Why Al Roker Left Today Show Mid-Broadcast

From quiet on set to order in the court.

Viewers of The Today Show were left in confusion when Al Roker made a sudden departure during the Sept. 28 broadcast, with meteorologist Dylan Dreyer filling in for him throughout the rest of the episode. 

“We have Dylan taking over for Al, who had to leave a little bit early,” anchor Savannah Guthrie said during the show, with Dreyer adding, “Yeah, a little switcheroo again this morning.”

And when it was time for the third hour of Today, which Roker cohosts alongside Dreyer and Craig Melvin, Melvin said at the top of broadcast, “Al had to step out for just a little bit. He’ll be back tomorrow.”

But while it seemed the departure would remain shrouded in mystery, it was Roker himself who soon drew back the curtain on where he’d gone. 

“Got out of The Today Show early,” the 71-year-old said in an Instagram video, “because I’ve got jury duty.”

And indeed, the building behind him was not Rockefeller Center, where Today films, but instead an impressive building featuring columns.

But Roker couldn’t help but bely the grandeur of the moment with a well-timed potty joke.