Thursday, 28 December 2023

The TODAY family’s 2023 highlights

December 28, 2023 VIEW IN BROWSER

THIS IS TODAY

It was a year in which the TODAY family channeled music icons for another electrifying Halloween celebration, welcomed an adorable new addition to the extended family, and inspired others by showing they could "do hard things." Here are the moments to remember from Savannah, Hoda, Al, Craig, Jenna, Sheinelle, Dylan and Carson this year.

😎 Hoda and Savannah celebrated 5 years together, while Hoda marked a different milestone.

Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie started 2023 by celebrating their fifth year together as co-anchors of TODAY, a feat that back in 2018 made them the first a female duo to lead the show in its history. "You're my soul sister," Savannah told Hoda as they marked the occasion on-air in January. Hoda also hit another memorable milestone in April when she celebrated 25 years at NBC. A journey that began in 1998 as a correspondent for Dateline is still going strong, as Hoda proved in a scoop-filled interview with Jada Pinkett Smith in October and throughout her hit podcast, "Making Space," which won a Webby Award in March. (See her poignant 5-word speech from that ceremony here.)

🎃 The TODAY family channeled music icons for a 'Kellyoke'-themed Halloween bash.

Just when you think their previous Halloween celebrations could not be topped, the TODAY family delivers another showstopper. In honor of Kelly Clarkson's popular "Kellyoke" segments, the anchors this year became music superstars: Savannah was in her finest era as Taylor Swift, Hoda and Jenna became Sonny and Cher, Craig broke out the MC Hammer pants, Dylan raised her glass as Pink, Carson shone as Neil Diamond, Al danced on the ceiling as Lionel Richie, Sheinelle stepped out as Diana Ross, and Willie Geist went full Harry Styles in a neon jumpsuit. Relive all the fun and the costumes here. Meanwhile, in a different musical moment, Carson looked back at the 25th annivesary of "TRL," the groundbreaking MTV request show that made him a star.

🍼 Al became a grandpa for the first time: 'She's just perfect.'

Back in July, you couldn't take the smile off Al's face. He beamed at becoming a grandfather when his daughter, Courtney, gave birth to her first child. The cherry on top is that Al's granddaughter even has a weather-themed name: Sky. "She's just perfect," Al said in his first week as "Pop Pop." Since then, he's enjoyed going on a stroll in New York City's Central Park with Sky, attending his first Grandparents' Day, and hanging out with her at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

🏃🏿‍♀️ Sheinelle ran her first marathon: 'A once-in-a-lifetime experience.'

Sheinelle wanted to prove that, at 45 years old, she could still "do hard things," so she challenged herself to run her first marathon this year. After training for months to prepare for the New York City Marathon last month, Sheinelle crossed the finish line with her arms raised to complete what she said was a transcendent journey. "Every time you feel like you can't run any more, there's someone cheering your name," she said of the race. Revisit Sheinelle's marathon moment — and perhaps get some 2024 inspo of your own — here.

Craig's son Del joined him it Studio 1A, while fans ate up Dylan's 'Cooking with Cal.'

The next generation of TODAY talent was on display in April when Craig's son Delano, 9, helped Al Roker with his weather forecast as part of Bring Your Kids to Work Day at NBC. He was joined by Sheinelle's son Kayin and twins Uche and Clara, as well as Carson's daughter London. Another regular guest star was Dylan's son Calvin, 7, a budding chef who appeared in his mom's "Cooking with Cal" segments. Check out the pair's delicious recipes for loaded smashed potatoes, gluten-free chicken cutlets, grilled kielbasa with honey mustard (above), Christmas Eve oven-baked ribs, and much more.

Need recipe inspiration? From Mama Kelce's chocolate chip cookies to Stanley Tucci's pasta fagioli, you can now browse and SAVE our most popular recipes of 2023 with our new, free tool.

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Written by Scott Stump | Edited by Philip Caulfield

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