchor said, “I’m not even able to articulate it because I’m a mess most of the times, but I just want to say thanks. Carson [Daly], you’re like the secret sauce on this show, man. Without you the show doesn’t hum. Like, you have the thing and you brought it. You bring it every day.”

She continued, “Al, you’re my first friend here, the first person I met. When I got sick, you were the first person that walked into the room and said I was going to be okay.” She called co-host Savannah “her person” and said, “Who shows up for everybody? This girl When your brother died, it was this girl. When I was going through stuff with Hope, it was this girl. She’s in the room. She’s always in the room and I love you.”

Hoda closed out by showing love to her replacement, Craig. She said, “Craig, I mean, I’m so happy for you. You earned this. You own this. And come Monday at 7:00 a.m., I’m going to be dead asleep. But you’re gonna be fantastic. You’re going to bring it home! Craig, you’re gonna be so good. You and Savannah are going to be magic.”